Planner Life Podcast | A Podcast For Wedding Planners

Today's guest is Christine Garrison, the owner and visionary force behind CMG Events. CMG Events is an award -winning event planning and design company with planners based in Napa Valley, the Bay Area, and Los Angeles, California. CMG also plans and designs destination weddings in locations like Idaho, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, and more. Christine is passionate about creating unforgettable moments and she brings a blend of sophistication and creativity to each and every one of her weddings. Christine and her team have orchestrated hundreds of celebrations and have graced the pages of People Magazine, Vogue, Brides, and more.    In this episode, we talk about: Building a successful wedding planning business takes time and effort. It's important to be patient and persistent. Working for other companies and gaining experience in the industry can be valuable before starting your own business. Empowering team members and fostering a partnership mentality can lead to a more successful and cohesive team. Communication and organization are key in running a wedding planning business. Expanding to new markets may require building new relationships and establishing yourself in the local industry. Success in the wedding planning industry is achievable with dedication, hustle, and a long-term vision. Building genuine relationships with venues and vendors is crucial for success in the wedding planning industry. Strategic wedding selection, even if it means taking on lower-budget weddings initially, can lead to valuable venue and vendor referrals. Consistent branding and a focus on providing a high-quality experience are key to gaining trust from venues and vendors. Investing in a team that aligns with the brand's vision and values is essential for growth and long-term success. Offering coordination services can be a valuable source of passive income and help establish strong relationships with venues and vendors. Investing in education and growth, both personally and for the business, is necessary for staying competitive and evolving in the industry. Hustling, finding your people, and investing in your company are important factors for success as a wedding planner. Planner Life Academy plans to expand to Northern California, providing valuable education and resources for wedding planners in the region.   You can connect with Christine and the CMG Team website | instagram

On today’s episode, Heather & Karen from Blissfully Styled sit down to answer submitted questions from the Planner Life Community.  A little bit about the guest co-host today- Karen Sieger owner of Blissfully Styled. Karen is a genuine empath and always game for a celebration. There's nothing Karen loves more than immersing herself in event planning and designing. She is an advocate for her couples, infusing positivity, creating elegant designs obsessing over the tiniest of details. Her mission is to create blissful planning and wedding day experience for her couples and vendor friends alike.  These Ask Me Anything episodes are made possible by the community submissions. Where Heather and friends get to tackle your current challenges and your biggest questions.  In this episode, they discuss:  Karen's Journey: Karen reflects on how her upbringing shaped her personality, emphasizing her organizational skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. Discussion on Karen's transition from a successful corporate career to becoming a wedding planner, leveraging her management experience and love for event planning. Heather and Karen discuss Karen's vision for building a team and the evolution of her business model. Planner Life Podcast Community: Heather addresses the transition in Planner Life Podcast leadership and emphasizes the importance of community and diverse perspectives. Heather confirms that she continues to plan weddings alongside managing Planner Life Academy, ensuring she stays connected to the industry's constant evolution. Upcoming Workshops and Events: Discussion on Heather's shift in perspective amidst the uncertainties of recent years, embracing optimism and focusing on the present moment. Your Questions Answered:  Tips on networking, including introducing acquaintances to facilitate new connections and selflessly helping others. Butterfly and Dove Releases, highlighting their complexity and potential downsides and discussion of what is needed for a successful release. Coordinating Table Mock-ups, considering factors like investment level, rental company involvement, and venue accessibility. Holding Couples Accountable the challenge of keeping couples on track with wedding tasks, offering strategies like setting false deadlines and providing clear explanations for the importance of timely completion. Client Screening, the importance of screening couples during consultation process Adaptation, ensuring that you are tailoring processes to suit couples' needs and working styles RSVP Management and Design Mockup software - Aisle Planner, Canva & Merri Feedback Post Event, client interviews for feedback and seeking feedback from venues and vendors to improve services Should you post your pricing?! Advertising and Marketing, the role of advertising in supporting business General Tips and Insights Thank you to all the planners who submitted questions! Be sure to submit your questions for our next Ask Me Anything Episode! Submit here.    Ready to sign up for Aisle Planner? Use Code PLANNERLIFE  Ready to sign up for Merri? Sign up now   Want to learn more from Heather & Planner Life Academy? Be sure to grab your free rehearsal recording so you can master rehearsals this season. FREE REHEARSAL RECORDING LINK    

