For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

307. You’re Not Getting Ghosted... You’re Being Ignored (And How to Fix It)


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💡 If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, hit pause and go back to Episode 306 with Ian Ramirez first!

Once a potential client fills out your inquiry form, the real work begins. Follow-up is where so many wedding pros lose leads—whether it's waiting too long to respond, overwhelming them with information, or blending into the sea of generic “Just checking in” emails.

So how do you keep potential clients engaged without feeling like you're chasing them down? How can you use texting strategically in your inquiry process without feeling glued to your phone 24/7?

That’s exactly what Ian Ramirez—co-founder of Venue Help Desk and managing partner at Madera Estates—is here to share. Ian has tested all of these strategies firsthand, and today he’s breaking down what actually works for converting leads into bookings.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The biggest mistakes wedding pros make with follow-up
✔️ Why “Just checking in” is the worst email closer ever
✔️ How to follow up without feeling pushy
✔️ The power of texting in your inquiry process (and how to set boundaries!)
✔️ The right number of times to follow up before moving on
✔️ How Ian keeps potential clients engaged—even if they won’t book for years

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Connect with Ian Ramirez:

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venuehelpdesk
  • Website: https://www.venuehelpdesk.com
  • Wedding Venue: https://www.maderaestates.com

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00:02:24 – The “Just Looking” Generation
00:04:58 – Why Wedding Pros Lose Leads in Follow-Up
00:07:10 – Stop Sending 37-Page PDFs!
00:09:43 – The Best Question to Ask in Follow-Ups
00:12:27 – The Great Ignore vs. Ghosting
00:13:57 – How to Use Texting (Without Losing Boundaries)
00:20:15 – How Many Times Should You Follow Up?
00:25:39 – Why You Need a Long-Term Nurture Campaign
00:29:31 – The #1 Worst Way to End an Email

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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.


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2025 VIP CEO Day: https://www.megangillikin.com/2025-vip-ceo-day

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For Real: Life, Leadership, & UnlearningBy Megan Gillikin

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