Event: Crushed for Wedding Pros

Ep. 25: Navigating Public Relations for Wedding Pros with Meghan Ely

In this week's episode, Becky interviews Meghan Ely, a PR expert for wedding professionals, discussing the importance of public relations in the wedding industry. They explore common misconceptions about PR, the benefits of getting published, and various opportunities available for wedding pros to enhance their visibility. Meghan shares practical steps for those new to PR, emphasizing the need for organization and strategic planning. The conversation concludes with an overview of the services offered by OFD Consulting, aimed at helping wedding professionals navigate the world of PR effectively.
Key Takeaways
PR can seem overwhelming, but it's manageable step by step.
Many believe PR requires knowing the right people, which isn't necessarily true.
Getting published can significantly boost your business ROI.
PR should complement other marketing strategies, not replace them.
Social proof from publications enhances credibility with couples.
Start small and define what success looks like for you in PR.
Utilize free resources like Qwoted and Connectively to get started.
Getting organized is key to successful PR efforts.
OFD Consulting provides valuable resources and support for wedding pros.
Mentioned in this episode:- Qwoted - Connectively- Think Splendid / Splendid Insights 
 
Find Meghan here --> OFD ConsultingOFD Consulting on Instagram
See you back here next Friday! Event Crush on Instagram | eventcrush.com | Email BeckyThis episode is produced by Ace Sound Design. 
 

Ep. 24: Juggling Work, Life, & Family with Radhika of Rad Occasions

In this conversation, Becky Hart and Radhika Graham explore the complexities of work-life balance in the wedding industry. Radhika shares her journey from a full-time job to running her own wedding planning business, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries, asking for help, and prioritizing self-care. They discuss the challenges faced by wedding professionals, including time management and the pressure to please clients. Radhika introduces practical tools and techniques for productivity, such as the Pomodoro technique and going paperless, while also highlighting the significance of community support among industry peers. The conversation concludes with valuable advice for wedding pros on managing expectations and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
 
Key takeaways
Work-life balance is more of a juggle than a balance.
Setting boundaries is crucial for managing client expectations.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Self-care should be prioritized to avoid burnout.
Utilizing technology can streamline business processes.
Community support is essential in the wedding industry.
Outsourcing tasks can free up valuable time.
Meal planning can alleviate stress during busy seasons.
It's important to recognize that not every task is urgent.
Reflecting on past experiences can help set better boundaries.
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Manulife Vitality App - Canada
The Pomodoro Technique
Skylight Calendar
 
Connect with Rad!
radoccasions.ca
thatsradpodcast.ca
https://www.instagram.com/radoccasions/
 
 
Connect with us
Event Crush on Instagram | Email us | Event Crush on the web
 

Ep. 23: Optimizing Your Website for Sales Success with Hannah of Made with Boldness

This week, Becky Hart and Hannah Davis sit down to discuss the intricacies of designing effective websites for wedding professionals. They explore the benefits of using Showit, the importance of blogging and SEO, and the key components that make a wedding pro website successful. Hannah shares common mistakes to avoid, when to consider a rebrand, and offers final tips for wedding pros looking to enhance their online presence. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear navigation, compelling copy, and the importance of showcasing pricing to attract the right clients.
 
Key Takeaways
Showit can be a better fit for wedding pros than other platforms.
Blogging is an underutilized tool for wedding professionals.
Websites need to have clear calls to action.
Clear navigation is crucial for user experience.
Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many photos.
Fonts should be readable for accessibility (16 px minimum).
Pricing (at least starting prices or a range) should be visible on websites.
If it's been 4-5 years, you no longer like your branding, or it's not working for you anymore -- it's time for a rebrand!
Share your website with friends outside the industry for neutral feedback. 
 
Episodes mentioned in this podcast:
Episode 21:  Demystifying SEO for Wedding Pros with Adrienna of Ava & The Bee 
Connect with Hannah!
Hannah's website, Made with Boldness
Hannah's free website checklist mentioned in the episode
Hannah's Newsletter signup
Made with Boldness on Instagram
 
Event Crush on Instagram | becky@eventcrush.com | www.eventcrush.com
See you back here next week!
 

