Drink Some Wine and Get Those Brides to Sign the Dotted Line!

Wedding Marketing NOW! & Hip CHICKS do WINE Present. . . .

Come Drink Wine and Get Those Brides and Grooms to Sign the Dotted Line!

Do you have a hard time closing the sale?
Do you fear the sales call?
Are you reaching your monthly goals?
Do you want to make more money?

Wedding professionals come drink wine and listen to marketing and sales professional, Thomas Caddy who owns National Marketing Associates. Thomas can help you feel more comfortable selling your product or services and help you book more clients!

At the last Wedding Marketing NOW event in August we featured professional blogger Lorelle VanFossen. She hopefully helped you refine your website and blog so it’s full of rich and sought after content. Now, learn how to close the deal when you meet or speak with possible clients!

Hip CHICKS do Wine has been so kind to host this event for all the Portland area wedding professionals! Make sure you thank them for their hospitality! Also, please be sure to purchase a couple glasses of wine (their wines are to die for) and then purchase a bottle to take home to celebrate your new found sense of selling!

If you have any questions or you would like to sponsor this event for only $50, please contact me at meaganhope@gmail.com

Event starts at 6 pm!

Networking, wine drinking, and light snacks from 6-7 pm
Presentation by Thomas Caddy starts at 7:15 pm

Look forward to seeing you there!
Address:
4510 SE 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97202

If you want to RSVP please do so here:
www.facebook.com/events/382065911885095

For more information about Thomas Caddy:
www.nmacorp.com

For more information about Hip CHICKS do WINE:
www.hipchicksdowine.com

THANK YOU SPONSORS:

 

The real wedding numbers

Are wedding budgets increasing?…Yes!  Are they increasing because people are financially doing better, not necessarily!

Just like the cost of living goes up, so does the cost of having a wedding.  I recently saw a major wedding resource that said wedding businesses are doing better and forecasting better sales and profits for 2013!  This is great news, right?  Well, lets analyze this for a moment.  Unfortunately in 2008, 09, 10, and 11, many new wedding businesses opened up because people could not find jobs.  So, when a wedding business opens up most businesses increase their sales considerably each year for the first 3-5 years.

The real test is how are the businesses doing that have been around for 10+ years.  In my opinion, I think the forecast looks brighter, but not as bright as some people and so-called experts are forecasting.  Again, many businesses are going to see sales increase as much as 100-200% if they are less than 5 years old!

Another question to ask, are you getting what you are worth or are you doing as well as you were before 2006?  I worry when people forecast such a major increase in profits in the wedding industry because the majority of businesses are small, and forecasting can make or break a business.  We must look at how other industries are doing also (hospitality, real estate, service industries, etc.).  How is the real estate market doing now?  How are other large businesses doing in the wedding industry?  How are Nationwide wedding companies doing such as weddingwire.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, David’s Bridal, Men’s Warehouse, and others who have been around longer than 5 years?  Look at what kind of businesses is up and coming in the wedding and event industry.

The reason it’s important to forecast is because this allows you to budget for your business.  Many signs point to an increase in the economy, but it’s slow, and it’s incredibly important to look at the businesses that are seeing increasing sales, again, how long have they been in business?  Forecasting incorrectly has hurt many businesses before because the market can slow down and sales then decrease yet you have marketing obligations, orders to fill, and equipment to buy.  Don’t get overjoyed by hype, instead think nice and steady.

Create a channel for the money you earn to make more money each year by investing, saving, and advertise wisely and carefully, this is where you lose the most money!

The Wedding Experience Mock Wedding Event!

The Wedding Experience: The Only Full-Scale Mock Wedding Event For Engaged Couples

On October 27, 2012, the owners of MEGA Music Entertainment and Wedding Marketing NOW present The Wedding Experience — A Luxurious Mock Wedding for the Real Engaged Couple.  From 4:30 pm to 10 pm, engaged couples will experience a full-scale mock wedding at The Benson Hotel.  Guests will enjoy a four-course meal, sparkling wine, specialty cocktails, see 40 professional wedding vendors in action, listen and dance to both live musicians and three amazing local and professional DJ companies.  The event is sponsored in part by The Benson Hotel.

