Cool Free Tool: WD40 for the Stuck Wedding Blogger

Hola, fellow wedding vendor!

In the name of brevity, let’s get right to the point.

Sometimes I struggle with IDEAS about what to blog about.  Anything that gives me a helping hand with that is quite welcome.

Without further ado, here is a cool little site I came across to help you generate content.

You’re welcome.

VISIT CONTENT GENERATOR HERE

I helped you out, now why don’t you help me and the other wedding vendors who visit this site.

How do you get ideas when you’re stuck?

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If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

What Should I Name My Wedding Business?

wedding business

Finding the perfect name for your business can be agonizing.  Your name carries the burden of describing what you do, what makes you unique and who should hire you–all in a few words.

No wonder it drives us nuts!  Needless to say, it’s worth putting some thought into your business name.

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

Before we get down to the nitty gritty of power naming, you need to determine exactly what you want your name to accomplish by answering these questions:

  • Who is the ideal client I want to attract?
  • What words do I want to associate with my business?
  • Which of these words will be attractive to those ideal clients?

Once you’ve answered these questions, start brainstorming.  Take out a piece of paper and write down as many words as you can.  Keep writing until you’ve filled at least an entire page.

Then start combining words and trying out different phrases until you have at least five good names.  Use the following tips and tools to help.

#1 – Keep it short and simple.

Your name should be short and easy to understand, no more than three words.  It should describe what you do so that couples get it within seconds.

I know that companies like eBay, Google and Flickr make a fortune by inventing a catchy name, but they also had the budget to advertise and make sure that branding was everywhere.  I’m guessing that you don’t have that luxury.

Your best bet is a name that’s functional and descriptive.  Be sure to say what you do.

If you’re a photographer, include the word photography or photo.  If you’re a DJ or planner, put it in your name.
Don’t make couples work to figure out what you do.  If you don’t catch their attention in 7.5 seconds, you’ll lose them.

#2 – Make it memorable.

A great name is catchy.  It’s easy to remember, easy to say, easy to spell and easy to write.

One of the biggest mistakes wedding professionals make in naming their businesses is using generic words (resulting in dozens of “Unique Events” companies that are anything but) and trying to mimic creativity by misspelling common words.  (Think Foto and DJz.)

Avoid looking and sounding just like the competition: Sounds Entertainment, Elegant Events, Unique Photography.

Experiment with alliteration, rhythm and rhyme.  Examples of this include Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ Donuts, Book More Brides…*wink*

#3 – Choose a Name That Attracts Your Ideal Clients.

It’s important that you like your name, but it’s even more important that it attracts the type of clients you want to work with.  Don’t get so attached to your name that you pick something that repels them.

For instance, if you’re a band who wants to work high-end, elegant weddings and your name is Doctor Mud, well, it doesn’t exactly attract the right customers.

Test potential names out on real brides and grooms using surveys or with advertising tests to find out what really works.

#4 – Consider Using Your Own Name.

Many wedding professional who are artists or performers really ARE their business.  In these cases, it can make sense to use your own name as a part of your business because you’re branding it with your identity.

Using your first and/or last name, especially if it’s evocative, can be a perfect, simple choice.  Vivian Photography or Paradise Entertainment works very well.

Our own DJ mentor named his business DJ Music & More, a name that sounded just like every other DJ company, and no one remembered it.  People always referred him by his name, and he wished he’d had the foresight to use it for his own wedding business.

#5 – Make sure it’s available.

Before you finalize your name, make sure it’s available.  Check local businesses, trademarks and domains so that you can own a website to match your new business name.

This is super important, so don’t skip this step!  The last thing you want is a great business name that belongs to a big company who decides to sue you for everything you’ve got.

More Naming Resources

If you’re still stumped, there is help available.  You can hire a professional to come up with a name (a good name can cost you as much as $80,000!) or you can use some of these tools and resources.

Naming Websites:

  • Naming.net and Wordoid – Use these free online naming tools to generate ideas.
  • Lingzini - This site checks domain name availability.
  • Name Station – Check domain availability or hold a naming contest.

