Wedding Business Solutions

What do you do when two customers want the same date?   Here’s another listener suggestion, this time from Euan in the UK. He had two couples asking about the same date (a good problem to have), and wasn’t sure the best way to handle the situation. I’m sure you’ve run into this, I know I have, and we don’t want them to feel like we’re adding pressure by just saying we have another inquiry (or enquiry).  Listen to this 7 minute episode for some ideas on how to handle situations like this. And keep the suggestions coming!  If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com  AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

Kristin Arnold – Do you have/need a strategic plan? You’ve probably been told that you need a business plan, or a marketing plan, but do you have a Strategic Plan? I asked my friend Kristin Arnold to come on and talk about how a strategic plan is different than those other plans, what it is and why you should have one, regardless of the size of your business. Listen to this new episode for insight into strategic planning and two different ways you can go about it for your business. Kristin is considered to be the foremost expert on moderating panel discussions and emceeing events.  She is the author of seven books, has a MBA in Marketing Strategy, inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame, and earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation and the Certified Professional Facilitator | Master (CPF|M) designation. Here's a link to Kristin's page for creating your down and dirty strategic plan: https://extraordinaryteam.com/quick-strategic-plan/  Contact Kristin: https://extraordinaryteam.com Social: Find Kristin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjarnold/ If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com  AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

You have to do better than that! If your inboxes are like mine, you’re getting a lot of generic messages, trying to get our attention. I get people reaching out through Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram saying things like “I've noticed you pop up in my Facebook recommendations a lot…”, and I can see that we have no connections in common, so I know it’s a scam or at least it’s spam. If you want to get someone’s attention, you have to do better than that. Once in a while, someone sends me a message and it shows that they know something about me, or that they’ve at least done their homework before reaching out. I give them more attention and respect than those generic messages. Listen to this new 6-minute episode for ideas on how you can make sure your customers aren’t perceiving your messages as generic, so you get their attention! If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com  AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

How do you define success? I’ve had this one on my list for a while to talk about on the podcast. When I work with businesses, large and small, one of the things I try to find out is how you define your success. It doesn’t matter how I define it, as you’re the one that has to do the work to get there. And when you get there, you want to feel satisfied with wherever that is. Too often we let others define success for us, and then we feel unfulfilled.Listen to this new 8-minute episode for some perspective on what success can mean for you, and how to tune out the noise.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

Brian Lawrence – My site has enhanced accessibility to visitors with disabilities, does yours?A while back I had someone on to talk about ADA compatibility for websites, and then… I didn’t do anything about it. Can you relate? So, I asked my friend and website expert, Brian Lawrence, to make my site more accessible. I couldn’t believe how easy it was (for me, since I didn’t have to do it), and how many different features there are, making my site more accessible to people not only with visual impairments but also those with ADHD, epilepsy, and more. So, I asked Brian to come back on to talk about what he did to my site to make it compatible, and how you can get yours checked, for free.To get your site checked, for free, visit www.ADAWedding.com and run the free test.And if you want to talk to Brian about getting your site more accessible (which can help reduce the chances of legal consequences for discrimination), contact him at Brian@BrianLawrence.comBrian Lawrence is my recommended resource for web design and SEO for the last 10+ years. He has been in the industry owning one-stop-wedding stores, VP of a leading wholesale wedding brand, and an accomplished industry writer and speaker. For more info visit brianlawrence.com, text him at 201-446-1038, or e-mail brian@brianlawrence.comIf you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

When should you ask about their budget? This is another listener suggestion, this time from Marylee in Connecticut. When should you ask the customer, couple or client about their budget. It’s not an easy answer, as it will be different for different price points, different services (some are easier to explain) and frankly, for each of us. You’ve probably heard me say that since all budgets are made up (credit to Phil. M. Jones for that), they can all be changed.Listen to this new 9-minute episode for some ideas on how and when to talk about budgets, no matter where you are on the price spectrum.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

Do you ask How Much? There are times when we have to ask ourselves if we do some of the same things when we’re customers, that our customers do to us. For instance, if you hate it when people ask you how much you charge, before finding out the results you can provide, or the value that you bring… have you done that when you were the customer? I know I have. Whether it’s because we don’t know what to ask, we’ve never bought this product or service before, or maybe we’re just trying to shop on price. Whatever the reason, if we really take a step back, we’re probably doing some of the same things that we’d rather our customers didn’t do to us.Listen to this new 6-minute episode for a little introspection and perspective on how we can better handle the How Much question, especially when it’s asked too soon.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

In this engaging discussion, Kendra Ramirez, CEO of KR Digital and an acclaimed speaker on AI applications, dives into the transformative power of AI in the wedding industry. She explores accessible tools ranging from ChatGPT to image generation software that can enhance creativity and efficiency. Kendra also highlights the differences between AI tools like Bing and Google Bard, and how AI can streamline workflows for event planners. Learn how technology can optimize services, all while maintaining the crucial human touch in this ever-evolving industry.

Have you resolved to stop making resolutions? Now that it’s February (when this first aired), have you made and broken your New Year’s resolutions already? Did you make any? I don’t, because I don’t wait for the beginning of the year to commit to what I want/need to do. Do you need a milestone date to get started? Or, do you just need accountability to what you want to achieve?Listen to this new 7-minute episode for a little perspective on resolutions and how they relate to your getting to the things that you want to do.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com 

This episode was prompted by paying attention to some of the many email signatures I see every day. Sometimes we don’t pay any attention to them (especially if it’s someone we already know). There were a few times, just this week, where I wanted to know more about the person sending the email (either to do research, or add them to my CRM, etc.) and I found it to be a lot harder than it should have been. Adding unnecessary friction is a good way to alienate your customers.Listen to this new 7-minute episode to get some ideas on what to add, delete and look for in yours and other people’s email signatures, to make them more useful and professional.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com  I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com