On today's episode, Heather Hoesch Olsen, interviews Steven Greitzer, who is the founder and CEO of Provenance.  After officiating weddings for years and feeling frustrated and shocked by the lack of resources for couples and their first time officiants, he founded Provenance in 2021 to modernize ceremony design. Today, tens of thousands of wedding planners, couples, officiants, bridal party, and other toast givers used Provenance's suite of tools to craft meaningful and personalized wedding ceremony scripts, vows, and toasts for modern day weddings.  In this episode, they talk about Stephen's entrepreneurial journey, his experience in tech, and how a wild ride at one tech company led him to rethink his vision and his future. You'll hear how much Heather loves the Providence tools and how you can use them to provide additional value for your clients and ensure every part of their wedding is well planned.  In this episode, hear more about: Stephen Greitzer, founder of Providence, shares his journey from working in the technology industry to starting his own company.  He discusses his experience at Quibi and the challenges they faced. He then explains how he became an officiant for weddings and the lack of resources available for creating personalized ceremonies. This led him to start Providence, a platform that helps couples and officiants create unique and authentic wedding ceremonies. The platform also caters to other stakeholders involved in weddings, such as fathers of the bride, maids of honor, and wedding planners. Provenance provides tools for wedding planners to create personalized and impressive ceremonies, vows, and toasts. The tools include a ceremony builder, vow builder, toast builder, welcome toast builder, and thank you note builder. These tools help wedding planners de-risk potential chaos during weddings and ensure that every element of the wedding weekend is of high quality. Provenance has received endorsements from celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss and has a collaborative approach to the wedding industry. The company prioritizes customer service and solving real problems for couples and wedding planners. Connect with Provenance: website | instragram Listeners can get 20% off our subscription to help clients write personalized and impressive ceremonies, vows, and toasts with code PLA20.

On today's episode, Heather Hoesch Olsen, interviews Jeannie Young Savage, owner of Details Details. Jeannie has established a reputation of excellent event management and producing original, fresh, and innovative design concepts. With two bachelor's of arts degrees from the University of California Irvine, and over 10 years of hospitality experience, she provides an insider's approach to assembling and managing vendors. Jeannie's creativity and impeccable taste continue to produce elegant, extraordinary, and unforgettable events. With meticulous planning and a passion for perfection, she delivers results that are full of color, texture, and imagination. In this conversation, we talk about Jeannie's start in hotels, how her passion for hospitality led her to create details, details. This conversation is chocked full of great advice, and it's easy to see why Jeannie has had success for so many years, 20 years and counting. In this episode, hear more about: Getting to Know Jeannie Academic and Career Journey Challenges and Rewards of Hotel Management Transition to Wedding Planning Building a Team and Navigating Growth Managing Team Dynamics and Client Relationships Navigating Industry Relationships and Personal Balance NDA Policy Client Referrals Design Process Budget Considerations in Design Social Media Strategy Advice for Newcomers Connect with Jeannie: website | instragram  

In this episode, Heather Hoesch Olsen, interviews Shannon from Sunday Muse Design, a web designer specializing in working with wedding professionals. Shannon shares her journey from a background in wedding planning to becoming a web designer. The discussion highlights the importance of having a strategic approach to website design, understanding ideal clients, and incorporating SEO. Topics in their conversation include: - The Importance of a Strategic Website - Working with New Clients - Strategic Planning for New Businesses - Setting Clients Up for Success - Choosing the Right Platform - Ensuring SEO Implementation Heather and Shannon wrap up the conversation by discussing the importance of hiring the right web designer and budgeting for website redesign or upgrades. Shannon offers practical advice for planners at different stages of their business and encourages them to take a strategic approach to website design. Connect With Shannon: https://sundaymusedesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundaymusedesign FREE Brand Strategy Workbook