An inherent problem at wedding expos and bridal shows is that the typical 10×10 booth does not allow the newly engaged couple to see the professional wedding vendor in action.  On the flip side, the professional wedding vendor does not have a chance to speak to every bride or groom at your typical bridal expo.  During The Wedding Experience, each vendor will have a 2-3 minute interview during the evening emceed by the event host, Mr. Drew Carney.  Also, the vendor (depending on their specialty) might be taking pictures, executing the plan, creating a bridal look, serving a cake or dessert, up-lighting the event, or providing the wedding programs, etc.  There are makeup artists, hair professionals, bakeries, patisseries, a chocolatier, a wedding dress boutique, musicians, dance instructors, photographers, decor companies, a photo booth, two wedding officiates, and more.

The event will begin with guest registration at The Benson Hotel (tickets available for purchase at the door or online).  At 5:15 pm guests will be seated in the Crystal Ballroom to observe a Vintage Barcelona-inspired ceremony.  After the ceremony presentation concludes, guests will be invited to a Great Gatsby-inspired cocktail hour in the Fireplace Lobby.  Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and sparkling wine while mingling and speaking with professional wedding vendors, listen to some great jazz tunes while snacking on the gourmet popcorn and nut bar.  At 7:00 pm, guests will be escorted upstairs to the Mayfair Ballroom to feast on a salad, main entree and an assortment of desserts, cake, and other unique treats.  After dinner there will be a formal mock toast, first dance, entertainment, and dancing.

At the end of the evening, The Wedding Experience is awarding one lucky couple the “Honeymoon Package” prize.  At 9:50pm, the lucky winning couple will make their Grand Exit from the Mayfair Ballroom to a limousine that awaits and will whisk them to a helicopter pad where Konect Aviation will give the couple a twenty-minute tour of the City of Roses.  After the helicopter ride, the limousine will return the couple back to The Benson Hotel where they will enjoy a night of luxury and romance in the Grand Suite.  The Suite includes flowers, chocolates, massage oils, champagne, a fifteen-minute serenade on the baby grand piano, and a 2pm late checkout.

If you would like to partake in this new concept and bridal event, tickets are available for $99 per couple at Ticket Tomato, http://www.tickettomato.com.  To learn more about The Wedding Experience please go to the website at: http://weddingexperiencepdx.com.  For members of the press please contact Meagan Hope Blanco at weddingexperienceusa@gmail.com.

 

For information on the Benson Hotel, go to www.bensonhotel.com.

 

SAVE 50% RIGHT NOW BY USING THE PROMO CODE:

“EXPERIENCE”

http://www.tickettomato.com/event.php?event_id=1549

 

SAVE 50% on The Wedding Experience Event!!!!

SAVE 50% on The Wedding Experience Event!!!!.

An Overview of the Successful Wedding Industry Beer and Blog Night

First Off. . .

There is nothing quite like beer, great food, an awesome venue, fellow wedding professionals, and one amazing speaker–Lorelle VanFossen for the first Wedding Marketing NOW! event.  The Wedding Industry Beer & Blog night was a huge success!

First, I would like to personally thank Lorelle for giving her time and expertise to all of us wedding professionals.  She is a gem, and that is why I call her Mrs. WordPress!  If you have not already book marked her website, here you go: http://lorelle.wordpress.com.

Also, we could not have done this event without BridgePort Brew Pub sponsoring this event.  The food, the drinks, and the staff were over-the-top amazing to work with.  If you are in need of an awesome venue for any kind of event, wedding, or rehearsal dinner you must consider The Heritage Room at BridgePort Brew Pub in NW Portland.  Kyle and Kelsey from BridgePort Brew Pub were so fun to work with.

Also, a very special thank-you to Erica from Erica Hartman Photography!  She rocked it!  Here is a link to all the spectacular photos she took of the Beer and Blog night: Wedding Marketing NOW! Beer & Blog Night.  Erica captured all the fun that was had but also the great learning experience we all encountered and enjoyed.

What Lorelle Talked About . . .

