This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on August 19, 2015 with Alison Howard, Alison Howard Events. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

As the owner and executive director of California-based Alison Howard Events, Alison Howard provides luxury wedding planning services to her clients, business and life coaching to aspiring and fellow entrepreneurs, hosts a YouTube show geared toward brides and aspiring wedding planners, facilitates yearly workshops where she teaches attendees how to break into the wedding industry and speaks on the power of video marketing for various prestigious organizations across the country.

Alison Howard has successfully orchestrated and managed countless weddings and has been featured in popular publications such as The Knot Magazine, Style Me Pretty, Exquisite Weddings Magazine, BHLDN, The Bridal Suite and Estate Weddings and Events. Alison�s ease in front of the camera led her to start a YouTube channel in 2010 where she shared her expertise with a steady audience. Recognizing her natural talent, Fullscreen, the premier global YouTube network for creators and brands, offered Alison a partnership, making Alison the first and only wedding planner in the world to have a partnered YouTube channel. In 2014 Alison was asked to serve as the Director of Wedding Education for The Wedding and Event Institute, the leading wedding industry education organization in the country.

See more information at www.alisonhowardevents.com

Q1: How did you get involved with the wedding industry?

Answer

Alison Howard: Wedding planning kind of found me. It was never on my radar. I went to school to be a teacher. After my ’02 wedding I started helping friends & family plan their weddings. I loved it! I started my business in ’07.

Q2: When did you decide to do video marketing for your wedding business?

Answer

Alison Howard: A few years into owning my biz I noticed an influx of aspiring planners wanting to meet for coffee to �pick my brain�. I wanted to offer guidance but didn’t have time to meet w/everyone, so I started a YouTube channel to answer FAQ’s.

I wasn�t consciously marketing my business via video. I was just trying to help others since I had been in their shoes. However, using video production
organically started to change things in my business.

Q3: How has video marketing changed your business?

Answer

Alison Howard: Video marketing has changed the entire trajectory of my business because it allowed my personality to shine. As a result of video I began to attract clients who �got� me. I no longer had to sell myself or my expertise to them. I began to speak at conferences and workshops all over the country, coach new planners, I created my own workshop and earlier this year I shot a pilot for a TV show set to begin production later this year. Because of video marketing I have been presented with opportunities that would have otherwise been missed.

@eventsolutionsf Looking forward to see the show, where will it air?

Answer

Alison Howard: TBD! And thank you!

Q4: What steps did you take to add video into your marketing mix?

Answer

Alison Howard: I simply started. I didn�t buy fancy equipment, I didn’t hire pro�s to help me. I set up a camera & started shooting. I�m a big believer in using what you have and making it work. That�s exactly what I did. However, you could use a professional video ad maker at a very respectable cost and the rewards of doing so are immense.

I was very lucky for my videos to take off and gain a following. I know many YouTubers who are not lucky enough to be in my position and find the YouTube scene very difficult to break out in. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online on how to grow your channel, as seen Here, but somehow, I didn’t have to take any of these steps! I really am very fortunate.

Q5: Did you hire a professional videographer? If so how did you find them?

Answer
Alison Howard: Eventually I was putting out a new video every week, so yes, I had to hire a pro to help take over shooting/editing. I was fortunate and easily found my video editor via a local photographer friend. A film student wanting to build their experience/portfolio would be perfect for this type of project.

Q6: How often do you shoot videos?

Answer

Alison Howard: Usually I like to batch shoot once a month. This means we shoot several videos in one day. It�s the easiest way to do it.

Q7: What topics or types of videos are brides looking for?

Answer

Alison Howard: I have two main audiences: engaged couples and aspiring/novice wedding planners. Couples mostly want DIY ideas, tips for navigating the wedding planning process, & etiquette (aka family drama) advice. Aspiring & new planners want to know how to start/run their businesses, manage client expectations, gain confidence, etc.

Q8: Should wedding pros include videos on @Youtube or @Vimeo or both?

Answer

Alison Howard: YouTube hands down. Google is the largest search engine in the world. Google owns YouTube. YouTube does wonders for SEO BUT � do what works for you. If SEO isn�t a big deal to you and you have tons of business & you prefer Vimeo, go for it!

Q9: When you place videos on @Youtube or @Vimeo what are key things to do?

Answer

Alison Howard: Just like a blog – a strong title, relevant tags, obviously make it public, share it on all your social media platforms.

Q10: What are the best video file types & sizes to place on @Youtube & @Vimeo?

Answer

Alison Howard: This is why I eventually outsourced this part � lol! I DID edit/upload all my own videos until 2013 When I was a video rookie I shot on Cannon Rebel T3i, uploaded to iMovie, edited there and exported to YouTube. It was all integrated and fairly easy to figure it. Google was my BFF. If you�re horrible with (or hate) tech stuff, outsource.