Ep. 22: Network like a (Wedding) Pro

This week we are diving DEEP into all things networking for wedding pros!
Do you love networking? Hate it? Avoid it at all costs? Whatever the case, this episode is for you!
Listen in on my presentation from the Book More Weddings Summit where I break down the benefits of networking, my best tips and tricks, and most importantly how to set yourself a part and build meaningful relationships to GROW your business. 
Get my FREE networking guide here!https://mailchi.mp/d3d2e09566b8/networking
 
Let's Connect:Instagram | Web | Email

Ep. 21: Demystifying SEO for Wedding Pros with Adrienna of Ava & the Bee

On this week's episode, Becky sits down with Adrienna McDermott of Ava & The Bee to chat all things SEO for wedding pros. Adrienna breaks down SEO, why it's essential for wedding pro success, and what we can be doing today to increase our chances of ranking higher on Google for our desired keywords. She reminds us that SEO is a long game and that we shouldn't expect results overnight. 
Key Takeaways
SEO is about telling Google what your website is about and who you serve
Optimize your website with meta titles and descriptions, structured headers, and a Google Business listing
The best website platforms for SEO are WordPress, Showit, and Squarespace
Use Google Analytics to track your website's performance
SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort and updates
 
Sound Bites
"SEO is simply telling Google what we want Google to know about you."
"Your website is your salesperson. That is what you are paying me to do, to get more website traffic to convert."
"73% of luxury wedding couples and 71% of ultra luxury found at least one of their vendors from an internet search last year."
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
05:07 Understanding SEO and Its Importance
08:46 Optimizing Your Website for SEO
10:35 The Role of SEO in Attracting Luxury Wedding Couples
13:07 Meta Titles and Descriptions
14:57 Header Structure and User Experience
17:32 SEO on Social Media Platforms
25:04 SEO for Google vs. Other Platforms
27:41 Tips for Improving SEO
32:35 Services Offered by Ava and the Bee
 
Connect with Adrienna!
Ava and The Bee Website | Ava and The Bee on Instagram
Ava and the Bee is an in-house marketing agency for wedding professionals ready for inclusive, results-driven marketing that creates freedom in their business and cultivates a client experience before couples ever start the conversation.
 
Thanks for tuning into another episode. We love hearing from you!
Shoot us a DM on instagram and let us know what you thought about this episode, or take a screenshot and share it on your story and be sure to tag @eventcrush and @avaandthebee. 
 
See you next week!

Ep. 20: Should the Luxury Market be the End Goal for Every Wedding Professional?

In this short solo episode, Becky discusses the obsession the wedding industry seems to have with the luxury market, and she questions whether it should be the ultimate goal for every wedding pro to serve luxury clientele. Becky emphasizes that luxury does not always equal success, and that it is very possible to run a successful wedding business while not serving the luxury market.
 
She shares about a "sweet spot" that she has found in serving clients with budgets that are under the $100k mark but where clients are laid back, trusting of their vendor team, and still care about the details and the guest experience.
 
She encourages wedding professionals to focus on providing a luxury level of service rather than solely pursuing luxury clients.
 
Key Takeaways
Not every wedding professional needs to strive for the luxury wedding market as the ultimate goal.
The vast majority of weddings are not in the luxury market.
Luxury does not always equal success in the wedding industry.
Providing a luxury level of service is more important than solely pursuing luxury clients.
Let's connect! Find us on:Instagram | Threads | Web | Email
 
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet?It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career! 
 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience? Make sure to check out their offerings!    

Ep. 19: Growing a Team for 6-Figure Success with Jess Aiken of the Planner's Perspective

Have you ever thought about growing a team, but were too scared to trust someone else with this business that you've built from the ground up? This week's episode is for you! Learn how to avoid burnout by taking the leap to scale your biz, with Jess Aiken of the Planner's Perspective and Wedding Company of Williamsburg. 
Jess shares her journey in the wedding planning industry, from starting as an intern to building a multi-6-figure wedding planning company with 12 employees. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive team and the challenges of transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a large team. Jess also discusses her vision for her educational brand, Planner's Perspective, and the focus on percent-based pricing for planners. She shares insights on how she built her team, starting with her current assistants and training them to become lead planners. Jess also shares how she handles the pay structure for her team and how she manages a large team by using workflows and automations.
 
Key Takeaways
Building a supportive team is crucial for scaling a wedding planning business.
Transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a team requires overcoming the fear of delegating and trusting others.
Percent-based pricing can be a beneficial pricing model for wedding planners.
Starting with current assistants and training them to become lead planners can be an effective way to build a team.
Automating workflows and creating templates for emails and processes can streamline operations and ensure consistent service.
Building a team requires relinquishing control and trusting others to deliver a high level of service.
Understanding the financial aspects of the business, including cash flow and profitability, is essential for sustainable growth.
Changing the language from 'I' to 'we' in marketing materials and client communications helps create the perception of a team and instills confidence in potential clients.
 
