Before I found OSP, I didn't put too much stock in networking. I thought, "There isn't really any point to it. The other person will just try to get you to recommend them and not hold up their end of the deal. Or they'll think you're dumb and amatuerish for trying to set something like that up in the first place. Besides, 'networking' is probably just about knowing enough about your competition to be catty toward them behind their backs. I don't want to get involved in any of that, it's more professional to be cool and distant."

To be honest, I had the feeling that those people would be out to get me if I, you know, talked to them. I grew up with the scarcity mentality firmly rooted in our household and was carrying on the tradition. I only just recently realized what I was doing and why. Major wake-up call.

Right around this time, a wedding coordinator emailed me. She was looking for a pool of good photographers to recommend to brides and she was interested in seeing more of my work, since I'm new to the biz. I jumped in with both feet, giving her all the details, thanking her for contacting me and offering to recommend her even though at that point she hadn't made any guarentees of doing the same.

I received an email back. Not only did she ask me if I'd be willing to do some business portraiture for her, but she also offered to do a free session with her in her wedding gown so I could boost my portfolio...and she's hooking me up with a local seamstress who needs pictures of models showcasing her gowns. Who knew?

I'm getting so much out of this, from raw experience to WOM momentum. Sure, I'm almost queasy with the pressure to impress, but I couldn't have asked for a better door to open right now. So, thanks OSP for pointing me in the direction I really needed to take my business in.

Wow!, I'm callling my wedding coordinating friends in the morning! Great inspiration!

Word of Mouth Advertising is truly the best! I hate to keep saying it, but I have never spent one dollar on advertising. I am not in any magazines, or pay for listings on any websites for wedding photographers.

All I do is network with other wedding vendors. There are tons of success stories on my wedding networking site.

Awesome!! Success stories rock.

I've had much the same experience as you - I met a dress designer and two reception site owners last year and we've been scratching each other's backs for month. It's worked out well for everybody and we've all developed a solid web of mutual referrals. Yay! I love it!