The Event: Crushed Podcast for Wedding Pros

Ep. 9: Can You Really Get Leads from Pinterest? Learn How with Pin with Paula

This week, Paula Ruzenceva of Pin With Paula is on the show to share about the power of Pinterest, how wedding pros are missing the mark with it, and the untapped potential that exists once we nail down a Pinterest strategy! We discuss the value of Pinterest for wedding creatives and how it can help generate leads and bookings. Paula explains how she specializes in Pinterest and blogging to provide the best results for her clients, and she shares tips for DIYing a Pinterest strategy, such as doing keyword research and optimizing profiles and boards. 
Key Takeaways:
Pinterest is a valuable platform for wedding professionals, with a large percentage of Gen Z and millennial couples using it to plan their weddings.
Pinterest and blogging go hand in hand, and having an optimized blog is essential for a successful Pinterest strategy.
Keyword research is crucial for Pinterest success, and using relevant keywords in profiles, boards, and pin descriptions can help attract the right audience.
Done is better than perfect - taking action on Pinterest, even if it's not perfect, is better than not doing anything at all.
Hiring a Pinterest manager to provide hands-off Pinterest and blogging services can lead to bookings and finding your dream clients!
 
Paula is a blog writer and Pinterest manager for wedding creatives -- find her online below:
Check out Paula's Facebook group to get started with Pinterest!
Paula's Website - Pin with Paula
Follow Paula on Instagram

Ep. 8: Worried About Standing Out in a Saturated Market? Listen to This!

How do you set yourself apart among a sea of wedding photographers or a sea of wedding planners? How can you ensure that your business gets noticed by the right clients? This week we're diving into this topic and various ways you can stand out among the crowd!
Key Takeaways:
1. Stop Blending in! Infuse these three things into your online presence:
Your personality
Your style
Your unique offerings 
2. Keep it consistent; show up online regularly
Blogging
Social media
Responding to reviews
Wedding listing sites
3. Provide VALUE to your audience and potential clients
Create simple and free educational resources
Become the go-to expert in your area
4. Niche down! 
This can be done in terms of your service offerings or your target market
Attract the right clients and repel the rest
Final thoughts:
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket!Focus on website, blogging, SEO
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Let's connect!www.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com@eventcrush on IG
Are you a newer wedding planner looking for someone to come alongside you in your journey?Check out my wedding planner mentorship!
If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider leaving a rating or a review! Thanks so much for tuning in -- see you next week!

Ep. 7: How Wedding Pros Can Add Value with Affiliate Programs

Wouldn't it be nice to make some extra income while also being able to offer discounts to our clients for products and services they'll be needing for their wedding? Affiliate programs can do just this, and today I'm sharing my favorite ones. All of these are free to join, and a great way to provide added value to your client's experience! 
Affiliate Programs mentioned in this episode:
Minted Wedding Planner Program
Generation Tux Partner Program
Prints of Love Referral Program
Suit Shop Insiders
Azazie Ambassador Program 
FeteFone Partner Program
Amazon Associates
Affiliate Marketplaces with wedding-related companies:
ShareASale
Impact
Becky's "Wedding Planner Essentials" on Amazon
Need to re-stock your emergency kit? Emergency Kit Essentials Here!
Let's connect!
www.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com@eventcrush
 

Ep. 6: The Power of Community in the Wedding Industry

Want to know one of the quickest ways to fail in the wedding industry? Hint: it involves isolation, keeping to yourself, and not making an effort to connect with your local wedding community.
I have a *lot* to say on this topic, but this week I'm breaking things down for a quick bite-sized episode on the power of community in the wedding industry, and what community can do for you. If you've been holding out on getting involved in a local or online community for wedding pros, this episode is for you!
If you're based here in Oregon, here is a list of in-person networking groups to check out:
Engaging Eugene (Eugene, OR)
Elevate Society (Medford, OR)
Vendor Society (Albany, Oregon)
Willamette Valley Wedding Pros (Salem OR)
Central Oregon Wedding Association (Bend, OR)
Wedding Pros Happy Hour (Portland, OR)
Facebook groups to check out:
Refine Community for Wedding Planners
Wedding Pro CEO Community
 
In this episode I mentioned a brand new offering -- a mentorship for new and aspiring wedding planners!You can learn all about this offering and sign up right here. The introductory rate is a screamin' deal and won't last long. If you're looking to kick-start your business, this is the perfect opportunity! I would love to partner with you to help fast track your planning business to success.
 
