Creative Revenue Stream - Say “Yes” to Proposal Planning

By Aviva Zack, Bliss Wedding Design, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaThe economy has been sagging and bouncing like an old mattress for several years now. Just as you can’t get a decent night’s sleep on a ropey bed with peek-a-boo springs, you can’t maintain business as usual in a dodgy economy. If your business “needs a new mattress,” you might want to consider the following creative revenue stream to boost your bottom line. This is the first in a three part-series of creative revenue streams for your businessWith the Internet and an abundance of reality TV romances all showing off elaborate proposals, the expectations are high for individuals proposing marriage to pull off something unique. In fact, some oft-spouted statistics claim 80 percent of women reported being disappointed with their proposal. Enough to cause a little sweat just thinking about it. No pressure right? But what else is formed by high heat and intense pressure? Diamonds. And that’s exactly what proposal planning can be to a wedding planner’s business—a priceless gem that helps boost wedding sales and sets you apart from the crowd.Experienced wedding planners already have the skills needed to put together a successful proposal. Much like planning a wedding, a good proposal requires getting to know a couple, in this case, through the one proposing; matching the personality to the right vendors; and paying attention to detail. Similar to a wedding, proposal planning should be personal—telling the couple’s love story.Spread the wordThe key to selling this relatively unheard of service is marketing. It shouldn’t cost much if you use your vendor connections and a bit of creativity. Partner with a top photographer to collaborate on a stylized photo shoot for use online and on other marketing materials. Pitch your business to local media. Use social media like Twitter, Facebook, and your blog to talk about new proposal planning services. Cross-promotion is also a viable option. My company, Bliss Wedding Design, began working with a local jeweler on promotional materials for distribution to those who might be in need of our service after they purchase the ring. Relying heavily on social media and word of mouth, interest in this service has grown, and the cost has been minimal.Make it memorableOnce you’ve got a potential client’s attention, ask a lot of questions. Find out as much as you can about their love story. How did they meet? What are their hobbies and interests? What are her favorite colors, foods, and places to go? Get a clear picture of who they are, and then create a personalized plan for a romantic proposal. Whether over-the-top or intimate, the key to a good proposal is that it suits the couple perfectly. Some individuals already have clear notions of what they want to do and simply need help executing their plan. Be sure to confess if the idea needs work. Don’t be afraid to tell him to skip the jumbotron proposal if he’s the one who is the avid sports fan. Other clients may need help with the concept, but want to pull it off on their own. Assisting with a personalized plan and connecting clients with the right vendors can set them on their way to a memorable proposal.After planning a successful proposal, the relationship and trust has already been established, which will, ideally, lead to planning the happy couple’s wedding as well as their proposal. Although you cannot guarantee a “Yes,” you will be using your talent and connections to plan the perfect proposal, create happiness, and potential new clients. Who could say, “No?”Next issue: Elopement Planning!