Crowdsource Your Name

  • Naming Force or Squad Help – Host a contest for the best name and let the public help you out.
  • Go to LinkedIn Groups or the Wordlab forums.
  • Ask your friends and family.  BEWARE: you’re going to get lots of horrible ideas!

Whatever you do, it’s worth taking the time to come up with the right name for your wedding business.  Spend at least a week brainstorming before you commit, let some time pass and test out a few variations before settling on one.

How did you pick your business name?

If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Free Event for Wedding Vendors Shows You How to Book More Weddings Fast

The top concerns of wedding business people are…

  • Getting more leads.
  • Booking more weddings.

That’s what the Wedding Business Acceleration Summit, a free event just for wedding professionals, is all about!

It’s 7 days of totally FREE, high value wedding marketing strategies you can use to book more weddings at higher prices.

Watch the video below to learn more:


Enter Your Name and Email Below to Join Us for Free!

Here are the awesome presentations lined up so far:

DAY 1 – “21 Must Have FREE Tools and Resources to Turbo Charge Your Wedding Biz” with Stephanie & Jeff Padovani of BookMoreBrides.com. (That’s us!)

DAY 2 – “Power of 10: How 7 Small Changes Can Double Your Profits!” with Brian McGovern of BrianMcGovern.com

DAY 3 – “The Power of Pinning: How to Get More Leads and Customers With Pinterest” with Melanie Duncan of PowerofPinning.com

DAY 4 – “Effortless PR: How to Generate a Promotional Buzz Without Working Your Tail Off” with Meghan Ely of OFDConsulting.com

DAY 5 – “Blog Swapping: How to Steal Other People’s Traffic, Fans and Readers…and Have Them Love You For it!” with Kathy DalPra of BrideAppeal.com

DAY 6 – “The Secret to Getting Brides on Facebook in Only 15 Minutes a Day” with Christine Dyer of BridalTweet.com

DAY 7 – “How to Book Yourself Solid with Youtube in 3 Steps” with James Wedmore of VideoTrafficAcademy.com

This is a ground-breaking, one of a kind event just for professionals in the wedding business, with experts from inside and outside the wedding industry, so don’t miss out!

JOIN US HERE.

If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

To Get Things Done Right Use The Right Tools For Your Wedding Business

It never fails, at least once a week I hit something that makes me think “there’s got to be a tool out there that would help me do this faster.” Well guess what. While technology is continuously evolving there usually is something out there that will help you with whatever it is you need help with.

Wedding business tools are great for saving time. You just have to make sure you are getting the right one. Just like a small farm uses different equipment than a large farm, a small business doesn’t need to invest in a piece of software that does a million things more than they need. They need a tool that does what they need done in the right way. Jenny Blake has a great list on her website of tools that help you get things done in your business. Do you know of tools that help you with your wedding business? If so share below! 

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If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Why Your Wedding Business Needs To Get Listed On Google+ Local

Getting found on Google is about more than just getting found in their main search results. You also want to be found on local map searches for wedding businesses. Why? Because even if you don’t have a storefront location where brides can come you hopefully do have an office where you can meet with them. Getting found on Google maps is as important if not more as getting listed in yellow pages.

One new perk that Google has added for businesses is their Google+ Local page which connects to Google Maps. This allows you to include in-depth information, reviews of your business, images, address, phone number, website, a map of where you are and more. Essentially it validates your wedding business in the mind of the bride while at the same time giving her contact information and helping your Google search rankings for your website. For more information on Google+ Local pages and what you can do with them make sure to check out the informative article by Doug Antkowiak. Have you listed yourself on Google Maps and Google+ Local yet?

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If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Free Tools to Build a 6 Figure Wedding Business…What’s the Catch?

6_figure_red

It’s official…the 6 Figure Wedding Business Summit is coming March 7th – 13th!

We’ve had A LOT of questions rolling in, so I’ll answer the most common ones here.

Q – So what the heck is the 6 Figure Wedding Business Summit?