Let's connect!@eventcrush on Instagrambecky@eventcrush.com
 
 

Ep 5: Wedding Day Do's & Don'ts for Planners & Coordinators

This week, I'm chatting about what wedding planners should and should NOT be doing on wedding days. As a planner, especially in the earlier years of business -- it's common to find ourselves doing things that are totally outside the scope of our services. So, let's clarify our role as planners/coordinators, diving into what we should be taking on and what we should be saying no to on wedding days. At the end of the episode, I share the two BEST ways to prevent these situations from arising (hint: they both start with 'C')! 
Even though this episode is focused on planners, any wedding pro should tune in as we all work with planners and it's important to know what we should expect of them and what we shouldn't be expecting of them. Throughout the episode I share lots of fun anecdotes from my personal experiences... the good, the bad, and the ugly. Would love to hear your thoughts -- shoot me a message on Instagram at @eventcrush and let's keep the conversation going!
Key Takeaways The DO'S
Wedding planners and coordinators should provide a vendor appreciation station to show gratitude to the vendor team.
They should act as the point person between the couple and all vendors, handling logistics and answering questions.
Having a fully stocked emergency kit is essential for dealing with any unexpected situations that may arise.
Planners should ensure that all details are perfectly placed and execute any finishing touches.
Delegating tasks to assistants is essential, as lead planners can only be in one place at a time.
Being flexible and willing to jump in wherever needed is crucial for a coordinator's role.
It's important for wedding planners and coordinators to know their boundaries and not take on tasks that are outside of their scope of services.
The DON'TS
Wedding planners and coordinators should avoid tasks such as bussing tables, hanging lights or decor that requires a ladder, handling food, beverage, or alcohol, acting as a DJ or MC, arranging flowers, and wrangling family members for photos.
Clear communication and having a well-defined scope of services in the contract are essential to avoid getting caught up in tasks outside of the planner's responsibilities.
It is important to set expectations with clients and vendors regarding the planner's role and what is included and not included in their services.
Having a wedding day surprises document can help address any unexpected requests or tasks that arise on the wedding day.
Personal experiences in other industries, such as photography or catering, can provide valuable insights and understanding for wedding planners and coordinators.
 
Let's Connect!becky@eventcrush.comwww.eventcrush.com@eventcrush on IG

Ep 4: My Favorite Tools for Wedding Pros

When it comes to tools for wedding pros, there are SO many resources available! It’s nearly impossible to vet them all but don’t worry– I’ve gone ahead and done it for you. 😉
In this episode, I share the systems and tools I use every single day and week in my wedding and event planning business. I discuss all of my favorite programs and what I specifically use them for including SuiteDash, Asana, YNAB, and more. All tools are linked below, and be sure to check out the special discounts if you’re in need of any new software/tools to level up your biz! I am also working on a “resources” page of my website that will soon have all of this listed there as well.
 
Tools for all types of wedding pros:
SuiteDash – sign up for LIFETIME access and get my discount!
Calendly
Asana
Canva
Google Workspace – save 10% off your first year!
Dropbox
Zoom
Benable
Homebase
Quickbooks Online – Save 75%(!!) on your first 6 months!
YNAB – Enjoy a free month on me
MailChimp
Planner-specific tools:
Timeline Genius
Prismm
The Refine Portal & Refine Shop
 
Other resources mentioned:
The Refine for Wedding Planners Facebook Group
Thanks for tuning in! What are your favorite tools for wedding pros — am I missing anything!? Shoot me a DM on Instagram and let’s keep the conversation going!
 
See the full show notes here!

Ep 3: Longevity in the Wedding Industry & How to Last Beyond 5 Years

Join Becky to chat about longevity in the wedding industry and what it takes to really last and make it past the 5-year mark.
Becky will chat about:
The impact of forming meaningful, long-lasting relationships in the industry
Staying up to date on new technology and trends
Showing up consistently
The benefits of outsourcing
The importance of a growth mindset and why you should continually evolve & educate yourself 
Thanks for tuning into this week's episode! We'll be right back here next week with another episode. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review. It would mean the world to me and will help other wedding pros find the show.
I'd love to hear from you! Reach out to me via Instagram DM at @eventcrush, or email me at becky@eventcrush.com.

Ep 2: Gain Control of Your Biz Finances with Hart Systems Bookkeeping

Andrew Hart with Hart Systems Bookkeeping is on the show today, sharing about getting his start as a bookkeeping pro and his top tips for gaining control of your wedding business finances. 
You can expect to learn about:
Visibility and Awareness
Knowing Your Numbers
Profit First
Receipt Management 
The Importance of Hiring a Pro
Find Andrew here: https://hartsystemsbookkeeping.com/Andrew's QBO For Startups course: https://qboforstartups.com/ecpodcast
USE CODE: "eventcrushed"
**Includes $200 OFF for Event: Crushed listeners!

Ep 1: The Girl Behind the Podcast

Get to know Becky Hart, the girl behind the podcast.
The "why" behind the Event: Crushed podcast, Becky's background in the wedding industry, and what motivated her to finally make this show happen.