Navigating Local Market Mastery in the Wedding Industry with Madelyn Furlong

Discover the transformative power of local marketing for wedding professionals as we sit down with an expert strategist and delve into the game-changing tactics that can set your business apart. Picture hosting your very own flower arrangement workshop to dazzle your community, or think about the buzz you could create with impromptu photoshoots that capture life's spontaneous moments. Our conversation with local marketing expert, Madelyn Furlong will reveal how to leverage those personal connections to turn your clients into vocal supporters of your brand.

When it comes to building a trusted local network, it's all about those genuine interactions that forge lasting relationships. We'll share why a handshake and a smile at a neighbouring business can do more for your reputation than a dozen emails, and why little acts of kindness, like leaving glowing reviews for fellow vendors, can come back to you tenfold. Plus, we discuss the art of soliciting authentic client testimonials that keep the positive vibes flowing and help safeguard your business against the occasional negative review.

But wait, there's more – networking isn't just schmoozing at social events, it's an art form, and we're breaking down how you can tailor it to your unique style. Whether you're a pro at working the room or someone who prefers the behind-the-scenes approach, learn how to leave your mark and follow up in ways that resonate and are memorable.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:23

Today we're going to embark on something that's super important for wedding professionals, which is mastering your local market and making connections from a local level. So, ben Hi, how?

Speaker 2: 0:36

are you Good? I'm wonderful. How are you?

Speaker 3: 0:37

I'm good. How are you, madeline? I'm great. Thank you for having me.

Speaker 1: 0:43

We're really excited to have this chat with you today. I think that a lot of people can kind of feel like they started winning business there on Instagram. That's all they need to do and the people will come, and that's not really how it works, right.

Speaker 3: 0:59

Right now. Yeah, there's a lot more than that, for sure.

Speaker 1: 1:01

A marketing expert. You do coaching, you work with businesses in various capacities, but one thing that you really niche down on is mastering this kind of local connections and local marketing. So I guess, can you, can you explain to us kind of how you've ended up? You know, specializing in that area? Yes, for sure.

Speaker 3: 1:21

So it was actually kind of an accident. I never really planned on being in this area, much less being in marketing, but in college I had an internship and it was with a marketing department and I just thought it was so interesting. I loved it. I loved learning about businesses and how to promote them, and at the time I also had a side hustle as a social media manager. And then, after graduating, I decided to actually continue that and worked several part-time jobs over the next few years just so I could continue to work on that business on the side.

Speaker 3: 1:55

And actually one of the part-time jobs that I had was in a brick and mortar business. It was a bookstore actually, which was really fun, so I was able to learn a lot and eventually I was able to go full time with my own business. I found that I really enjoyed working with brick and mortar businesses because there was just so much to do within the community marketing wise. And then this was the key I listened to what my clients wanted, and they didn't just want help with their social media. Like you said earlier, it goes beyond Instagram. So I started helping them with general marketing and creating and implementing a marketing strategy that worked for their business and that was custom to them. So I became a marketing strategist, and here we are.

Speaker 1: 2:43

So when you're building a marketing strategy for a business like that and obviously we're all about wedding businesses, so say, it's a local florist or something like that what, from a local perspective, are some things that we'd expect to see in a marketing strategy for a business like that?

Speaker 3: 2:57

The first thing that we do when we're creating a marketing strategy is I ask them about their goals, I get them to define kind of where they want to be. You know, in a few months, a year, a few years and take that and we start making like a roadmap to get there. So I always tell my clients that local marketing and creating lasting connections isn't just about your products or services. It's about how your business becomes an important part of the lives around you. It's definitely not a one type or one size fits all type thing. No matter the business, you should make your clients feel like they're the hero and show them that they're special and belong with you. And again, that goes for any business. And so one thing that we do when we're making their strategy is I sit down and I tell them okay, so think of 15 different ways that you can show up in your community you know whether that's something big or something small and just write them all down. And obviously, of course, I'm going to tell them to just pick a couple of those things because I don't want to overwhelm them and burn them out. But it's really good to come up with a bunch of ideas for them to choose from or even have for later.

