What are creative ways to get new inquiries?

Are you making the most of the inquiries you already get, or are you chasing new leads without first maximizing what’s in front of you? Do you know if your responses, follow-up, and online profile are actually helping—or quietly hurting—your ability to convert interest into bookings? In this episode, I dive into creative strategies for getting more inquiries, but also challenge you to look first at how you’re nurturing the leads you currently receive, and how small tweaks to your approach can yield big results.

Listen to this new 8-minute episode for practical ways to boost inquiries, improve your follow-up, and make your online presence work harder for you.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Mark Caravaggio - Having the difficult conversations

How do you handle difficult conversations with clients or fellow pros when plans go sideways? What happens when a customer comes at you with both barrels, or when conflicting expectations create tension behind the scenes? In this episode, I talk with Mark Caravaggio about practical ways to navigate confrontation, lead with empathy, and set clear boundaries, both before and during weddings. We explore why communicating expectations up front–and knowing when to walk away from the wrong fit–can actually strengthen your business and relationships.

Listen to this new episode for real-world scripts and strategies to stay calm, respond with heart, and turn tricky conversations into opportunities for better collaboration and happier clients.

About Mark:
Hi, I’m Mark Caravaggio—Owner and Operator of inTUNE, a Wedding DJ, MC and Planning business born from a dream and built on purpose. After leaving behind a corporate life in 2011, I set out to create something radically different: a life and business rooted in connection, creativity, and intention. My spiritual awakening in 2019 reshaped everything, leading me to build inTUNE not just as a service, but as a movement of meaning-making moments.

Contact Mark:

Website: https://www.intune.events/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/intune.events

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Have you ever wondered how the wording of your reviews impacts how clients perceive your business? Are you missing opportunities to make your services feel relevant and current just by using the wrong tense? In this episode, I explore why using “is” instead of “was” in your reviews can build more trust, show off your ongoing excellence, and even improve your marketing. What subtle shifts can you make in your review requests to ensure your reputation feels as fresh and vibrant as your service?

Listen to this new 5-minute episode for actionable tips on updating your reviews and marketing language so couples and clients know you’re delivering excellence right now.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Kevin Townsend - Weddings in New Zealand

What if your wedding business had to navigate strict lockdowns, shifting markets, and unique cultural expectations—would your sales process survive? How do you attract the right clients and keep your venue calendar full when economic tides turn? In this episode, I share what weddings are really like in New Zealand, including how refining inquiry forms, understanding cultural differences, and using data-driven decisions are helping venues thrive amidst challenge and change. Could your business habits use a Kiwi-style upgrade?

Listen to this new episode for real-world strategies from New Zealand on qualifying leads, responding to economic shifts, and building a sales system that works—even in uncertain times.

About Kevin:
The marketing manager and director of New Zealand wedding company Simply Events. The company owns and manages two wedding venues in Auckland – Abel Estate and Tui Hills. Kevin comes from a background in journalism, media syndication and metadata. In 2028 he and his project-manager wife Ruth Carpenter went into the wedding industry, initially running a pop-up wedding business called Simply Wed before buying Tui Hills in 2019 and Abel Estate in 2021.

Contact Kevin
https://www.popupweddings.co.nz/

https://www.instagram.com/popupweddingsnz/

https://www.instagram.com/tuihills/

https://www.facebook.com/tuihillsauckland

https://www.instagram.com/abelestatevenue/

https://www.facebook.com/abelestatevenue

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

How often do you rely on a tool—like GPS or AI—to get you results without really understanding how you got there? Is it always okay to follow directions blindly, or are there times you need to know the “why” behind the answer? In this episode, I explore the risks and benefits of trusting our tools, the importance of understanding processes (at least a little), and when it’s safe to be hands-off versus when you need to dig deeper before you hit “go.”

Listen to this new 7-minute episode for insights on finding the right balance between dependence on tech and informed decision-making in your business.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Should you include planning tips in your follow-up emails?

When is the right time to start sharing helpful advice with prospective clients? Could offering planning tips too soon be hurting your response rate, or does it add value and set you apart? In this episode, I dive into how to balance giving value with keeping your follow-ups focused and effective, plus ways to make your content truly helpful—without coming off as salesy or overwhelming.

Listen to this new 7-minute episode for practical strategies to make your follow-ups more engaging, add genuine value, and strike the right balance between being helpful and closing the sale.

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Shane McMurray - How do tariffs and supply chain issues affect wedding businesses?

What if your costs doubled overnight? What happens to your business when tariffs and supply chain issues change in a heartbeat? Are you relying too much on a single supplier? In this episode, I talk about the unpredictable nature of tariffs, how they impact different segments of the wedding industry—from bridal shops to service providers—and what proactive steps you can take, like contract updates and diversifying your supply chain, to stay resilient in uncertain times.

Listen to this new episode for practical ideas on protecting your business, managing costs, and preparing your contracts for sudden market shifts.

About Shane:
Shane helps businesses grow profits, attract qualified leads, refine pricing, close more sales, and uncover key opportunities using unbiased, independent research on the wedding market. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, NPR, and more, and is trusted by government agencies, investors, and researchers. With a B.S. in IT, an MBA in E-Business, and over 30 years' experience in data and 20 years in wedding industry research, he deliver insights that identify your core customer and sharpen your marketing strategy.

Link: https://wedding.report/

Contact Shane:
LinkedIn - Shane McMurray
Text or call 520-906-8025

If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com

Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com 

View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/

Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com

And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year.

I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.

Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site:

• Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions
• YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8
• Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher
• Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle
• iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic
• Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora

©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com