It’s a series of video trainings jam packed with strategies, techniques and tools you can use to build a 6 figure wedding business.  Each video will be available for viewing for FREE for 24 hours, and one will be released each day from March 7th – 13th.

Q – What kind of training?

You can find out the topics here: http://bookmorebrides.viprespond.com/wedbizsummit

We’ll also be adding surprise bonuses and extras in our Pre-Event celebration along the way.  Yes, we’re that excited!

Q – What’s this “Automatic Expert Email System” I keep hearing about?

The “Automatic Expert Email System” is the proven 6 email sequence we’ve used to position ourselves as experts in our local wedding market and book brides while we sleep…that can be used by any wedding business!

We’re giving you the actual emails, a rockin’ free “Bride Bribe” to giveaway, and my video shows you exactly how to do it. 

And yes, you have permission to use these materials any way you please.  Just don’t paper the cat box with them, okay?

Interested?  Get your copy of the Automatic Expert Email System here: http://bookmorebrides.viprespond.com/wedbizsummit

Q – What’s the catch?

There is no catch!  Just send us your name and email and we’ll send you the goodies.  If you don’t want to hear from us again, just click “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the email.

Of course, we’re hoping you like our stuff so much that you stick around for MORE.  ‘Cuz there’s lots more to come!

Q – Wait a minute…aren’t you guys selling something?

(I love a tough cookie who asks good questions!)

You can get the Automatic Expert Email System right now for FREE.  You can watch each video totally FREE when it’s released during the 6 Figure Wedding Business Summit from March 7th – 13th.

If you want the video recordings to watch and re-watch whenever you want…if you want the laser-targeted Summary & Action Step PDFs, resources and templates that go with each training…if you want the super amazing bonuses we’ve put together (just wait till you see them!) they will be available for an additional fee.

There’s something for everyone.  We don’t want anyone to be left out.

Q – Great!  How to I attend the event?

Just register at this link: http://bookmorebrides.viprespond.com/wedbizsummit

We’ll send you an email whenever cool, new freebies go up on the Pre-Event page and a reminder when each video of the 6 Figure Wedding Business Summit is released.

Got questions that I didn’t answer?  Leave ‘em in the blog comments.

Thanks and we’ll be sharing more 6 Figure Secrets soon!

If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Why, When and How to Blog Your Way to Booked Weddings

A girl standing in front of the question why

Leave it to my friend Claire over at the English Wedding blog to make the most convincing argument for blogging that I have ever seen.  Really!

Not only does she tell you how to do it simply and easily, she explains the actual results and benefits you can expect to get from it, topics you can blog about and shares examples of wedding professionals who are doing it well.

Read her article here: How to Blog Your Wedding Business

Blogging is not a “fad,” it’s a necessary part of your wedding marketing if you want to book Gen Y brides who are online all the time.  If you want to be found, it’s the simplest way to get there.

What do you think about blogging?

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If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Why the Recession Can Be the Best Time To Launch Your Business

Its nice to stumble across some good news these days. Check out this article from “Inc.”clock
There are actually some concrete benefits that the new business guys can take advantage of.  Even the established ones can tap into some of these.

Things Are Looking Up

If you’d like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

 

If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

Scheduling Systems To Increase Productivity in 2011

How do you schedule your work life?  Do you use an old school desk calendar?  2010 was the year I went paperless. I actually tossed the day planner and committed to an online schedule.

I must say..Big Improvement! Not only is it one less thing taking up space on my already chaotic desk.  I find myself using it more effectively. Its my home page when I fire up my laptop.  I also share it with my wife (one of the cool features of Google calendar) so she can see what I have going on and plan accordingly.
chess-game
Here is a couple you might not of heard of.

http://bit.ly/iapoAb

If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.

How Do I Deal With Price Shoppers?

How much do you cost?  Can you send me your pricing and package information?

A street sign reading

PRICE is often the first question they ask…even before they know if we’re even available for their date!

