"Hi Jeff,
Since I implemented the e-mail enquiry reply I have completely changed my selling style to avoid pre printed “package deals.” This has given me the ability to say, “We want to work with you and within your budget to give you what you want” to a prospective bride.
Results have increased dramatically with my hit rate on appointments and bookings increased by at least 50% over recent years. Several bookings have gone over £2000 – the first time we have done that in 3 years – several Brides have actually said that they want to meet me BECAUSE they liked the enquiry reply letter.
FYI I am 63 years old with 31 years in wedding photography and looking to take life easier. It is all too easy to get “set in your ways” and I was stagnating before I found your information...Hope this rambling helps and keep up the good work"
- Mike Watts, Photographer
"Dear Stephanie,
I've been using your autoresponder email series since the webinars and I've booked all but one wedding since then. (That one is still out for review.) More than made my money back already. So I'm a believer...
I've also noticed the brides have not been making as many adjustment to the proposals (bringing the price down). While my gut says this is due to the pre-sell of the autoresponders...your emails are certainly helping get those budgets up for me. :)
I'm SO glad I signed up for the webinars and the followed through with some of the tips. And I'm planning on implementing more."
- Althea Wiles, Rose of Sharon Event Florist
"I feel it only right that I report to you on recent success in booking more brides. I have made an effort to use the suggestions made in the 1st nights presentation. I have booked 6 out of 7 brides I have talked to this week!
Thank you for the education. I have been in business over 20 years and I am having to shift my approaches to today's brides and grooms"
- John Davies, Party Hits Music
"Hey Steph,
So I wanted to tell you, too, that our conversation the other day was completely transformative for me!...My head has been spinning ever since - in the best way.
I am totally inspired and motivated, with thoughts circulating and then clicking together. I guess I had all these ideas all along and just didn't know how to bring them together into something comprehensive that I could act upon. But taking the time to chat with you about my business needs, successes and challenges just brought it all into focus, and so simply that I'm amazed I couldn't think of it before.
Within the week, I have developed a new business model, reached out to my network and started to put things in motion that I have been thinking about for a long time. And I'm totally refreshed and excited about it because I know that it will not only help me to get where I want to go in my professional life but will also add a dimension in what I can offer and give to my clients!
I had two meetings today...I was really nervous...But when I delicately broached my new methods and packages with the first bride, she sighed with relief and said she'd expected it to cost so much more when she saw the work on my website!...she kept saying how incredible it was...and just ate it all up! She said it was exactly what she was afraid to hope for!
And that gave me so much courage with the second meeting! So I booked them both! It's just like we were talking about the other day. And I guess I got a little message right there today that what I had secretly hoped for my business could actually fill a much-needed niche! Thank you again and again and again for your part in that!
You have made a lasting impression on me and my business, and I am eternally grateful to you for your help. I am 100% behind you and may be your best client! You have a real gift, and I'm so glad you're going to share with us!"
- Hillary Harvey of Hillary Harvey Photography
"Hi Stephanie,
I just wanted to let you know that I incorporated your email marketing response into my studio work flow. It has worked like a charm!
Now when I get an inquiry and I respond with your template (modified a little for my studio), I am getting a 95% return email. I am also getting the call even before I have marked my calendar to call them. Out of my direct inquiries I have booked appointments with 100% of the ones who have responded and I have a sell ratio of 9 out of 10 now.
So, your efforts to educate are really appreciated!
Thanks!"
- Janet Skinner of Ashley Studios
“What you're doing with Book More Brides is invaluable. You're offering wedding vendors a better way of approaching today's bride and groom on their terms. Frankly, I think that with that email template, you're giving away the store! Now you've made it frighteningly easy for vendors to work your system to find their customers!
Working with Steph and Jeff through their wedding business consulting services Best Hudson Valley Wedding Ever and Book More Brides, I was able multiply my mobile wedding DJ business revenue x6! After 4 years of following Steph and Jeff's advice and benefiting from their help and assistance, I was able to realize my dream of quitting my day job and working for myself, full-time. It's been 4 years since then, my company is thriving, and life has never been better. I'm a better person for having known you!"
- DJ Bri Swatek of Spinning with Style
"Stephanie & Jeff,
Can I pay you to STOP sharing all of these great tips with my competition?
