Business Development Representative

For 37 years, Today’s Bride has connected engaged couples with the best wedding professionals in Northeast Ohio through bridal shows, digital advertising, print media, email marketing, and lead generation programs. We’re looking for an ambitious and proactive Business Development Representative (BDR) who enjoys connecting with people, opening doors, and creating new opportunities.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys meeting new people, starting conversations, and helping local businesses grow.

As a Business Development Representative, you’ll be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for Today’s Bride. You’ll spend your day researching prospective wedding professionals, reaching out through phone, email, social media, and networking, and introducing them to the marketing and advertising opportunities available through Today’s Bride.

You’ll be the first point of contact for many potential partners and play a critical role in driving the growth of our bridal shows, magazine, website, and digital marketing programs.

• Identify and research prospective wedding businesses throughout Northeast Ohio
• Build and maintain a pipeline of potential advertising and event partners
• Prospect through phone calls, email outreach, social media, networking, and referrals
• Start meaningful conversations with business owners and decision-makers
• Learn about prospective partners’ goals, challenges, and marketing needs
• Introduce Today’s Bride wedding shows, digital marketing, and lead generation opportunities
• Conduct discovery calls and recommend opportunities that align with each prospect’s goals
• Schedule meetings and presentations for the sales team
• Follow up consistently with prospects throughout the decision-making process
• Maintain accurate records and activity within the CRM
• Close appropriate new-business opportunities and involve sales leadership when needed for larger partnerships
• Collaborate with sales leadership to develop outreach strategies and target markets
• Attend local networking events, bridal shows, and other opportunities to build relationships within the wedding industry
• Work closely with the Client Success Manager to ensure a smooth transition after a new partner signs on

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to consistently create and convert new-business opportunities, including:

• Prospecting activity and outreach consistency
• Meaningful conversations started with qualified businesses
• Qualified appointments and presentations scheduled
• New opportunities added to the sales pipeline
• New partners and revenue generated
• Consistent and professional follow-up
• Accurate CRM and pipeline management
• Achievement of individual activity and new-business revenue goals

You’ll succeed here by being proactive, organized, persistent, and comfortable asking for the business. You won’t wait for leads to come to you. You’ll actively look for businesses that could benefit from Today’s Bride and find creative ways to start the conversation.

• 2+ years of experience in business development, outbound sales, inside sales, advertising sales, appointment setting, or a similar role
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cold call, qualify leads, and develop new business
• Confidence speaking with business owners and decision-makers by phone, email, video, and in person
• Ability to conduct a consultative sales conversation and recommend solutions based on a prospect’s needs
• Comfortable presenting pricing, responding to objections, following up, and asking for the sale
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organization, time-management, and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple prospects and stages of the sales pipeline simultaneously
• Comfortable using a CRM and learning new systems
• Reliable transportation for local networking, meetings, and Today’s Bride events

Experience in advertising, media, events, hospitality, or the wedding industry is helpful but not required. More importantly, we’re looking for someone who understands how to build relationships, create opportunities, and generate new business.

• Base salary +…