Our final big lesson is definitely one we’re still learning:
embrace the ‘competition’. We are working really hard to understand the album
market, because we think we can work alongside some traditional offerings.
We’re also building a network of partner photographers – we want to sit
alongside their album packages rather than be an ‘instead of’ and therefore a
threat. We’re lucky, there isn't really anyone else doing what we’re
doing, but when we were referred a client by the lovely Emma Woodhouse
(@cloggins – I will be honest, I had butterflies when we met, you’re so
twitterly famous!) who writes gorgeous wedding reports, we were so delighted at
her generosity that we are determined to spread the love too.
So, those were our lessons. We’re still very new, and we’re
still learning about this fascinating industry that we’re part of, everyday.
And we’re not saying that these are lessons for everyone, just things we’ve
observed as we’ve made our way to where we are now. We’d so love to hear other
companies’ experiences, tips and hints that got them started or kept them
going. Do share!
And just for fun, we thought we'd finish with a few personal ‘learning points’ we've gathered in the eighteen months Illustries has existed (most of it on
paper!);
1. We are mutually the only people outside our families that we could share a room with. Not least a room with stained mattresses and a dubious
bathroom. And still laugh about it in the morning.
2. Among all the lovely brides and grooms, strange
people come to wedding shows. It is not fair to watch your business partner
deal with one of these people while audibly choking back giggles and doing
Roger Moore eyebrows.
3. Tempers will be frayed. There is no escaping
that. We’re lucky that only one of us has ever unravelled at any one time. The
other sits quietly until said rage has evaporated. And then takes the mick. Mercilessly…
4. Tequila is an excellent planning tool. It is good to embrace it...
Thanks for the mention ladies! I've lost count of the amount of times I've pointed out that there are more than enough weddings every year to go round and I really do believe in promoting other passionate, like-minded, good quality suppliers. I hope I wasn't too much of a let down in real life!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment Emma, we completely agree. And you could never be a let down!
DeleteThanks for sharing, will have to try number 4 this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe lessons I've learnt would be don't waste time being jealous or feeling bad about things you read on twitter. Assume they're written by Alistair Campbell.
Definitely agree with lesson 2. You can plan all you like but you need to be flexible, hope for the best plan for the worst.
I think keep your ear to the ground, some parts of the game change so quickly it's unbelievable and a good network of trusted businesses (some might say friends even) in the trade can be hugely beneficial.
Definitely give No 4 a try, you never know where it might lead!
DeleteThanks so much for taking the time to share your experience too. We're all for making friends! X