Speaker 3: 4:04

You know, go into your florist example. One thing that they could do in their strategy and that would impact their local community is hosting a class or a workshop where they teach people how to arrange flowers so they can collaborate and even reach out to a local wedding venue and just say, hey, can I host this event here? I think it would be beneficial for both of us and just really impact the community. Get our names out that type of thing. If you're a photographer, you can host a quick pop up in the park for engaged couples. You could tell them that you will offer a discount or a bonus if they hire you to shoot their wedding.

Speaker 3: 4:46

So, whatever it is, it's just you know and we talk about this a lot, my clients and I it's just following up with these people who could be clients for them and it's showing them how they can work with them further. So you know, it's only the first step the engagement session or the pop up with the florist but you can offer them a lot more support. And one thing I also tell them is it's just going to take some time to build those relationships in the community, but the results will be worth it. You just have to be consistent and provide excellent service.

Speaker 2: 5:20

Yeah, I like that term pop-up in the park. Oh yeah, we're going to do it now. No, I think if I did that I might get arrested, so probably won't try that. But that kind of leads on to one of the questions that I had for you was like what strategies do you recommend for increasing the business's visibility in your local community? And you touched on a bit of that just before.

Speaker 3: 5:43

So kind of going along with that. I think referral programs and loyalty programs are a great way to do that and a lot of times it gets a bad connotation. I mean you with that. I think referral programs and loyalty programs are a great way to do that and a lot of times it gets a bad connotation. I mean you hear that you're like like, I mean it's, it's a huge deal, especially in your community, because who are you going to trust? You know your friends and your family, or just you know a random ad that you see on Instagram or Facebook, and while those have their place, it's much more impactful when it's coming from a person that they know.

Speaker 3: 6:12

So I tell my clients, when you're making a referral program, it doesn't have to be difficult or hard. You just need to figure out what it looks like. So is that giving 10% off their next purchase for referring a friend, or maybe it's giving away a free gift? It just has to be something valuable for them and then turn your customers into your cheerleaders. So just show them how much they mean to you and then tell them about this referral program. They're going to be excited to talk about it. If your services or products help people, then they're going to want to tell their friends and their family about it. So that is one of the biggest things you know that'll help you with your visibility in the local community.

Speaker 2: 6:56

Through people's bellies. I've got a referral program that if a previous couple refer another couple to me and they actually book in and I shoot the wedding, I send them out to one of the local restaurants here. That's a really nice restaurant for a $100 dinner, oh my God I love that it's through the bell, it's the way to go. Yeah, wow, I love that.

Speaker 1: 7:15

Yeah, look, when I bought my business, I bought a wedding planning business and I rebranded it and grew it and all the rest of it. But I moved to a business and I really relied on this local approach. Like I, the first place I went was around the corner where there was a florist near my house and said hi, I'm a new wedding planner, I love what you're doing and I'd love to promote your. You know working with you, so do you have any flyers or brochures or wedding packs that you could give me? So I started promoting this guy. I hadn't worked with him but you know it was like my first step. And then I started going every Saturday to wineries and I'd go with my husband and my kids and I would, you know, get a cheese board and a bottle of wine or whatever.

Speaker 2: 8:06

Awesome tax write-off.

Speaker 1: 8:13

By the way, the event manager here and I would just introduce myself in person and I'd do something similar and say I'm a new wedding planner, I'd love to take your function packs or your event wedding packs and pop them inside something for my clients. And just by doing that I made these connections and people remembered me because I was there in person and we had this personal connection. The amount of vendors that send an email to these other vendors and that's it, like that's their, their intro. I just think as soon as you turn up in person and you make that personal connection, then you're leaps ahead right.

Speaker 3: 8:48

Do you agree? Oh, 100% Personal connection is key. So just, however, you can make them feel special and feel like they belong with you. That will take you so far in marketing.

Speaker 1: 9:01

Yeah, and being helpful, you know, going in there and not asking for something from them in terms, you know, can you refer me? But going in and offering to be helpful, I think that goes a long way.

Speaker 2: 9:13

I've found rocking up with a box of cupcakes always goes well too.