Hi Planners! Join Heather is joined by her husband, Jeff Olsen for a personal espisode where they share their story. From their first date, to planning the proposal and how they two had similar challenges to so many of Heather's clients. Listen as they share their planning experience, their roles in planning and how they were not at all prepared for the plot twist that happend just two days before their wedding. How this last minute change in venue was less than ideal and how the indcredible team handled it so incredibly well. Spoiler alert- it was a happy ending. You won't want to miss this episode! Special thanks to the following people who jumped into action, helped shift the plans and made the Olsen Wedding the best day ever. Lorely Meza - Best friend, Maid of Honor, Stylist, Vibe Keeper, Reader Alycia - Sister, Maid of Honor Courtney Heath - Lead Coordinator Superstar Lindsay Ferguson - guest turned set up support Karen & Sydnee of Blissfully Styled - Coordination Dream team Tavi of Hun Events - Coordination Dream Team Brandon & Kristen Kidd - Photography Shannon of Hoo Films - Video Jaclyne of Heavenly Blooms - Floral Design Erica of 1011 Makeup and Hair, Jaclyn Patricia Hair, Danielle Katherine Makeup - Beauty Team Stacy Williams and Signature Party Rentals Ventura Rentals Carly and Theoni Collection  Amber and Amber Event Production Christine of Project Watermark Heidi of Heidi Davidson Design Chad and Cocktail Concierge Meg and Made by Meg Catering- Heather's favorite cookies Maria of Grace & Honey Cakes Chris Wooley - Musician  DJ Angel the Giant  Twist Churro Truck Pixster Photobooth Major Event Trailers Establos Meat Market  And a very special thank you to 430 Venue for being the very best plan B! Be sure to check out @plannerlifepodcast on instagram for more photos and videos from the wedding planning and wedding day!

Hey planners! In today’s episode, Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss and Rock Paper Coin joins Heather for a candid conversation on her story, percentage pricing and creating a system to make planners and client’s lives easier. Listen in as she shares how she and her team made the shift to percentage based pricing and never looked back. Plus, you’ll even hear about the inspiration behind her brand Rock Paper Coin that has created an easy to use platform for invoicing in the wedding industry, and the importance of choosing the right tech for your wedding planning business. Find It Fast: Meet Nora (2:26) Nora’s Origin Story (4:20) Growing a Team (9:34) Learning from Experience (12:13) Changes in Business with a Team (13:25) Percentage-Based Pricing (14:57) Qualifying Sales Leads for Percentage-Based Pricing (19:32) Explaining the Difference in Pricing Structures (21:20) Selling Unapologetically (25:30) Entering the Tech Space: Rock Paper Coin (27:04) The Planning Tool Built by Planners (31:10) Moving the Industry Forward with Technology (32:55) Splitting Credit Card Fees (33:44) Venmo Isn’t Professional (37:14) Try Rock Paper Coin (38:08) Software is Powerful & Intuitive (40:25) Learnings from Other Businesses (41:17) Advice for New Planners (43:23) Connect with Nora: bridalbliss.com instagram.com/bridalblissnw rockpapercoin.com | Use code PLANNERLIFE for 6 months free! instagram.com/rockpapercoin   For more on Rock Paper Coin and Planner Life Academy,  Visit Planner Life Podcast Website

The Planner Life Podcast is officially back! As we dive back into this podcast, I want to bring you behind the scenes in what has been happening personally and within the Planner Life brand! Listen in as I give you all the details and highlight what you can expect from the Planner Life Podcast! Thank you to each and every one of you who reached out and asked for this podcast to come back! If it wasn’t for you, this episode and the episodes to come wouldn’t have happened. Join me each week! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you will never miss an episode. Keep the conversation going and get more free content, info on upcoming workshops and more over on @plannerlifeacademy and @plannerlifepodcast on Instagram. I love to see your tags and reposts of the episodes you are enjoying! Ready to up level your wedding planning business? There are so many resources available for you at https://www.plannerlifeacademy.com/. Be well and happy planning! xo, Heather  

