This Week in Weddings

We all know that social media is a great way to market your wedding business. But we also know, that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media channels could go away at any time. And with algorithms changing all the time, it's clear that small business owners have no control over these avenues of marketing. What we can control is our own marketing efforts, and building an email list and speaking directly to our clients, potential customers and vendor partners through email is certainly worth considering. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about email marketing strategies and how entrepreneurs can use an email list to promote their businesses and get directly into the inboxes of their audiences. 

About our guest:

Kristi Drago-Price is the Founder and Creative Director behind Editor’s Edge, a boutique creative agency specializing in elevated brand development for established businesses. With her Fine Arts education from the Fashion Institute of Technology and School of Visual Arts with years of professionally photographing weddings and over a decade of consumer experience as the photo director of Condé Nast BRIDES magazine, Kristi has acquired a unique range of knowledge. She can bring a project from concept to production, while art directing the creative, managing a team, balancing budgets and sticking to deadlines. Her experience working at top media companies, from Condé Nast to The Knot Worldwide and HEARST, is evidence of how seamlessly she collaborates with commercial, editorial and emerging brands.

Kristi’s photo art direction work spans genres across fashion, beauty, menswear, food & beverage, lifestyle, interiors, and travel content for use in web, print, e-commerce, and social media formats. With her 360° understanding of the marketplace, Kristi founded Editor’s Edge to empower entrepreneurs in elevating their business to a cohesive brand through digital content. Providing no-nonsense consulting, creative direction and hands-on content creation Editor's Edge discovers, targets and translates the "special sauce" of each client to develop a brand message and strategy as genuine as they are.

• Kristi's background in photography, print magazines, and weddings
• The importance of having an email list in order to better control your marketing efforts
• The three things that good content should do - intrigue, inform and inspire
• The biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to email newsletters
• https://www.grammarly.com 

• Online: editors-edge.com
• Instagram: @editorsedge
• Facebook:  facebook.com/editorsedge
• Join Kristi's newsletter: Text the word EDGE to 345345

If you're wanting to earn more without working weekends or working more events, having higher paying clients is the way to do it. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about sales strategies for getting higher paying clients with sales strategist Maria Bayer.

About our guest:

Maria Bayer is a sales & mindset strategist, coach & wealth creator. She is the creator of “Irresistible Selling” – an online group coaching program she designed to help creative business owners book high-paying clients quickly (often on the spot!), grow their business and design a life they love. Maria teaches the authentic selling and mindset strategies that helped her triple her income in less than a year, and go on to book over $25 Million in sales from companies like Target, Best Buy, Ulta, Office Max and Hyatt.

After working together, Maria’s clients often 2x - 5x their revenues year over year as they continue applying her strategies. Maria also leads a private Facebook Mastermind group of talented creative business owners called Learn Collaborate Flourish. Maria is a national speaker, and has authored and co-authored several Kindle books, and her articles have been featured throughout the creative industry. Maria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign, and currently resides in the Scottsdale area with her husband Tim and fur-baby Gia, usually with a cold brew in hand.

• Maria's background in sales and her transition to working with creative businesses
• How to be successful in sales without being a stereotypical sales person
• How to set up a sense of urgency early on with potential clients
• Why higher paying clients are helpful for preventing burnout
• How mindset affects your ability to book higher paying clients

• On the web: www.MariaBayer.com 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mariabayerfan 
• Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/learncollaborateflourish 
• Instagram: @mariabayer1

Networking can be a critical way to get you and your business noticed and connected in the wedding industry. But sometimes networking can be awkward. How much can you really discuss the weather?! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about networking tips to go beyond small talk to make genuine connections.

About our guest:

Sam is a Drummer, Band Leader and Sales guy with The In10City Band. Originally from Australia, Sam relocated to the States in 2014 and had to start from scratch. He didn’t know a single person in the Events industry, in fact, he didn’t even have one single friend or connection when he moved here.

In his mid-twenties Sam became the Store Manager for Australia’s largest Musical Instrument Retailer, Billy Hyde Music. He was the youngest Store Manager in company history by 15 years!

Sam played in a few cover bands in Perth, some big ones too and had now found his identity. A Retail Operations Manager by day, Rock drummer by night!

The In10City Band has grown to become one of the most booked bands in Texas, with 9 In10City bands, almost 2,000 gigs under their belt and the 2019 winner of the NACE ‘Best Entertainment Award’ and the American Association of Wedding Planners ‘Favorite Band.’

