Event: Crushed for Wedding Pros

Ep. 15: Lifehacks to Increase Productivity for Wedding Pros

In this solo episode, Becky shares five life hacks for productivity and success in both personal and professional life for wedding pros.
 
Becky's Lifehacks for Increased Productivity:
Learn to wake up early! Go to bed sooner (leave the binge watching Netflix behind and swap it with a productive morning routine)
Use a meal planning app like eMeals paired with Walmart+ (or another grocery/delivery app) to simplify meal preparation and grocery shopping each week.
Use a project/task management system like Asana to keep track of tasks both in your personal and professional life, never missing a detail again.
Keep a tidy workspace, which can improve productivity and create a sense of calm.
Consider outsourcing non-business tasks and responsibilities to free up time and reduce stress (house cleaning, landscaping, meal prep, house projects, etc).
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
eMeals Walmart+Asana
 
Previous episodes mentioned: Thriving in the Wedding Industry While Starting a Family with Life in LettersYou Can't Do it All (and That's Okay) with Darcy WardenMy Favorite Tools for Wedding Pros
 
Keywords: productivity, life hacks, waking up early, meal planning, grocery shopping, project management, tidy workspace, outsourcing, wedding pros, wedding professionals, wedding industry
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!

Ep. 14: Overcoming Wedding Pro Mindset Challenges with Aislinn Eileen Coaching

In this episode, Becky interviews Aislinn McKenna of Aislinn Eileen Coaching about her journey from building her luxury wedding photography business to becoming a full-time coach for wedding pros, leveraging her 14 years of industry experience. Aislinn is passionate about helping others to overcome mindset issues to grow beyond what they thought possible and to love their businesses again. 
Hear about the 77 virtual coffee chats Aislinn hosted during the pandemic that ultimately lead her to pursue coaching, and the common mindset issues that wedding pros struggle with. Aislinn also shares a "pep talk" to motivate and inspire wedding pros that will leave listeners fired up!
 
"If you are not getting invited to the table... make your own table!"
"Stop blending in with everyone else and start showing up as the 'of course' option."
 
Key Takeaways
Having a mindset of curiosity and fearlessness can be beneficial when starting a business
Starting an educational branch of a business should come from a place of service and a desire to help others, rather than as a bandaid for a broken business
Identifying as both an artist and a business owner is crucial for success in the wedding industry
Cutting out external noise and seeking validation from within is necessary for making confident decisions in business
Believing in oneself and recognizing one's worth is essential for charging appropriately and pursuing opportunities
Fear of rejection can hold one back from taking risks and pursuing growth. Embracing rejection as a learning opportunity is key!
Showing up with confidence and a positive attitude has a significant impact on clients and vendor partners
Aislinn offers a range of coaching programs, including the Success Accelerator Program, mastermind, and masterclass vault, to support wedding professionals at different stages of their careers. Connect with her below to learn more!
 
Work with Aislinn: https://aislinneileen.com/ 
Profitable Photographer Free Masterclass: https://aislinneileen.com/freebie
Find Aislinn on Instagram: https://instagram.com/aislinneileencoaching
Clarity Convos for Wedding Pros Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clarity-convos-for-wedding-pros/id1676987204

Ep. 13: 5 Things I'd Do Differently if I was Starting My Business in 2024

In this solo episode, Becky reflects on her 12 years in the wedding industry and shares five things she would do differently if she were starting her business now instead of in 2012. She discusses the importance of investing in necessary tools and systems, managing money better, investing in education, growing a team, and giving back to the community. She also highlights two things she would do the same: prioritizing networking and building relationships, and prioritizing SEO. Becky emphasizes the value of learning from her own experiences and the abundance of resources available to new business owners today.
 
Takeaways
Invest in the necessary tools and systems to run your business efficiently from the beginning.
Manage your money better by implementing a clear system for paying yourself and using accounting software.
Invest in education early on to continuously improve yourself and your business.
Consider growing a team and hiring an associate coordinator to expand your capacity and provide better service.
Give back to the community through your business by donating your time and services to causes you care about.
Prioritize networking and building relationships to establish a strong foundation for your business.
Focus on SEO to improve your online visibility and attract more clients through search engines.
 
