$1 Search Engine Lessons

Yup, that’s right – learn ‘just about’ everything you need to know about Search Engine Optiminzation (SEO) for as little as $1…I know it sounds too good to be true, but trust me, it’s not.

Justin Brooke is one of the SEO gurus…and I’ve used many of his techniques previously to give my websites higher ranking. Needless to say, I was shocked to get the email telling me that he had put together an e-book of the myths of SEO and how best to conquer them…and it was selling it for just $1 USD.

Well, I had to look, so I signed up, read the e-book last night, and even I learned some new strategies to apply to my websites again (and will be working on this weekend).

That’s the thing with SEO – you can never know it all, because it changes all the time.

So if you want an economical way to begin learning SEO or want to brush up your SEO knowledge to put to use to your website then check out what it includes here:
SEO Lies: A Report about SEO Truths

• Click the link above, scroll to the bottom of Justin’s page to enter your information and purchase the e-book
• A copy of the e-booked will get emailed to you immediately
• There will be a special offer from Justin on the second page after you purchase the e-book – it’s your choice to read it or not, but I wanted you to be aware of it.
• And you should know that I get to profit $1 from the sale of this e-book, just by sharing it with you – you know I’m not one to hide details…so you can choose to purchase the book or not, but I think you’ll find it will be one of the least expensive lessons you learn about SEO

So there you have it, you can choose to purchase the e-book or not – but if you are looking at learning about how to improve the ranking of your website in the search engines, this is a great place to get started.

Jolyn | Wedding Planner Coach

PS. By the way, I still think Justin is crazy for offering this low price for so much knowledge, so you might want to grab the e-book before he comes to his senses and removes it or ups the price!

Product: Wine Away

This little emergency bag must have is a product that will help you erase any red wine stains that any guests may experience (or heaven forbid, the bride!)

Early in my career, I had the pleasure of removing red wine from the very top of a gown to the bottom hem – about an 8″ wide streak, thanks to her new hubby kicking the podium during their speech and sending her wine flying! Then, I only had club soda, a roll of paper towels, and about 5 guests helping me. We got the stains pretty much out within 20 minutes, but this product definately would have made it easier.

You can purchase Wine Away at fine liquor stores near you or online here: WineAway.com

Simply spray and dab at the stain…and watch it disappear…that easy!! A must have for your wedding day emergency kit.

Jolyn | Wedding Planner Coach

TT: Your Cell Phone Use

What role does your cell phone play in your business?

I have a cell phone (and I think it’s a necessity for every wedding planner) – but I do not give the number to clients until the day of their rehearsal….nine times out of ten, what my couples see as an emergency isn’t that emergent.

I take my cell phone when I go out to meetings, so I can call who I’m meeting with if I need to (running late, can’t find an address, etc).

I do not forward my office phone to my cell phone – I personally feel that who ever I am meeting with deserves my full attention. I also don’t forward emails to my phone…for the same reason above.

I do have an official business line in my office, but my cell phone is really mostly for business use that I choose, not for my couples to access me by.

So, how do you make use of a cell phone in your business – is it a primary phone, do you use it just for emails access, do you give your cell number to your clients or not…I’d love to hear for Talk Tuesday today how you use your cell phone!

Jolyn | Wedding Coach

Colin Cowie Wedding Chic

It’s out – It’s out!!

If you have any designer sense in you, and love the work of Colin Cowie, then you must head over to Amazon and order his latest book that was just released last week.

Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration is a photo collection of all of Colin’s best ideas all in a quick and easy photograph form. Simply flip through for inspiration. I’ve just ordered my copy from Amazon.ca so I’ll be watching my mailbox for it’s arrival this week. If you pick up or order a copy, I’d love to hear your review of this photographic collection.

Colin gave us the pleasure of a preview during the ABC conference in November – you are going to love this book!

I think it’s going to be a great resource, especially when I have clients in the office and need to show them an idea, or color combination or flower during a consultation. I think this book is going to be a must have for any wedding planner.

Jolyn | Wedding Coach

TT: Your Headshots

I love being a wedding planner, because I’m never the focus of photos – there, I’ve said it…my secret is out – I HATE having my photo taken….ahhhh, that feels good to get off my chest.

However, for a recent media opportunity, I had to get new headshots done. This unleased a whole complex of questions – do I do a studio shoot or outdoor shoot? what should I wear? should I smile or look serious?