The Planner Life Podcast, your go-to destination for all things wedding planning and business mastery. Hosted by Heather Hoesch Olsen, a highly experienced wedding planner, industry educator, and your professional friend in the world of weddings. Join Heather every week as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over two decades in the wedding industry. With a passion for crafting unforgettable moments and a keen eye for detail, Heather's journey has taken her through every facet of wedding planning imaginable. From intimate gatherings to lavish affairs, from budget-conscious ceremonies to extravagant celebrations, Heather has seen it all. But her expertise extends far beyond just executing flawless events. Heather is on a mission to empower and inspire planners like you to reach new heights in your business. Through candid conversations, expert interviews, and actionable insights, the Planner Life Podcast is your compass for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the wedding industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, tune in each week to learn, grow, and be inspired. Heather's unique blend of creativity, wisdom, and practical advice will leave you feeling confident and equipped to tackle any challenge that comes your way. So, if you're ready to elevate your skills, build a thriving business, and join a supportive community of like-minded professionals, then the Planner Life Podcast is your must-listen resource. Welcome to the Planner Life!  Questions, comments or want to connect with Heather: Email: hello@plannerlifeacademy.com IG: @plannerlifeacademy @plannerlifepodcast Website: plannerlifeacademy.com

Hey planners! In this episode, Heather is joined by Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events and the Talk with Renee Dalo Podcast. Renee shares her perspective of falling into the wedding industry and her first memories as a wedding planner. She talks about the importance of networking and even how rejection helped her career as a wedding planner. You’ll hear about why you should get more involved in the industry as a planner, how she got into leadership positions within the industry and the major turning point that led her to shift her business model and charge more for her services.    What’s in this episode: Renee’s childhood and how that shaped her into who she is today  How she got into the wedding planning industry after her own wedding Her process of starting her business How her mentor helped her with her business name Her first “real wedding” client experience The biggest hurdles she had in her early years of business How rejection aided her career How an in person workshop changed everything Her approach to the industry & networking The turning point where she shifted her business model Her involvement in the wedding industry How she got into leadership positions in the wedding industry   This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.    For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-34-real-planner-renee-dalo-of-moxie-bright-events   Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @plannerlifeacademy. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at https://www.plannerlifeacademy.com/.

Hey planners! Are you ready to elevate your marketing and start speaking to your ideal client? You’re in luck! In this episode, we’re joined by expert marketer and co-founder of Sourced Co., Tayler Cusick Hollman. Sourced Co. is a stock photography membership service that helps wedding professionals marketing their businesses. Tayler shares how she got into this field, her tips for marketing your wedding planning business to your ideal client and tips for leveraging reviews, humanizing your content and so much more!  What’s in this episode: How Taylor landed in the wedding industry Why marketing in the wedding industry is unique How to create content that speaks to your ideal client  Why humanizing your content is important How to get over the “awkward teenage phase” of your business Why you need to set aside a marketing budget   For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-033-real-expert-tayler-cusick-hollman-of-sourced-co   Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.   Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy.

