Tag: marketing

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 124 – Branding (in 4 Simple Steps!) with Kaleigh Wiese

By Emily Tuipulotu on

Kaleigh Wiese - Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

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“Your brand is your reputation.” 

For some wedding planners, branding is one of the most fun parts of being a creative entrepreneur. But for others, it seems like a daunting, out-of-reach process.

No matter where you are with your branding, today’s episode is for you!

Kaleigh Wiese is a brand strategist who has worked with creative small businesses for 20 years. She aims to help entrepreneurs (especially those in the wedding industry) find and embrace their “innate uniqueness.” Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, New York Times, Fortune, and Martha Stewart Weddings; and she has been a featured guest at events and workshops across the country. 

Eddie and Kaleigh discuss the start-to-finish process for branding, including a four-step guide for establishing or fine-tuning your company image.

We’re really excited about this conversation, because while branding always comes up in our podcast, this is our first episode focusing entirely on this vital aspect of entrepreneurship. 

Read More “WII 124 – Branding (in 4 Simple Steps!) with Kaleigh Wiese” →

Wedding Industry Biz

How to be a Great CMO for Your Business

By Tayler Cusick Hollman on

Before we dive in, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. You know, the “running a wedding business is hard work because you’re pulled in 50 directions at any moment in time” one? 

Okay—I said it, and now we can move on. 

But here’s why that’s so important to acknowledge: it’s hard to objectively wear all the hats you do and be responsible for so many things when it comes to your business. Because the hat you wear as “wedding planner” for your couples is just as important as the “bookkeeper” hat you wear for your business. But swapping hats all the time is tricky—one of them is bound to fall off your head at some point!

And one of the hats that falls off for a lot of wedding pros is the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) hat. But it’s a super important one to pick back up when you’ve figured out you’ve misplaced it. So it’s time to step into your role as CMO.

Read on to learn about the impact you can have on your business when you become its CMO.

Read More “How to be a Great CMO for Your Business” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 117: Sara McCall on Building a Reputation That Gets the Attention of Your Clients

By Erin Giberson on

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While this guest booked her first wedding for $450 and used her mom as free labor, today her company grosses 1.5 million a year. To hear more, click play to tune in!

Sara McCall is the Founder & CEO of Stunning and Brilliant Events, a luxury, full-service wedding and event planning company. Motivated to empower other women, she has grown Stunning and Brilliant Events into 9 successful franchise locations across the U.S. Together, she and her team have planned over 1000 weddings in the last 11 years. In addition, Stunning and Brilliant Events has made the Best of The Knot Weddings for over a decade.

On top of her own background in corporate events and B.A. in Graphic Design, she’s had the privilege of learning from industry leaders including David Tutera and Breston Bailey. Sara is also an industry educator with recent speaking appearances at Event Source and Wedding MBA. 

In this episode, Sara talks about how her marketing perspective influences her business decisions and shares what you can do to better reach your audience.

Read More “WII 117: Sara McCall on Building a Reputation That Gets the Attention of Your Clients” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 109: The Marketing Secret to Use in Your Messaging – with Kate Storey

By Erin Giberson on

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Today’s guest first joined us in Episode 79 to share 4 steps to increase website conversions. Now, she’s back to help you create and market your unique story.

Kate Storey and her husband Nick are co-owners of Book More Brides, a marketing firm that specializes in helping wedding planners attract and book their ideal client couples. Kate is a digital marketing specialist, copywriter, and social media expert. Additionally, she is the host of The Book More Brides Podcast. 

In this episode, Kate breaks down the common problems with messaging. These include sounding like competitors, which leads customers to go by price, and presenting product details rather than emotional needs. Specifically, she illustrates why knowing your story is what makes your marketing efforts work without being forced. Read More “WII 109: The Marketing Secret to Use in Your Messaging – with Kate Storey” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 097: Carissa Kruse Walks You Through Creating A Lead Generation Funnel

By Erin Giberson on

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When you’re growing your business, it’s tempting to put ads in all the places you think you should. Facebook. Pinterest. Wedding websites. 

But before you direct people to your site, everything else needs to be fine-tuned. Or it’s money wasted.  

That’s why this episode will help you make sure you have the right foundation in place first.

Carissa Kruse is the founder of Weddings by Carue, a multi-state wedding business that offers couples a range of photography, videography, photo booth, and DJ services, as well as invitations. Notably, Weddings by Carue is the winner of WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award and The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” for six consecutive years (2016-2021).  Carissa is also the owner of Carissa Kruse Weddings, which provides education, resources, and coaching for wedding pros and entrepreneurs in the wedding industry. Additionally, she is a sought-after industry speaker who has been featured in numerous publications, including COSMOPOLITAN, Forbes, The Knot, Rent My Wedding, and WeddingWire.

