Another place to advertise

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Does anybody use LinkedIn? The only people I know that do are primarily salespeople... they're using it to either a) find out more about a certain decision-maker at a large company to see if they have a connection who can make an introduction for them, or b) they're hoping some recruiter finds their profile and reaches out to them with a better job than the one they have.

Everybody else? Well, not so much... People don't use LinkedIn for personal things (like announcing life events) or shopping. When they do use it, they're very much at work and focused on a particular task. Furthermore, they don't browse it like one would do with Instagram or Facebook. If they can't find the specific person they're looking for, they're out fast.

Save your money.
 
I dunno, LinkedIn is obviously not a social platform, but it does seem to have an awful lot of professional types on it. If I can target an ad to female, 20-35 and in a specific area, then I'd LOVE having the eyeballs of women with money, and that might be getting married. FB produces a lot of looks, but an awful lot of the girls I'm seeing respond don't have any money. I'm still thinking about it but might try an ad (or three) for a couple of weeks and see what happens.
 
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Well the way I calculate it that's $300 for 30 days. That's expensive to me. That might be another on site thing that they make a ton of money from someone and they basically don't get much in return. This venue is just getting off the ground and it's going to take some to build things to where you want it to be.

May I ask what is your starting price for someone to rent the venue from you? Did you consider an open house where you invite people possibly looking for a venue to have an event along with professionals in different businesses? You could have a sample of the food you serve at the venue. Not a full coarse meal. Just something for them coming to me venue. You might get people to rent the place that day.
 
Well the way I calculate it that's $300 for 30 days. That's expensive to me. That might be another on site thing that they make a ton of money from someone and they basically don't get much in return. This venue is just getting off the ground and it's going to take some to build things to where you want it to be.

May I ask what is your starting price for someone to rent the venue from you? Did you consider an open house where you invite people possibly looking for a venue to have an event along with professionals in different businesses? You could have a sample of the food you serve at the venue. Not a full coarse meal. Just something for them coming to me venue. You might get people to rent the place that day.

IF the ad channel works then $300/month is nothing. My base price is $3500 so 1 gig puts me at 8% acquisition cost. I'll go for that every day of the week. If Weddingwire hadn't screwed up their search routines (Oneonta venues get lumped in with Birmingham-not cool), I'd have taken an ad there.

As for open house, yes, I'll be doing them but not concerned with it right now. I have to get past this first event, 10 days from now and then I've got some breathing room.
 
I dunno, LinkedIn is obviously not a social platform, but it does seem to have an awful lot of professional types on it. If I can target an ad to female, 20-35 and in a specific area, then I'd LOVE having the eyeballs of women with money, and that might be getting married. FB produces a lot of looks, but an awful lot of the girls I'm seeing respond don't have any money. I'm still thinking about it but might try an ad (or three) for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

Professional types who are NOT planning their weddings or events.
And since people are using it for business, they probably don't look at the ads.
(I know I don't when I am on it)
And trust me, just because they are on LinkedIn, doesn't automatically mean they have more money.
They are social media users who are more focused on business
than seeing what someone else had for lunch.

If you'd like to tap into those people...
Create a LinkedIn profile for the business, and make regular posts with pictures.
Just like Facebook.
You'd still be getting new looksies...without the cost.
 
Professional types who are NOT planning their weddings or events.
And since people are using it for business, they probably don't look at the ads.
(I know I don't when I am on it)
And trust me, just because they are on LinkedIn, doesn't automatically mean they have more money.
They are social media users who are more focused on business
than seeing what someone else had for lunch.

If you'd like to tap into those people...
Create a LinkedIn profile for the business, and make regular posts with pictures.
Just like Facebook.
You'd still be getting new looksies...without the cost.

Thanks, that's an excellent idea. I did setup a biz page this morning. Have to getting posting some content. Will let you guys know if anything comes of it.
 
Thanks, that's an excellent idea. I did setup a biz page this morning. Have to getting posting some content. Will let you guys know if anything comes of it.

Don't forget to look for people you know, and "connect" with them.
That way more people will see your posts.
 
I got to ask these questions. You said your starting price for someone to have an event at your venue is $3,500. What do they get for that price and for how many hours?
 