• Sam's background as a musician
• How Sam moved to the United States and built a network when he knew absolutely no one in the city
• The mindset Sam tries to have when attending networking events
• Sam's tips for open-ended questions to ask to get a conversation started

• On the web: https://www.in10cityband.com/ 
• Instagram: @in10cityband / @samriseondrums

Being in a business partnership can almost be like a marriage. You're sharing responsibilities, stress, and profits! But what happens when the partnership is no longer serving you well? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding photographer Cameron Clark, who started as a solopreneur, gained a business partner, and then went back to being in business by herself. We're digging into the pros and cons of having a business partner, as well as the steps for dissolving the partnership.

About our guest:

After nineteen years as a professional photographer, Cameron still enjoys capturing real moments within the chaos of a wedding day. She draws inspiration from fashion, photojournalism and art. She has photographed weddings all over the world from Brazil to New York. 

Cameron Clark Photography has been published in Brides, Southern Weddings Magazine, Style Me Pretty, The Knot Magazine, Charleston Weddings Magazine, Destination Weddings Magazine, Wedding Chicks, Pacific Wedding Magazine, Over the Moon, and Destination I Do.

Cameron's top goal is to maintain a respected, profitable national luxury business that fosters creativity, entrepreneurship and provides and family-centered lifestyle. Cameron, her husband and two children reside in Flagstaff, Arizona.  

• Cameron's background in photography and how she got into the wedding industry
• How Cameron went from being a solopreneur, running her business by herself to having a business partner
• How and when Cameron and her business partner knew that they needed to make a change
• The legal and logistical implications for breaking up a business partnership
• Things that Cameron wished she would have done differently in the process of forming a business partnership

• On the web: www.cameronclarkphotography.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameronclarkphotography
• Instagram: @cameronclarkphoto

Have you been putting off something that you need to do? As an entrepreneur, you're in charge of your own day to day schedule, and with that freedom comes a certain responsibility to manage your own tasks. There's no boss telling you when you have to get something done! If you're prone to procrastination, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. We're chatting with a clinical psychologist who has gone from procrastinating to productive and is sharing her best practices.

About our guest:

Dr. Christine Li knows the true secrets for how to live life procrastination-free — and she’s ready to share them with you. She rescued herself from the tight grip of procrastination, and as a result, feels compelled to share the steps she took to bring calm and happiness into her life again.

She uses her experience as a clinical psychologist and former hard-core procrastinator to identify the factors that cause her clients to avoid and delay the work they should be doing. Once her clients understand the reasons they’ve been stuck in the vortex of procrastination, Dr. Li helps them let go of what has been blocking them so they can start using their natural talents and motivation to work with much greater clarity, ease, and success.

• What procrastination is and how it can affect you and your business or career
• Dr.Li's experience as a procrastinator and how she changed her ways
• Why procrastination isn't always bad
• Steps you can take to be more productive
• Text WEDDINGS to 44222 for a free download

• On the web: https://www.procrastinationcoach.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/procrastinationcoachdrli/  
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/procrastinationcoach 
• Instagram: @procrastinationcoach
• Twitter: @christineliphd

If you're an entrepreneur in the wedding industry, you understand how challenging it can be to run a wedding business... but what if you have thoughts about running not one, but two different business? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Chris Jesperson, who runs both a wedding videography business and an event venue. We're hearing how he decided to jump into another area of the event industry and how he manages both.

About our guest:

Chris Jespersen is a Cleveland based entrepreneur working in the events industry. Chris has filmed weddings and events all over the world and has recently opened one of Cleveland’s biggest event venues.

• Chris's background in videography and how he started thinking about getting into another area of the event industry
• How Chris manages two businesses simultaneously while also traveling
• Chris' philosophy of just jumping in and not overthinking too much before starting a new venture

• On the web: http://www.storyboxcinema.com/
• On the web: https://themadisonvenue.com/ 

When opportunities present themselves for expanding your business, do you jump on them? Or when a part of business isn't working, are you able to shut it down and move on quickly? Being nimble in business can enable you to multiply your success or minimize your losses, but it's not always easy to do. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with event designer Todd Fiscus, who is sharing his experience with the various stages of his business. From adding divisions and employees to his company and expanding to multiple cities, and even closing divisions and reducing head count, Todd's sharing his experience over the years and his tips for knowing when (and how) to change course.

