Maybe you're seeing more sparkly ring bling photos popping up on your newsfeed lately.  That's because it's "engagement season"- that wonderful time of year when the majority of people get engaged.  It coincides with the winter holiday season and lasts from November through February.  As a bridal hairstylist or makeup artist, it's prime time to optimize your marketing to get in front of those brides ASAP so when it comes time for them to book their wedding hair or wedding makeup, they know exactly who to contact- YOU!

Here are my top tips for getting the most out of engagement season to fill your books with weddings for the coming year.

Beef Up Your Website

Getting your website updated benefits you twofold:  It not only makes sure that your information is up to date, it also helps to improve your SEO (search engine optimization) and makes it easier for brides to find you in an online search.  I recommend making sure your website has the following details- COVID policies including what you're doing to keep them safe as well as what they can expect your policies to be regarding rescheduling and cancellations, current booking timeframes, availability, recent professional images from last year's brides, awards, recent reviews, updated pricing, and an updated FAQs page where they can quickly scan to find what they are looking for.

Update Your Social Media

The vast majority of brides use social media to look for wedding vendors.  It makes it super easy to find people who match their esthetic for their wedding.  Social media is very image heavy, so make sure you have your most recent images front and center.  Even if you haven't done many weddings, you can take each booking you have done and use the content in multiple different ways from still images, to videos, to reels, to behind the scenes.  Social media is more relaxed from your professional website, so you don't have to rely solely on professional images.  Just make sure the images you share are high quality and showcase your work appropriately.  No dirty smudged camera lens, no glare or backlit images, no messy or distracting backgrounds, and well lit to showcase the bride or bridesmaid effectively.

If you're not sure what to talk about in your posts why not try showcasing what the booking process will look like?  You can also highlight recent reviews both in the feed and in your stories and highlights.

On Instagram, organize your stories in highlights to make it easy to find relevant information.  You can organize them by style type, behind the scenes, reviews, trials, booking details, and more.  They don't have to all be images of clients.  You can also showcase your favorite products or tools, prep tips, or information in neatly presented text to break up the monotony of endless updo or makeup images.

Also, make sure to update your links and make sure they are working.  Direct all inquiries to your website for more information, pricing, and to submit a formal inquiry. Keep things organized and OUT of your DMs.

Guides are another great new tool to build your vendor community and get on their radar.  Consider creating a guide to feature your favorite photographers, venues, planners, and more.  They might turn around and do the same for you- furthering your reach and getting your business in front of their potential brides, too!

Past Brides

Your past brides are a great source of referrals.  Chances are they have a friend or two who has gotten engaged as well.  Send them a friendly "Happy New Year!" email and remind them that you would love if they referred any friends or coworkers who recently got engaged.  You can offer an incentive if you like, but if they truly loved the way you did their hair or makeup for their wedding they will be happy to refer you anyways.  They just may need a reminder!

Get More Reviews

While you're at it, any brides who didn't leave you a review last year, include a link to your online reviews in your email when you reach out.  Then turn around and create a feed post and a story highlight with either a screenshot or a typed testimonial so you increase your chances of new brides seeing it.

Other Vendors

Reach out to photographers, planners, and venues you worked with last year and send them a newsletter, card, or small gift thanking them for a great year and wishing them a happy engagement season.  It might have been a while since they worked with you, so this is an easy way to get back on top of mind with them while also spreading good will!

Get Active On Social Media

Now that you've optimized your social media platforms with great images, reviews, and easy to find information, it's time to start getting really active on them!  Interact with venues, planners, photographers, and past brides to stay at the top of mind with them longer.  The more you interact with their posts, the greater the chance they will interact with yours which feeds the algorithm and boosts your discoverability by new brides.

Social media is also a great place to look for opportunities to meet new vendors, participate in styled shoots, and network.  You might be able to help them find a new connection, and you never know when that person might have a bride that's looking for a hairstylist or makeup artist for their upcoming dates.

What's Next?  Download my FREE Engagement Season Checklist HERE and start optimizing your marketing and business systems so that you can build a healthy long term sustainable bridal business for next year and the years after.  Remember, it's just as important to have a well designed booking system to get inquiries into booked brides as it is to get interested brides into your inbox to begin with!

Want even more tips?  Listen to the Podcast Episode: How To Make The Most Out Of Engagement Season on Spotify.