Your next inquiry might come from Google… or ChatGPT.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Julie Novack, CEO + co-founder of PartySlate, to talk about what’s changing in wedding marketing. From SEO and domain authority to how marketplaces are showing up in AI search.

We also dig into why visuals matter so much in the sales process, how to use your portfolio to handle common client objections (“Have you done a wedding like this?”), and how PartySlate helps pros organize, search, and share their photos faster with new AI-driven tools.

Key takeaways

• How couples (and corporate clients) research vendors now: the 7–10 touchpoints
• Why marketplaces can rank higher than individual websites
• How to use your portfolio to close faster (without the death scroll on your phone)
• A simple planning exercise for 2026: the “press release” vision + quarterly goals

Connect with Julie:

Instagram: @juliepartyslate  @partyslate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienovack/

If you want your website + online presence to actually support your referrals (and help you show up in search), I’d love to help. Explore working together at https://emilyfostercreative.com/

Sales don’t have to feel pushy to work.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by high-ticket sales and mindset strategist Maria Bayer to talk about why so many creatives invest in beautiful branding and websites, yet still struggle to convert higher-end clients.

We cover the psychology behind how elevated clients buy, how to align your sales process with your brand experience, and the small shifts that help you communicate your value with confidence (without feeling “salesy”).

Key Takeawyas:

•  Why branding and sales can get out of sync
•  What high-end clients actually care about
•  How to stop getting price-shopped
•  The questions that move people from “maybe” to “yes”

Freebies / Offers:

• Book a Client Challenge
• Sales Quiz
• Facebook Community
• 2025 Program Info

You don’t need to hustle harder in the off-season, you need to use it strategically.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m breaking down 10 off-season tasks you can do to elevate your brand, strengthen your marketing foundation, and set yourself up for a stronger booking season ahead.

These aren’t overnight fixes or quick wins. They’re foundational brand and marketing updates that help ensure your next season feels more aligned, visible, and profitable.

Key takeaways

• The difference between off-season tasks and slow-season survival mode (and why it matters)
• How refreshing your website galleries impacts conversions — not just aesthetics
• Why yearly brand photos are one of the smartest recurring investments you can make
• What to update on your site before inquiries spike again
•  How to use blogging, SEO, and niche pages to plant long-term visibility seeds
•  A simple way to optimize your site for AI search without redesigning everything
•  What your analytics can actually tell you about what’s working (and what’s not)
•  Why your sales workflows matter just as much as your marketing
•  How to decide what to DIY, what to delegate, and what to hand off completely

If you’re in booking season but still feeling that weird in-between energy, this episode will help you refocus on the work that actually supports future growth.

Resources mentioned

• Elevated Website Checklist

If listening to this made you think, “Okay, I know exactly what I need to clean up next,” send me a DM and tell me which off-season task you’re tackling first.

Prepping your books for tax season is only half the work.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by my own bookkeeper (and good friend), Hailey Ann, for a conversation that goes beyond QuickBooks and spreadsheets. Because yes, you need clean numbers and categorized expenses, but you also need a nervous system that feels safe looking at them.

We’re talking bookkeeping for wedding and event pros, tax season prep that actually saves you money, and the deeper “money stories” that can keep you over-researching, undercharging, or making decisions from pressure instead of clarity. Hailey also shares why she pairs bookkeeping with somatic money coaching, and how your body can hold onto money stress even when your numbers look “fine” on paper.

If tax season makes you want to avoid your bank account, this one’s for you.

Key takeaways:

• Why knowing your numbers is a branding move, not just a finance task
• The difference between “money mindset” and real financial strategy (and why you need both)
• The nervous system archetypes (fight, flight, fawn, freeze) and how they show up in spending and decision-making
• What to do if you’re stuck over-researching every investment before you act
• Why revenue is not profit and what most business owners miss when they only look at “big numbers”
• Tax season basics: why categorizing expenses matters and how it impacts your deductions
• Common misconceptions about write-offs (and what actually counts)
• How to stop outsourcing your power to generic affirmations and create beliefs your body can actually trust
• What it looks like to build financial safety in a way that supports long-term growth

Connect with Hailey

If you need help cleaning up your books before tax season, want ongoing bookkeeping support, or you’re ready to work through money stories with somatic money coaching, Hailey offers standalone and combined packages.

Find her on Instagram or TikTok, or reach out via her website.

Resource mentioned:

The Overflow Room: Hailey’s library of somatic routines + guest expert trainings designed to help you move your body while learning practical business support.

If you listened and thought, “Yep… I need this,” send me a DM and tell me:

Are you more of an over-researcher (freeze) or a fast-mover (fight) when it comes to money decisions?

Happy New Year! If you’re easing back into work and feeling that “I need to catch up on everything” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reset your workflow, and focus on what actually moves the needle.

