Association of Bridal Consultants - North Carolina Branch

Member News

As North Carolina State Coordinator I send plenty of e-mails, sometimes I get a bunch back sometimes I just get one.  There is one wedding planner that e-mails me and inspires me even though I’ve never met her.  For the first year of me being State Coordinator I did not know that this woman’s business is not currently active.  Just recently I found out that she is still planning every little detail of her business – from Iraq.  She is a Sergeant on active duty.  She is building her business plan and her website, getting her thoughts around how she is going to carve out her corner of the wedding industry.  Never once have I heard her even mention that she is not in North Carolina, not even on U.S. soil.  What is relevant is that one of our fellow members is protecting us and our families.  After I learned that Sgt. Angela Plummer was overseas I asked her if there is anything that I can do or send to her.  All she answered was “Wedding Magazines and nail polish if you don’t mind”, because our women over there don’t have anything “girlie”.   She is interested in creating bridal gowns for her clients and would also appreciate some websites that she could visit for more information.  Please mail Angela  a flat rate box its only $8.95 to mail and pack it full of “girlie & wedding items and books for her.  Please reach out and send Angela and her troop what you can!  Her address is SGT Angela Plummer 1st TSC, DMC APO AE 09366.   Her e-mail is grandimpressions@triad.rr.com.

 

Ultimate Wedding Experience

We have decided to go forward with hosting our first NC ABC Bridal Show!  The name of the show will be The Ultimate Wedding Experience and there  is already information posted on our website www.ncweddingpros.com for specifics.  We would love to have you come out and participate! 

This show will be unlike any other and we have a myriad of ways for you to participate rather than just hosting a booth.  You can: Model wedding dresses (and advertise at the same time), create a wedding reception table, be on a panel of professional consultants, help with just taking tickets! If you own a bridal shop and want to show off your gowns contact your State Coordinator ASAP, for more info! 

You are going to want to be a part of this!  If you just want to help  organize a portion of the show please contact me.

 

Local Network Groups

Local Network Groups or LNG’s are becoming popular in large states like ours.  LNG’s are area directors that host meetings on a regular basis in certain areas of the state. 

 Each Local Networking Group is to have at least two and no more than three co-directors who will share responsibility of organizing and running LNG meetings. 

For North Carolina I will be looking for directors in each area of the state—Raleigh, Charlotte & the Asheville area. 

The Association of Bridal Consultants does have particular guidelines and policies regarding this endeavor .  Some of the basic are: host regular meetings on regular meeting dates and times, no matter how small a showing.

All of the other policy pieces are geared toward gathering membership.

Some of the benefits of being a director of  an LNG are  of course another title and more experience, and ABCash when you get new members to  join  us, regular networking opportunities specific to your area, and a few more…

Sometime before Mid-February if you are qualified to become a director of an LNG you will receive a letter  and a response will be requested.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact your state coordinator.

, planning weddings is our blood, sweat , tears Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons is an Association of Bridal Consultants seminar geared toward the more experienced wedding consultant. 

The first day contains basic material and can serve as a review for experienced consultants.  The second day is more in depth of the following topics: overcoming objections, closing the sale, advertising, customer service and burnout.

We’ve been asked to host this wonderful meeting some time after April 2008.  If you are interested in helping with this event please e-mail Veronica at behindthescenesinc@triad.rr.com.

There will not be a New Horizons meeting held in North Carolina this year, we are shooting to host one in 2009 in the Asheville area.

We are also looking at participating in the North East Regional Conference in 2008, so be sure to keep checking the www.ncweddingpros.com website for important information!

The next Novice Seminars are scheduled for May and September 2008.  Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible.  Cost this year is $75 when you attend the ones planned.  If you would like to learn to apprentice before hand contact Veronica and we will set up a specific date and time for you, cost for this is $150 and it does include all materials.  You may register by e-mailing Veronica Foster your name, address, and phone number.  An invoice will then be sent that you can either mail back with check or money order  or pay via credit card.  All payments must be received 30 days prior to the event or space will not be held for you.  If you need additional Information please contact Veronica at 336-375-3164 or 336-254-0844 or you may e-mail her.

There are novice members that are ready to shadow a consultant, please visit our new website at www.ncweddingpros.com for their information, and more information on the mentoring program.

 

Up Coming Meetings

 

Monday March 17, 2008., Raleigh, NC

Hosted by Samantha of Emma Grace Designs. 

