Check out the quick video version of this technique here:

There is an inherent pecking order and priority set on what vendors are chosen by clients in their planning process for their event. Mostly for weddings, the venue and dress are first, then the rest of the vendors are chosen in no particular order from photographers, cake, DJs and Photo Booths.

Customers will often ask friends and family, scour social media and Google for ideas for vendors to narrow down their choices to and then reach out to secure them for their date. In the process they may want to know if vendors such as photographers, DJs and photo booth companies have worked at the venue they have chosen. Knowing that these vendors are familiar with their venue of choice helps set them at ease in making their choice which is why getting on the preferred vendor list at venues can prove to be valuable. 

Most venues have a limit to the number of vendors they have on their preferred list, or it can be a pay to play situation where vendors pay to be on the preferred list whether it is a flat fee to be listed or a referral fee per event booked. Getting on the list doesn’t guarantee you would be preferred by the client. The client will still most likely do their research and look at Google or YouTube for other vendors that have worked at these venues. So, when these potential clients do their research it’s a good idea to show up in the search results on Google and even on YouTube.

Here is a technique that has worked wonders to get my company in front of couples looking for not only DJs but photo booth companies that have worked on a few of the venues in my area that I prefer to work at. Follow the steps in this simple method below and you have a better chance at getting your company in front of these prospects.

1. Gather Content: If you are working at a venue you would like to get more work at be sure to take a bunch of photos and videos while you there. Take pictures and video of your setup and the party throughout the evening. Everyone has a smart phone, and the cameras are so good these days, you should be able to capture some really good content

2. Create a Video: Take the pictures and video you have from those events and make a short 30 second – 1 minute highlight reel either by using software on a computer or even use some cool phone apps. Typically, I can use an app like iMovie, Beatleap or Videoshop and have the app smash together a quick video in about 5 minutes.

3. Upload the video to your YouTube channel and set the correct optimization such as

a. Title of the Video – should include the name of the venue and the general search term used such as “Photo Booth Rental” or “Wedding DJ”

b. In the description include a link to your website

c. Use hashtags using the general search terms, city or town the venue is located and also the venue name

4. Write Your Blog Post: Hopefully you have a blog, use it! Write a short blog about the video and also optimize the blog.

a. Include the venue name and your service search term in the blog post title

b. Link to the venue

c. Embed the YouTube video you just posted to YouTube

d. Post the blog

This simple technique can possibly get you on the first page of search results for search terms related to the service you provide and that venue. You now have the opportunity to show up multiple times on search results page as not only will your YouTube video have a shot at ranking on the first page but also your blog post. It’s one thing to hear that you have worked at a venue, but to actually see your work at that venue established the trust they are looking for in choosing their vendor.

I am writing this post on November 16, 2022. I followed this technique by posting my video and writing my blog post 4 days ago and already rank on the first page for the venue I targeted. This morning I opened up my email and have a lead for a wedding for that venue… coincidence?

In this example I have screenshots below to prove the success.  When prospects search for Wedding DJ Venue Name or Photo Booth Venue Name, we are right there on the first page on Google above the venue. 

Take a chance and give this technique a shot, you have nothing to lose and only costs you a little bit of your time.