Speaker 1: 9:16

I've done that before, really, yeah, yeah, who is this guy? Yeah, I know.

Speaker 2: 9:21

I should be a lot bigger than I am, like cake and cupcakes and anyway, yeah wow, I love that.

Speaker 1: 9:30

Another cool little thing. Uh, I know we're supposed to be asking you questions and we're telling you what we do, but something that I used to love to do after every wedding was to leave a google local review for every single like vendor that I worked with as well. Um, I think that's a really important thing to do, is you know? That's great. We send them an email and say lovely meeting you and let's do it again. But, like, go and put a nice review, help their business with you know, backing up their local reviews.

Speaker 2: 9:55

Madeline, would you agree that asking for those reviews is pretty crucial Because, from experience, no one's going to walk the land sprouting you and telling everyone about you unless you ask them.

Speaker 3: 10:06

So oh, for sure, 100%. It's like you said. No one's just going to think about it. So I always, you know, encourage my clients to prompt their clients also to leave those reviews, just so other people know about them, if you don't ask every single person for a testimonial or review, you're only going to get bad ones.

Speaker 1: 10:30

It's true, it's actually true. You need to ask because if you don't, you'll just get five bad reviews, because they're more motivated to leave a review like that than they are to go to the effort of doing a positive one that's so true, yeah so so building local connections, I think it's worthwhile talking about sort of networking as well, like going to networking events, and I don't know if you've got in the States there's things like BNI. Do you have things like that?

Speaker 3: 10:56

over there. We don't. I mean, we have networking events, but we don't have that. I don't think.

Speaker 1: 11:01

Yeah. So I mean, I think it's quite common to go to a Chamber of Commerce event or, you know, a local women in business event or something like that. But there's also online uh systems like we have in australia. There's something called b and I, where where they choose one person from each industry in the local area. So there'll be one lawyer, one architect, one wedding planner, one travel agent and they meet what I think once a week and they try to refer each other business. At every opportunity they try to refer each other business. So there's there's some interesting things out there that aren't necessarily you've got to go and and bring your business cards and do it that way. There's. There's lots of different options out there for building connections in your local area as well and putting yourself out there a little bit more so have you got any, I guess, around any other way that people could build more local connections?

Speaker 3: 11:55

I always tell people that collaboration is so important and we talked about this a little bit a minute ago but people get scared when they have to collaborate with somebody else, because what if they get all the spotlight? What if you know they get more business than I do? But it actually goes hand in hand, because more people just resonate with, might resonate with their business. And another thing that you could do you know you said going out and putting up flyers. I think, honestly, like that's not a bad idea If you, if you just are intentional about where you put and I think intentionality is the key for good marketing, like you said to networking events. Be present on social media, join local Facebook groups, attend as many community events as you can and focus on creating connections with others. You don't have to go thinking, oh, I have to tell everybody about my service. Be interested in what they have to say.

Speaker 2: 12:52

Interested people make interesting people is something that I've heard a lot, but someone like me who is fantastic in this scenario and the judge and with and and I'm out.

Speaker 2: 13:06

So someone like me, who is great with a camera, who feels confident when I'm shooting wedding and that sort of stuff, when it comes to like a um, what do you call it? A networking thing, I'm just like give me a gin and tonic or a vodka or a martini or something and I'm just going to go and stay in the corner because that's not something that I feel comfortable with, right? Um, have you got any advice for people that maybe feel that way in those situations? Because that's a really big thing, I think for a lot of people.

Speaker 3: 13:35

Yes, so I am a huge introvert. Networking events are so outside of my comfort zone and it took me a long time to feel comfortable even going to one. So I totally understand where you're coming from. One thing that I do before every networking event and I try to go to one about once or twice a month at least but I set little goals in my head. So I tell myself, okay, if I can talk to five people, just go up, introduce myself, ask them what they do, what their business is. If I can talk to five people, then I can go and get a cup of coffee and just chill in the corner for a minute, hide. But that just kind of helps me have a plan and not feel so overwhelmed. Another thing that I have heard and that I have done that I also tell my clients is to wear a statement piece. Now, I know you're going to laugh, but it works.

