Engage Your Brand®

Engagement season is just about upon us! 

In this episode, I discuss the significance of engagement season, which spans from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, and its impact on marketing strategies for your business.

We'll talk about the importance of consistent marketing efforts year-round and the need for you to to prepare your website and branding in advance to attract ideal clients. 

We'll talk actionable steps for optimizing websites, understanding timelines for branding and design, and the consequences of not preparing for engagement season. 

Some key takeaways:

• Consistent marketing is crucial year-round.
• Your website is a key part of your marketing strategy and everything should come back to it.
• Timelines for branding and design are essential to understand so you can be prepared for when you want to launch.
• Small updates can make a big difference if you're not ready for a full rebrand.
• Not preparing for engagement season can lead to lost leads.
• Investing in branding can help justify price increases.
• Cohesive branding across all platforms is important.
• SEO optimization is vital for attracting clients. 

Want to level up your brand and website before couples start shopping in full force?

Reach out to us for your rebrand, website design, or marketing here: 

https://emilyfostercreative.com/contact

Download the Elevated Website Checklist here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/elevated-website-checklist

Book a $300 website audit here:

https://calendly.com/emilyfostercreative/branding-audit

Discounts and promos to know about:

https://showit.com/r/emilyshowit

Don't miss Flodesk's discount before their pricing changes! You can get a discount here:

https://flodesk.com/c/EFCREATIVE

What if your next big booking came from a feature in Style Me Pretty or Martha Stewart Weddings?

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jaine Kershner, New York–based photographer and founder of Tea with Jaine, a top podcast and education platform for wedding photographers.

Jaine shares her journey from corporate life to building a thriving photography business and dives deep into the art (and strategy) of getting published. We break down what editors are really looking for, how to curate your submissions with intention, and why “no” doesn’t mean “never.”

Here are a few takeaways:

• Submissions aren’t just about luck — it’s about strategy, consistency, and storytelling.
• Curation is everything. Be selective with the work you submit and the venues you showcase.
• Getting featured builds SEO, credibility, and valuable vendor relationships.
• Don’t be afraid of “no” — it’s just “not yet.”
• Want to learn how to start submitting like a pro? Tune in for Jaine’s insider tips that’ll help you get your work seen and celebrated. 🎧

Connect with Jaine:
🌿 www.teawithjaine.com
📸 www.jainekershner.com
🎙️ Listen to Tea with Jaine → Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Ready to get your work seen and your brand remembered?

Work with us to create a brand and website that help you stand out and book your dream clients.

 👉 Learn more here

Whether you dislike, like, or love her music, we have to admit: Taylor Swift has become a pop culture phenomenon, and with her recent engagement, what she does will affect the wedding industry. 

In this conversation, I discuss the significant influence of Taylor Swift on the wedding industry and branding. I'll explore how Taylor Swift's personal and professional evolution, including her recent engagement and new album, will shape trends in the wedding market. Now is a time where there's even more importance of emotional storytelling and authenticity in branding. We'll draw parallels between Swift's approach and the expectations of modern consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z (your ideal clients!).

Here are some takeaways:

• Taylor Swift's influence extends beyond music to the wedding industry.
• Reinvention is key to maintaining a strong brand identity.
• Emotional storytelling resonates with audiences, especially now.
• Your brand should reflect your personality.
• Not every brand will appeal to everyone.
• Launch strategies should align with audience interests.
• Authenticity is valued by millennials and Gen Z.
• Wedding trends will evolve with celebrity influences.
• Stay attuned to pop culture and trend shifts to enhance client connections.

Check out a group of us wedding industry pros learning that Taylor and Travis were engaged!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DN07wdf3J5i/

If you want to intentionally level up your brand before the new year, reach out to us at Emily Foster Creative. We have a few more openings for 2025 and will be booking into 2026

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your marketing toolkit: email marketing, specifically Flodesk email marketing for wedding pros. Whether you’re a planner, photographer, or florist, email marketing helps you create genuine connections beyond social media, and it might just be your most effective way to turn inquiries into loyal clients.

I’m sharing why I resisted email marketing for a long time (and what finally changed my mind), how I simplify my process using Flodesk, and why now is the perfect time to join before their pricing changes on November 28, 2025.

Here's What You’ll Learn:

• Why email marketing still matters for wedding professionals even more in 2025 or 2026
• The key difference between social media followers and email subscribers
• How email marketing can set you apart from competitors in the wedding industry
• Creative lead magnet ideas for wedding vendors (like quizzes and budget calculators)
• My favorite ways to repurpose content into email newsletters — without adding more to your plate
• How to use email to attract more aligned, ready-to-book clients
• My thoughts on the most popular email platforms (and why I love Flodesk)
• Important details about Flodesk’s upcoming pricing changes

Key Takeaways

Email marketing isn’t just for e-commerce brands, it’s for every wedding pro who wants to build trust and connection beyond the ‘gram.