Hey planners! I’m sure you know that you should have an email marketing strategy but you might be unsure of what you should be sending, how to go about creating a strategy, the list goes on. In this episode, we brought on the Head of Marketing at Flodesk, Sobrina Pies. Sobrina gives insight into why email marketing is an important tool for wedding planners, how you can use it for your wedding planning business along with tips for creating community through emails.  What’s in this episode: How Sobrina ended up working at Flodesk What Flodesk does for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs Why email marketing is essential for businesses How wedding planners can leverage email marketing Why you should focus on email marketing just as much as social media  How engagement levels and reach differ in email marketing vs. social  Her 2 tips for creating a community through email marketing How to create an email marketing strategy  Why you should pay attention to the aesthetics of your emails (and how they make it easy) All about Flodesk University For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-32 This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.  Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! Want to get to know us even more and hear some of our best-kept secrets about being a wedding planner? In this episode, we answer some of our listener's questions about all things running a wedding planning business, what’s going on in our personal lives and so much more.  What’s in this episode: How to handle guidelines and vendor differences What you need to know about insurance Percentage vs. flat-fee pricing The hardest part about being a wedding planner How to find opportunities to raise your prices  Tips for getting on the same page with your couples   Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.    For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-31   Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! Dreaming about scaling your wedding planning business? It can be difficult to even consider this option when it’s just you doing all of the things but in this episode, we talked to someone who's done just that. Valarie Falvey is the founder of Kirkbrides, a wedding planning and design company based out of Ohio. She shares what she did to start scaling her team and how she’s grown it to 6 planners and over 35 team members. We also chat about how she got into entrepreneurship, why she doesn’t focus on planning anymore and what processes she’s set up to help clients have a great experience with her company.    What’s in this episode: What Valarie was like growing up and her journey to entrepreneurship How her internship prepared her for her business What it means to her to be a Kirksbride wedding planner How she learned to work on her business instead of in it Why she stepped away from planning and moved into a different area of her business How she’s scaled her business Hurdles and challenges that wedding planners face What they include in their planning packet What services they offer for clients  Her advice for someone who wants to scale their wedding planning business   This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.    For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-30   Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! We have a very special guest on the show who is actually both a real planner and a real expert in the wedding industry. In this episode, you’ll hear about Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events and Ethos West Collective. Lea started her journey in the wedding industry after working for a luxury catering company. She shares her journey of starting a business, what her experience has been like as a Black woman in the wedding industry and as a Black-owned business. What’s in this episode: Her journey into the hospitality industry and how she got into weddings The biggest surprise she had from starting her own business Her experience as a Black woman in the wedding industry Lea’s thoughts on being a Black-owned business How she learned to be authentically her The mission behind the Ethos West Collective (EWC)   For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-29 Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.    Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! One thing that can set you apart in your business is adopting the mentality of “never stop learning”. In this episode, we talk about the importance when it comes to continuous learning, keeping your brain sharp, staying relevant and challenging yourself in new and exciting ways.    What’s in this episode: Why all planners need the mindset of “never stop learning” Tips for entry-level learning and how to find these opportunities How to reflect on mistakes and learn lessons What you can learn from working with mentors How you can use your successes as a learning moment Why you should never stop networking and being inspired by others Reasons why you should seek out new experiences   This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.    For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-28   Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! Have you ever considered the thought that one day you might want to sell your business? Lisa Anhaiser is the founder of LBL Event Rentals, a wedding event rental company based out of Houston, TX. She shared her experience with being a part of Goldman Sachs’s small business program, what she learned and all of her biggest takeaways.    What’s in this episode:   Lisa’s experience in the wedding industry What you need to think about in your business on an ongoing basis What you should think about when starting a business Her advice on preparing your business  to potentially sell later on What Lisa’s process was to think about the future of her business Her advice on selling a service-based business   For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-27   Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.    Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy: https://plannerlifeacademy.com/

Hey planners! Does this year have you feeling like you’re learning to plan all over again? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! There have been so many changes during the pandemic with vendors, pricing, who works where and it can all be pretty overwhelming. In this episode, we’re discussing what you can do to make sure you’re in the know of what’s going on in the industry in your market.    What’s in this episode: How everything seems different in 2021 The hardest thing about planning during COVID What you need to relearn about who is who and what they’re offering Why a planner is more important than ever How companies offerings have shifted  Pricing shifts that have occurred over the last year Referral sources to reach back out to   For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-26   Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.    Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy.

Hey planners! Are you looking for some inspiration to amp up your marketing efforts in 2021? Look no further as we brought on a marketing expert, fellow podcaster and co-owner of wedding venue, Vista View Events, Kinsey Roberts. In this episode, Kinsey explores some of the best marketing tips for spreading the word about your wedding business.    What’s in this episode: What brought her from marketing to opening her wedding venue and consulting in the wedding industry Her experience of running a business in a smaller market area How she’s been making her business more of a “destination” The 3 ways she’s spread the word about her venue Why you need a word of mouth marketing strategy Kinsey’s 3 favorite marketing books for entrepreneurs   For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to http://plannerlifeacademy.com/episodes-and-show-notes/episode-25   Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit http://share.honeybook.com/lvlacademy. Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook.    Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy.

Hey planners! If you're anything like us then the beginning of the year is when you typically have a freakout moment about needing to book some weddings! After a short moment, we collectively pull it together and remember the advice we’ve gotten from sales expert, Cindy Novotny. Cindy has been branded the radical mentor by thousands of executives around the world. In this episode, she dives into the truth about being a master at sales as a business owner in the wedding industry. She gives her straightforward, no-nonsense advice on how to build a continuous referral stream and become a better salesperson!    What’s in this episode: Cindy’s backstory of how she got to where she is in her business The biggest mistake that wedding entrepreneurs make in sales How sales are different in the wedding industry versus other industries Her suggestions on getting continuous referrals from a past client What you need to become a better salesperson  Why you should use “we” wording to clients and be intentional about communications How to avoid looking like a pushy salesperson   Connect with Cindy: Website | Instagram | Facebook   This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.    Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy.