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Getting yourself known
Early post as I’m away next week:
Once you’ve decided to go into marquee hire don’t just sit on your backside expecting the bookings to come rolling in. Get out there making contacts (networking seems to be the popular phrase for this).
This is the bread & butter of marquee hire companies.
When organising an event some people won't go to the marquee company first. They might go to the caterer, the florist, the DJ. Everyone's different. Getting in with these people is a MUST.
Fill your pockets with business cards and leaflets, put your best charm hat on and if possible go and meet people face to face. If not send them some literature and follow it up with a phone call.
Do some research and find all the catering companies, DJ’s, Bands, florists, party planners and any site where you’ve seen marquees up or think marquees might be of interest -National trust properties, large pubs, hotels etc.
You need to explain:
- How easy to work with you are (you want to work with these people)
- How reliable you are (you want them to recommend you)
- How new and well maintained your equipment is
Some people work on commission for recommendations. Personally I always avoided paying any commission and relied on a ˜you scratch my back and Ill scratch yours approach, however I think I'm in the minority and if you get regular business from such arrangements losing 10% of it is manageable.
As a final note some people will actually contact other local marquee hire companies to get on good terms with them. That way if you or they need to cross-hire anything you have communications in place.
