Warning Signs That Clients are Not Your Kind of Clients

By: Tracey Manailescu

Yes, that is what this article is about but it also has some solutions, or at least advice to help you vet the next clients that come to you before signing any contracts. It is also written so that you can take another look at your business model and what you are showing to the world. Small changes on your part might make a HUGE difference.

The wrong clients for you might be someone else’s perfect clients.

Dilemma:

Gut Feeling– You know that feeling in your stomach that just screams, “Nope! Don’t do it!” Listen to it.

Examples could be:

• The Mother of one of the couples is going to be heavily involved in decision making process and this stresses you out
• The couple wants to DIY everything and that is not your jam
• The couple is dismissive of everything you say and suggest (there seems to be a lack of respect from the get go)

Solution:

Suggest another planner who you feel would be a better fit for them. We all have different skills, ideal couples, budgets and types of people that we interact with best.

Dilemma:

Beyond Your Expertise- Do not get in over your head. If you are not comfortable with all of the logistics and organizational skills required to work on an intricate wedding. It doesn’t mean that you need to turn the clients down. If you are up to the challenge then be upfront and honest with your clients and let them know that this is something that you have not done before, but are more than willing to learn. This way they have the chance to look for someone else who is better suited, or they are willing to take a chance on you.

Solution:

Bring a trusted professional onto your team who can help and work with you while representing your company. Post the position on the WPIC Alumni Boards “Paid Position” section, or ask someone you have worked with previously.

Dilemma:

They Won’t Read Your Emails- You know they haven’t, because they are calling or emailing you about everything that you have already laid out previously.

Solution:

Ask them how they would prefer to have contact with you. Ask for a phone call or face to face meeting. Go over everything point by point and reiterate that this was in the email sent previously. Let them know that items can be time-sensitive and it is important to communicate efficiently.  Follow up any in-person meetings and phone calls with an email so you have proper proof of discussions and decisions in your files (and theirs) to avoid any he said, she said situations.

Dilemma:

The Style, Theme and Budget are not making you feel excited- This one is pretty self explanatory.

Solution:

You want your heart to be in it. If this wedding does not suit your brand, or make you happy to jump out of bed in the morning so you can work on their wedding, then recommend someone who it will excite. It’s not fair to the clients, and it’s not fair to you to be working with each other for six months to year (or more) on such a special event.

On the flip-side: Sometimes couples aren’t sure what is out there and available to them. It might not be a monetary thing at all. You as the wedding professional, can offer suggestions and solutions on how to cut back on certain things and where to increase the budget for maximum impact. Change the venue, have a destination wedding, switch out some of their big ticket ideas for new ones. It might simply be a case of educating the clients. They approached you for a reason.  Something they saw or felt from your website or social media channels inspired them to contact you. Please do not make anyone feel embarrassed or not good enough simply because of first impressions.

On another note: Revisit your promotional materials. Does it match the clientele you want to attract? Is your website old or in need of an upgrade? Are your business cards on the cheap side? Are the photos you are showing to the world a representation of who you are and want to attract? This might be a case of, “It’s not them. It’s you!”

Dilemma:

Complaining About Other Wedding Professionals- You can bet your sweet bottom that if they are speaking ill of others, they will speak ill of you as well eventually. Run!

Solution:

There is no solution for this one. Like I said above, run!

Dilemma:

Unreasonable Demands- Are clients calling, texting or emailing you at all times of the day and night? Are clients setting up meetings with vendors and demanding you be there? Do your clients know what your duties and responsibilities are?

Solution:

You need to manage their expectations.  This is where the onus comes on you as the professional. Set reasonable boundaries which include your set work hours, and a timeline and stick to it. Your contract should state that it is you who will be arranging the meetings so all parties involved are available. Are you providing enough communication to your clients about the process? Are you sending updates and holding weekly or monthly meetings so that concerns, questions and new details can be shared and voiced to each other? There is a lot of time and money invested in a wedding, and the couple probably doesn’t have much knowledge of all that needs to go into it.  That is why they are looking to hire a professional in the first place.

Dilemma:

Asking for Discounts- I always encourage planners to list their pricing on their website (or at least the starting point at which the rates will be). This alleviates those clients who are shopping around, or are really not sure of what sort of range to expect.   There truly is a difference between clients who can’t afford a wedding planner, and those who do not value or appreciate all of the work that goes into managing and coordinating a wedding.

Solution:

You can start by listing your duties on your website and in your contract. Create a blog article or PDF mail out that goes along with your welcome letter or package describing some of your duties and responsibilities. Clients are unsure of what goes into the planning unless you lay it out for them. Break it down into various situations that have come up, or may come up. This helps explain why you charge what you do, and why you do and it becomes much easier to understand that you are a professional. If they still don’t get it, then they are not your type of clients.  They can look for someone who is.

Please share any thoughts or suggestions in the comments that might be helpful to readers.