Speaker 2: 14:34

I've got lots of those.

Speaker 3: 14:36

Well, there you go, whether it's in my case, I usually try to wear a fun headband or some fun earrings. I know people who wear a sequins jacket, but it gets the conversation going and people ask them oh where did you get, you know, your earrings? And then it just kind of starts the conversation. It's not so scary, I guess, that way. And then really, another piece of advice I have for networking events it's really important to go to those. But I would say it's just as important to follow up with the people that you meet at those networking events.

Speaker 3: 15:12

So reaching out, saying I enjoyed meeting you, I loved your business, if there's something that you can help with, now's the perfect time to tell them about it. I like to. After I talk to people, I'll just like make a little note in my phone oh so, and so is expecting a baby in three months, check in with her. Or you know, this person is opening a new, let's see opening a new branch, business branch like downtown, you know stuff like that. And just making those follow-up emails more personable and more special? I guess so. But no, I totally understand about the networking of it.

Speaker 1: 15:48

Years ago, I founded a women's professional network called Business in Heels and it had 55 franchises around the world, which every single one had monthly women's professional network events. So I know a thing or two about professional networking events. But the whole reason that that business did well was because I took the structure and the formality out of it. I had this idea that women in particular are natural-born networkers. If we put them in a fabulous space and we give them champagne and excellent goody bags and we make more of the effort about attracting the right women. So it's a room full of interesting women with a couple of champagnes. We don't need to orchestrate it, it's just going to happen, right? But why that did well and I think something to consider is they're not all structured and boring and you're standing around looking at each other with tall tables, like there are cool ones out there.

Speaker 1: 16:44

So I think if you dig a little bit deeper, you might find your vibe, you might find your people, and it might be in person. It might be in person, it might be online, it might be on meetup, it might be um, you know, I think, especially with the wedding industry, like you know, we we might connect with a certain sort of niche or or age group. Um that you know, the local chamber of commerce isn't the right fit for us, but I think it's important to note that they're not all the same and you can go out there and you can find your networking vibe and your tribe. And yeah, I don't know, I just thought that was important.

Speaker 2: 17:18

In the wedding industry, there's no shortage of those networking.

Speaker 1: 17:21

No, no, there's not.

Speaker 2: 17:22

Yeah, there's one here tomorrow, do you want?

Speaker 1: 17:25

to go. That's the other thing. Right, Bring a friend. Yes.

Speaker 3: 17:31

I don't shut up, so I'm the perfect wing woman for these kind of events. You need to come to my networking events. Then you can be my wing woman.

Speaker 1: 17:40

I'm like hi, who are you? What are you doing? Oh, this is Ben. He's an amazing. You know, like just bring that person with you, exactly.

Speaker 2: 17:49

I'll bring you.

Speaker 1: 17:56

What about, like community impact? Right, there's lots of opportunities to kind of build connections in a way like sponsoring local community sports or, you know, getting involved in your community and and and taking part of things that are important to the community. Have you, if you've got any advice sort of around that sort of approach?

Speaker 3: 18:12

So, I am really involved in my city and they are always putting on events. I mean, it seems like there's something every single weekend. A lot of the small businesses that I work with, you know they don't go to every event, but they go to as many as possible. There was a farmer's market over the weekend and so a lot of them just went and they mingled in the community, they set up a table close by and just, you know, kind of told people what they did. There's okay.

Speaker 3: 18:43

At Christmas there's something called a Downtown Dickens Christmas. It is the most magical thing. It's like Victorian, I mean, it's amazing and it's totally volunteer. These businesses don't have to participate, but they go all out. I mean they dress up, you know, in Charles Dickens era clothes. They, you know, offer discounts to customers. They even offer, like, free food a lot of times and it's just going, not even, you know, just participating, but it's going all in as much as they can and just showing the community like, hey, we have a awesome business, we want to support you, we want to support this town. So I think just putting yourself out there as much as you can and saying yes to as many events as possible is is really important I love that I'm a saying yes person definitely he said yes, to have me here that was a bit of a risk, but you know, wow, ben, you're great.

Speaker 1: 19:49

All right, you're still're still here.

