Separating Yourself from other
Celebrants
1. Have you studied public speaking,
taken drama classes or singing lessons? All these are some of the talents which
other celebrants won’t have.
2. Have you studied law, or languages or
done volunteer work? These are some other talents which can differentiate you
from other celebrants.
3. If English is your second language,
you might be just what your compatriots are looking for. Not only will you be
able to conduct a ceremony in a language which all of their guests will
understand, you might offer to be a translator for other officiants who are
associated with couples using your language.
4. Celebrants who are parents or
grandparents might have a natural affinity for ceremonies dealing with children.
5. Officiants who themselves have
enjoyed long, happy partnerships might look to attract couples celebrating
their renewal of wedding vows in as part of their wedding anniversary
celebration.
6. If you enjoy photography or art
generally, it might make you a bit of an expert when it comes to drafting
certificates for various ceremonies or even taking a few snaps for those
couples who’ve decided on an elopement ceremony with only two witnesses. You
end up being not only their celebrant, but also the one to create memories for
them through your photographic skills.
7. If you’re young and exuberant, the
younger clients might love your energy.
8. If you’re an older, more sedate
person, clients might enjoy your unflappability.
9. As a retiree, your accessibility
might be a real plus for the client who is tired of talking to the answering
machines of celebrants who are in full time employment and never home.
When thinking of advertising yourself as a celebrant, keep in mind
what the client is after. This will include:
1. What will the client receive from you
that he won’t receive from other celebrants?
2. What are some problems associated
with the particular event that you have the answer for, and for which other celebrants don’t?
3. How can they tell that your fee is
based on value for money and not just a figure that you’ve pulled out of a hat?
4. Why are your fees so much lower or
higher than those of other celebrants?
Other things, which will go towards the image you want to project,
are the physical attributes that the client will experience when he contacts
you. This will be:
1. How you sound answering you phone.
Are you friendly and interested in what the client has to say? Do you come
across as a helpful and caring person? Do you inspire confidence by understanding
what your responsibilities as an officiant are?
2. What your recorded message on your
answering machine suggests. Is the message clear and concise giving options to
the client as to how he can contact you in the future without wasting his time
ringing over and over again? Are you prompt in returning the call?
3. The quality and professionalism of
any printed information you send out to the potential client. Do you work
towards making your printed material memorable by using a particular theme or
logo for your letter heads, business cards and leaflets or brochures? How about
colour-coordinating every bit of paper you sent out, including the paper clip
you use to keep the pages together?
4. Delivering on your promise. Are you
careful about promising to do things for clients in a certain time only if you
know you can do it, so that they’re not waiting for information brochures or
kit for weeks, instead of the day or two you told them?
5. The way your office – home or
otherwise – looks from the street, front door, and inside. Are the surrounds
neat and tidy and your entrance inviting? Are any pets kept away from the gate
so that your client doesn’t have to fight his way to your door? Does your
interview room smell fresh and look inviting with fresh flowers or other
indication of a welcoming attitude?
6. If you use a door bell do you answer
it promptly instead of having your client kicking his heels on the doorstep
wondering whether he’s come to the right place?
7. How friendly you are in all your communication
by phone, printed material and in person. Do you try to make all your
communication personal as well as presentable and professional?
8. How organized you sound, look and act.
Whether on the phone or at the interview, do you make sure that you have
everything at hand that you need?
9. Your standard of dress. Are you aware
of your client’s expectations as to how you should dress? Have you taken the
trouble to see how other celebrants dress and handle themselves? How do you
want to be perceived by your clients in terms of how you dress?
Extract from How to be a Profitable Celebrant
