Own Your Business

I’ve obsessed about marketing and selling weddings for over 18 years now. Here’s one thing I’ve learned: Your pitch is important.  Unfortunately, most wedding professionals don’t offer a proper proposal for their services. The most common approach is a menu of services, like a McDonald’s ordering kiosk. Many others use a brochure - basically a bunch of information. But couples and the BTS decision-makers don’t want information, they want transformation. They want to know how you’re going to get them from where they are now (wanting something for their wedding) and where they want to be (basking in the benefits you offer to get that need met).  The best way to tell that story is with a short-form sales page approach to a custom proposal. Today, I bring on one of my long-time coaching clients who was one one of our first proposal template users back in 2021. Tune in to hear how she’s leveraged the power of a compelling proposal to help triple her prices in 4 years.

I’ve coached hundreds of wedding pros over the years, and the #1 area for improvement is always always always the discovery call.  Why? It’s so difficult to do well. So many moving parts. So much pressure for both people. So many ways it can go wrong. Here are five ways to know if your discovery call needs improvement: You think of it as a “sales call” You share your screen or talk through a brochure You currently use or want to buy from someone a “script” You ask the same questions in the same order from a list You start with personal questions like “how did you to meet” or “how did he propose” If this sounds like you, keep listening. If you’re not doing these things, I’ve got solid info in the next 20 minutes to help you level up your game too!

We started the year with a simple road map for success based on five milestones. Do the activities in key areas to make it easy for couples to travel the buyer’s journey. We’ve focused on knowing, understanding and messaging to your ideal client Created a content strategy and putting it up on IG with Abby Jiu Today we talk about website fixes you can make in key areas Next week I’ll share discovery call questions you can use to guide the conversation  Follow up with direction on what to include on your proposal with my friend and client, Erika Delgado These are the 5 areas I’d like you to focus on for the first couple months of the year, because I think they give the most results for time (and money) spent to attract and book better clients. Today we dive into the website. Listen in for tips you can put into practice in very little time with almost no technical or creative skills.

In this engaging discussion, wedding photographer Abby Jiu shares her 15 years of expertise as she navigates the complex world of social media. She emphasizes the transition to the luxury space and the essential relationship between social media and business growth. Abby reveals three must-do strategies for Instagram right now and reflects on a crucial lesson she wishes she had learned earlier. With insights on authentic branding and effective content creation, she provides invaluable advice for wedding professionals looking to elevate their online presence.

This discussion challenges the conventional notions of success in the wedding industry, highlighting the diverse interpretations of both luxury and ideal clients. The speakers share strategies for identifying and communicating with different client avatars, emphasizing the balance between ambition and realistic expectations. They explore the importance of adapting client profiles based on market trends and fostering sustainable growth while attracting high-quality clients. Personal anecdotes add depth to the conversation about navigating challenges and enhancing business practices.

Discover the crucial distinction between 'simple' and 'easy' when setting goals for your business. Learn effective marketing strategies tailored for wedding professionals, focusing on key channels like social media and SEO. Explore how to optimize your website for better performance and higher conversions. Uncover the value of hard work and community in achieving success, emphasizing that dedication and sharing your journey can inspire others. Keep it simple, yet impactful!

Welcome to part two of my top 10 Engage takeaways. The first five aired last week, so if you haven’t listened to them yet, you should go back and start with that episode. I provide useful context to the conversation, and it’s all done in my most gravelly, shot out, baritone voice in 173 episodes.  Here’s a quick summary of the first set of takeaways: Go in with no plan Pay attention to those who pay attention to you Pick your priorities Don’t trip over dimes to pick up pennies There isn’t enough business right now for those who want it Today, I’m going to dig into the remaining five big insights I took away from the summit. I hope you get some inspiration as you plan out your 2025 business strategies.

Explore transformative experiences from years of attending Engage conferences. Discover the vital role of educating clients during their buying journey. Delve into insights on personal networking and effective time management. Navigate challenges faced by the luxury wedding industry, emphasizing the need for differentiation in a competitive market. Hear calls to action that encourage community engagement and support for fellow entrepreneurs. It's an enlightening discussion that blends personal growth with industry insights!

Unmasking the luxury wedding industry reveals unrealistic standards, often promoting an ultra-luxe image that’s tough to achieve. Understanding your ideal client is vital for effective communication and marketing success. Empathy plays a crucial role in connecting with clients who share your values. The podcast also examines how luxury brands, like Mercedes and BMW, tailor their messaging to engage diverse consumer motivations. Adapting to tough market conditions requires a refined approach to identify and attract the right clients.

We’ve all heard of “growth mindsets,” but what does it really mean? Here’s a definition: A belief that intelligence, abilities, and talents can be developed through effort, hard work and guidance from others. I first heard about it in the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, a Stanford professor who coined the term back in 2006. In her research, she found the growth mindset was the #1 predictor of long-term success. Now you might think, well duh, of course people believe they can improve themselves. Ahhh, but that’s actually NOT the case. Many people believe for many different reasons, they can’t improve. Look at the current conditions in the wedding industry. It’s tough out there, and will be for a while. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the down market is an explanation for why it’s harder to fill your calendar, but it’s not an excuse. Someone with a growth mindset sees the challenge in today’s industry and wonders, how will I adapt to the new environment in order to achieve my goals.  The opposite is a fixed mindset. They see the exact same scenario, and think, well crap, I hope things get better soon so I can fill my calendar or raise my prices. Today, I bring on to the podcast one of my dearest friends in the wedding world, Anja Winikka, former right hand to the founder of The Knot, industry innovator, and CEO of Freeda, a new kind of community for established wedding pros who want genuine community with other wedding pros.  I always feel better about the world when I hear what Anja has to say about things. I know you will too.