This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarketChat on May 30th, 2012 with The Party Goddess Marley Majcher. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Marley Majcher is the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full service event planning and catering company, and author of But Are You Making Any Money?, a witty and lauded business guide for entrepreneurs.

From understated elegance to rock star fabulous, Majcher is known for creating the most talked about parties of the year. Since the launch of The Party Goddess! Majcher’s client list has included Earthlink, Cedars-Sinai, Georgetown University, Art Center College of Design, Rusnak Automotive Group, San Diego Polo Club, See’s Candies, Cal Tech and Whole Foods Market. Majcher has also produced notable events for the Hollywood Bowl, the Critics’ Choice Awards, car manufacturers Porsche and Rolls Royce’s Bentley brand, as well as celebrations for Britney Spears, Sofia Vergara, Kelly Preston, Jenna Elfman, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall, Pierce Brosnan, Katherine Heigl, Snoop Dogg, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Kelly Rutherford, Ali Landry, Tisha Campbell and Cesar Millan (Dog Whisperer).

Heralded as a must-read for any entrepreneur, Majcher’s book, But Are You Making Any Money?, simplifies – in a step-by-step process – the complicated aspects of running a lucrative business. Her profit technique and conversational style is what Forbes Magazine
says “makes you want to keep reading more.”

Majcher is the party planning and entrepreneurial expert people turn to for all things entertaining. From catering supplies (such as those from Nella Cutlery and similar websites) to party details – Majcher knows everything there is to know about the events business. Her popularity for her savvy style and business sense has earned her

appearances on Fox and Friends, Entertainment Tonight, CBS Morning News in Los Angeles, HGTV, KABC – Los Angeles, FOX, CBS, NBC, E!, The Wedding Channel, The Balancing Act and MTV.
Learn more about Marley Majcher at http://www.thepartygoddess.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: @ThePartyGoddess How did you get involved with the @WeddingIndustry ?

AQ1: I fell into it because I was in the restaurant business & we were naturally asked to do rehearsal dinners, etc.

Q2: @ThePartyGoddess How did you get your first paid job as a wedding planner?

AQ2: One of my existing catering clients trusted my compulsiveness & asked me to help & the rest as they say is history!

Q3: @ThePartyGoddess What are the main areas you get sales leads from?

AQ3: Word of mouth of course and past events. My goal is to find 5 potential clients at each event & then stalk them. As a planner you’re in the unique position of having the guest list ahead of time. You Google the peeps & see who who would be a great candidate as a client: future bride, corporate client, etc.

In what ways do you “stalk” potential clients?

A: You “stalk” by Googling them, figuring out where they hang out, what charities/schools/orgs/clubs they & then start being in those places. Get them to know, like & trust you & you’re off to the races!

Q4: @ThePartyGoddess What are the main reasons wedding pros don’t increase their sales?

AQ4: Because they get stuck working with high maintenance clients that suck the life out of them.

Can you expand? how do you avoid getting “stuck?”

A: You’ll get stuck at times no matter what, but you need to learn from that high m. sit’n & not get in it again!

Q5: @ThePartyGoddess What should be the order of concentration to increase sales?

AQ5: Track your time so you know where you’re spending it. Then figure out who your target bride is, EXACTLY… & where that target client “lives.” Then figure out how to get more of her. Then track your time again!! By the way, to track your time, I love an app for your phone & computer called PayMo. Super, super easy!

Q6: @ThePartyGoddess How should wedding pros answer questions from phone calls & emails request price info?

AQ6: Easily: “I would be happy to give you some info, but I need to get an idea of the scope of your wedding first.”

Q7: @ThePartyGoddess What are your thoughts on bridal shows, advertising in magazines & Websites?

AQ7: Depending on the market,I think they can be great.You just really need to track how many leads you get from each though and FOLLOW UP. It’s not the magazine’s fault if you got tons of leads and didn’t ever pursue them. We ALL have limited ad $$. Wasting money isn’t cool no matter how much of it you have. 🙂 Just sayin’

Q8: @ThePartyGoddess If you were to start over again in the wedding industry what would you do differently?

AQ8: I would clearly identify my target audience down to what kind of nail polish she wears and then determine.. how much time it really takes to plan each component of a wedding, then price that way and not be afraid…..to tell someone to take a hike (politely of course.)