Speaker 2: 19:51

Got to get it together.

Speaker 1: 19:58

So I'd like to know, I guess, how, if I'm a little local business, like say it's a florist or whatever, how do I identify the businesses that I want to connect with and kind of cultivate relationships with those businesses that I want to make those connections with?

Speaker 3: 20:08

I'd first start by observing others and seeing how a partnership can kind of be beneficial for both of you. You know, going back to the florist, if a florist and a wedding planner, you know they have a similar audience but they both offer something different in value. So that kind of partnership would be extremely valuable to um, to them and also to their audience. You know, maybe they uh, just offer, you know, referrals, or maybe they put on a pop-up, a pop-up in the park, um, like we talked about earlier.

Speaker 3: 20:43

So I can, he is so going to steal that. I love it. I'm going to steal it too, um. So another option is just to reach out to someone who you admire and you know, ask them if you can share about their products or service online or in person, and then ask if they would do the same. It's so much better to cultivate partnerships when you focus on how you can serve your audience instead of making it all about you know, me I always say make your audience your hero and, again, don't be afraid to like, step outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to other businesses. So that's, that's where it starts, for sure.

Speaker 1: 21:23

I think it's important to also realize in the, in the wedding piece, what where you are in the in the order of making decisions for the couple, because for me, as a wedding planner, they're usually deciding on the venue and then me. So if I've connected with a lot of venues and the venue, you know, I've gone in there and I've met them in person or whatever, and I'm top of mind and they say go with this, jack girl, she's amazing, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. They're just going to do it nine times out of ten, right, they're not gonna look around. So if, if you're strategic about at what point are they choosing the photographer or the or the wedding planner, or you know the venue or whatever, and you can make connections with, with the people that are before that, I think that that's, that's something that you should definitely prioritize, I think. I think Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 22:12

In making connections. That kind of leads me into my next question for you in regard to making connections and competition. I guess, to a degree In the wedding industry there's a lot of competition and unfortunately it kind of breaks my heart because I hate seeing competition between vendors of the same genre. Unfortunately it kind of breaks my heart because I hate seeing competition between vendors of the same genre. So which kind of takes us to the infinite versus the finite kind of game, I guess, in terms of who we are in our businesses and that sort of stuff. So have you got any advice for wedding professionals around being an infinite player and seeing the competition as themselves in the mirror, as opposed to the other people around them?

Speaker 3: 22:57

Yeah, I think there are so many feelings of competition or inadequacy with others, and it's a really tough thing to overcome, but everyone has something to offer. So, you know, two photographers are not going to have the same style of pictures. Even wedding planners they're not going to, you know, have a similar or they're not going to be exact in how they work with you. So One thing that I would also advise besides, you know, stop comparing yourself to others. Um is just learning from others also.

Speaker 3: 23:36

So I think it's, even if you're in the same business as another person, just ask them to get a cup of coffee with you and you might be surprised at how encouraging it is and how much you enjoy it. But, um, and just when you stop comparing yourself to others, you're able to get out of your own way and show your clients what makes you uniquely special. Don't worry what this other person is doing. Just, I mean seriously, every single day, like, ask yourself how can I serve my clients in the best way possible? What can I offer them that maybe somebody else doesn't? How can I make this experience, you know, personal and special to them? So, just, you know, focusing more on what's in front of you and then learning from others, instead of viewing them as the competition.

Speaker 2: 24:26

That's speaking from the heart and very honestly to everyone that's watching. That's something that I've struggled with for pretty much all my career and I will still go to weddings and have that imposter syndrome and still, you know, given as far as I've come, I'll still go. Am I good enough, like, am I going to be able to produce something that is amazing for this couple, like that's? I don't think that potentially, that's something that we ever, as creatives, master. I don't think so. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 25:00

Oh, ben, oh, we need to go to therapy after this.

Speaker 2: 25:06

But for anyone that feels that you're not alone, like it's something that every wedding professional I think feels, and you know any creative, I think, feels so if you're feeling that don't think it's bad. Just look in the mirror and go right, I can do this and go out and shine, yeah.