I’m sharing 2026 website design trends, but with a big caveat: I don’t believe in chasing trends for the sake of it. I cherry-picked the trends that actually make sense for wedding and event pros, and I’m framing everything through strategy first.

We’ll talk about when trends matter (and when they don’t), how to keep your website high-converting and timeless, and the design + content updates that help your site feel current without turning into a constant renovation project.

What you’ll learn

• When website design trends are worth using (and when they’re just a distraction)
• The conversion framework your website should still follow: problem → solution → proof → next steps
• The “non-negotiables” that will always matter: mobile-first design, tap-friendly navigation, minimal pop-ups, SEO foundations
• What AI optimization means for your website content in 2026 (and what to prioritize)
• Trend-forward updates that still feel elevated: micro-animations, muted cinematic clips, behind-the-scenes moments, textures, curated galleries, anti-grid layouts, bolder palettes, and more
• How to choose trends based on brand strategy + ideal client (not competitor pressure)

Resources:

• Elevated Website Checklist
• Website Audit (1:1)

If you want help implementing any of this, we offer:

• Website Design + Refreshes
• VIP Days (returning in 2026)
• Website Maintenance Retainers
• Website Audits (1 hour, $300) with recording + action items

Before you sprint into the new year, let’s take a breath, literally.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m sharing a real behind-the-scenes look at what closing out the year has actually looked like for me. From a packed season of conference travel to the push-pull of productivity vs. rest in mid-December.

Instead of the usual “new year, new hustle” energy, I’m leaning into a different approach: exhale over inhale. This episode is equal parts reflection and gentle direction, with a few big-picture branding goals to carry into 2026 without turning your winter break into another to-do list.

I’m also sharing honest wins from 2025, what I learned from a surprise negative profit month, and what I’m focusing on next year as both a founder and creative director, including how I’m thinking about personalization, consistency, trademarking, and building a brand that stands out in a world that’s only getting noisier.

Key takeaways

• Why “exhale season” matters (and how to stop treating December like a deadline)
• A healthier way to approach goals: habits over pressure-filled resolutions
• The mindset shift that helped me grow: trust yourself + take quicker action
• A real look at business wins and realities (including what a negative profit month taught me)
• 2026 Branding Goal #1: Build a more personalized brand no one else can replicate
• 2026 Branding Goal #2: Get radically consistent across visuals, messaging, and marketing
• 2026 Branding Goal #3: Add a truly unique visual element (beyond “nice logos”)
• 2026 Branding Goal #4: Start thinking strategically about trademarks — before it’s urgent
• If you’re heading into 2026 feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to focus… hit play and take this one with you into the new year.

If you listened and thought, “Yep, that’s exactly how I’m feeling,” I’d love to hear from you. Send me a DM at @emilyfostercreative and tell me:

What’s one win you’re proud of from 2025, and what’s one branding focus you’re carrying into 2026?

Your FAQ section might be the most underrated sales tool on your website.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m diving into a website section I see business owners hesitate on all the time: your FAQs.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do people even read these?” or “Can’t they just ask on the call?”, this episode is for you. Because the truth is: FAQs don’t just answer questions… they build trust, reduce friction, and help your website sell your services before you ever hop on a call.

I’m also sharing exactly where FAQs should live on your website (hint: it doesn’t always need to be a full page), how many you actually need, and the 4 C’s framework I created to help you write FAQs that feel human and convert.

Key takeaways

• Why your FAQ section is a trust-builder, not just “extra info”
• How FAQs can help shorten sales calls, because couples arrive more educated and confident
• Why FAQs matter even more now in the era of AI search (ChatGPT + beyond)
• Where FAQs should go on your website (and when a dedicated FAQ page makes sense)
• Why it’s okay to repeat FAQ content across pages (and why this isn’t “bad SEO”)
• The 4 C’s framework for writing FAQs that convert: Clarity, Connection, Charisma, Confidence
• FAQ topics that save time immediately: pricing guidance, process, policies, availability, backup plans
• How many FAQs you need (and how to organize them so they don’t feel like a giant text block)
• If you want your website to do more pre-selling and less back-and-forth… this episode is your sign to update your FAQs.

Want to tighten up your FAQ section and make your website do more of the heavy lifting? If you’re ready for a more strategic website (and support writing website copy that actually converts), reach out to us — this is something we help with inside our copywriting + website design process.

Resources mentioned

• FAQ Guide freebie
• FAQ Blog post

What does it look like to build a DJ brand that lasts 40+ years, and still feels fresh, human, and in demand?

In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Marz (Marcellus Lawhorn), owner of Charizma Entertainment, to talk about marketing that actually works in the event industry, especially when you’re building longevity, not just chasing the next trend.