Getting Past the Price Question

After the Recession hit, the price question started popping up more than ever.  Mom and Dad lost their pension funds to Bernie Madoff, soon-to-be-weds couldn’t find jobs after college, and the stock market was full of doom and gloom.

Prices in the wedding industry were over-inflated, just like they were in the housing market.  The “wedding bubble” popped, resulting in a 31.5% decrease in the average cost of a wedding in only two years.  (source: WE tv Networks Wedding Report)

Even though the economy is slowly recovering, the buying mindset of brides has changed.  They are no longer so willing to rack up credit card debt to pay for the wedding, and their parents aren’t willing to mortgage the home or tap diminished retirement savings.

Price shoppers are here to stay.  Either we learn how to deal with them and turn them into booked weddings…or the future of our wedding business is at stake.

5 Steps to Turning Around a Price Shopper

1.    Don’t Focus on Price.

What happens when you pick up the phone or open an email lead?  Are you bracing yourself and preparing your (probably long) response to the “price question?”

The #1 mistake most wedding professionals make when dealing with a price shopper is focusing on price.

Don’t try to explain your value.  Don’t share horror stories of couples who hired a “cheap amateur.” Don’t list the endless benefits of hiring a “professional.”

Understand that she is asking about price because it’s the only thing she knows to ask.  The bride is educating herself about prices and offerings.

The more you focus on price, the more she’s going to focus on it.  Give a brief answer to her question, and then redirect the conversation to more important things…how you can help her.

2.    Redirect the Conversation With Power Questions.

Give her a brief, realistic answer with a starting price or price range and IMMEDIATELY redirect the conversation where you want it to go.

Take control of the interaction by asking questions that allow you to help her and that instantly demonstrate your expertise.

Not sure where to begin?  Start with the basics: date, location, hours, logistics.  Then work your way up to questions about what she has seen and heard that she likes and doesn’t like, theme and color preferences.

3.    Help Her.

Instead of selling and telling the bride about the value of your services, help her.  Imagine that she is a friend of yours who just happens to be planning a wedding.

What would you do and say to help a friend?  Do that for the bride.

This may include sharing ideas and tips, making recommendations or referrals, sending her links to articles of interest, or even simply listening to her story.  This is the quickest way to get off price and start building a relationship that leads to a booking.

4.    Tell Her What To Do Next.

Once you’ve redirected the conversation away from the price question, tell her what to do next.

What action do you want her to take?

If your conversation is happening in an email, you may want her to schedule a meeting or a phone call.  If it’s a phone conversation, maybe you want her to meet in person.

Decide the ideal action you’d like her to take and guide her to it.  “We really like to get to know our couples to find out if we’re a good match for your wedding, so I suggest a meeting.  When is a good time for us to meet?”

Remember: the bride has never planned a wedding before and she doesn’t know what to do.  She wants you to take control and make finding and hiring a wedding vendor easy.  So do it!

5.    Follow Up.

The second big mistake wedding professionals make is assuming that the bride was a “only a price shopper” and their price was too high when they don’t hear from them the next day.

She liked your stuff enough to call you.  Don’t assume that you lost her to the “price objection.”

It’s more likely that she got busy and forgot to get back to you.  Planning a wedding is so overwhelming that most couples procrastinate just to avoid dealing with it!

Make a simple and friendly follow up call or email.  “Hi, we spoke the other day about your upcoming wedding.  Do you have any questions so far?  Please let me know if I can help.”

Give her a chance to object before you assume she’s gone for good.

The Price to Profit Email

These price shopper response guidelines apply with both telephone and email inquires.  But since most of us are getting email inquiries these days, it’s vital that you nail down an effective price shopper email response.

To make it easier, I put together the “Price Shopper to Profit Email Report” explaining the strategies and techniques you can use in your email response, along with a done-for-you price shopper email template you can customize for your wedding business.  Just click this link, leave me your email and I’ll send you a free copy – Download FREE Price Shopper Email

How do you deal with price shoppers?

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If you'd like to get more free information and strategies like this, join our Wedding Business Tips email list here.