I call Lorelle VanFossen Mrs. WordPress for a reason, she’s a genius, yet she knows how to explain WordPress and blogging to anyone!  Here are the points that Lorelle hit on:

1. 1975 (not the year, but now many blog posts Lorelle had last year!)

 

 

 

 

2. Blogging is about writing so go and checkout ProBlogger.

3. Use nouns and synonyms when writing your blog.

4. Learn how to write keyword-rich content to help search engines find your blog.

5. Present a problem, the solution and the results in your blogs.

6. Blog paragraphs are short!

7. Never assume your reader knows what you are talking about, therefore, explain jargon.

8. Use command verbs.

9. AVOID SCREAMING!!!!! <——-

10. Remember your content should have intent.

That is All Folks . . .

Until next time!  It was great seeing some familiar faces and to meet new ones.  Thank you so much for coming to the Wedding Industry Beer & Blog night on August 27!

Simon Blanco and myself (Meagan Hope Blanco) are busy preparing for The Wedding Experience, the luxurious mock wedding at the Benson Hotel on October 27.  If you would like more information about the Wedding Experience please email us at weddingexperienceusa@gmail.com or go to www.weddingexperiencepdx.com to learn more.

We plan on announcing a different event similar to the Beer & Blog night within the next few weeks that will take place in late November or early December!  We are looking for a venue that will work with a licensed company that can watch kids on the premise, so you can bring the kids if you need to because there will be FREE childcare!  I will keep you all updated!

Make sure to follow this blog and like us on Facebook to keep up to date!
Check out those who helped out:

Wedding Beer and Blog Night at BridgePort Brew Pub

Portland wedding professionals get your calendar out!  You are now officially busy on Monday, August 27!!  Why?  Because you are coming to the Beer & Blog Night at BridgePort Brew Pub for Wedding Marketing NOW!  We told you we’re going to bring you awesome FREE events that are worth your time!  This event is for wedding professionals who want to take their blog to the next level!  Is your blog making you money?  Why not?  Come learn how your blog can make you money and bring you way more clients!

Unfortunately there is NO childcare at this event.  We do offer free licensed childcare at some other events.

Make a reservation to have dinner at the Brew Pub at 6:00 pm and then come and have some beer upstairs on a nice hot day for FREE and learn how to make more money by blogging.  Bring your laptop or tablet because we will be blogging (that’s the point of a beer and blog night)!

Go to the Facebook RSVP page and let us know that you’re coming!  It’s FREE!  It’s only FREE because of the AMAZING sponsor BridgePort Brew Pub!!!  Best beer, best staff, best place to come and chill out on a hot Monday evening!

RSVP HERE!

5 stars for Sprout Social–Your new social media content manager and more

Are you in need of a social media management system that has an easy to maneuver interface and dashboard? Would you like one place where you can manage all of your important social media sites? Do you need great analytic content along with helpful advice you can understand and implement immediately to help your social media marketing? Sprout Social is the social media management system you need today. The best part of Sprout is that you can have a free trial with the level that fits your needs for a full 30 days with no credit card.

Other bloggers, managers, and businesses are raving about Sprout Social. There are three major reasons why others are raving about Sprout Social.

1. When you’re a social media manager, an account executive, a business owner etc. you often need to print out a paper report of your social media analytical data. Sprout Social prints out a perfect report for you with your company logo.
2. The customizable inbox is one of the best features. It’s so easy to miss some form of communication from a customer or client when having to oversee so many different social media sites messaging systems. Sprout Social allows you to click on the boxes that you want to receive messages in your Sprout Social inbox.
3. You can compare yourself or your business with competitors. You can compare daily mentions, see who’s talking to your competition, and a few other terrific features.

Here is another non-bias review about Sprout Social from Ask Aaron Lee. Check out the Kidnap Customers website, they give a really great review and breakdown of features for Sprout Social. You really have nothing to lose, it’s a risk-free 30 day free trial with no credit card for setup. Go to Sprout Social now and give it a try.

See this article at examiner.com.

Have you RSVP’ed to Wedding Beer & Blog Night at BridgePort Brew Pub?