@Wedesignwedding Have you since upgraded equipment? What items and brands do you recommend?

Answer

Alison Howard: I have upgraded! I love #Cannon for shooting and #Rode for sound.

Q11: What types of background should wedding pros talk in front of to record with?

Answer

Alison Howard: It depends on their particular brand. I prefer either a clean white background or a bright/interesting office background. The background matters WAY less than the content. If your content and delivery are weak people won�t stick around.

Q12: Do you work with a teleprompter when you speak into the camera?

Answer

Alison Howard: Almost always, yes! I use Telepromt+ and have never had an issue with it. Super easy. If you say �um� often, lose your train of thought easily, have lengthy content to deliver, a teleprompter is a must!

@danieladegrassi you’re getting to technical here 🙂 what’s a Teleprompt+?

Answer

Alison Howard: It is an app. You use your iPad and iPhone to operate it. Easy peasy!

@juliealbaugh It’s a way to see what you need to say next to the camera without memorizing everything.

Q13: How should wedding pros prepare for their segment? What to say?

Answer

Alison Howard: I write my copy out and then read it out load. Most people speak differently than they write typically. I also run through the entire piece a few times prior to shooting. Once the camera is rolling I run through again. As for styling, I ensure the overall look of the video (including hair, makeup, outfit) is consistent with my brand.

Q14: How should wedding pros prepare for makeup & hair?

Answer

Alison Howard: Get ready as if you�re meeting a client. If you�re batching videos, select & lay out all outfits/accessories in advance. Keep it consistent. When prospective clients/vendors see you in person they should feel like they already know you.

Q15: How do you know if video is the right fit format for you?

Answer

Alison Howard: Video is the right fit for everyone in some capacity. If you’re the person clients deal with directly, it is for you. What sets you apart from every other professional? YOU! Your personality! Video is the easiest way to showcase it.

Q16: How do you come up with your video topics?

Answer

Alison Howard: Most of my topics are prompted by emails I get from people who have something they want/need to know. Sometimes I�m inspired by what�s trending or a personal experience with a client or business situation.

Q17: What are your thoughts on #Periscope?

Answer

Alison Howard: I LOVE that it’s LIVE. This creates even more trust with your audience because you’re on the spot. I love that it’s also a little more casual. People get to see you in a more relaxed, natural way.

Q18: What would you like everyone to take away from this #weddingmarket chat?

Answer

Alison Howard: Video is so much easier to incorporate than you think. Work w/what you’ve got & start. Don�t worry about who�s watching. And BE YOURSELF! You want viewers to see your true personality AND your expertise. If they fall in love with who you are, they�ll fall in love with what you do. Good luck friends! xo!

#WeddingMarket Chat Audience

@AlphaProsperity I am very intimidated by the camera. Any other options to having your face on the video?

Answer

Alison Howard: We all are! Practice Practice Practice! You don’t have to post your practice vids. Get comfy.

@EventSolutionsSF @TheAlisonHoward are you always showing on video? Can you speak while filming something else, like a location?

Answer

Alison Howard: Absolutely, but I think you need to be in the video as well. People want to know you and see you.

@AmandanDouglas How do you get your clients on to Periscope?

Answer

Alison Howard: Share on all your social media platforms that you have Periscope and what you share there.

@Sweetestevents_ What about backgrounds for a weekly Periscope, or Goggle + /Goggle Hangouts, etc. ?

Answer

Alison Howard: Backdrops matter less on those platforms. I Periscope from my office but make an effort to tidy up. 🙂

@DreamyWeddingSK What type of content would you suggest starting with? Geared towards engaged couples or aspiring planners?

Answer

Alison Howard: That’s entirely up to you. If planners are asking to pick your brain, do it.

@WeDesignWedding Were there many views for the first few videos? How did you build an audience?

Answer

Alison Howard: No, thank God! lol! Great content and consistency are what helped me build my audience.

@FrillsBridal Any particular challenges to video marketing that newbies should know about?

Answer

Alison Howard: Always challenges when starting something new, but go for it! Content, sound, lighting are most important.

@DreamyWeddingSK What are the platforms used other than YouTube and Periscope for video marketing?

Answer

Alison Howard: Those are the most popular for sure, but you can other apps. I prefer YouTube & Periscope.

@DanielaDegrassi Do you write your copy? improvise?

Answer

Alison Howard: I write all my own copy and am always prepared, but sometimes I improvise too.

@AllaboutyouEnt Do you think event professional should use periscope at events? Have you used it an event?

Answer

Alison Howard: Absolutely but only if it doesn’t distract. Clients come 1st.