Marz shares how Charizma books 80% referral-based leads, why relationships + consistency are the real “secret sauce,” and what it means to lead as a team builder (not just a business owner). We also pull back the curtain on Charizma’s website redesign journey, why the right brand should feel like a warm chocolate chip cookie, and the leadership mindset that keeps a business strong through every season.

Key Takeaways:

• Why referrals + reputation can become your best marketing channel
• Marz’s “secret sauce” for client communication: ask what, not why
• The value of transparent pricing (and how it shortens the sales conversation)
• How to build a brand people recognize: consistency in visuals, messaging, and values
• Business growth advice Marz wishes he knew earlier: learn the numbers + get coaching
• A leadership reminder every owner needs: don’t let loyalty become a liability
• How to choose the right designer or creative partner: start with “Do I like and trust this person?”
• And if you want your marketing to feel more like you (and less like you’re “selling DJ services”)… this episode is your sign to hit play.

Listen now and take notes, especially if you’re ready to tighten your brand, clarify your marketing, and build a business that lasts.

Resources mentioned

• Charizma Entertainment on Instagram: @charizma_entertainment
• Marz on Instagram: @charizmamarz
• Charizma on Facebook: CharizmaEntertainment
• Marz on Facebook: marz.charizma
• Website: doyouhavecharizma.com

You don’t just need brand photos, you need brand photos that actually feel like you. ✨

If you’ve ever stared at your website thinking, “I only have this one headshot…” this episode is your sign to change that.

On this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by brand and business photographer Mycah Bain. We dig into the real role brand photography plays in your business, the most common mistakes creatives make before their sessions, and Mycah’s best branding photography ideas and tips for visuals that feel genuine and strategic.

Whether you’ve never booked a brand shoot or you’re gearing up for your next one, this conversation will give you fresh ideas, clarity, and the confidence to finally show up on camera as yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Why brand photography is one of the most overlooked (but most powerful) pieces of your brand and website.
• How to choose the right locations, props, and outfits so your photos actually reflect your personality and brand values.
• Why your Pinterest board may say more about your true style than you think, and how photographers use it to guide creative direction.
• The importance of mixing portraits with lifestyle images, detail shots, and “custom stock photos” to give your website variety.
• Why vertical and horizontal images matter for designers, web layouts, and social reels.
• The top mistakes creatives make when planning brand photos (and how to avoid them).
• Tune in to hear Mycah’s best branding photography ideas and tips for creating photos that convert, connect, and feel completely authentic.

Connect With Mycah

• 📸 Instagram: @mycahbainphoto
• 🌐 Website: mycahbain.com
• ✨ DM BINGO to Mycah on Instagram for her fun goal-setting bingo board
• 📍 Based in Minneapolis, traveling worldwide for brand photography

Ready for a brand and website that matches the magic of your photos?

If you’re planning a rebrand or website refresh, your visuals should support your strategy, not hold it back.

Work with us to build a brand and website that feel aligned, elevated, and designed to convert.

👉 Inquire here: emilyfostercreative.com/contact

Still feel like SEO is “one more thing” on your plate, but you know your couples are Googling (and now ChatGPT-ing) vendors like you? 🧠✨

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m breaking down basic on-page SEO in a way that actually makes sense for wedding and event pros. We’ll talk about how traditional search (like Google) and newer AI search tools (like ChatGPT) both rely on the same core principles and how a few simple updates on your website can help you show up in more of those searches.

I’ll walk you through five on-page SEO terms every wedding pro should know before a website redesign or refresh, and how we approach them inside our design process at Emily Foster Creative. No jargon, no overwhelm, just practical steps you can actually implement (or know to ask your designer about).

Key Takeaways

• Why SEO still matters in 2025 and beyond, even as couples start using AI tools like ChatGPT to search for venues and vendors.
• The difference between classic SEO and AI search, and how clear, specific website content helps you show up in both.
• What page titles and meta descriptions are (those little snippets you see in Google) and how to make them work harder for you.
• How to use heading tags (H1, H2, H3) so Google can “skim” your site and actually understand what each page is about.
• The basics of optimizing your images—file sizes, dimensions, file types, and alt text—so your site looks great and loads quickly.
• Why internal linking (blog posts to services, homepage to contact, etc.) is a quiet powerhouse for both user experience and SEO.
• Tune in to learn how to turn these simple on-page tweaks into better rankings, more visibility, and more dream inquiries without becoming an “SEO person.”

Resources:

• 💻 Listen to my interview with Sara Dunn (Sara Does SEO) 
• ✅ Download the Elevated Website Checklist 

Ready to elevate your website and your SEO at the same time?

If you’re dreaming of a custom brand and website that looks beautiful and is also intentionally set up to be found on Google, I’d love to support you.

We’re currently booking design projects for 2026 and beyond, so if you’re listening to this later (hi, future you 👋), there’s a good chance we’re still taking on new clients.

👉 Inquire to work together here: emilyfostercreative.com/contact