Follow Taso's method....seems to work for him.:pillwink:
Lol it really does... Instagram has a fascinating tool that shows you how many times people save photos to their collection. Anytime I post something cool like sparklers or other effects it gets a significant amount of saves compared to my regular content. In my finalization when couples often add stuff they often refer to photos they saw on my Instagram.

PS Facebook is dead.., this generation is all about instagram right now. So if that and your website are looking good, you’ll have better success at attracting clients.
 
Lol it really does... Instagram has a fascinating tool that shows you how many times people save photos to their collection. Anytime I post something cool like sparklers or other effects it gets a significant amount of saves compared to my regular content. In my finalization when couples often add stuff they often refer to photos they saw on my Instagram.

PS Facebook is dead.., this generation is all about instagram right now. So if that and your website are looking good, you’ll have better success at attracting clients.


wondering what "tags" you are using when posting on IG? #weddingdj ?#djtaso? what is working if you don't mind sharing?
 
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wondering what "tags" you are using when posting on IG? #weddingdj ?#djtaso? what is working if you don't mind sharing?
Tags are overrated... everyone and their mom is using it so forget standing out that way. They also don’t help localize things. I just make sure I’m utilizing the venue as my location and when possible tagging certain people or using the couples hashtag when applicable. The most effective is using the venues location. Often people will search the venue to get inspiration or ideas from others who’ve been there. Or they attended an event and search the venue location to see what others posted from the event.
 
Lol it really does... Instagram has a fascinating tool that shows you how many times people save photos to their collection. Anytime I post something cool like sparklers or other effects it gets a significant amount of saves compared to my regular content. In my finalization when couples often add stuff they often refer to photos they saw on my Instagram.

PS Facebook is dead.., this generation is all about instagram right now. So if that and your website are looking good, you’ll have better success at attracting clients.

Okay, time for me to get cracking on Instagram. I've been digging into it the past few days and, you're right, there are TONS of <30 year old females and likely a much better platform than FB to spend my energies. I'm wondering, for those of you who use Instagram regularly, what's your strategy (or routine). My venue page only has about 30 followers currently. To start with, I searched for "Oneonta Alabama" and have started following about 300 people there. They're slowly starting follow my page as well. On posting, I'm trying to put at least one pic up per day and making sure to include my website URL, along with keywords. Any other suggestions from you experts?
 
Okay, time for me to get cracking on Instagram. I've been digging into it the past few days and, you're right, there are TONS of <30 year old females and likely a much better platform than FB to spend my energies. I'm wondering, for those of you who use Instagram regularly, what's your strategy (or routine). My venue page only has about 30 followers currently. To start with, I searched for "Oneonta Alabama" and have started following about 300 people there. They're slowly starting follow my page as well. On posting, I'm trying to put at least one pic up per day and making sure to include my website URL, along with keywords. Any other suggestions from you experts?
Searching for a DJ is very different than searching for a venue. A venue is a more detailed process with more going into the decisions, and as a result people will search via google for a venues in a given area to go visit. So if you’re using Instagram to get organic leads... it’s not gonna happen, as people don’t use the platform to search venues. If you’re looking to use Instagram to your advantage the key is to get OTHER people talking about your venue and posting it... not so much you. You kinda hurt yourself when you limited the number of outside vendors by requiring people use your DJ services and bundling the photog. Venues gain popularity when vendors and guests show photos and videos of the place and people get curious when they see something that looks really nice. My wife always texts me and asks about venues when she sees her friends at places.
My advice... provide an open house with other vendors. Instagram will be your best friend but not with you posting... but by other people posting the venue. The DJ is different bc people don’t post about djs when they’re out... but they’ll post about the venue and the food.
 