About our guest:

Todd Fiscus, head of the highly acclaimed design team at his namesake company, Todd Events, has become synonymous with extraordinary events around the globe. From exquisite weddings, to corporate affairs, to charity galas to intimate occasions, the company has been the premier source for special events for over twenty years in locales from Maine to Mexico. Known for creating contemporary “life excursions” that capture the client’s personality, Fiscus has established himself as the expert authority to ring up when you want to celebrate with style. He never fails to provide a unique and memorable experience through artful detail and flawless orchestration—from concept to completion. With an impressive client roster that includes the likes of powerhouse brands such as Tom Ford, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the Dallas Cowboys, amfAR, Audi, and Neiman Marcus – just to name a few – it’s no wonder Fiscus has received major accolades in the event industry. He has been named one of the Top 35 Event Designers (2013) and a Top Innovator (2012), by special event industry giant, Biz Bash.

His work is so revered, he was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal for his creative work and as a leader in the field. He also speaks at numerous wedding and event industry events around the country each year. Fiscus’ clients also include prominent private individuals around the country, a bevy of noteworthy professional athletes, and several distinguished civic organizations. He is unquestionably the “man with the plan” when it comes to unparalleled events. Fiscus and his work have been featured in numerous publications including Elle Décor, Town & Country, Better Homes and Gardens, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, Gourmet, Vanity Fair, The Robb Report, The London Times, InStyle Weddings, Western Interiors, Condé Nast Brides, Veranda, and Texas Monthly. He is also a member of The Knot’s Luxe List, an exclusive circle of top celebrity wedding and event designers.

• Todd's background and how he went from working in catering sales to being a leader in event design
• The size of Todd's business at its largest, and the challenges that included
• The reasons Todd decided to close some of the divisions of his business
• Todd's learned lessons about growing his business incrementally

• On the web: http://www.toddevents.com/ 
• Instagram: @toddevents and @toddspartypeople

Without a sale, you're not in business, so having a sales strategy is important for any wedding industry business. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Meryl Snow, who is sharing her sales tips and strategies for the wedding industry, including ways to make your business stand apart from the initial contact.

About our guest:

With nearly 30 years in the special event and catering industry, Meryl Snow is on a mission to help businesses get on their own path to success. As a Senior Consultant for Certified Catering Consultants, Meryl travels throughout North America training clients in the areas of sales, marketing, design and branding. She speaks with groups from the heart with warmth and knowledge, and covers the funny side of life and business.

• Meryl's background in catering and events
• How important it is to show potential clients how you're different from your competitors so that they aren't shopping by price
• How asking the right questions to a potential client can increase your sales
• Following up with clients with new and innovative ideas to upsell

• On the web: https://www.merylsnow.com/ 
• Instagram: @merylsnow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snowconsultant 

With so much coming at us 24/7 in social media and the news, it can be challenging to keep a positive attitude. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Cyndie Spiegel, whose positive outlook and boss lady empowerment is contagious. She's sharing her tips for staying positive through all of life's challenges.

About our guest:

Cyndie Spiegel is a Brooklyn-based small business consultant, coach, author and TEDx speaker. She is also the founder of The Collective (of Us), a small business accelerator for women and The Community (of Us), an online hub for conversation and change-making community.

She is on a mission to empower 100,000 women to build BOLD businesses and conversations by the year 2020.

Her straight talk and visionary perspective on creating women-owned businesses, overcoming imposter complex and embracing fear; inspire women globally to build bold, profitable businesses.

She is a sought-after speaker for creative conferences around the country and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Glamour Magazine, Teen Vogue, and The Huffington Post.

• Cyndie's background in fashion and how she knew it was time to pivot to something else
• Quick tips for changing your perspective to be more positive
• Cyndie's suggestion for starting or ending your day on a positive note
• Cyndie's book, A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom and Courage

• On the web: http://www.cyndiespiegel.com/ 
• Instagram: @cyndiespiegel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CyndieSpiegelBizPage

When a natural disaster strikes in your area or some other tragedy of significance takes place, do you have a plan for how you'll communicate to your clients, vendors, and community? The saying goes that you never think it will happen to you, but having a plan in place for the just in case is never a bad idea. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Christie Osborne, who is an expert in the field of crisis communication and getting some advice on how best to address and move forward when a crisis strikes.

About our guest:

Christie Osborne is the owner of Mountainside Media, a company that helps event industry professionals and small businesses develop scaleable marketing strategies that bring in more inquiries and leads. She is a national educator with recent speaking engagements at NACE Experience, WIPA and the ABC Conference. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the North American Academy of Wedding & Event Planning. 

• Christie's background in the wedding industry as well her experience being FEMA certified in social media crisis communication
• Christie's best advice for communicating to your clients and audience when there is a crisis (natural disaster or otherwise) that affects your business
• The best places to get information as a crisis is unfolding
• Why a plan for crisis communication is critical before a crisis happens

• On the web: https://mountainsidemedia.com/