Our very own OSPer, Dan Deveau from www.lifeinaflash.com has just started a new blog, not to promote himself, but rather all of the reputable local vendors in the GTA. He's devoted his time and efforts out of the goodness of his heart, and this can only be good for all of us.
I think it's a fabulous idea, and thought that I would share it with you all....
The blog is: http://torontoweddingprofessionals.blogspot.com/
Feel free to leave him some lovin'.
Jen
Full Version: One of our local photographer has started a blog
This is an idea that I have been throwing around and really want to implement in my own market.
Here is why I love the idea....
Your brides will view you as more of an authority on your market and you gain credibility.
It also gives you an amazing opportunity to market to vendors. I hate cold selling. I do not like the idea of just approaching a vendor to say "here's my stuff". Creating a website like this gives you the perfect chance to find out what THAT vendor has to offer, give them free publicity, and as a result you have an opportunity to create a much richer relationship with that vendor.
Another side effect, SEO! The more links in and out to your site the better your rankings.
Great idea, a way to give back to not only your brides and the industry, but reap some rewards yourself.
Here is why I love the idea....
Your brides will view you as more of an authority on your market and you gain credibility.
It also gives you an amazing opportunity to market to vendors. I hate cold selling. I do not like the idea of just approaching a vendor to say "here's my stuff". Creating a website like this gives you the perfect chance to find out what THAT vendor has to offer, give them free publicity, and as a result you have an opportunity to create a much richer relationship with that vendor.
Another side effect, SEO! The more links in and out to your site the better your rankings.
Great idea, a way to give back to not only your brides and the industry, but reap some rewards yourself.
QUOTE(adamj5 @ February 7 2008, 06:41 AM) 
This is an idea that I have been throwing around and really want to implement in my own market.
Here is why I love the idea....
Your brides will view you as more of an authority on your market and you gain credibility.
It also gives you an amazing opportunity to market to vendors. I hate cold selling. I do not like the idea of just approaching a vendor to say "here's my stuff". Creating a website like this gives you the perfect chance to find out what THAT vendor has to offer, give them free publicity, and as a result you have an opportunity to create a much richer relationship with that vendor.
Another side effect, SEO! The more links in and out to your site the better your rankings.
Great idea, a way to give back to not only your brides and the industry, but reap some rewards yourself.
Here is why I love the idea....
Your brides will view you as more of an authority on your market and you gain credibility.
It also gives you an amazing opportunity to market to vendors. I hate cold selling. I do not like the idea of just approaching a vendor to say "here's my stuff". Creating a website like this gives you the perfect chance to find out what THAT vendor has to offer, give them free publicity, and as a result you have an opportunity to create a much richer relationship with that vendor.
Another side effect, SEO! The more links in and out to your site the better your rankings.
Great idea, a way to give back to not only your brides and the industry, but reap some rewards yourself.
That's exactly it. It's a win, win for all the vendors involved, the brides and grooms, and the vendor who started it in the first place. That's why I think it's such and excellent and inexpensive marketing tool, and wanted to share.
Don't vendors get upset that they're listed along with half a dozen or their competitors? Why should they refer you if you're not referring them exclusively? Alternately, if you list just one per category, the other won't refer you, presumably.
The above conundrum has kept me from doing a listing of this sort. What am I missing here?
-TM
The above conundrum has kept me from doing a listing of this sort. What am I missing here?
-TM
Hey there...
I'm a photographer and true... I'm adding links of other photographer and more well known than me. I'm not advertising this site on my side. I just wanted to list some vendors... do some interviews and work on building some SEO.
For me, it's more of the relationships with the vendors and getting to know them and their businesses. I created a domain www.torontoweddingprofessionals.com that forwards to the blog. It's a bit of cut and paste to start it up... but it will slow down after a while and then I'll give some vendors permissions to post tips and tricks to brides.
Then after a while... take some of the older posts and repost them so everyone shares the spotlight.
I wish I could take my name off the posts.... but i don't know how to do that...
I'm a photographer and true... I'm adding links of other photographer and more well known than me. I'm not advertising this site on my side. I just wanted to list some vendors... do some interviews and work on building some SEO.
For me, it's more of the relationships with the vendors and getting to know them and their businesses. I created a domain www.torontoweddingprofessionals.com that forwards to the blog. It's a bit of cut and paste to start it up... but it will slow down after a while and then I'll give some vendors permissions to post tips and tricks to brides.
Then after a while... take some of the older posts and repost them so everyone shares the spotlight.
I wish I could take my name off the posts.... but i don't know how to do that...
QUOTE(tzalmaves @ February 7 2008, 07:31 AM)
Don't vendors get upset that they're listed along with half a dozen or their competitors? Why should they refer you if you're not referring them exclusively? Alternately, if you list just one per category, the other won't refer you, presumably.
The above conundrum has kept me from doing a listing of this sort. What am I missing here?
-TM
The above conundrum has kept me from doing a listing of this sort. What am I missing here?
-TM
Being listed with other high end or reputable photographers doesn't bother me in the least. It's not any different than a yellow page listing in that regard.
Isn't this similar to what Eric Hegwer is doing with Banquet Buzz?
Well, Banquet Buzz is more of a chat forum, I believe...but yes, the idea is similar.
This is a blog format, featuring the listed vendors and is local to our area. I think Banquet Buzz targets a much larger geography area.
This is something that anyone could do in their local market, and the fees involved are minimal.
This is a blog format, featuring the listed vendors and is local to our area. I think Banquet Buzz targets a much larger geography area.
This is something that anyone could do in their local market, and the fees involved are minimal.
Actuall, BB is a whole lot more than a chat forum. If that is all you think it is, then you should check out more of the site -
You can start groups of vendors in your area,
Post pictures in your profile
Keep track of your favorite blogs (there is an RSS reader in your profile)
and a bunch more stuff.
There is no cost and anyone can join - so every vendor is welcome to create a profile.
Think Facebook for Weddings...
E
You can start groups of vendors in your area,
Post pictures in your profile
Keep track of your favorite blogs (there is an RSS reader in your profile)
and a bunch more stuff.
There is no cost and anyone can join - so every vendor is welcome to create a profile.
Think Facebook for Weddings...
E
I think Banquet Buzz is a great concept and one that we all can benefit a great deal from, but I do wish there was more participation on it then there is now. I don't know if that has to do with the time of the year for weddings or because people don't see value in it.
Disclaimer: Eric didn't ask me for this plug nor am I receiving any type of compensation or brownie points for saying it. Just wondering out loud.
Disclaimer: Eric didn't ask me for this plug nor am I receiving any type of compensation or brownie points for saying it. Just wondering out loud.
I think Dan has a great idea. Brides always ask me where to go for certain things and I have no idea where to send them. This helps!
Cindy
Cindy
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