I recently took your advice and changed my automated email response, which now includes something "free," a "call to action," a more "personalized response," links to my "recent reviews" and damn, it's crazy. Even the people that can't afford me are taking the time to write back and talk to me. It's ridiculous. STOP IT.
Seriously though, many thanks. You guys are at the top of an elite pack."
- Steven Planck of Blue Sky Photography
"I had just received an email from a bride about one of my more expensive wedding packages and one I'm very passionate about. Brides love these photos and the extra special glamour...but are often put off by the price. So as you can imagine it is the most dreaded part of my interactions with Brides.
Then I got your follow on twitter immediately after "Get more brides now" yes that got my attention, and then to top it off a template on exactly how to deal with this situation. An answer to my prayers!
I downloaded your template and adjusted accordingly...Anyway I just got an email back from the bride and she is ecstatic, can't wait to talk and did not query the price. She even ended her email with xoxoxoxo, thats a first!
Thanks so much for helping me over the dreaded email...I will be sending all the wedding photographers I know to your website.
- Reatha Kenny of Beachcast Photography, New Zealand
"Hi Stephanie!
I must admit that I was a little skeptical about the psychology that goes into booking a client, but I was frustrated with responding to brides and having them drop off the radar never to be heard from again.
So far I've used the e-mail format with 2 clients and it has immediately reeled them in and started an e-mail conversation with them, helping me to build a relationship even before we've scheduled our first meeting. I am still in disbelief at how easily it works by following the simple format. Thus far, price hasn't even become a factor in any of our conversations.
You seriously shouldn't be giving this information away for free, I don't want my competitors to discover it. ;) If I can book 5 weddings off of this system I'm raising my prices."
- Sam Adams of Everlasting Images
"Stephanie and Jeff have been an enormous help to me and my business. They were able to explain to me in simple terms what I needed to do to improve traffic to my website and blog. With their help, not only have I started blogging more, but the number of visitors to my blog went up over 200%! They are a joy to work with."
- China Jorrin of China Jorrin Photography
"Your price for profit email template and information has been SO helpful!!!
We've already seen a response to it!! In fact, one potential client (who sounded like a price shopper we would never convert)…and it looks like she may choose us over the other photographer.
Thank you so much for helping us convert price shoppers!!"
- Chris & Jen Stewart of Jen Stewart Photography
"Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the price to profit email, we're tracking the results at the moment…The one thing we have noticed is it lifts them out of the black hole and gets them to respond."
- Julia of Tappanappa Design
"Hey there Stephanie, it's Natalie from Australia:-)
I must say that everything you mention is sooo true and to be honest; I was also pleased to see that I was on the right path - I just needed to tweak a few things and to change my perspective a little and for that I THANK YOU.
I will definitely implement those changes and take on board the new ways of approaching prospective clients as noted in the correspondence - and hopefully turn those "tire kickers" into some business.
Once again, many thanks for this insight, I feel I'm looking at things now with fresh eyes (yay!!) now upward and onward......."
- Natalie Beckman, Accredited Wedding Planner Carte Blanche Wedding Design
"Hi Stephanie,
It was terrific talking with you yesterday. You have such great energy, and I feel excited and motivated to take the next steps in growing my business."
Leslie from Ketubah Maven
"Hi Stephanie,
I read it all & I KNOW you are on to something! I loved it! Really & truly!
I totally trust you guys! I have done some of this already & it works! Go for it! I will use it! Already downloaded your docs and will set out to follow it! Looking forward to more!"
- Maryann Dawson of Flowers On The Porch
Hi Stephanie,
I spent some time mulling over your comments in the wee non-slumbering hours that night, and more throughout the day (now and then...not obsessing ;^P)
It dawned on me that (in agreement with you), I needed to get more personal with my replies to requests for price, and immediately used the concept on the next two leads I received. Contract drafts are in their hands, as I write this, but more importantly, their responses to my more personal emails were equally more personal and informational, at my request.
I now have your Price to Profit email with email template, and I had practically preconceived the email template based on our conversation on Monday evening! I admire your ambition and innovative spirit, and wish you marvelous success.
Good on yah!
- Darlene Burkholz, Notary Public AILA (Affordable Informed Love Assistant) Officiates Weddings