Wedding Marketing NOW! & BridgePort Brew Pub Present. . . .

Beer & Blog Night at BridgePort Brew Pub

Wedding professionals come drink beer and blog about your craft for FREE! Learn how to make money from your blog. Also learn how to find more clients using a blog. Blogging is the fastest way to help brand your business. Come blog with some of the best bloggers in the WORLD, no joke! Bring your laptop or tablet and come thirsty for beer and ready to blog.

BridgePort Brew Pub has been so kind to host this event for all the Portland area wedding professionals! Make sure you thank them for their hospitality! Also, they would love to invite you down before the event and enjoy dinner at the Brew Pub! It’s a great way to start the week. The food is amazing, the beer is to die for, and the atmosphere is Portland at its finest!

We do need a head count for this event, so PLEASE RSVP!!

Go and RSVP HERE!

Address:

1318 Northwest Northrup Street Portland, OR 97209

If you have any questions or you would like to sponsor this event for only $50, please contact me at weddingmarketingnow@gmail.com.

Top ten social media sites that can increase your marketing efforts

See my latest article from examiner.com . . .

 

 

Social media is an ever changing monster! One day social media might be your best friend and the next day social media might be your sworn enemy. Whatever day it might be, learn how to use social media marketing to your advantage today. Forecasting for social media marketing or digital marketing is not traditional in any way; you cannot forecast too far ahead using digital marketing, or you might come out way behind. In order to stay ahead of the curve you must be constantly reading blogs, articles, attending webinars, and seminars to stay ahead of the digital marketing game. Below are the top 10 social media marketing sites and mobile applications that you need to utilize daily.

1. Facebook
By now you should be using Facebook for your business. Create a Fan Page and interact with your clients, patrons, fans, etc. Post important events, product launches, industry news, and sales or promotional deals your business might be promoting. Use Facebook as a way to communicate with your fans on a daily basis.

2. Twitter
There’s a place to post 140 characters about what’s on your mind, an article you’ve written, an event you are going to, an opinion you want to share, or a picture you want to post is all in one spot called Twitter. Twitter is a great place to share breaking news or look for breaking news. However, you must utilize Twitter to the fullest, otherwise it might be a waste of time to even set up an account.

3. Pinterest
The fastest growing social media site in history is Pinterest, and it’s very addicting. Pin pictures with a description and see others repine and like your pictures or videos! Re-pin other “pins” that you see your friends post. Most importantly, if you’re a business post pictures of you doing business or at an event. Post a picture and 10 steps to getting rid of the worst wine stain ever, or re-post that awesome recipe onto your board called, “Company picnic ideas.” Get your followers to think outside of the box and post relevant pictures and videos.

4. Instagram
Take pictures using Instagram on your smart phone and post them on your Instagram feed plus post the pics directly onto your Facebook and Twitter page, too! You can add affects to your pictures instantly from the mobile app. People love pictures, so post often.

5. Youtube
Just as you might be reading this article, you are more likely to watch me talking about this article on a video that I post on youtube.com. Give advice or tips that your clients want to hear and see by taking a video of yourself talking about your product, service, industry, etc. Go to my youtube.com channel here!

6. Google+
You need to be using Google and Google+ to help your business. Google algorithms love those who use Google, obviously. Does your business like reviews, if so, ask your clients to give your business a review on your Google Place page.

7. Foursquare
Check into that lunch meeting at Nobu, allow for your Facebook and Twitter followers to see where you are at, where you are doing business, and where you lunch and dine! Foursquare allows your followers to see what you do throughout the day and it may seem a little “big brother” but it puts your business logo out there, it reminds people about your business and what you do. Also, share or give a review about places that you check-in at. People will start to value your opinion and follow you because they want to know about your opinion and may often share what you say on their own social media sites.

8. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is still a great place to network with like-minded folks. Learn about your industry, stay in the loop regarding the latest and greatest trends, and if you are looking for employment or offering employment, LinkedIn is a great place to be online. LinkedIn groups are a great way to network online, find fellow industry players and continue to learn about your industry and new trends.

