The b r a n d is not your B l o g. The brand is not F a c e b o o k. The b r a n d is not T w i t t e r. The brand is what you deliver.

Say Cheese

Last year, I decided to take the plunge. The idea of marriage didn’t scare me as much as the thought of planning for the big day. Photographers, videographers, décor companies, lighting companies, entertainers, catering companies, venues…how was I ever going to find all these people to be part of the most important day of my life?

Being a bit of a picky person made the process a bit more challenging. But heck, these memories were for forever right! As the kilometers rapidly started gaining ground on my dashboard during the following months, frustration lingered close by. But as decisions had to be made, all you could do is cross your fingers and toes.

The day went without a hitch, and it although it sounds cliché, it truly was the most beautiful day. While most vendors delivered on their brand promise, a few attempted to flake out on certain details. Our friends would probably look at the embroidered Indian silk blue curtain with a mere fleeting nod, oblivious to the fact that it was originally fated to be pink. Whether it was an oversight or a sales pitch by the décor company to woo us, the truth is, we were wooed.

What personal brands fail to remember is that they are still brands. If McDonalds fails to deliver on their brand promise, they will lose their credibility. There will be negative backlash as people talk about the story to their friends and colleagues. And now with the power of social media, that gossip channel is amplified.

So photographers, here’s a piece of advice. Don’t deliver the wedding photos to the client a year later. If you really care about your brand, then do it as soon as possible after the happy day, when the couple is still giddy in love. And if you do your job right, you will receive a plethora of referrals, guaranteed.

Remember, you can throw as much money as you want into your marketing efforts, but you cannot buy word of mouth.