Searching for a DJ is very different than searching for a venue. A venue is a more detailed process with more going into the decisions, and as a result people will search via google for a venues in a given area to go visit. So if you’re using Instagram to get organic leads... it’s not gonna happen, as people don’t use the platform to search venues. If you’re looking to use Instagram to your advantage the key is to get OTHER people talking about your venue and posting it... not so much you. You kinda hurt yourself when you limited the number of outside vendors by requiring people use your DJ services and bundling the photog. Venues gain popularity when vendors and guests show photos and videos of the place and people get curious when they see something that looks really nice. My wife always texts me and asks about venues when she sees her friends at places.
My advice... provide an open house with other vendors. Instagram will be your best friend but not with you posting... but by other people posting the venue. The DJ is different bc people don’t post about djs when they’re out... but they’ll post about the venue and the food.

Thanks for the insight. I have been reaching out to other vendors in the past several weeks. In addition, I've also removed food and photography in our package. I do still offer photography as an add-on, but food is removed completely and the caterers are listed on our preferred vendor list. As for DJs, it's just not going to happen (at least for now). I've yet to hear a single bride, wanting to bring in a different DJ and most have been positive that I'm the guy taking care of their event personally. If/when that changes, then I'll consider outside DJs.

I'm continuing to try and get a handle on how to pitch this thing. It's turning out to be a lot harder than I expected. Monthly hits are averaging 500 with Instagram making up 10 of that (after only a few days of working with it). I've been putting my price into the ads but I'm thinking that's a mistake. I need more imaging (both pictures and word play) to pique the curiosity of girls who are looking to get married. I will say that it's been entirely un-nerving to see leads dry up during the past 2 weeks (during peak booking season). Nothing like having $100k+ invested and then the phone stops ringing.
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Thanks for the insight. I have been reaching out to other vendors in the past several weeks. In addition, I've also removed food and photography in our package. I do still offer photography as an add-on, but food is removed completely and the caterers are listed on our preferred vendor list. As for DJs, it's just not going to happen (at least for now). I've yet to hear a single bride, wanting to bring in a different DJ and most have been positive that I'm the guy taking care of their event personally. If/when that changes, then I'll consider outside DJs.

I'm continuing to try and get a handle on how to pitch this thing. It's turning out to be a lot harder than I expected. Monthly hits are averaging 500 with Instagram making up 10 of that (after only a few days of working with it). I've been putting my price into the ads but I'm thinking that's a mistake. I need more imaging (both pictures and word play) to pique the curiosity of girls who are looking to get married. I will say that it's been entirely un-nerving to see leads dry up during the past 2 weeks (during peak booking season). Nothing like having $100k+ invested and then the phone stops ringing.
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I say this often... no one will tell you they want something different. They'll just look at other options. We're blinded because we only get the inquiries that are comfortable with how we do things... and not necessarily hearing the other side. You'll never hear about brides wanting their own dj until it's too late and your inquiries are dwindling because of the limited customization available in one of the most crucial areas of planning an event... the entertainment.

Anyways... I'll go back to my other point... who posts about a venue... NOT the caterers. Its DJ's (and the more dj's you bring in the more eyes your venue is exposed to), photographers/videographers, bakeries taking photos of their cake at your venue, and decorators. Those are the vendors you want to get in, especially for in house shows. The other MAJOR source of exposure is the GUESTS. Many venues around here have focal points that virtually everyone takes photos in front of... whether its flower walls, fountains, MASSIVE FLOWERS, hallways etc... you need to create something that people want to get in front of and be known for. For example... the venetian around here has in its entrance way a large flower vase that changes often with different flowers. I attached a photo of me and my wife there as reference to get the idea of what captivates. If you go on instagram and search the location of the Venetian (not the page... but the location), you'll see everyone posting photos from the same spot. And everyone knows that when they see it...its the Venetian... and if they don't know where it is, they'll search because they'll see that photo over and over from many people. You need to create something like that.
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To the final part of your marketing. You need to excite. If you're gonna do price do something more generic like Wedding Reception Rentals for as Low as XXXX! If you're gonna post pictures, bring in the areas best photographer... don't rely on yourselves... there's always someone better. Do a video walk through of the venue. Your website is still all wrong. Your headline is Free Photo Booth... I'm booking a venue! I could care less about photo booths. Make the headline, 2020 rentals as low as $$$$. Here's a wesbite from a venue in NJ that I consider to be more low-mid tier style and is about the grounds more than anything https://www.thebradfordestate.com/ its a night and day difference.