Speaker 3: 26:41

I agree and I think it's helpful to talk to other people. You know, like you just shared knowing that other people struggle it's not just you and you're not alone in it but it is something you know, know you can encourage other people with, so I like that I'd like to talk a little bit about the follow-up.

Speaker 1: 27:00

So you've gone to a networking event or you've gone to a meeting and you've you've connected with someone. It's so important that follow-up piece, right, right. So, whether it's it's, you've come home and all the business cards have fallen out of your handbag, from business in heels, which is what it used to be like for me. You have to make that effort to got. For me, it was go and find them on LinkedIn. I love that because it just backs up who you are straight away. I need to do that. You know I get on LinkedIn, look them up, and that's why I've got like 29 000 connections insane um, I look like I've got no friends at all on linkedin I wasn't going to say anything, but anyway,

Speaker 1: 27:37

um, but that follow-up piece, right, is so important and it's important the timing, like you've got to get on to that and in the days that follow, send them that email, um, you know, especially if that's somebody that you're like. Oh my god, I met this, I met this, I don't know caterer and like just all this celebrant. And that's happened to me a few times where I've gone to wedding, specific networking events and and I've heard a celebrant speak, never worked with her, never done a wedding with her, but I referred her and referred her and referred her because I just loved her vibe. And you know, after that event I met couples that I thought they would love Jessie Bell her name was Jessie Bell, she was just so funky and fun and how she looked.

Speaker 2: 28:21

Shout out to Jessie Bell.

Speaker 1: 28:23

Shout out to Jessie Bell but, like I referred her so many times without ever doing a wedding, just based off how she came across at this networking event that I went to. So you know, but my point was it's just so important to follow up and really solidify those connections and, you know, refer business to them and, you know, pay it forward, so to speak. Not, you know, great to meet you, ben, at that networking event. Can you please send some business my way like that's gonna go down like a lead balloon, right, but?

Speaker 2: 28:57

but what's the best way to structure that little connection afterwards?

Speaker 3: 29:03

so I actually really love sending voice messages. Um, I usually am able to find them on Instagram and I just think a voice message is so personal and it's it just helps people get to know you even better. I like to start off with something that I learned about them. So, again going back to that earlier example, if I know that someone is, you know, has mentioned something to me that's going on in their life Like maybe they just got or maybe they were going on a trip, and it's a week after the networking event and I send them a voice message and I say, hey, hope you enjoyed your trip to Hawaii. It was great meeting you at the networking events. I loved learning about you.

Speaker 3: 29:52

And then, if there is something that can offer a value to them, that is what I would say first, so just trying to share something that will benefit them. And then, you know, eventually, when you build that connection, you can ask them about, you know if they're interested in your services, if, if they haven't already a lot of times they're already interested in you know what you have to offer, how you can, um, how you can help them. But but, yeah, voice messages, those are, those are awesome.

Speaker 3: 30:25

I definitely would recommend those do that that's cool.

Speaker 2: 30:30

You do with me all the time.

Speaker 1: 30:31

Yeah, but I know you, we can think about people that I've just met. My son would say, yeah, she does it all the time. Yeah, all right. My last question is around productivity. So say you're a one-woman show. Let's go back to the florist example and you're too bloody busy. You're doing weddings every week, you're meeting clients and ordering flowers and doing all the things that you do, and you're doing your facebook and your instagram and your email marketing and everything yourself. How do you make room and kind of, I guess, um, fit this into your regular routine? You said to me earlier that you try to go once a month to a networking event. Like, have you got tips around that and how someone can kind of start this, slot this into their current routine?

Speaker 3: 31:21

Yes, for sure I love talking about productivity. I know I annoy people because I just think it's so fun, honestly, and I think for marketing you have to. There's so much going on. You have to be intentional about how you spend your time. So my productivity tips they might sound basic at first but, like, bear with me, they have been instrumental in my success.

