Coronavirus has taken the wedding industry by storm. This unexpected crisis has hit our industry hard and we’ve been inspired by stories of couples and vendors working together in the face of rapidly changing circumstances. To help you navigate the uncharted waters, we looked around to find some interesting reads which we believe can help your business during these times. These articles are curated by professionals around the world who have shared insights, news and best practices on what the world is doing to fight and survive through this time. When all this is over, we will emerge stronger and wiser than before. #InItTogether
Business Strategy – Survival Of The Fittest
Let’s get one thing straight; it’s not the end of the world. What you need is a plan B or a C, D..! Deriving a new strategy to survive this time is a must! Experts believe this could be an era to a new dawn for businesses, and we might see new ways of doing business. Below, some stories we think you might find helpful:
Meghan Ely, Principal, OFD Consulting, USA: Public Relations Strategies for Event Pros During the COVID-19 Crisis
Liene Stevens, Founder, Think Splendid, USA: Avoiding Layoffs • Coronavirus Questions from Wedding Pros
Reagan Events: WHAT COVID-19 HAS TAUGHT THE WEDDING INDUSTRY
Claire Hoofman, Bizbash: After COVID-19 Cancellations, This Company Found a Way to Stay Afloat—and Support Other Struggling Businesses
Victoria Copan, Event Manager Blog: How to Maintain your Business Events’ Cash Flow
Colette Mitola, Wedding Pro: 10 Ways to Prep Your Business for COVID-19
Lisa Hurley, Special Events: Tips on Keeping Your Event Business Afloat
Dealing With Clients – It’s All About Empathy
We need to remain in view of our clients (through social media, emails, calls) to address their concerns, and worries even if we’re not sure of the answers because so much is unknown. In a crisis communications situation like this, communications strategies are more important than ever. During times of crisis, maintaining a calm, collected brand voice and keeping open channels of communication with clients, team members, and stakeholders is critical. Here are some wonderful reads on dealing with clients during unprecedented times.
Liene Stevens, Founder, Think Splendid, USA: A Practical Way To Help Your Clients with Postponed Weddings
Alex Sherman, CNBC: Shedding tears, negotiating refunds and Zoom weddings: Getting married in the age of coronavirus
Liene Stevens, Founder, Think Splendid, USA: Managing Your Clients’ Emotions • Coronavirus Questions From Wedding Pros
Jessica English, Owner & Editor in Chief of Apple Brides, USA: Wedding Postponed Because of COVID-19? Here’s How To Manage It.
Emily Heaslip, US Chamber of Commerce: 5 Ways to Retain Your Customers During the Coronavirus Outbreak
WedShed: Innovative Ways Wedding Businesses Can Diversify During COVID-19
Marketing Strategies- Content Is King
It’s important for your business to engage its customers. Marketing is a tool to keep the conversation going. Most businesses assume that they will always remain the client’s favorite brand because up to now the client has never complained. This is the wrong mindset. You need to find ways to remain at the top of the client’s mind. The growth and life span of your business is positively correlated to your business’s reputation. Hence, it’s fair to say your reputation determines your brand equity. Businesses need to build a relationship of trust and understanding with their customers.
Neil Patel: What The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Means For Marketers
Lindley Cotton, Hotel Online: COVID-19 | A Hotel Marketing Guide
Andrew Hutchinson, Social Media Today: LinkedIn Shares Tips on What to Post During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Pandora Amoratis, Dailymail, UK: I STILL do! From virtual dressing rooms to designing your dream gown online, what the wedding industry is doing to stay afloat during COVID-19 crisis
Norwood Space Center: 5 Small Business Marketing Tips during COVID-19
Renee Hollingshead: WEDDING INDUSTRY: 30 WAYS TO STAY BUSY IN YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS DURING COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS
Insurance & Legal – Navigate Through Uncertainty
Whether an insurer has chosen to reimburse its clients during this time will depend on their individual policy, however, many big names are disregarding claims made due to the pandemic. Several firms have released statements on their websites informing customers that due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are unable to accept any new applications for wedding insurance.
Michael Giusti, Special Events: Event Cancellation Insurance – How much it can help?
Hailey Waller, Bloomberg: Coronavirus Hits Weddings, Spurs Fights Over Insurance Policies
Danalynne Wheeler Menegus, TSNN: Insurance and legal considerations for event professionals in the wake of COVID-19
Katie O’Malley, Elle: What To Do If You Have A Wedding Scheduled During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Patrick Collinson, The Guardian: Coronavirus: what your insurance may (and may not) cover
Postpone, Don’t Cancel – Love Is Patient
Weddings represent the antithesis of social distancing. Canceled weddings shake up families who have been planning the most significant day of their lives for months or sometimes years. Postponing is always a better idea – and with the flexibility that the entire travel and tourism industry is providing at this stage, it may work better for their budget and still keep their dreams alive! Here are a few articles to help you with the process of postponement.
Andrea, Didea Events and Entertainment, Punta Cana: Stay Optimistic and Postpone Your Destination Wedding
Blythe Copland, Martha Stewart Weddings: How to Reschedule Your Wedding Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Elise Taylor, Vogue: To Postpone or Cancel? Brides Around the World Are Weighing Their Options Amid the Coronavirus
Lauren, Every Last Detail: Advice from pros on postponing your wedding instead of canceling
Natalie Salmon, Harper’s Bazaar: Some advice on postponing your wedding – Harper’s Bazaar
Mariah, Mariah Treiber Photography: How to Postpone Your Wedding
Ruby Norris, Wedding Ideas Magazine: YOUR WEDDING AND COVID-19: CANCELLATIONS, LEGAL RIGHTS AND ADVICE
Sara Margulis, Honeyfund: Should I cancel my wedding or honeymoon because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Not necessarily
Crete Within: Wedding Planning in Greece during COVID-19: Advice for Couples
Martin Cheung, PetaPixel: 5 Tips for Rescheduling Wedding Photography Due to COVID-19
Managing Stress – Keep Calm & Await DWP Congress 2020
The challenges around us are not insignificant, but neither is our collective strength and optimism. From musicians playing instruments on balconies in Italy to distillers the world over shifting production to hand sanitizer, we are finding ways to triumph over fear and adversity. Finding yourself engulfed with stress and anxiety is predictable during this time. With working from home to changing business methods, it can be overwhelming. Stay focused and keep calm. We’ll get through this. Here are some resources to help you ease the process.
Amanda Magee, Principal, Trampoline Designs: 8 ways to manage professional stress amid the new normal
Robin Ryan, Forbes: How To Manage Workplace Stress Dealing With The Coronavirus Pandemic
Anna Medaris Miller, Business Insider: 10 ways to cope with coronavirus anxiety, according to psychologists
Kari Leibowitz and In Stressful Times, Make Stress Work for You
Darren Thackeray, Writer, World Economic Forum: Coronavirus: 5 ways to stay (virtually) social and make the best of isolation
CRAMS: 8 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Workplace