This meeting  will be held on  March 17th, at the Hilton RTP.

Cost is $40 per member and $50 per non-member.

This will be an action packed event and will have everyone participating! 

Topics include (but are not limited to) Budgeting for Big Business and  Designs and other  drop dead gorgeous things for 2008. 

The theme for this meeting is Business & Pleasure!

You don’t want to miss this meeting.  Samantha has been working very hard for you!

In addition we will be covering some new NC ABC Branch topics and some very important corporate topics.  Non members are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Our next meeting will be held in May so keep an eye on your e-mails for more information!

We will also be hosing an Expanding Horizons meeting in April!

 

“We really need some folks to help coordinate meetings in other parts of the state, feel free to volunteer!”

 

Your Membership Opportunities

As you can see from the  last published ABC dialogue many things are happening at a corporate level, and as you can see from this newsletter many things are happening on a state level. 

With the new point system for membership advancement, your participation in NC ABC activities is crucial to your advancement.   If there is anything that you are interested in doing—presentations, hosting a meeting, helping with The Ultimate Wedding Experience, you must let me know.  You can contact me at behindthescenesinc@triad.rr.com and I will make time for you in our local meetings, state meetings, or create a meeting just for you!

Going forward as you attend STATE meetings you will receive a certificate of education for however many hours we did an education presentation at that meeting.  It will be up to you to turn the certificate in to earn your points toward your next designation.  These certificates can also be used as your yearly six hour education requirement for keeping your current designation.

If you have not received the new logo please contact me and I will be sure to forward that to you. 

The new Association of Bridal Consultant website should be up and running by mid-January and you are really going to be surprised and overjoyed at the updating of the website, - finally , its something professional looking!

In addition, be sure that your own website has links to the NC ABC website, and be sure to get your link on the website.  I’ve actually had one bride contact the ABC Headquarters in December and say that she heard about us through the NC ABC website!  One down—a million more to go!!

Cost is $40 per year for your link as long as you are in good standing with your ABC membership.  When you drop your membership, your link is also removed. 

Don’t let your money go to waste...take advantage of your membership!

 

“We are all put on this earth created equally, its what you do with your life that sets you apart from others.”

 

 

Writing Effective Brochures

 

By Veronica Foster, PBC^tm Behind The Scenes Inc

When planning your brochure, ask yourself the following questions when writing your brochure.

1. Who are my readers and how can I best speak to them? Determine whether your target audience is formal or informal, understands the technical aspects of your business, and what is of interest to them.

2. What do I want them to do? Should they phone, drop by your location, donate to your business?

3. What's the single most important benefit they'll receive if they accept my offer or use my product/service?

4. Have I addressed the reader's primary concern: "What's in it for me?"

5. Why should readers trust me? Gain credibility by listing years in business, or provide testimonials from customers.

6. What makes my company special? Do you offer the best service, the greatest selection, or the lowest prices?

7. How can my readers respond? Make sure to call out your business location, phone number, email address and Web site in a prominent location on the brochure. Often this information is found on the back flap of the brochure.

Tip: Before you actually start writing, try making a black-and-white photocopy of the inside and outside of your designed brochure. Tape them together back to back and fold like a real brochure. Then use the photocopy and a pencil to lay out headlines, subheads, and text blocks.

You  may need multiple sets of brochures if your business does multiple  lines of business.  Example: Consulting and Retail sales.

 

Wedding Trend—Wedcasts

By Barbara Clark, ABC^tm An Elegant Affair

Want a destination wedding and have all the people you love see it??  Brides no longer have to physically bring all their guests to Belize, Hawaii or other exotic location.  A new trend for the brides and grooms who have grown up with the Internet, is the webcast or as they are called in the wedding business, “wedcasts”.

The couple’s friends can see the wedding in “real time”.  Enjoying every emotion and beautiful moment of the ceremony as it unfolds.

One such company is called LiveInternetWeddings.com.  This is how is works. The couple send Evites to friends and family.  The invitation includes directions for calling up their ceremony and an RSVP is requested so they know who will be watching.

Who says you can’t have it both ways?

ABC NC Branch Newsletter

January—February 2008

Volume 1, Issue 1

Special points of interest:

· Brochure writing...do you need to update for 2008?

· What’s a Wedcast?

· I want to apprentice...what should I do?