Speaker 3: 31:45

So, first of all, I have a really good planner and I use it every single day and I make sure to look at it. You know, first thing in the morning and then throughout the day. Every Sunday afternoon I plan out my week. So I know some people who do this on Friday afternoons or even Saturday mornings, but for me typically Sunday afternoons are the best and I plan out my week, go through and I write out all of my sort of non-negotiable things that I can't move around. So these would be things like doctor's appointments, meetings, a family member's birthday, a trip, that sort of things, things that are kind of set in stone that I can't move set in stone that I can't move. And then, after I do that, I list the top three things that I have to get accomplished that week and get them scheduled on my calendar. So maybe you know it's meeting with a big client, prepping for that meeting. That could be, like you know, thing number one. The second thing is record, you know, a new podcast episode. The third thing could be, you know, if I was a photographer editing pictures for you know, this client. So after I list those three items, I go through and I write out all my other tasks, things that I want to get done throughout the week, but they might not be quite as important as those non-negotiables or other things that I listed earlier. So putting it in my planner like that helps me focus on my priorities and really get things done and see what things are most important.

Speaker 3: 33:26

And then another thing kind of going along with that is having theme days. So a lot of times I'm a little, I'm a little ADD, so a lot of times going from task to task is not the best thing for me. So, on, I structure my days around, you know, similar, similar tasks. So Mondays might be my meeting days. So I only, you know, take Zoom calls or meet with local businesses or have phone calls, that sort of thing. Tuesdays I might, you know, do client work. So I just exclusively, you know, prep for that and help them, help my clients. Wednesdays maybe it's my content days so social media posts, batch, creating those, writing an email for email marketing, you know, making a podcast, things like that. So having theme days has really helped me and it helps me know what to expect, you know, from day to day.

Speaker 2: 34:30

I need to do that.

Speaker 3: 34:32

What planner do you use? I use the Full day to day. I need to do that. What planner do you use? I use the Full Focus Planner. I'm obsessed with it. I love it. You can have it track. It's my favourite, cool.

Speaker 2: 34:42

So, madeline, you are the very first person to pioneer our new little segment, which is Ben's regular guest question. Yay, our new little segment which is Ben's regular guest question. Yeah, so we're going to ask a regular guest question to all our guests. You're the pioneer. So if you walked outside right now and saw an 18-year-old version of yourself, what advice would you give yourself, knowing what you know now?

Speaker 1: 35:10

in terms of business and life. She's going to reply and say I'm 18.

Speaker 3: 35:17

No, no, it's. Yeah, that's been a while. No, that's a really good question, that's a great question. I would tell my 18 year old self that her life looks absolutely nothing like she thought it would. I would tell her that she feels, you know, confused and like she doesn't know what she's doing right now, but that's okay. And then I would also tell her to learn as much as she can about, I mean, really anything but especially business. Say yes to new opportunities. Push yourself out of your comfort zone again and again and again and make yourself uncomfortable, because that's how you grow and that's how you learn. Um, so I would I would love to tell her that awesome, cool.

Speaker 2: 36:04

Thank you very much for that.

Speaker 1: 36:05

So, guys, if anyone wants a free marketing audit um for wedding empires pro members, just have a look at madelinevictoriacocom, and her instagram is also madelinevictoriaco I think it's important to mention um madeline's offering this free audit and, and what it is is basically an assessment of your, of your business and your online presence and whatnot, and giving you free advice on things that you could do to improve, I guess, the generation of leads in business really, am I correct?

Speaker 3: 36:37

That's right. Yeah, and just DM me localmastermarketing on Instagram and I will give you your free audit Amazing.

Speaker 2: 36:47

I'll call you.

Speaker 1: 36:48

Okay, sounds good. All right, thanks so much, madeline. We enjoyed having you here and I'm sure we'll get you back in the future for those of you who've joined us live. Thank you so much. Uh, love your comments, lee. I did see that you. You're calling on ben now to turn up tomorrow to networking I've been called out.

Speaker 1: 37:07

Yes, I might have to go and be his wing woman, but for everyone else, please go and start your free seven-day trial at proweddingempirescom, because we have events like this, but we also have a stack of other free training events for your wedding business in there, and we have literally hundreds of templates to help you with your wedding business. So you can find Ben and I on Instagram and TikTok. Our username is WeddingEmpiresPodcast. Yes, see you there.