Episodios

  • 250. Podcast Roundup: WeddingMBA, Workcations, and Getting Off The Hustle Hamster Wheel

    250. Podcast Roundup: WeddingMBA, Workcations, and Getting Off The Hustle Hamster Wheel
    Nov 1 2023
    Hey friends! Today's episode is a short roundup of a few things I want to share with you, including my thoughts on my upcoming trip to Wedding MBA, my recent Planners Vault Workcation, tips for you on planning your own Workcation, and a quick hitting conversation with my friend Ashley Ebert of The Abundance Group on how to know if you've hired the right team member.

    Resources Mentioned:
    Ashley Ebert's Training: November 14th, 11:00 am CT - #1 Secret to Building High-Performing Teams
    Wedding MBA Bash Tuesday November 7th, 6PM-8PM, Renaissance Hotel Las Vegas
    ClarityCoworking.com - November 13th-15th 2023 - a high-value, pitch-free education and coworking experience crafted for dedicated wedding pros like you.

    Previous Episodes Mentioned
    143. Do You Need a Workcation? Yes, You Do! 244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat 
    (01:30) What's happening at Wedding MBA (I'll be up on stage 3 times in 24 hours!)
    (04:00) What happened at the recent Planner's Vault Workcation?
    (07:30) How do you build a team? And what happens when you hire the wrong person? (Interview with Ashley Ebert)
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Rate This Podcast

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • 248. Messaging Matters: Exclusive Insights from Luxury Wedding PR Expert Natalie Denyse

    248. Messaging Matters: Exclusive Insights from Luxury Wedding PR Expert Natalie Denyse
    Oct 18 2023
    Over the years, I've had countless conversations with wedding pros about the constant challenge of nailing down their business messaging and how they are perceived in their market. While the landscape of marketing as a whole has evolved, the core issues remain unchanged.

    So, what's on every wedding pro's mind?  I hear questions like:  
    • Where should I invest my time or growing my business?
    • What should I showcase on my website to attract the ideal clients and repel the wrong ones?
    • How can I guide my team to embrace our brand messaging and differentiators?

    Well today, we’re in some pretty good company, as public relations expert Natalie Denyse is on to share how she’s guiding her clients through these challenges.

    In Good Company PR | Instagram

    Resource Mentioned:
    What is Your Wedding Pro Superpower?

    (01:45) Introducing Natalie Denyse
    (02:45) The recession fears and wedding gap are a gift?
    (06:00) "Pretend every person has a sign around their neck that says, 'Make me feel important'"
    (07:00) What questions should we be asking in discovery calls or client kickoffs?
    (18:30) Why should you say "yes" to working with couples?
    (22:10) What is your wedding pro superpower?
    (27:30) How do you exhibit brand standards to your team?
    (30:45) Can you articulate your company vision?
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    37 m
  • 247. 10 Strategies Busy Season Stress and Everyday Life Overwhelm (Megan Solo)

    247. 10 Strategies Busy Season Stress and Everyday Life Overwhelm (Megan Solo)
    Oct 11 2023
    Are you struggling to balance too many commitments with a never ending to-do list? (Raising my hand with you)

    Maybe you're feeling that that stress is in an all time high. and you're paddling through the Sea of Overwhelm with a leaky boat.

    Well today, I've got 10 stress-reducing tips to help you through!

    Episodes Mentioned:
    244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat
    236. Life For Real Series: Miscommunications, Mental Load, and Meltdown Moments, with Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy D

    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    23 m
  • 246. Hot Takes on Tech and AI for Wedding Pros, with Dawn Richardson

    246. Hot Takes on Tech and AI for Wedding Pros, with Dawn Richardson
    Oct 4 2023
    It's time for some more hot takes, this time with the Tech Savvy Creative, and all about the latest tech and AI trends in our industry.  We’ll be answering questions like:
    • Is AI all it’s cracked up to be? 
    • What apps are overrated, and what apps are overlooked? 
    • And maybe most importantly, what happens when dozens of people recommend hundreds of different apps and it all becomes overwhelming? Where do you even start?!?!
    Tech Savvy Creative | instagram | Free AI Toolkit for Creatives

    Previous Hot Takes
    224. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 1)
    225. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 2)

    (01:40) Introducing Dawn Richardson, the Tech Savvy Creative
    (03:00) AI will never replace a wedding pro when it comes to (blank)
    (08:15) The most underrated AI application for reaching your ideal client as a wedding professional is (blank)
    (13:15) This common tech advice for wedding pros is complete garbage
    (16:50) The smartest money you can spend on tech for business growth is on (blank)
    (28:00) Stop using (blank) and start implementing (blank) tools when working with clients
    (29:30) What is your favorite must have time saving tech tool? 
    (31:45) The easiest way to frustrate your peers in the industry with tech is (blank)
    (38:30) The biggest tech mistake that wedding pros are making is (blank)
    (43:15) Is there a good market research tool for the wedding industry?
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    50 m
  • 245. Unraveling, with Michelle Norwood

    245. Unraveling, with Michelle Norwood
    Sep 27 2023
    The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new.  Today we feature Michelle Norwood, New Orleans based international event planner. Michelle has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, and BRIDES magazine, and she makes it look simple taking only 6 to 8 weddings a year. But as you'll hear, her journey has been anything but easy.


