Try it because it’s difficult
Are there some things you’re not trying because you think they’re hard? Is it the fear of failure that holds you back, or something else. I think that the harder it is, the more rewarding it is when you succeed. So, what have you already done that you originally thought was hard? What’s on your to-do list that’s just not getting to-done?
Listen to this new 9-minute episode and find out how you can get past the “hard” and on to the “done”! Read More
If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product
I was talking to a speaker friend about all of the free services that exist today, from social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.) to business services like Canva, Animoto, Dropbox, Zoom and more. It’s very tempting to try and use those free services, after all, that’s why they offer a free version. But that can’t be the business model, there has to be a profit model for those services and sites as well. While I might try a new service with a free-trial, I try not to stick with the free versions. There are more features with the paid versions and since I want people paying me for my products and services, it’s only fair that I should pay for the value I get from them. That said, there are times when the free version is enough and lots and lots of people use them. So, that makes you wonder how these companies benefit. Some get enough people that upgrade and pay, and some may not. But, as Tristan Harris (a former Google Design Ethicist) said: “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product”
Listen to this new 7-minute episode and hear what that quote actually means and it might just change your perspective on what’s really “free”. Read More
Glenn Roush – Scaling a luxury business
When people think of scaling a wedding or event business, high volume and lower prices often comes to mind. Glenn Roush has scaled his entertainment company, LeForce Event Group, with higher prices, higher quality and targeting luxury weddings and events in and around Dallas, TX. Our conversation ranges from how he got started, with just him as a DJ, to scaling up to over 30 DJs and keeping both the quality and prices up at a high level.
Listen to this new episode and get some ideas on how you can scale your wedding/event business, without sacrificing quality or profits. Read More
Buy It, Rent It, Learn It or Hire for It
Like many of my topics, this came from a conversation I was having with one of my clients, a wedding/event pro, about how he should go about doing Facebook advertising. One option was to hire someone, but the price tag was scaring him. Another was to take courses and learn to do it himself. Yet another was to look for every free or cheap way to figure it out. In this episode I’ll take you through the thought process that I shared with him, so you too can see that it’s not just the cost that matters, it’s also the time it will take you to get the results you want. Just looking at the price can cloud your decision and delay you reaching the ROI you desire.
Listen to this new 9-minute episode and hear how you can make better decisions that lead to clearer decisions and more profits. Read More
How to get the most out of wedding shows
Like many of my topics, this came from a conversation I was having with one of my clients, a wedding/event pro, about what he should do for an upcoming Wedding Expo. He wanted to stand out, in a good way, and get the most ROI from the show. So, on this new episode, I’ll share with you some of the things I told him, on how you can stand out, catch the attention of an audience that’s literally moving as they are near you, and how you can profit more from Wedding Shows. Whether you’ve done Wedding Expos (formerly called Bridal Shows) before, or not, and whether you’ve gotten a good ROI or not, this episode will give you some food for thought!
Listen to this new 16-minute episode and hear ways you can get the most out of wedding and other tradeshows. Read More
Kathryn Hamm – So Many Pivots
When I first thought about bringing my friend Kathryn Hamm onto the podcast, it was because of her pivot from LGBTQ issues to DEI – Diversity, Equality and Inclusion topics. Well, before we could get to that, she pivoted again! Listen to this episode and hear how she pivoted into the wedding industry from education, to pivoting to DEI and now to being Co-owner of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter (Kathyrn’s wife). Is your head spinning from the pivots yet? Kathryn is always a pleasure to talk with, and you’re going to pick up some ideas for your business on this episode. Read More
Say Goodbye to your weakest link
There was a TV show in the 2000’s called “The Weakest Link” where contestants tried to not get tossed off by the stern British host. When she told a contestant that they had to go, she said “You are the weakest link… Goodbye!” I was thinking about this the other day and how each of our businesses, or personal endeavors, is only as successful as the weakest link. What are the weak links that are preventing you from achieving more? To which ones should you be saying “Goodbye!”?
Listen to this new 12-minute episode and find out. Read More
Are you investing in your business, or day-trading?
Financial services apps make it very easy to buy and sell stocks, bonds, ETFs and more. That’s great as it levels the playing field for small investors. Some people do what’s called “buy and hold,” intending to keep the investments they buy for a long time. Warren Buffet, the famous “Oracle of Omaha”, and one of the richest people in the world, is known for doing that. Other people buy and sell quickly, looking to turn a fast profit (hopefully). They’re not interested in the fundamentals of the company, its management or long-term strategy. Those are called “day-traders” because they often buy and sell the stocks in the same day. How are you treating your business, as a long-term investment, or are you day-trading?
Listen to this 8-minute episode and find out. Read More
Brandee Gaar – the rise and fall of Clubhouse
Have you tuned into or participated in any Clubhouse room? Do you even know what Clubhouse is? (hint: it’s another social platform). I had been invited to be on Clubhouse as a presenter, including by Brandee Gaar, who also has a popular podcast: “She Who Dares”. Clubhouse seemed to come out of nowhere and take off last year in the wedding industry. So, when Brandee asked me to host a bi-weekly room on her Morning Show for Wedding Shows I said Yes. But then I wondered what would happen when weddings started up again, and wedding pros got busy. Join Brandee and I as we discuss the future of Clubhouse for wedding pros. Read More
You Get What You Measure!
A client called one day and asked me how many calls I used to require my sales reps to make, when I was VP of Sales at The Knot. I told him that I didn’t give them a target of phone calls to make, because I didn’t want phone calls, I wanted sales. I told him that you get what you measure. What are you measuring? Are you paying attention to the right metrics, or getting distracted by things that don’t align with what you’re trying to achieve?
Listen to this new 11-minute episode and get a clearer picture of things you might want to be paying attention to. Read More
