Rose Training discusses the perks of the internet when it comes to being a Celebrant.

So, you’ve done your Celebrancy (CHC) Cert IV at Rose Training are now are a fully registered Celebrant! Whooh! Congratulations! Not only that, but you are thinking of starting up a

business as a Celebrant, and of course, you need to spread awareness of your qualifications and services. We live in a world where finding the cheapest takeaway or best hairdresser is one Google search away. And it’s not just that, customers and clients out there want an online interaction with businesses and companies they trust and respect. They can achieve this through social media. Social media isn’t just a website. It’s more than that – it’s a conversation with the public. So, how do you use social media in a way that helps you further yourself as a celebrant within your city or state?  A website is a great starting point, but as we will see in this blog, there are many more ways you can increase your online reach as a business owner!

Run down: The social ‘mediums’

Facebook (//www.facebook.com/) 

• Facebook is probably the best known of the online social media websites.
• Facebook can be used to set up a ‘page’ from where you can set the scene of your business. You can post photos from weddings, upload statuses, request feedback via Facebook ‘review’, listen to your clients and respond to their questions and concerns.
• Some additional tips from Rose Training’s CHC goody bag include posting weather forecasts, changes in marriage laws, testimonials from clients, and networking with wedding videographers and photographers by sharing their work on your page

Twitter (//twitter.com/) 

• Twitter is used for short, status like updates – pictures, reminders, observations and the like!

• Twitter is a great way to give your followers a brief snippet of what your professional life is like, whether it’s a photo from a wedding, a summary of your day, what your wedding calendar is looking like at the moment or what the weather is going to be like today. You can retweet other people’s tweets, so if you see a wedding video that you officiated or marriage related news item on your, you can retweet it!

Pinterest (//www.pinterest.com/)

• Weddings and Pinterest. The two terms are meant to be together. Pinterest is an online photo sharing website, filled with A HUGE AMOUNT of wedding inspiration ideas. Seriously, don’t underestimate us when we say it’s actually a little crazy. As a wedding celebrant it would be criminal not to have a Pinterest account under your professional name. You can ‘pin’ wedding inspiration photos, from fashion to decoration to food to location, which is literally a life saver for your clients. It allows them to see that you have creative flair and a personal interest in the weddings you officiate, not just a financial one. The great thing about Pinterest is that it is simple to use and to follow other wedding related Pinterest accounts!

Instagram (downloadable from the itunes store) 

• Instagram is another photo sharing account, albeit a more personal one that focuses on the younger demographic with/and those with smart phones. While Pinterest is mostly used on computers, Instagram is a free app that is used almost exclusively on smart phones; indeed you can’t upload or share photos from anywhere else except your phone. Instagram emphasises personal uploads rather than ‘reblogging’ other peoples work, and instead of a wide dashboard filled with photos like on Pinterest, Instagram utilised a ‘newsfeed’ where photos follow eachother down the page. It is a must have for photographers, bloggers and those with businesses that have some sort of focus on visual or aesthetic qualities – so that’s celebrants included! With your instagram account you can upload photos from weddings, brief video footage or anything that is relevant and takes your fancy.

Tumblr (//www.tumblr.com/) 

• Tumblr is a blog like website where users’ reblog and share photos, quotes, videos, stories and more. It’s extremely popular with the 20 year old – 30 year old demographic so getting a Tumblr is a great idea if you are a celebrant wanting to further your business reach. With your tumblr you can reblog wedding inspiration photography, and customize your blog to suit the mood of your business. You can follow other wedding inspiration tumblr accounts and even upload your own photos and videos from weddings.

Remember, if you want a great social media presence, be consistent! Maintain your online integrity – be professional yet friendly in your language, check your social media websites regularly and respond to all comments, compliments, questions and concerns. If you feel that a certain social media website is redundant for your business, make sure you don’t advertise it as a place to visit. It is VERY important you keep updating your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc accounts so you can inform your followers and clients about your business.  It’s one thing starting a Facebook page but it’s another thing maintaining it. It may be a little overwhelming at first but at Rose Training we think it’s worth it!

Are you interested in doing a Cert IV in Celebrancy (CHC) at Rose Training in 2014? Do you want to become a celebrant? Call Jessica now to book your place in one of our new year courses starting on February 24th!

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