Engage Your Brand®

Your next inquiry might come from Google… or ChatGPT. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Julie Novack, CEO + co-founder of PartySlate, to talk about what’s changing in wedding marketing. From SEO and domain authority to how marketplaces are showing up in AI search. We also dig into why visuals matter so much in the sales process, how to use your portfolio to handle common client...

Sales don’t have to feel pushy to work. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by high-ticket sales and mindset strategist Maria Bayer to talk about why so many creatives invest in beautiful branding and websites, yet still struggle to convert higher-end clients. We cover the psychology behind how elevated clients buy, how to align your sales process with your brand experience, and the...

You don’t need to hustle harder in the off-season, you need to use it strategically. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m breaking down 10 off-season tasks you can do to elevate your brand, strengthen your marketing foundation, and set yourself up for a stronger booking season ahead. These aren’t overnight fixes or quick wins. They’re foundational brand and marketing updates that help ensure...

Prepping your books for tax season is only half the work. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by my own bookkeeper (and good friend), Hailey Ann, for a conversation that goes beyond QuickBooks and spreadsheets. Because yes, you need clean numbers and categorized expenses, but you also need a nervous system that feels safe looking at them. We’re talking bookkeeping for wedding and eve...

Happy New Year! If you’re easing back into work and feeling that “I need to catch up on everything” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reset your workflow, and focus on what actually moves the needle. I’m sharing 2026 website design trends, but with a big caveat: I don’t believe in chasing trends for the sake of it. I cherry-picked the trends that actually make sense for...

Before you sprint into the new year, let’s take a breath, literally. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m sharing a real behind-the-scenes look at what closing out the year has actually looked like for me. From a packed season of conference travel to the push-pull of productivity vs. rest in mid-December. Instead of the usual “new year, new hustle” energy, I’m leaning into a different approa...

Your FAQ section might be the most underrated sales tool on your website. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m diving into a website section I see business owners hesitate on all the time: your FAQs. If you’ve ever wondered, “Do people even read these?” or “Can’t they just ask on the call?”, this episode is for you. Because the truth is: FAQs don’t just answer questions… they build trust, re...

What does it look like to build a DJ brand that lasts 40+ years, and still feels fresh, human, and in demand? In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Marz (Marcellus Lawhorn), owner of Charizma Entertainment, to talk about marketing that actually works in the event industry, especially when you’re building longevity, not just chasing the next trend. Marz shares how Charizma books 80%...

You don’t just need brand photos, you need brand photos that actually feel like you . ✨ If you’ve ever stared at your website thinking, “I only have this one headshot…” this episode is your sign to change that. On this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by brand and business photographer Mycah Bain. We dig into the real role brand photography plays in your business, the most common mistake...

Still feel like SEO is “one more thing” on your plate, but you know your couples are Googling (and now ChatGPT-ing) vendors like you? 🧠✨ In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m breaking down basic on-page SEO in a way that actually makes sense for wedding and event pros. We’ll talk about how traditional search (like Google) and newer AI search tools (like ChatGPT) both rely on the...

Paid advertising for wedding professionals doesn’t have to feel spammy or “bro-y.” On Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Whitney and Daniela of Wedding Industry Ads to demystify Google + Meta so your campaigns actually book (not just “get clicks”). We cover how Google Search (high-intent) and Meta (retargeting + nurture) work together, why focused landing pages convert better, and a lightweight fol...

Feeling the cozy season vibes? In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m diving into how to romanticize your brand, especially if you’re a wedding professional. Inspired by the “romanticize your life” trend, we’re exploring how small, intentional details in your brand can build confidence, elevate your client experience, and attract higher-end, more aligned couples. Whether you’re reflecting on y...

What if your most powerful marketing strategy isn’t ads, it’s relationships? 🎙️  In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I chat with Matt Radicelli, entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of Mentor Pods, about how genuine connection and community can transform your business. We dive into relationship-based marketing, pricing for profit, and how to know when it’s the right time to delegate or hi...

If your website feels “fine” but not you, this episode is your permission to rethink your platform. I’m breaking down Showit vs. Wix — what actually matters for wedding and event pros, where each platform shines, and how to avoid common redesign headaches (like blog transfers gone wrong 😬). From real client examples to honest pros and cons, you’ll walk away knowing which platform fits your busine...

If you’ve ever feared dropping off Google after a website redesign, this episode is your SEO safety net. 🔍 I’m joined by Sara Dunn, founder of Sara Does SEO, to talk about how wedding pros can protect (and even boost) their rankings during a rebrand or site refresh.  We dive into simple, no-fluff strategies to get found by your dream clients on Google and now, even in AI search tools like ChatGPT...

What happens when a PhD in quantum materials pivots to wedding planning? ✨ In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I sit down with past client and now friend, Katie Sautter, founder of K.S.Otter Events in North Carolina. Katie creates stylish, sustainable, and deeply personal weddings. And her journey from engineering lasers to building a fast-growing planning business is nothing short...

Rebrands shouldn’t be scary, but the wrong one can haunt your bookings and your SEO. 👻  In this Halloween special of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m sharing five “spooky rebrand stories” that every creative should avoid, from the Ghost Rebrand that forgets your audience to the Cursed Rebrand that kills your Google rankings. Tune in for practical tips to protect your investment, keep your audi...

Client gifting doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be thoughtful . 💡 In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m joined by my friend and fellow designer, Whitney Zimmermann , founder of Wild Hive Studio . Whitney is a Shopify and packaging designer for product-based businesses, and she brings a refreshing perspective on holiday gifting, client experience, and community-build...

Engagement season is just about upon us!  In this episode, I discuss the significance of engagement season, which spans from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, and its impact on marketing strategies for your business. We'll talk about the importance of consistent marketing efforts year-round and the need for you to to prepare your website and branding in advance to attract ideal clients. ...

What if your next big booking came from a feature in Style Me Pretty or Martha Stewart Weddings? In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jaine Kershner, New York–based photographer and founder of Tea with Jaine, a top podcast and education platform for wedding photographers. Jaine shares her journey from corporate life to building a thriving photography busi...

Whether you dislike, like, or love her music, we have to admit: Taylor Swift has become a pop culture phenomenon, and with her recent engagement, what she does will affect the wedding industry.  In this conversation, I discuss the significant influence of Taylor Swift on the wedding industry and branding. I'll explore how Taylor Swift's personal and professional evolution, including her...

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your marketing toolkit: email marketing, specifically Flodesk email marketing for wedding pros. Whether you’re a planner, photographer, or florist, email marketing helps you create genuine connections beyond social media, and it might just be your most effective way to turn inquiries into loyal clients. I’m sharing w...

Your website isn’t just a digital storefront, it’s the very beginning of your client experience. ✨ In this episode of the Engage Your Brand® podcast, I sit down with Andrea Shah, copywriter and marketing consultant for wedding creatives. With over a decade of experience writing for Fortune 500 companies and luxury brands, Andrea now helps wedding pros spotlight their artistry and client experienc...

In this episode, I compar two popular website platforms, Showit vs WordPress, focusing on their pros and cons for creative service providers.  We'll discuss user experience, SEO myths, pricing structures, creative freedom, customer service, security, and the ease of transitioning between platforms. The conversation aims to help listeners make informed decisions about which platform best suits...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the admin work it takes to manage client payments, contracts, and proposals? Nora Sheils felt that as a wedding planner too. In this episode, I chat with Nora, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, about her extensive experience in the wedding industry and the development of her software platform designed to streamline operations for wedding professionals. Nora shares...