If you’re a wedding photographer, you’ve likely experienced ghosting—a couple inquires or attends a consultation call, and then they completely disappear. In this post, we’re diving into how to stay resilient in the face of ghosting for wedding photographers. While ghosting can feel personal, understanding why it happens and implementing effective strategies can help you manage the emotional toll and continue to grow your business.

Understanding Why Ghosting Happens
Ghosting is a natural part of being a vendor in the wedding industry. There are many reasons couples ghost photographers. Some are within your control, like the ease of communication or how quickly you respond to inquiries, and some are outside of your control, like pricing not aligning with their budget. “When couples ghost, it’s important to first identify whether the reason is related to something in your process or if it’s simply a part of being in a competitive market.”

Simplify Communication
One of the best ways to prevent ghosting is to make communication as easy as possible. I recommend using short, one-to-three sentence emails to reduce barriers and keep couples engaged. Asking simple questions, like where they’re getting married or sending over your availability in a HoneyBook scheduling link, can streamline the process. “The less time they spend going back and forth, the more likely they are to stay interested and book.”

Recognizing What’s Out of Your Control
Sometimes, ghosting happens because of factors completely outside of your control. Maybe the couple found a photographer whose style they preferred or one who was a better fit for their budget. This is part of the reality of a saturated photography market. Recognizing this will help you avoid taking it personally and stay focused on what you can control.

Shift Your Mindset: Tracking Healthy Conversion Rates
Ghosting can feel defeating, but keep in mind that a healthy booking rate in the wedding industry is around 25%. That means you won’t book 75% of the inquiries you receive, and that’s okay! Track your inquiries, and keep an eye on your conversion rate. “This realistic approach will help you manage your expectations and stay resilient through the ups and downs of ghosting.”

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