Ack, us wedding planners over-analyze things too much  LOL…

So, I’m not revealing what I did until you can see the finished product, but I’d love to hear your opinions and what you’ve done in regards to headshots in your business and on your website…

• Do you have a headshot on your business card and/or website
• Do you like indoor studio headshots or something outside
• Do you have a serious or some what professional yet fun headshot
• What did you wear – a suit, a sweater or a parka (sorry, it’s been cold last week here LOL)
• Or are you like me, hiding and hoping no one ever asks you for a headshot LOL

Time to spill the beans – I’d love to hear your thoughts on wedding planner headshots and what you think they should or shouldn’t represent – and later this month I’ll reveal what I decided to go with

Jolyn | Wedding Coach

Wedding Day Wake Up Call

Well, not quite.

On every wedding day, I take a few moments in the morning – before I leave to go to my wedding, to make a call to where the bride is getting ready and another call to where the groom is getting ready.

I take a few minutes, to connect with my couples, see how their night was (did they get any sleep?), see how their morning was (did they manage to eat something and drink some water?) and reassure them that everything is set for a fantastic day!

It’s a great opportunity to connect – to reassure them you are there and reachable by phone before you get to the wedding – and to put them at ease.

So many wedding days, I find them telling me on the phone about their butterflies in their stomach – but by the time I’m on site, they’ve miraculously disappeared…you are their source of comfort and reassurance. The two calls of less than 5 mintues each – help to solidify your role and your bond with your couple for that day.

If you haven’t been doing a wedding morning call to your couples, your next wedding is a good time to start! If you are making morning calls, what is your call routine? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below…I’d love to hear if you do this too…

Jolyn | Wedding Coach

Tabula Rasa – Floor Plans

I’ve been waiting to see this software, as I’ve known about it’s development for nearly a year…and it’s finally released.

This software is designed with the wedding professional in mind – to assist you in creating to scale wedding floor plans. Whether you have a square room or a weird room, need round tables with 8 seats or rectangular tables with 5 wide seats – this program offers the versatility to easily create a good replica of what you need.

You can download a FREE 30 DAY TRIAL here: Elmsoftware – Tabula Rasa

Definately watch the intensive video tutorial - it will assist you in realizing the full potential of the program. I hope you find this helps you to create professional floor plans and templates to assist you create future events.

Congrats John – the new program looks great!

And John has created a coupon code – TRLAUNCH - use this code during checkout before February 10/09 to receive a 15% discount on your order of Tabula Rasa software from their website. You’ve got to love a great deal!

Jolyn | Wedding Planner Coach

Emailing Forms to Clients

With working with so many couples out of town, you’ll be bound to be sending many documents via email.

When you are emailing sensitive documents, such as your contracts or forms and questionnaires, be sure that you convert your document into a PDF before emailing.

A PDF document will ensure, that no matter what fonts or what program you used to create the form in, your couple will be able to view it just as you created it. I love creating forms in Microsoft Publisher because of the ease of adding lines and check boxes, but not all couples have Publisher. By converting to a PDF document, all couples will be able to view it.

You can purchase Adobe Acrobat to create PDF documents which is usually close to a $300 purchase price – remember, it’s a business expense and tax write off under ’software’.

If it’s not fully in your budget, then you could also use a free program such as Primo PDF which will become an additional printer. When you are done your document, click print, select the Primo PDF from the printer options and watch your PDF get created. Save your file and then when you need to email the document, select your saved PDF version. As easy as that!

The added benefit of a PDF document, is that it is not easy for a customer to make a modification, especially for important documents such as your contracts. And because you can embed your logo, your documents will look that much more professional when received by email.

Jolyn | Wedding Coach

TT: What portfolio do you use?

My good friend Crystal of Distinct Occasions in Toronto just recently had some beautiful wedding portfolios made up of her 2008 wedding highlights. She made a leather bound coffee table book, using one of the many online photo book programs, such as Picaboo

I personally love the Umbra 5-up albums - they feature 3 landscape and 2 portrait photo slots per page – so I can just slide my photos in. Quick easy and pretty – especially since I found one in a gorgeous brown silk cover. I have one wedding featured on each facing set of pages.

So what do you showcase your portfolio in? Do you scrapbook it, do a digital portfolio, use your ipod touch? As we are all polishing up our portfolio for the new year rush, let’s share ideas and maybe pick up an idea for something new to try….

PS – want to try and make your own coffee table book? Then check out this two for one offer:
8.5×11 custom photo book. Buy 1 get 1 free with coupon code: 1PB1GF-CB

Planner Jo | Wedding Planner Coach

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!

In honour of the start of a new business year, I want you to start if all off by taking a day for YOURSELF…

…no work
…no answering the phone
…no working on your website
…no organizing files

You can work smarter when you are refreshed and energized, and frankly, wedding rush starts this week, so get all the rest you can!

And if you need a bit of New Years resolution help, then check out my favorite goal guru –
The GoalsGuy (…and on that note, what are your business goals and resolutions for 2009?)