You own your email list (unlike social media), and it’s one of the simplest ways to nurture leads, boost bookings, and stand out in a competitive market.

Platforms I Mentioned

• Flodesk – My top pick for user-friendly, design-forward email marketing
• Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and MailerLite are other popular options

Flodesk Pricing Update:

Flodesk is switching to a new tiered pricing model on November 28, 2025.
 

If you sign up before then, you can lock in their current flat-rate lifetime pricing: $35/month for email, or $59/month for email + checkout tools.

Connect with Me:

Want to level up your email marketing? Reach out to our team for help setting up your workflows, newsletter cadence, or lead magnet strategy!

Also learn more about branding, websites, and marketing strategies for wedding professionals at Emily Foster Creative.

Follow along with me on Instagram @emilyfostercreative

Ready to level up your email marketing?

Be sure to sign up before Flodesk changes their pricing structure, and get 50% off your first year or month!

https://flodesk.com/c/EFCREATIVE

Your website isn’t just a digital storefront, it’s the very beginning of your client experience. ✨

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I sit down with Andrea Shah, copywriter and marketing consultant for wedding creatives. With over a decade of experience writing for Fortune 500 companies and luxury brands, Andrea now helps wedding pros spotlight their artistry and client experience through strategic copywriting.

We dive into everything from buyer psychology to pricing transparency, and why your website and copy are just as much a part of your client journey as the wedding day itself. You’ll also hear about Andrea’s path to working with wedding professionals, her insights on Gen Z couples’ expectations, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are shaping the future of marketing.

Key Takeaways

• Your website sets the tone for your entire client experience before couples ever inquire.
• Copy should center on you (the client), not “I” (the vendor).
• Write for both types of readers: skimmers and deep readers.
• Pricing transparency is non-negotiable for Gen Z couples and increasingly for luxury clients too.
• Keep your directory profiles and PR features updated to benefit from AI search results.
• Authentic voice matters: if you curse in real life, your copy should reflect it.
• Want more insights? Andrea is also speaking at Wedding MBA on client chemistry and buyer psychology. Tune in to hear the sneak peek.

Ready to elevate your brand with copy and design that truly connects? Let’s work together to create a website and brand experience that books your dream clients. Inquire here.

Andrea’s website: andreashah.com

Follow Andrea on Instagram & Threads

Download Andrea’s free report on Buyer Behavior in 2025

Catch Andrea’s session at Wedding MBA on client chemistry and biopsychology

In this episode, I compar two popular website platforms, Showit vs WordPress, focusing on their pros and cons for creative service providers. 

We'll discuss user experience, SEO myths, pricing structures, creative freedom, customer service, security, and the ease of transitioning between platforms. The conversation aims to help listeners make informed decisions about which platform best suits their needs – truly breaking it down for you so you can choose the best fit for your business!

Here's a high level overview of some of the details you'll learn:

• Showit and Wordpress are both popular platforms for creative service providers, and there's not really a bad choice!
• User experience varies significantly between Showit and Wordpress.
• SEO success is not guaranteed by the platform used.
• Showit offers more creative freedom and design flexibility.
• Customer service is generally better with Showit than Wordpress.
• Pricing structures differ, impacting small business owners' choices.
• Templates can simplify the website design process on both platforms.
• Transitioning from Wordpress to Showit is relatively seamless, but you need to keep some key details in mind.
• Integrations are more extensive and available with Wordpress.
• Empowerment in updating websites is crucial for you, so I want you to feel confident in whichever platform you go with!

Want to learn more about Showit vs Wordpress? Read the full blog post here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/showit-vs-wordpress-for-wedding-pros/

We are booking both Showit and Wordpress projects – if you have a dream of a brand and website that feels authentic to you, inquire here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/contact

Be sure to download our Elevated Website Checklist for more tips on updating your website:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/elevated-website-checklist

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the admin work it takes to manage client payments, contracts, and proposals?

Nora Sheils felt that as a wedding planner too.

In this episode, I chat with Nora, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, about her extensive experience in the wedding industry and the development of her software platform designed to streamline operations for wedding professionals.

Nora shares her journey from starting Bridal Bliss to creating Rock Paper Coin, emphasizing the importance of team building, operational efficiency, and the challenges of branding in the tech space. 

The discussion highlights the innovative features of Rock Paper Coin that save time and enhance your client experience, making it a valuable tool for wedding vendors.

