I’ve been asked this question by some of the planners in my membership site and there’s a saying that for every question asked, there are several other people who didn’t ask but are wondering the same thing so I’m diving into this topic in this blog post.

The question is this:

As a new vendor, How do I build vendor relationships with vendors during COVID?  Or  as a more seasoned vendor, how do i work on strengthening current ones when we’re not able to network or get together?  

 So here you’ll find an intentional strategy to build and strengthen vendor relationships right now. I’ve broken it down into a few easy to implement steps… are you ready to jump right in with me?

Networking during a pandemic doesn't have to stop.  Here's a plan for you!

Maybe this is you: You just got started in business in the last 2-3 years… 2020 was set to be a year of growth and new opportunities and then BAM, COVID. 

First, I’m so sorry.  It’s hard enough to take a leap of faith and go after your dreams and then it’s even more of a nightmare to have a GLOBAL PANDEMIC drop a bomb on you. Or perhaps you just left your full time job to make this dream a reality after growing it on the side for years.  Or maybe you just relocated your business to a new market.  Whatever your scenario is, I’ve got some tips that I know are going to help. 

Step 1: I want you to make a top 30 list.  I recommend you break it down into 10 vendors or venues you haven't worked with that you want to work with, 10 vendors you have worked with that you love and want to work with again, and 10 other vendors in your market that do what you do.  This is now your framework for vendors you are going to support and love on for the next 21 days.  Here’s the key here...you are going to support these vendors without asking for ANYTHING in return. NO coffee date, no review, no “hope we get to work together”... nope, you are depositing into these relationships and you are not withdrawing for 21 whole days.  I would recommend choosing a day for each vendor category so it doesn’t get overwhelming.  Maybe day 1 you focus on your “want to work with category” and you find a way to support them online. 

 Here are some ideas: 

Write a Review

Share Their Recent Blog Posts

Engage on Instagram in Supportive Comments or On Their Stories In a Direct Message

Join their FB Live

Share Their Upcoming Virtual Event

In general, be a cheerleader of their business and expect nothing in return.

On Day 2, move onto your next category of 10 vendors and do the same.  You get where I’m going with this now.  Now you might be wondering why I’m suggesting you engage with vendors who are your direct competitors in that last category.  Well let’s talk about that.  The reality is you as a vendor cannot service every client and your offerings are not going to be what every client wants or needs.  It’s SO important to follow through on the idea of building a community of vendors.  It’s easy to use the HASHTAG but it’s harder to practice this In Real LIfe (IRL).  Will there be vendor competition in your category you don’t mesh well with or you don’t want to support? Yes, there will,  BUT, choosing to stay in your bubble and not engage with your competition is going to severely limit your growth especially in times of COVID where you need other vendors to lean on and learn with.  Be genuinely supportive of others and know that someone else’s wins are not your losses.  

The hole I don't want you to fall in is asking for support or more business before you’ve done the work to earn it.  I see this often in emails or DMs from excited vendors ready to spread the word about their business and get in front of new vendors... and to be honest, it’s so off putting and unfortunately it has the opposite effect of what the original vendor intended for it to have.

So, do the work on supporting others with this Top 30 vendor list for a solid 3 weeks and THEN, let’s talk about next steps.

After you’ve put in the time here, my next recommendation leads to Step 2!

Step 2: Determine from your list 15 vendors that you want to reach out to for a virtual coffee date.  You should then email them and tell them you have loved following their work and have admired it for XYZ time and now you’re reaching out to see if you can schedule a virtual coffee chat with them for 20 minutes.  Show your face, ask some intentional questions to get to know them, and start to form a bond.  Remember to make it about getting to know them more than it is about you talking about yourself although this will still be a part of it.  After you get through that first set of 15, head on to the next set of vendors from there.

An amazing gesture that I would add following these coffee chats, if you’re able to swing it is to follow up with a thank you email and a $5 coffee gift card saying the next coffee is on you. YESSSS, powerful right?  Imagine if you were the receiver of this simple and kind gesture.  It goes a long way, I promise.

Step 3: Finally, from here, consider adding a vendor spotlight on your blog to highlight the vendors above and further help support their businesses.  

Building relationships IS that easy when you stop focusing on how to get your business and your offerings in front of a vendor and instead work on making intentional and thoughtful connections instead. 

How can you support vendors first?

What these steps above lead to is you being at the forefront of 30+ vendors minds when it comes to new bookings, networking events, styled shoots, and more.  Y’all it's powerful and better than any money you’re going to spend on business marketing in my mind.  I hope these tips have been helpful and have been broken down into some easy to do steps that you can start right now.  

Finally, a side note…. With the state of 2020, everyone is on edge.  We’re all fearful, we’re all stressed, we’re all working through differently personal or business struggles.  My last piece of advice is be aware of how you’re showing up online and in social media.  Are you arguing with complete strangers online over face masks or politics or whether you think businesses should safely open or not right now? Can I recommend that you take a moment to make sure the comments and posts you’re making reflect a version of yourself you will be proud of once we come out of all this.   It’s ok to feel passionate.  It’s ok to have a different viewpoint than another industry vendor.  It’s not ok to let your anger and frustration bring out the worst in how you’re showing up on social media and it’s definitely not going to help you grow your business and maintain your livelihood in the future.  Kindness and consideration really do matter as we navigate our current situation and whatever lies ahead.

Thank you for joining me here in this little space on the internet.  If you’re looking for more guidance, community and ways to level up your business, come join me within the Planner’s Vault membership where you’ll find done for you templates, articles and videos which will help you successfully grow your wedding planning business without the stress and overwhelm!