Let's connect!
Find us on Instagramwww.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com
This episode was produced and edited by Ace Sound Design.If you're interested in taking your audio experience to the next level, they are currently taking on new clients!

Ep. 12: Thriving in the Wedding Industry While Starting a Family with Life in Letters

In this week's episode, Becky interviews McKenna of Life In Letters about her journey as a wedding calligrapher. McKenna shares how her signage and stationery business began and how she quickly grew to having over 100 weddings in one year and was able to quit her full time job. From there, she was able to scale back the number of weddings she was taking on each year while increasing her minimum, so she was able to work with significantly fewer clients while still supporting her growing family. She shares what she's learned since becoming a new mom while running her business, and ends with five fantastic tips for those who are getting started in the wedding industry.
Connect with McKenna! Instagram WebsitePinterest
 
Thanks for tuning in this week. Check back every Friday for a brand new episode!Follow along on instagram: @eventcrushwww.eventcrush.com
 
This episode was produced and edited by Ace Sound DesignLooking for audio excellence to maximize the listening experience? Reach out today! 

Ep. 11: My Thoughts on Instagram for Wedding Pros in 2024

Are you feeling burnt out on Instagram these days? Does it feel like you are putting time and effort into this app for little or no return? 
In this episode, I'm chatting about my thoughts on Instagram in 2024 and how to still enjoy the platform without letting it suck the life out of you. I explain why I continue to use Instagram for my business after nine years on the app, the pros/cons of Instagram for business, and the love/hate relationship many of us have with it. I discuss strategies for using Instagram effectively in 2024, and encouragement for those who are currently struggling to know if the time and effort is really worth it. 
 
Main Takeaways:
The algorithm is not out to get you
How mindset can affect our Instagram experience
Instagram doesn't owe us anything
Don't sleep on stories
Quality over quantity, always
Take the pressure off yourself
Find the fun in it again by connecting and collaborating with others 
Mentioned in this episode:Good Content Podcast with Shannon McKinstrie
 
Speaking of Instagram... let's connect!Event Crush on Instagrambecky@eventcrush.comwww.eventcrush.com
 
See you back here next Friday!If you haven't had a chance to leave a review yet, please consider it. TYSM!

Ep. 10: You Can't Do it All (And That's Okay) With Darcy Warden

In this episode, Becky interviews Darcy Warden, a virtual assistant for wedding professionals (and Event Crush's own VA for the last several years!) 
Darcy shares her journey from being a wedding planner to starting her own VA business during the pandemic. We discuss the different services that VAs can provide, the signs that a business might be ready to hire a virtual assistant, VA pricing structure, and how it's impossible for business owners to do everything ourselves. Plus Darcy shares her best advice for wedding pros, and it's honestly a must-listen!
Key Takeaways:
Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) can be a great way to delegate administrative tasks and free up time for more important business activities.
A VA who is familiar with the wedding industry can provide specialized services and understand the unique needs and challenges of wedding professionals.
VA services can include administrative tasks, CRM management, social media management, blogging, and email marketing.
The pricing for VA services can vary depending on the level of experience and the specific services required. It is important to have a realistic conversation about budget and expectations.
When considering hiring a VA, it is important to assess the specific needs of the business and determine if the investment will provide value and help achieve business goals.
Hire a virtual assistant before you get to a place of desperation, so you have time to get set up and bring them on board.
Have some organizational structure in place, such as organized files and systems, before hiring a VA.
Recognize that you don't have to do it all and it's okay to hire someone.
Identify specific needs and pain points in your business to determine what tasks to delegate to a VA.
Set boundaries and improve email response times to run a successful business.
Here's where you can connect with Darcy:
Website: Being Darcy
@beingdarcy on Instagram
darcy@beingdarcy.com
Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider leaving a rating or review on your fave podcast platform to help others find the show! I always love connecting on Instagram so if you have any thoughts, I'd love to keep the conversation going. Shoot me a DM and let's connect! Thanks for listening friends and we'll be back Friday with another new episode. 

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