Positioning Yourself as an Industry Expert and the Importance of Networking
Photographer: Ingrid Tjernström
How did we manage to position ourselves as leaders in the wedding industry in just three years?
Our names are Karolina and Madeleine. Since 2020, we have managed to become some of the most sought after professionals in the industry, and we are running the largest network for wedding vendors in Scandinavia. How did it happen?
Surely, the world of weddings is a place where dreams become reality, where love stories are celebrated, and where unforgettable moments are crafted. It’s easy to think that, for professionals in the wedding industry, life is filled with beauty, emotion, and endless possibilities.
But it is far from the truth.
In a field as diverse as the event industry, where almost no customers are returning customers (most people only marry once), standing out as an expert and making a living out of it is no small feat. This is where the power of networking enters the scene and we are the evidence of that!
When we met each other, at a small wedding during the pandemic in late 2020, we almost instantly hit it off. Madeleine was the fresh, up and coming, very talented florist, and Karolina, had just moved her wedding planning company from England to Sweden. Both of us were quite new on the market in this country. And it was not the most ideal time to embark on a new business venture, mid-covid and all. However, that’s exactly what we did! And in hindsight, it couldn’t have gone better!
We quickly understood that it wasn’t enough with our talents. Neither was it just about exchanging business cards or social media follows; it was about forging meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and mutually growing within a community of like-minded professionals that would help us get where we wanted to go.
The two of us started hanging out (a lot), sharing ideas and brainstorming together. We began reaching out to already established professionals across the country and thought it would be better to introduce ourselves as "colleagues" instead of popping up as new competitors.
That formed the foundation of our network “Bröllopskollegor” (Wedding Colleagues).
We saw that the only path to becoming a recognised expert in the wedding industry is through continuous learning, collaboration, and connection. So that’s what we did!
We created a private Facebook group for event- and wedding professionals in Scandinavia.
We started to invite entrepreneurs from the event field to join us for digital coffee breaks or meet up over breakfasts.
We built something that didn’t exist but was so needed, and it has given us everything! Networking, both online and offline, is the cornerstone of our journey!
Today, we have our respective companies (Madeleine runs BloomspourMoi and Karolina runs Wahlman Weddings) and a joint business (Atelier M&K) in which we help wedding venues and organisations increase their revenue and profits, improve efficiency, strengthen customer engagement, reduce staff turnover and be able to arrange exceptional weddings and events!
The biggest lesson we have learnt is that we are stronger together and that the only way we can really grow is by being together!
Learning how to connect with peers, clients, and partners can truly transform your career.
Here are our tips for building your network to become an industry expert:
● Be willing to share your knowledge and experience. This may include writing articles, giving presentations, or participating in industry discussions. Be open to talk about your struggles as much as your success.
● Offer to be a mentor or advisor to others within your network. By sharing your expertise, you can establish a stronger position as an industry authority.
● Continue to develop your skills and education within your industry. Continue to keep yourself informed about the latest trends and developments within your industry. This helps you stay updated and enhances your credibility as an expert.
● Attend conferences, seminars, and industry expos. Being present at such events provides you with the opportunity to learn from other experts and increase your visibility.
● By networking with other professionals and experts in your industry, you can forge strong collaborations and increase your authority. Remember to keep building and nurturing your network because the more you interact with others in your industry, the more you remain relevant and sought-after as an expert.
● Ask your network contacts for recommendations and testimonials. Positive feedback from others in your industry can help strengthen your status and give you the push to move forward.
● Become an active participant in industry discussions, panel debates, and webinars. This gives you the chance to share your expertise and viewpoints with a broader audience.
● Despite being an expert, it's important to remain humble and accessible to others in your network. Share your expertise and support others in their journey to become experts. As we mentioned, we are stronger together!
We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Feel free to connect with us on Instagram.
Photographer: Ingrid Tjernström
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