Connect with Jess!
The Planner's Perspective:WebsiteInstagramFree Facebook community group
Wedding Co of Williamsburg:WebsiteInstagram
 
Event Crush on instagramwww.eventcrush.comMentorship for new & aspiring planners 
This episode was edited and produced by Ace Sound Design.
 

Ep. 18: What Energy are You Bringing to the Wedding Day?

In this episode, Becky shares a recent wedding day experience and her main takeaways from it, which came down to staying calm when things didn't go as planned and having a positive energy on a wedding day despite the circumstances! She also discusses handling things behind the scenes as much as possible and not bringing situation to couples unless it's absolutely necessary. 
Becky emphasizes the significance of being a calm and positive presence on the wedding day, as it can greatly impact the overall atmosphere and experience for everyone involved. It's always good to ask ourselves... what kind of energy are we bringing to the wedding day? Hopefully it's a positive, joyful, helpful energy!
 
Book More Weddings FREE Virtual Summit!! August 19th-23rd
Grab your free ticket here!
 
Event Crush Wedding Planner Mentorship - now open!
Ace Sound Design, our amazing podcast production company
 
Let's connect!
www.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com@eventcrush on Instagram
 

Ep. 17: Getting Ghosted? Why It's Happening & What You Can Do About It

In this week's solo episode, Becky sits down to chat about all things ghosting in the wedding industry. What is it, why is it happening, and what can we do about it!? She also discusses how ghosting isn't strictly happening from couple to vendor, it's also happening from vendor to couple AND from vendor to vendor! Ghosting isn't going away any time soon, so we need to learn how to deal with it and learn how to prevent it to the best of our ability. Becky ends the episode with a note of encouragement and a reminder that there is only so much we can control, including our response to ghosting. 
 
Takeaways
Ghosting is a common occurrence in the wedding industry, where couples reach out to vendors but never respond after the initial contact or even after the initial consultation.
Vendors can prevent ghosting by being clear in their communication, providing clear next steps, and making it easy for couples to take the next action.
Following up with potential clients is essential to prevent ghosting, as couples may be busy or distracted and need a gentle reminder.
Ghosting can happen from both vendors and couples, and it's important for vendors to be understanding and not take it personally.
Quick response times and clear communication are key to standing out among the many options couples have when planning their wedding.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The "Magic Email"
Own Your Business podcast with Sam Jacobsen
The Wedding Business Solutions podcast with Alan Berg
 
Let's connect!Find us on: Instagram | Threads | WebEmail: becky@eventcrush.com
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet?It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career and start your business with confidence.   
 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience?Make sure to check out their offerings!

Ep. 16: Marketing Plans Made Simple with Heidi of Evolve Your Wedding Business

Heidi Thompson, founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business, joins Becky on the podcast to share her expertise on marketing plans in the wedding industry. Heidi breaks down the five key components of creating a marketing plan: setting goals, defining your ideal client, getting clear on your messaging, the how/strategy, and evaluation/review.
 
Learn how to create a marketing plan for your wedding business, what a marketing plan should consist of, and how to stick to it! 
 
Heidi also highlights the upcoming Book More Wedding Summit, a free online conference for wedding professionals of all types to learn strategies for booking more clients. There will be 30 wonderful industry speakers sharing their knowledge (including Becky, who will be speaking on networking!)
 
Key Takeaways
Attract and book the right clients while building a business that provides freedom and flexibility.
Break down your marketing plan into five key components: goal, ideal client, messaging, strategy, and evaluation.
Separate CEO and worker bee roles to make strategic decisions and focus on implementation.
Join the Book More Wedding Summit to learn strategies for booking more clients in the wedding industry.
Keywords
wedding industry, marketing plans, attracting clients, booking clients, business freedom, flexibility, ideal client, messaging, strategy
 
Connect with Heidi:
Evolve Your Wedding Business
Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast
Evolve Your Wedding Business on Instagram
 
Sign up for the FREE Book More Weddings Virtual Summit!
August 19th-23rd, 2024
 
Let's connect!
Find us on: Instagram | Threads | Web
 
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet? It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career! 
 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience?  Make sure to check out their offerings!