This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarketChat on June 20th, 2012 with Ceci Johnson from Ceci New York . The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

This Transcript was sponsored by WeddingMarketingOnline.com

Ceci Johnson is the founder of Ceci New York, the internationally renowned luxury invitation and corporate ID design house. As an expert in luxury invitation design, branding, and visual styling, she is the “go-to” force among a global high-profile social and corporate clientele, including royalty, A-list celebrities, and leading luxury brands.

Even the media turns to Ceci for the newest and latest trends in invitations and creative styling and branding advice. She is a contributing editor and star blogger for many leading sites including Style Me Pretty, where she gives her imaginative ideas and expertise. She is also the author of her highly coveted online magazine, CeciStyle (www.cecistyle.com) where she shares her insider style tips and inspirations on invitations, fashion, parties, weddings, décor, gifts and more. Ceci has earned numerous prestigious awards and media recognition in both the wedding, design and lifestyle industries, including “25 Top Trendsetters” by Modern Bride, and “Expert Stationer” by New York Magazine. Recently Ceci was named the WeTV and Wedding Central “Invitation Innovator” expert and is a spokesperson for the networks. In addition, she is consistently covered by top-tier publications including Town & Country, InStyle, Elle, New York Magazine, BRIDES, Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Bride & Bloom, Elegant Bride, PRINT, Inside Weddings, and US Weekly to name a few. She also regularly makes televised guest spots, appearing on The Today Show, ABC and WE tv and Wedding Central- where she also sits on a panel of experts. Ceci Johnson has been asked to speak on style and branding and travels the world offering her chic expertise to both brides and industry business entrepreneurs.

See more information on her Website: www.cecistyle.com

Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PST, 1:00EST, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarketChat Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh).

Q1: @CeciNewYork How did you get involved with the @WeddingIndustry ?

AQ1: 8 years ago I was hired to design the bridal registry package for Macy’s+Bloomingdales and went all out in my designs. My colleague loved my ideas and asked me to design her wedding invites. I approached it so differently + went all out. Then I moved to nyc and missed paper-went to the COO of my new job and offered to do hers. Demand came so I started

Q2: @CeciNewYork How did you start CeciStyle?

AQ2: CeciStyle started as my answer to social media craze. Everyone told me I had to do a blog so I came up with something totally different. I wanted to create something that was inspiring and gave the world something different to look at 🙂 #CeciStyle

Q3: @CeciNewYork What are the most important steps in establishing a new brand?

AQ3: You are your brand, Find your signature style, have a strong visual statement and carry it through everything! If you don’t know what that is straight away, working with an expert that understands your brand’s needs would help. If you were a lawyer, for instance, Elite Lawyer Management could help you define a strong brand image. Image is everything! Remember it extends to all. What you wear, say, type, look like. Whether you are solo or have a staff, lead by example. The most important part about being a brand is being unique / Be an original. Ask yourself – Are you a Trendsetter or a Trend follower? If you follow you are not unique…make sure you are different. It’s important to have everything you do across all media platforms buttoned up. If you’re going to do it, do it right! Remember your image sends a subliminal message. even your nail polish color makes a diff make sure they’re not chipped 😉 If you want to be a brand, you have to take risks and go against the norm to stand out. If you have something original, people will beat a path to your door to get it! First step in building your brand is DEFINE IT! Write down your top 5 points that makes your company different. To be a brand YOU MUST have your OWN distinct message. Also, super important – Dont let your clients tell you what your brand should be – you lead them to what you want it to be. I control everything for my brand. It’s important that you do too. You are the one that knows you best and what you want! You must have uniform communication for your brand. What’s your brand’s culture? What does it sound like – define it! Remember -“You only have one chance to make a first impression” – what impression is your brand making? Ask yourself – What does your brand look like? do your homework tonight and write it down on paper. Good test! Take a minute to look at your business cards. Now look at your website, FB and twitter page – do they line up?? You want to make sure that you’ve got consistency across all your branding and promotional materials. Business cards are a key part of this as you need to make sure whoever has taken one of your cards wants to follow up on their initial interest and get in touch with you. Without a good business card, you may miss out on some otherwise lucrative business – https://www.supercheapsigns.com/contractor/printing/business-cards.

Q4: @CeciNewYork If you were you were to start over again what would you have done differently?

AQ4: I would have a better understanding that success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to embrace the constant build.

Q5: @CeciNewYork What steps do you take to get connect with different media outlets?