Some key takeaways:

• Building a supportive team is crucial for business growth.
• Slow and steady growth can lead to a more sustainable business.
• Automation in software can significantly reduce your workload.
• Rock Paper Coin offers a free trial and personalized onboarding to help users transition smoothly.

Sign up for a trial of Rock Paper Coin here:

https://rockpapercoin.com/

Get six months free of Rock Paper Coin! Use code ENGAGEYOURBRAND

What better way to celebrate my birthday than reflecting on five years of running this business?

In this special birthday episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m sharing the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned, from sales skills to mindset shifts that have shaped both my life and my business.

We’ll talk about why learning sales early on sets you up for long-term success, why entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like its own “cult,” and how investing in help (instead of trying to DIY everything) can move your business forward faster. I’ll also share what it means to play the long game and why remembering that you are your biggest asset is one of the most important lessons of all.

Here are some takeaways:

• Learning sales early is key to sustainable growth.
• Outsiders may not understand the entrepreneur lifestyle, and that’s okay.
• DIY has its limits, outsourcing creates room to grow.
• Business will reflect your strengths and weaknesses back at you.
• Success comes to those who stick with it for the long game.
• You are your biggest asset, invest in yourself.
• Listen in for all 10 lessons I’ve learned in 5 years of business (and on my birthday!).

Want to connect?

• Book a branding or website audit: emilyfostercreative.com/contact
• Follow me on Instagram: @emilyfostercreative

Ready to level up your brand and website? Let’s work together, inquire today at emilyfostercreative.com/contact

Did you know Pinterest is STILL a powerful tool to grow website traffic? 

In this episode, Dana Johnson, owner of Dana's Desk, teaches us her genius Pinterest ways! 

Pinterest can be a powerful tool for wedding and event professionals and is one that is still highly underestimated, even in 2025. 

We'll discuss Dana's journey from wedding planning to becoming a Pinterest strategist, the importance of consistency in marketing, and how to effectively use Pinterest as a visual search engine. 

Dana shares insights on debunking myths about Pinterest, long-term success strategies, best practices for linking, and key metrics to track. The conversation emphasizes leveraging existing content, creating touch points with audiences, and applying branding effectively on Pinterest.

Your takeaways:

• Pinterest is not your average social media; it's a visual search engine.
• Consistency in marketing is crucial for success.
• Using Pinterest strategically can lead to long-term visibility.
• Keywords and descriptions are essential for brand recognition on Pinterest.
• Outbound clicks are the ultimate goal for driving traffic.
• Impressions and saves indicate brand awareness and engagement.
• Repurposing content for Pinterest can save time and effort.

But listen to the full episode for all the juicy details!

Sign up for the Styled Pin Collection here:

https://danasdesk.thrivecart.com/styled-pin-collection/partner/

Download Dana's Visibility Brand Blueprint:

https://danas-desk.kit.com/visibility-blueprint

Download Dana's 14 free pin graphics here:

https://danas-desk.kit.com/free-pin-graphics

Read her blog post about how a wedding planner grew her website traffic by using Pinterest:

https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/how-a-wedding-planner-grew-website-traffic-by-using-pinterest/

Get in touch with Dana here:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc

Visit her website:

www.ddvirtualmanagement.com

What does it really take to expand your wedding business into multiple markets without losing your identity or burning out?

In this episode, I’m joined by Irene Katzias of Irene & Co. Events. Irene is a wedding planner with teams across Connecticut, New York, and Utah.

We dive into what it looked like to go from side hustle to full-time business, how she scaled into the luxury space intentionally, and what she’s learned about pricing transparency, SEO, and team building along the way.

Irene’s story is a refreshing reminder that growth doesn’t have to happen overnight, and that building with clarity creates more freedom, not more stress.

Whether you’re dreaming of expanding to a new location, navigating your next team hire, or figuring out how to balance it all, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to scale fast to scale well, taking intentional baby steps can lead to sustainable growth
• Building a team opens the door to better client service and a better personal life
• Transparent pricing can increase trust and save time, even in the luxury space
• SEO and blogging are key tools for establishing credibility in new markets
• Clear boundaries and contingency plans are essential when managing teams and clients across time zones
• …and insights that will shift how you think about growth.

Looking to refine your brand, attract better-fit clients, or scale your creative business with more clarity?

Explore brand strategy and website design built for wedding and event pros at emilyfostercreative.com

Or catch up on more podcast episodes that help you grow with intention.

Explore Irene’s services and blog: irenecoevents.com

Be sure to check her out on Instagram as well, because she's truly the best inspiration and cheerleader! You can find her here: https://www.instagram.com/irenecoevents/
 

Listen to her bite-sized planning tips on the Peak Perfection podcast: Spotify

Subscribe to Irene's newsletter for private mentor sessions: https://www.irenecoevents.com/newsletter