You've got a wedding enquiry - yay! So how do you reply to it, to make sure you're the one they choose?
Be friendly and positive
Try to sound like a real person in your email, not a formal corporation. You’re going to be at their wedding, or spending time with their family at a shoot, so you want them to imagine the actual person behind the email, and to like you.
Think about your sign-off and signature, what does it say and what impression of you does that give? Does it sound like you work in an office signing off an email to a client, or does it sound like you?
Address both people if it’s a wedding enquiry – it’s an equal occasion and people really appreciate this.
Write how you talk and don’t second guess yourself too much. Use positive language only!
Get personal
Use a template, but adapt it to each enquiry. If I’ve shot their venue I tell them what I love about it - if not, I'll say something nice about it. If they mention something you have in common, talk about it. I’ve attached photos of my cats in my initial reply before!
Ask questions
This shows you’re interested in them and their plans, and means they’ll feel more obligated to reply to you, reducing your chances of getting ghosted. Mainly though, it starts a conversation, which you can legitimately reply to, rather than having to chase them later on. My favourite questions are:
Why did you choose your venue?
What plans do you have for the day?
What are you most excited about?
How did you meet?
How did he/she propose?
If music is your thing, ask about their first dance, or if sweets are your bag, ask what they have planned for the cake.
For family shoots, ask about their family, what things they like to do
How to sign off
Offer a meeting or Skype – with a few date suggestions. You could even try including a link to your booking form, it can work - especially if you're a family photographer (tip: try a meeting scheduler like Calendly to book smaller shoots).
Chase up
Remember people are busy, they’re not necessarily ghosting you! Chase them up a week later, with something useful and helpful to them - tips on planning the sort of wedding they're having - but write it in a casual "I was just thinking of you and thought you might find this useful" sort of way. Then remind them of your offer to Skype/meet/ask questions. I also like to post Instagram Stories or Facebook posts aimed at them, to hint that they should book now!
Basically make them love you! Be nice, be interested and give them a reason to reply.
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