    For previous Unravelings:
    156
    157 with Adrianna McDermott
    161 with Aleya Harris
    177 with Sara Margulis
    184 with Andrea Eppollito
    188 with Ashlyn Carter
    191 with Kristen Mullins aka "The Pie Lady"
    193 with Rachel DeAlto
    197 with Sandra Cassios
    208 with Brian Green
    218 with Nellie Butler
    238 with Natalie Franke

    (00:00) What is an Unraveling?
    (02:20) Introducing Michelle Norwood
    (04:00) An unexpected tragedy...and then another
    (09:40) What is "Breaking the Plate"?
    (12:30) Can you tune out your own advisors?
    (18:00) Do I keep doing these weddings? Or is it time to stop?
    (24:30) Relationship advice - should I stay or should I go?
    (28:30) Advice to your formal self
    (35:30) "Growth isn't linear"
    (44:30) The real Michelle is @MichelleNorwoodLiving
    This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul.

    The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • 244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat #YachtForReal

    244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat #YachtForReal
    Sep 20 2023
    Recently one of small-group coaching students said to me, "Megan, when I think about you and other educators, it's like you're floating by on this deluxe yacht, living the life. You're all 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,' sipping champagne and getting fed grapes. And here I am, clinging to a capsizing dinghy with a single oar, just praying a tidal wave of new to dos doesn’t come out of nowhere."

    Fun imagery, but spoiler alert, there is no yacht. Sure, the boat might look bigger from a distance, but let me tell you—it's got its fair share of leaks, unruly crew members, and navigational snafus. So today, let's hop on my so-called "yacht" as we go behind the scenes of a recent coaches retreat. 
    (02:40) What does this coaches' retreat look like?
    (11:00) Takeaways from the retreat
    (38:20) You can start a group like this. But how?
    (46:00) #YachtForReal
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • 243. How this photographer made $9M in digital downloads

    243. How this photographer made $9M in digital downloads
    Sep 13 2023
    I’ve heard this question from a lot of you out there listening and engaging with us on social media, and from a lot of members of The Planner's Vault community: How can I generate money while I sleep? How can I get paid on more than just my time?

    Two weeks ago on episode 241, Kendra Swalls came on to share her ideas on generating affiliate income.

    Well today, we’re taking it a step further by diving into all things digital downloads - ways to monetize your knowledge while you dream about ways to spend your new income.

    And the person we’re talking to? With over $9M in digital download sales, Molly Keyser is pretty legit.

    Freedom Creator | YouTube | Instagram

    (02:30) Molly made how much yesterday?!
    (03:50) Digital download ideas for different wedding pro niches
    (08:20) How do you separate service offerings from digital downloads... 
    (13:10) Without cannibalizing revenue?
    (18:15) Building a following
    (22:00) Starting a funnel. Do quizzes work?
    (27:00) There are a lot of products you could create, but which one should you create?
    (31:15) Pricing for digital downloads
    (45:45) What's the one takeaway?
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    57 m
  • 242. Stepping into Education in the Wedding Industry, with Laylee Emadi

    242. Stepping into Education in the Wedding Industry, with Laylee Emadi
    Sep 6 2023
    Have I ever told you about the required public speaking class I put off until my last semester of undergrad? I was shaky nervous, and the speech on how to make a latte? It didn't go so well. I've evolved since then, but I still get nervous every time I get on stage. Maybe you're in the same boat, or you want to know how to tiptoe into public speaking.

    So today, we're bringing on an expert, as we dive into public speaking and stepping into education within our industry. We'll tackle common fears, help you decide what might be your area of expertise when it comes to being an educator, and reveal how to make your message resonate. 

    Laylee Emadi | So, Here's the Thing Podcast | The Creative Educator Conference

    (00:00) "The Art of Coffee Making" epic fail
    (03:35) "I feel like every time I get on a stage, I'm still scared."
    (06:00) Stepping into education or speaking
    (09:45) Fighting off imposter syndrome
    (14:40) Do you need a certain level of knowledge or success to speak / educate?
    (18:25) Dipping your toes into coaching
    (20:40) Common mistakes in educating and how to avoid them
    (25:25) What topics should be talked about more?
    (29:30) What is The Creative Educator Conference?
    ---

    Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

    Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

    Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.
    Más Menos
    37 m