Tag

wedding marketing

Jul 16 2015

The High-End Wedding – Debunked

By Blog

For as long as I’ve been in and around the wedding industry, businesses have been chasing the “high-end” client. When I ask them what they mean by high-end, they usually say that it’s someone who’s spending a lot on their wedding. In theory that sounds right, but is it in practice?

What makes it high-end?
A high-end client sounds like an aspiration, but just because someone spends a lot, doesn’t automatically make it classier, or creative or (in plain words) better. Lots of couples spend lots of money on things that make others scratch their heads and go “Huh?” We wonder why the money went to those elements of the wedding, while there may have been elements that seem a little lacking—at least in contrast. Read More

Jan 02 2015

3 Resolutions That Can Be Revolutionary For Your Wedding Business

By Blog

Time to ActThe beginning of the year not only signals an influx of newly engaged couples, it also serves as a psychological switch for many 2015 and 2016 upcoming wedding couples to resume the planning process after a post Thanksgiving through Christmas hiatus.

It’s also an opportunity to think about what you’re going to do differently. Here are some insights from my fellow guru and business associate, Brian Lawrence. Brian’s walked more than a mile in your shoes in his many years as a wedding center owner with multiple locations, then serving thousands of wedding business through his position as VP of a national wholesale invitation brand, and then as owner of wedding business focused web design and marketing firm.

Brian has taken things I have spoken about before and put his own spin on them for you: Read More

Dec 16 2014

3 Things you can do to get your website ready for the January rush

By Blog

round glossy button effectThe holidays are always a busy time for engagements, and then comes the January rush of visits to websites… hopefully yours. So, is your website ready to convert that traffic into inquiries, appointments and then sales? You’re only going to get one chance to make that first impression.

Here are a few easy things you can do, right now, to improve the engagement and conversion of your website. These will only cost you a little time, but it’s well worth it: Read More

Aug 18 2014

Never mind Waldo, where are you? part II

By Blog

Young woman holding a laptop and presenting colorful world mapNote: In my last post I began a conversation about your websites and the importance of location information. Here’s the second part. If you didn’t get a chance to read the first part, click here.

Hold the phone

It used to be pretty easy to look at the area code on your site or business card and get an idea where you were located. These days with so many people using their cell phones as their main or only phone, and the portability of cell phone numbers, area codes are no longer a reliable indicator of location. A few years ago my family moved almost 100 miles to a new area and yet my wife and sons still use the same cell phone numbers. Their area code would lead someone to believe they are in another state – which would make it the state of confusion! Read More

Jan 19 2014

6 Steps to Wedding Show Success

By Uncategorized
Click the image to get the PDF to use for your exhibitors

Click the image to get the PDF to use for your exhibitors

Are wedding shows still relevant?
Of course you and I think they are, but do today’s wedding pros? To stay relevant you have to be more than just a booth-seller. You need to be a resource. You need to help them succeed, not just at your shows, but in their businesses.

I wrote “6 Steps for Wedding Show Success” for my presentations in Vancouver, for BSPI member, Gary Meister. Gary wanted me to be the voice to say the things to his exhibitors that he, and you, have been saying for years, but they aren’t always hearing. It’s the same as when your children think the neighbor is brilliant for saying today, what you’ve been telling them for years. The outside voice carries a different credibility to the familiar one. Sound familiar? I’m sure it does. Read More

May 29 2013

Thoughts from Ireland and how wedding pros are very similar, everywhere I go

By Blog, Uncategorized
Alan Berg speaking in Galway Bay, Ireland

Alan Berg speaking at the Galway Bay Hotel, Ireland

I just got back from speaking in Ireland for weddingsonline.ie, the busiest wedding website in the country. We had 3 conferences in Cork, Galway and Donegal where I had the opportunity to meet some great wedding pros. It’s actually my third time speaking in Ireland since November. What strikes me, as I reflect on the events and networking, is how similar wedding pros are, wherever I go. I presented “We Want Action, Conversion is the Key to Your Success”, “Angry Brides, Protecting Your Online Reputation” and “Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience”, 3 of my favorite topics.

We’re a lot alike

I’ve had the privilege of speaking around the US, Canada, Mexico and now Ireland and, other than a few cultural differences, the business of weddings and events is pretty much the same. Even just traveling around the US there are many differences in the weddings themselves, but the business side is similar. You’re all trying to identify your target audience, put yourselves in front of them and get them to take a series of actions to get closer to doing business with you… because it’s rarely one step. Read More

Dec 14 2012

Premiere Wedding & Event Industry Network event with Alan Berg

By Speaking Events

Premiere Wedding & Event Industry Network & Alan Berg’s Wedding Industry Leaders Network present a 1 Day Marketing Workshop at the fabulous Richard Nixon Library. There are morning and afternoon sessions, with great topics. Bring some friends or associates and save with group tickets!

  • Close More sales, Today!
  • Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience
  • Am I really making any money from this? What’s your ROI (Return on Investment)

Now, get the DVD of my presentation “Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience” FREE with your ticket purchase. That alone is a $49.95 value and the tickets are only $99 each for ALL 3 Sessions! It’s a great value and even better information!

For more information and to register, click here

 

Oct 22 2012

What’s the value of FREE?

By Blog

 

Over the years I’ve heard many discussions revolving around “free” things. Couples may be asking for you to throw in free services, or wedding pros may be talking about getting free ads, so I got to thinking about the value of “Free”.

On the surface free usually seems like a good idea: free parking, free samples, free speech, free advice, etc. When we’re on the receiving end of free services and products, we rarely seem to mind. Everyone likes free stuff, regardless of their income bracket.

Is free really free?

In reality, free is not free. There is a cost, it just may not be yours to bear. Free parking is paid for by the merchant who owns the land, or the municipality that built the parking lot (paid for with tax dollars). Free samples are paid for by the merchant who wants to get your business. Similarly, the free advice you get on the WeddingWire Pro Forums is supported by the technology and manpower behind it, paid for by WeddingWire. You get to use the Pro Forums for free, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a cost. Read More

Sep 09 2012

How to be the experienced wedding pro, without sounding old!

By Blog

I’m giving a brand new presentation this week at the Las Vegas DJ Show, “How to be the experienced wedding pro, without sounding old.” The catalyst for this was that I’ve been around the wedding industry for over 20 years and in that time, brides have only gotten about 4 years older. While that’s not fair, it’s a reality.

So what’s a wedding pro to do? What can you do so that today’s couples judge you by your work and not the color of your hair (if you have any left, which I don’t).

Let your voice be heard, take the 8-question survey now. It won’t take you very long and you can share your thoughts, whether you’re in your 20’s or 70’s, and anywhere in between.

Here’s the link. Please share it with your friends, thanks!