Recently one of small-group coaching students said to me, "Megan, when I think about you and other educators, it's like you're floating by on this deluxe yacht, living the life. You're all 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,' sipping champagne and getting fed grapes. And here I am, clinging to a capsizing dinghy with a single oar, just praying a tidal wave of new to dos doesn’t come out of nowhere." Fun imagery, but spoiler alert, there is no yacht. Sure, the boat might look bigger from a distance, but let me tell you—it's got its fair share of leaks, unruly crew members, and navigational snafus. So today, let's hop on my so-called "yacht" as we go behind the scenes of a recent coaches retreat.  
(02:40) What does this coaches' retreat look like?
(11:00) Takeaways from the retreat
(38:20) You can start a group like this. But how?
(46:00) #YachtForReal Episodes Referenced:
62. How to Respond to Negative Online Reviews
143. Do You Need a Workcation? Yes, You Do!
120: The 4 People You Need in Your Circle of Trust
--- 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.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat #YachtForReal

Real wedding vendors share their tips and tricks for surviving and thriving in this one of a kind industry. Hosted by The Planner’s Vault’s Megan Gillikin, you'll hear guests share their secrets on marketing, the client experience, networking, community, sales, and more - and you might even hear some crazy wedding stories along the way!

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Entrepreneurship

Self-Improvement

Motivational speaker and award-winning storyteller Kelly Swanson advises wedding professionals (and all business owners who want more sales), "Don't sell the service. Sell the story."   But how do we do that when we're not sure what story to tell.Is it the story of me?Is it the brand story?Is it the couple's story?The thing is, if we can merge those 3 stories together, we're creating a powerful connection where couples will be drawn to work with us. Today, Kelly shares her expert storytelling tips, her 3-paragraph formula for telling a memorable and impactful story, and why she completely disagrees with the phrase, "Content is King." 
This episode is a must-listen for professionals looking to humanize their brand, build trust, and connect with clients on a deeper level. --- Wedding and Event Planners Story Chat with Kelly Swanson - StoryStudio.Life  Story Impact Academy - https://motivationalspeakerkellyswanson.com/story-impact-academy/ Instagram - @Kelly_Swanson_Speaker StoryImpactNetwork.com --- 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 Today's episode is hosted by Rachel Sheerin.  Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

270. Sell More With Storytelling, with Kelly Swanson

Lindsay Lucas is THE wedding venue consultant.  She's a former wedding planner who now helps venue owners (and those aspiring to be) to create profitable and sustainable wedding venue businesses.  Lindsay had the idea for a complete shift in her business, but it wasn’t easy convincing herself that this was the best way to go. Today, we talk about if YOUR idea is really something to go after, that feeling of imposter syndrome you are sure to have when you’re doing something new, and how vendors can know when it’s time to take the leap.   
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This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul. The doors are currently closed for The 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.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

(Encore) Carving Out Your Own Niche, with Lindsay Lucas

When you hear the word "belonging", what do you think of?  Maybe you think of wedding pros, because we're welcoming, ambitious, kind-hearted, and badass business owners.  Maybe it's finding your people to share your goals and dreams with - it's that positive feeling we get when we feel respected. As a business owner, I want my team, my clients, my vendor partners, and you listening to this to have that supported positive feeling around you.  So how can you boost belonging on your team - in your work and in your life? Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky is a Keynote Speaker and Workplace Belonging Expert, and author of The Quarter Life Breakthrough, who you can find at:Linkedin | @AdamPoswolskyWebsite | SmileyPoswolsky.comInstagram | @WhatsUpSmiley
[02:36] How did Adam become "Smiley"? And what does that have to do with belonging?
[06:46] Addressing loneliness at work
[12:39] Digital detox camp?
[16:03] Creating belonging in internal teams
[18:42] Thrive interviews and small acts of kindness.
[24:44] Building belonging and community through connection.
--- 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 Today's episode is hosted by Rachel Sheerin.  Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

Boosting Belonging at Work, with Smiley Poswolsky

Fill out this survey and give us your feedback for a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card and be part of shaping the future of Weddings For Real! 
 https://www.megangillikin.com/podcast-survey
-- 
One of the most frequent questions we get in The Planners Vault is, How can I get on the preferred vendor list at the best wedding venue in my market?  Or even before getting on the preferred vendor list, how do I even get the venue coordinators to know who I am?   It’s not as simple as sending an email to introduce yourself. So what do you do?  Shannon Tarrant has some actionable tips - and mistakes to avoid. 
Wedding Venue Map | @WeddingVenueMap | @TheVenuePlaybook 
This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul. The doors are currently closed for The 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.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

(Encore) How to get on a wedding venue's preferred list, with Shannon Tarrant

When you're pitching your services to potential clients, are you using Luxury Language? Or are you using Discount Dialect?  Today, Quinn Conyers tells us the difference, and how strategic word choice can make pitches irresistible.  She also introduces the concept of a "verbal business card" that captivates potential clients - as long as you can articulate your value clearly.  Tune in to learn about tailoring pitches to different audiences and the significance of continuous improvement in pitching strategies for booking the couples that will grow your business. Quinn Conyers is a Keynote Speaker, Corporate Event Emcee, and Pitch Sales Trainer. [02:10] The value of your voice
[06:03] The Verbal Business Card
[08:00] Pitching competitions and Quinn's Shark Tank experience
[12:30] Example of a luxury language pitch
[15:00] Viralize your value
[17:17] Bring the fluff
[20:30] How often should you update your pitch?
[25:00] How can we practice our pitch?
--- 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 Today's episode is hosted by Rachel Sheerin.  Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Wedding Pro ChatGPT Bundle - https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/wedding-pro-chatgpt-bundle

244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat #YachtForReal

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