Newbie asking for feedback....

[Karina Garden]

I am new here and just wanted to say hello. I am an emerging planner in NYC as well as a full-time attorney. I started my company 3 months ago and never imagined that it would be so much hard work, but at the same time nothing has been so gratifying! If any of you have time to check out my work-in-progess site and give me constructive criticism, I would greatly appreciate it! My hardest battle at the moment is getting the site 100% up and running, working on a press release to draw attention, and most improtantly, figuring out ways to market my services for FREE. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Karina
www.SBBridalConsulting.com

[Keisha]

I think your site is great. I am new also, and it is not easy getting out there. I have done weddings for family and events for friends and schools. I just had someone inquire about day of coordination for 200 guest. This is hard when you are a one woman show and finding people to work with you is not easy.

[Danusia Rajska]

Hi Karina,

I feel your pain... I'm new-ish to the biz as well - for me jewelry design started as a hobby, then became a passion and now I'm in the process of turning it into a full-time job.

I can relate to the headaches of trying to get a website up and running...

I know you're on Facebook and LinkedIn - for me personally Facebook has been an amazing, free way to meet so many people in the industry. My advice is network network network network. Get out there, let people know what you do.

And the hardest part I'm finding is - just being patient. Letting things unfold with time... I tend to be a perfectionist, which makes me good at what I do but bad at just plain realizing that Rome wasn't built in a day.

Do you have support from other people who are new and can chat about what it's like to doubt yourself, wonder if things will take off, and offer an optimistic perspective? In my networking efforts I have come across a couple of individuals I can relate to in that way, and I have found our mutual support to offer tremendous reassurance. If ever you need that - I'm happy to chat :) Just find me on Facebook, I have it on almost every day, all day long.

[Josephine Amico]

Hi Karina, welcome!!! Your site is awesome. And Blogs are cool too, The Facebook thing can work real well too there are alot of people searching for consultants like yourself. I feel your pain with working on your site I work on mine on my own when I'm not feeding an infant so forgive the amateur nature of it but networking is always a great way to get referrals. If any of us can help you and vice versa we can help. I am located in New York too. This is a part time thing for me I work two days a week in my job that I had to leave in Midtown as an Insurance Agent. I love the wedding biz soo much more though :-) What you do is a far dream for me right now but I wish you all the best you are on your way and on the right track.

[Cheryll Wilson]

by the way (i swore i sent this message but aparently it didn't go through) i love your site! and i'm also in the same boat as you....i'm a new and emerging consulting company here in long island. i would love to bounce ideas with you and vise versa. i started my company in may and i never expected so much hard work b4 too, even though i use to work for another company as an assitant. my website is up but not 100% lolol go figure and my background is in webdesigning. i guess that's what happens when i delegate things out to other people. :-)

[The Lights of Rose LLC]

Since your website is more of a informational website.. don't spend to much money into Search Engine expenses... Its very costly, and results can bring you minimum results. In your line of work, networking, referring and getting your business out through link exchange can reach far more clients. Building up your reputation through reviews from previous clients help future brides/clients have trust in your work. It takes time but worth the hard work and time that you put into your business. I gather that your business in based in New York.. do you plan on traveling to other locations? If yes, build friendships with other wedding professionals in the locations they reside. Grow a "Team" for your business, by working with other professionals that you can rely on in case that so called last minute "emergency arises".

As I always say.. Google Adwords are good.. but Networking and Referring is Better!

Good Luck!! Best regards, Annie

[Cheryll Wilson]

you can market your services on facebook.....that place get ton of hits. Make a business page and a group page, as well as become part of the wedding groups. they have a lot of engaged people on there looking for vendors. another is you can make brochures on your own. if you dont know how to make it look professional, ask a friend who is a computer head (fortunately my background is technology so i did them myself). These brochures are always on me, and so many people request for them. Find someone or people you know who has a major clientel of brides. I'm affiliated with a lot of pastors of my religion so they all get brochures since they have to do pre-marital counceling. Also make a myspage page....i just finished building that. i hope this helps! :-)