AQ5: To get press, just call or email them – it’s up to you to reach out and let them know about your brand and specialty! If you are not the one talking about your brand, then how will anyone else know what to say about you? I realized a long time ago that I had to face my fears and talk about myself. It’s the hardest thing but so worth it! When the press calls (or clients) share your dreams! Make them a reality (they dont know what they dont know). If I wasn’t talking about my passions and dreams, ideas – how was anyone to know about them? It’s up to you to make it!

Q6: @CeciNewYork What are your thoughts on Social Media & @Pinterest ?

AQ6: I am on twitter, FB and pinterest. You should be on all + make sure your look and message is consistent across all! Each social media platform is different. You must be authentic and real. Write for each audience otherwise it’s too fake…I do all my own social media. It’s important to me that it’s real and authentically me. Pinterest is great. Amazing tool. Especially for wed industry. #1 tool brides are using to plan weddings. There are SO MANY platforms. It’s becoming overwhelming. You must figure out a plan that works for you to keep up. TIP- we spend so much time focusing on our clients – when’s the last time you made an inspiration board for your brand? Tips for Social Media – FB is only 1-2 times a day max – twitter is more. 5-10 a day or so. Different mediums. FB tip dont post drunk pictures of yourself unless you’re an alcohol brand Get what I’m saying? 😉 Send the right message. Everyone should have a FB, twitter and blog page. Period.

Q7: @CeciNewYork What are your thoughts on Blogging? Tips?

AQ7: Blogging is important to today’s world. The new bride wants to connect and relate to you. Tips for blogging: be true to your brand. Don’t talk about too personal stuff that doesn’t relate. It must all tie back to your biz. For ex, if you’re not an interior designer, I dont want to know you just painted your house – doesn’t relate. Have a uniform communication: 1. Font usage, 2. Colors and Imagery, 3. Making sure it’s all consistent across all mediums. Everyone should have a nice professional picture of themselves on their ABOUT page of their website people want to relate.

Q8: @CeciNewYork What advice do you have for new wedding pros?

AQ8: New wed pros – best advice – be real and dont copy. The market is saturated. Beat your own path and deliver quality! If you’re 1 person entity, don’t pretend you’re bigger than you really are! It’s all about authenticity. Also always keep things positive. No one likes a negative nanner – bad energy + people dont want to hire negative peeps.

Q9: @CeciNewYork What would you like the #WeddingMarket to take away from this #WeddingMarketChat ?

AQ9: You must define what your brand looks like, feels like, what’s it’s personality, culture etc. Do the exercise! Best bit of advice from my dad: S+S=S (Sweat+Sacrifice = Success) (I always think of this every day. If you want to be luxe + your business cards are printed at kinkos, it’s time to step up. Remember that first impression! If you want my branding cheat sheet, email me info@cecinewyork.com and I’ll send it to you!

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How do you manage everything u have going on? Do u have a large team?

Tweet Answer: I have a cultivated a staff now -It’s important as you grow to hire smart like minded people with right attitude.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Though I’m a “creative”, I find it’s hard to be unique when my focus is on marketing wed professionals. Any advice?

Tweet Answer: Focus on what makes YOU different, your personality, your style, that all extends to your service. Build on that. Push yourself, Don’t accept and put your OWN spin on things! Tips for being a trendsetter – follow YOUR dreams not someone else. Think about what excites you -what you want to create.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How much branding is too much branding, or is there ever too much?

Tweet Answer: Too much branding? I think your successful brand when people notice you because you’re out there in the appropriate way. You only have too much when it’s a disaster and not working for you. That would mean you’re not sending the right message.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you advertise anywhere? Or is ur business all word-of-mouth and social media? What’s ur take on paid ads?

Tweet Answer: Don’t really advertise Social media, CeciStyle +networking has been tremendous for me Important to put yourself out there!

#WeddingMarketChat Question: What type of email campaigns work best?
Tweet Answer: You have to make sure you dont bombard your followers. I like once a week for my brand. Email campaigns are huge – a great way to connect with your target directly. To get in their inbox and attention is great.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: What are your thoughts on Youtube?
Tweet Answer: Utube is powerful. I need to do more utube videos 🙂 I highly recommend it. My tech friends say it’s the future. Videos are a great way to connect and show your human side – do it! You have to come up with a creative way to tell your story. Be innovative and exciting. People love that.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: If you are one person entity, do you stick with 1st person or use “us, we, our” for marketing reasons?

Tweet Answer: If you’re one person you always say I. If you’re a team then say we. If you’re tweeting and it’s YOU then say I.
#WeddingMarketChat Question: Can you recommend any good reads on branding and building your business?

Tweet Answer: I like E Myth books, Also, I’m reading the Steve Jobs bio. It’s a must. I have so many..