In this episode, Carissa shares the marketing tactics that you need to use in order to scale your business.  Specifically, she walks you through the steps to create a funnel that attracts the leads you want.

Read More “WII 097: Carissa Kruse Walks You Through Creating A Lead Generation Funnel” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 095: Jordan Kentris Explains How to Mine the Data for Your Ideal Client Personas

By Erin Giberson on

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To get the best results for your business, you need to make sure you’re talking to the right person. That is to say, your ideal customer. To do that, you need to know your client personas, which today’s guest is here to talk about.

Jordan Kentris is the founder and owner of A Good Day, a boutique design firm providing hand-crafted wedding invitations and stationery. A UX designer by trade, he also helps business owners develop their branding through research, logo design, audits, and additional branded elements.

Recently, BizBash recognized him as one of the Most Innovative People in 2020. Jordan was also a finalist for the NACE One Awards for 2020 Industry Innovator of the Year.  

In this episode, Jordan talks about how to get the most out of working with a stationer as well as what he recognizes as the attributes of successful planners. Specifically, he breaks down why it is imperative to know your ideal client and how you can evaluate or further develop your current client personas.

Read More “WII 095: Jordan Kentris Explains How to Mine the Data for Your Ideal Client Personas” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 094: Aleya Harris Explains How to Market Yourself as the Expert Guide in Your Client’s Story

By Erin Giberson on

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Marketing your business isn’t easy. In fact, the hardest business to promote is your own. But to do it well, you need to be your client’s guide.

Aleya Harris, CPCE, is the owner of Flourish Marketing, an agency that helps wedding professionals get and keep a consistent stream of clients. Specifically, as a StoryBrand Certified Guide, she helps entrepreneurs produce results without choosing between profit and purpose.  

In recent years, NACE recognized her as the Emerging Member of the Year, and she received the President’s Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Presently, Aleya serves as the marketing committee chair for NACE National and is the founder and head of the NACE Black Caucus. 

She is also a WeddingPro Educator, an industry speaker, and the host of The Flourishing Entrepreneur podcast. 

In this episode, Aleya shares how StoryBrand’s 7-step (SB7) framework helps you convey a clear message so that clients understand the value of what you provide. Above all, she encourages you to market yourself as the guide in your client’s story.

Read More “WII 094: Aleya Harris Explains How to Market Yourself as the Expert Guide in Your Client’s Story” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 081: Calder Clark Explains How to Highlight Your Brand Without Overextending Yourself

By Erin Giberson on

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Are you a wedding planner who loves design? Or do you thrive in logistics? Perhaps you enjoy both sides of the planning process.

Yet, regardless of which skillsets fall in your wheelhouse, you can’t do it all. Ultimately, it helps to bring in support, which is why this guest shares how you can affordably outsource in a way that highlights your brand.

So, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Calder Clark is the owner and Creative Director of Calder Clark, a full service consulting and design firm. With over 22 years of experience, she now focuses on producing a limited number of exclusive weddings and events each year, as well as serving as a sought-after national speaker. Additionally, she is recognized as a top planner by the following publications: Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Living, and The Knot. 

In this episode, Calder explains the role of vision in guiding the way that you manage the design and logistical details of event planning. Specifically, she offers practical advice for how you can outsource specific areas in order to level up and step away from doing everything yourself.

Read More “WII 081: Calder Clark Explains How to Highlight Your Brand Without Overextending Yourself” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 079: Kate Storey Gives You 4 Steps to Convert Website Traffic into Sales

By Erin Giberson on

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As a planner, do you ever struggle with getting the right clients? Such as the ones you want to work with because they resonate with you? Or, are you hesitant to turn away clients, even if you know they aren’t the right fit? This guest understands. Even more, she tells you how to fix it. 

So, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Kate Storey and her husband Nick are co-owners of Book More Brides, a marketing firm that specializes in helping wedding planners attract and book their ideal client couples. Kate is a digital marketing specialist, copywriter, and social media expert: overall, her passion is helping wedding business owners stand out from the crowd. Additionally, she is the host of The Book More Brides Podcast. With nearly 20 years of experience, she knows how to help you connect at a deeper level with the customers you want.

In this episode, Kate explains why you should answer the emotional needs of your clients. In fact, she wants you to clarify what you will do for them and how they will feel as a result. Specifically, she gives you 4 steps you can use right now to make sure your website will book more brides.

Read More “WII 079: Kate Storey Gives You 4 Steps to Convert Website Traffic into Sales” →