It’s super, super important to realize that not everyone is your client. It’s ok to say no! In fact it’s crucial.

Q9: @ThePartyGoddess What advice do you have for new wedding pros?

AQ9: Figure out how much time it’s really going to take you to “just help with the menu”, etc so you can actually make some $

Q10: @ThePartyGoddess What wedding trends do you see this year?

AQ10: Wedding trends focus on individuality, meshing cultures, part DIY, still lots of mini sweets, small batch booze

Q11: @ThePartyGoddess Can you tell me more about your book?

AQ11: My #book is on #Amazon & focuses on the ROI of your time so you can work less & make more. For small biz owners! The title of the #book is: “But Are You Making Any Money?” An-in-the-trenches war story so you don’t make my mistakes.

Q12: @ThePartyGoddess Can You Tell Me More About mixing cultural weddings?

AQ12: Lots of ways to mix cultures. Incorporate ethnic foods, ceremony traditions, colors, certain flowers, customs, name drinks

Q13: @ThePartyGoddess What would you like the #WeddingMarket to take away from this #WeddingMarketChat ?

AQ13: That you can be super successful & do really well in this industry but you’re not doing yourself any favors if you give away your services and just get bitter. The biggest gift you can give your clients is not a discount, but the gift of being in business the next time they need you. Think about that one!

Random advice: Don’t try & go it alone. Find a mentor in our industry. Keep reading, asking ?s & refining your $. So key! 1 more quick piece of advice. Get it out of your head. Google “mind mapping”. It’s how Leonardo da Vinci worked. Remember, you can do it. Focus, focus, focus. Define your goals. Write them down & review them every single solitary day.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: What is one tip for a start-up entrepreneur? How do you build your clientele?

Tweet Answer: You build your clientele by determining who the influencers are in your community. Do an event for them.. & then look for potential clients there, get great photos, build up your testimonials. Rinse/repeat

“Do an event for your community influencers” Do you recommend to offer services free or discounted?

A: Influencers are huge, so try to do events as joint ventures with other planners so things are free, & yes you might need to donate your time as part of your marketing budget.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How do you handle a bridezilla?
Tweet Answer: You handle a bridezilla with lots of Xanax. Seriously, you have to set up parameters up FRONT. ie What the svcs/time they get for the price they are paying. You have to be SPECIFIC!

Have you had a bride “turn” bridezilla on you? How did U handle her then?

A: Yup, have had one of those. Natch! You just pull in the rains, talk face to face & review what’s happened vs. what you originally agreed to. Tell her that you are happy to help w/ whatever, but you’ve got rates

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Any suggestions to increase traffic to a new Website?

Tweet Answer: To increase traffic to your website, make sure your blog is attached & start posting frequently! Definitely must have your blog connect to your website or you can’t capitalize on the great SEO

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Can you give us one of your favorite places to purchase wedding decor/supplies?
Tweet Answer: I don’t have any one place. Part of our differential advantage is that we shop all over the place.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How do you plan a wedding for two people from completely different cultures? (i.e. Jewish & Hindu)
Tweet Answer: To plan a wed for two peeps from different cultures, pull THEIR favorite parts of their cultures & incorporate them to into different aspects of the ceremony/reception even invites. Individuality is a huge trend right now.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How do wedding planners charge for their services?

Tweet Answer: Wedding planners charge hourly, %, flat fee or a hybrid. We charge a hybrid. A hybrid is a combo of pricing. ie – bare min flat rate, plus a % of other aspects you coordinate or + hourly.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: What are suggestions to increase client reach through twitter?

Tweet Answer: First determine if your brides are actually on Twitter. Mine really aren’t so I don’t worry about it

Are you finding many brides are using twitter?

A: Brides as people might be using Twitter but not necessarily to find their wedding planners.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: How do you get a bride to call or email u back after u answer the lead?

Tweet Answer: You just keep following up. Block your number, alternate calls with emails and at some point realize they just might not be interested and were just out price shopping.

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you have a favorite wedding movie?

Tweet Answer: My favorite wedding movie is Father of the Bride & it was filmed down the street from my house! 🙂