9. Soundcloud
Create a podcast, or create a 15 minute interview with someone that is an industry leader and share it on Soundcloud.com! You can share your recording on many other social media sites! Let people hear you.

10. Quora
Be an expert in your industry and answer questions at Quora.com. Ask questions and have numerous people give you answers regarding your industry, social media, marketing, etc.

Take the time to go and learn more about each one of these sites or mobile applications and see how they can help your business now. You can start to see results in as little as a few weeks when you utilize all of these social media tools and start using them in conjunction with one another.

The Wedding Industry VS. High School

Okay, I am finally writing the High School/Wedding Industry blog.  For those of you who follow my blog, you all know I pretty much say it how I see it.  I have nothing to lose by telling the truth, it’s never personal, it’s business.  I am writing this article to raise awareness, give some vendors a perspective of their business they may not thought of, and to help those who may feel there is a glass ceiling affect in the wedding industry (the glass ceiling affect blog is next).

How long ago has it been since you graduated high school?  Has it been 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, how about 40 years since you had the cap and gown on and said “so-long” to high school?

• What did you love about high school?
• What did you hate about high school?
• Were you part of a clique in high school?
• Were you “popular”?
• Were you the jock, prom queen, or were you the awkward kid, the misunderstood kid, or the nerd?

Whatever you were like in high school, I think we can all agree that we wouldn’t want to do that experience over!  Do you remember the bullies?  Do you remember the popular kids that made fun of new people?  What about that one girl who thought she was the queen diva and was always complimenting the popular kids in front of others, but could make some kids (unlike her) feel unwanted and unimportant?  Remember that person who would say horrible things behind your back and then be really nice to your face?  Oh wait, am I talking about high school or am I talking about the wedding industry?

The wedding industry is often times much like high school all over again.  Instead of hormones running wild from teenage changes, women are technically always going through hormonal changes that can directly affect business.  Read this article and more from this author (all about hormones and life) HERE!  Men and their hormones have been linked to industry trends on Wall-street, take a look at this article about men and Wall-street.  Plus the client planning the majority of the wedding is 97% of the time female, and she is stressed out because planning a wedding is like adding another job to your life!  Men go through hormonal changes too, but not nearly as drastic as women can every month.  The wedding industry is one of the few industries where female owned businesses has been climbing steadily.  There are many studies looking into hormones and how they affect major life decisions from the age of 10 to death, and how it affects business, politics, and more.  It’s an issue that is not talked about because people are very sensitive about the topic of hormones, for both men and women.

So, why write about the comparison of high school and the wedding industry?  I am writing this article to remind people to look at their behavior, check-in with yourself often.  Every single day I speak to 20-50 wedding professionals all over the USA.  Some days I speak to almost 80 wedding professionals regarding business, fun weddings, horrible weddings, marketing, wedding expos, social media, and life in general.  One word I don’t like hearing is bullying.  Yet, I talk to business owners saying the term bullying in regards to doing business with other wedding vendors.  I hear this from wedding pro’s all over the country.

My first career was in the music industry, and I see many similarities between musicians and wedding professionals.  Why?  The creative RIGHT BRAIN (link goes to an amazing new arts organization)!  The right brain can sometimes get in the way of making a LIVING!  The right brain can lead us off the path of success, believe it or not!  Your creative talent will get your noticed, but will it make your business great?  Would Apple, Mercy Corps, Wieden+Kennedy and other great companies and organizations consider hiring you based off your education, marketing track record, sales skills, accounting knowledge, PR background, etc.?  Most of you will answer, no.

Back on track…So, why is the wedding industry so much like high school?  Right brains, creativity, lack of hard-core business/sales/marketing innovation leading the industry, hormones, working with brides on a regular basis, LOTS of competition in a flooded market (many cities experiencing this), incoming businesses, outgoing businesses, a learning curve like you have in a 4-year high school…and the list goes on.  These factors all contribute to the high school-like atmosphere in the wedding industry.  From bullying to popularity contests…WELCOME BACK!

Now, go play nice, and don’t go back to high school.  You do have a choice TODAY to act mature, and pave your own path and not care what others think or say about you!