Did you know that March 1st is Share A Smile Day? Happy Smile Day!

As you navigate through the intricate tapestry of weddings and business ownership, your unwavering patience and grace shine as guiding beacons illuminating the path to unforgettable moments. Your dedication to perfection and tireless efforts to orchestrate magical celebrations are the threads that weave dreams into reality.

In the face of challenges and uncertainties, you stand resilient, embodying the true essence of professionalism and passion. Your commitment to excellence and your ability to maintain composure amidst the whirlwind of emotions is a testament to your remarkable character.

Today, let us pause to acknowledge the extraordinary work you do and the profound impact you have on the lives of countless couples. Your ability to transform visions into breathtaking realities is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

May you always find strength in your patience, and may your grace continue to elevate every occasion you touch. Thank you for being the pillars of support and the epitome of elegance in the world of weddings.

With deepest appreciation and admiration,

Veronica

We wanted to send a reminder about Logo usage. Any member can use the Logo on their website and marketing materials with a link back to our website - www.abcweddingplanners.com, EXCEPT for Registered Wedding Planners.

Please note that the LOGO cannot be altered in any way.

Designation Logos are on their way and will be sent out very soon! They will also be on the website ready for you to download.

Passport to Profits Training Series

There have been lots of questions recently about travel. Whether you've been doing this for a while now or are new to travel, our VP of Travel & Tourism, Nicole Zillman PWP, has set up a new and exciting webinar series called Passport to Profits.

She will be offering a Zoom session once a month to help members build the Travel Division of their business. Check the upcoming Meetings & Webinars for dates HERE. (Passport to Profits webinar dates have been booked up to and including August.)

Conference Payments

Don't forget that conference payments are due at the end of this month. You can log into your account on the website and see the open invoices and dates due. If you would like to change your arrival or departure dates please let us know.

You can email Michole Council, PWP at Members@ABCWeddingPlanners.com or call home office at 336-690-5510.

March Calendar Of Events For Members

Sign up and additional event information available HERE.

• March 2nd - ABC Maryland/DC Meeting Information 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Eastern (In-person)
• March 3rd - ABC Pennsylvania Ask The Pros 12:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern (In-person)
• March 5th - ABC Florida Educational Luncheon - Fairy Tail Style 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Eastern (In-person)
• March 5th - ABC North Carolina Lunch & Learn 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Eastern (In-person)
• March 12th - Member Mumblings 2:00 - 3:00 Eastern Time (Webinar on Zoom open to all members)
• March 13th - ABC Georgia - March Networking Mixer 5:30 - 8:00 PM (In-person)
• March 14th - WEBINAR: Establishing Effective Business Boundaries - Exact time and sign-up information to be announced soon (Webinar on Zoom open to all members)
• March 26th - Passport To Profits: Travel Basics 7:00 - 8:00 PM (Webinar on Zoom open to all members)
• March 28th - WEBINAR: Minding Your Money - Exact time and sign-up information to be announced soon (Webinar on Zoom open to all members)

Important Blog Articles

Have you been reading our blog? Catch up on a few great articles!

• Leveraging your Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) membership in your marketing efforts
• Why You Should Submit Real Weddings

CATHY'S CORNER: WRITING SOCIAL MEDIA CAPTIONS THAT MAKE AN IMPACT

The image or video you choose is only one part of the equation! Your captions are an integral part of your social media post. To get maximum impact, it's necessary to put some careful thought and planning in to help your content stand out.

1) USE A HOOK TO STOP THE SCROLL: A hook is like a headline. It has a specific purpose and that is to grab your audience's attention. There are different types of hooks. Some are based on Engagement, while others focus more on Connection, Controversy, or Education. Many social media experts say your caption is actually one of the most important parts of your post. When you take the time to carefully craft a hook at the beginning of your caption, you will find you start getting more engagement on our posts. Here are a few to try:

• Avoid these 4 techniques that are costing you time and money.
• The shocking reality of ....
• Pro Tip: Don't make this mistake!
• I can't believe I didn't know this sooner!
• Steal my best-kept secret for ...
• Get ready to be blown away!

2) THINK OF WAYS TO NATURALLY INCLUDE KEYWORDS AND TERMS THAT POTENTIAL CLIENTS MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR: Most social platforms have some degree of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). When you can find ways to include keywords and phrases that potential clients might be using, they have a better chance of finding your content. This could include a phrases like Chicago wedding planner, wedding ceremony ideas, Napa wedding photographer, or Miami wedding venue. You can also include think of keywords and phrases that clients might be looking for in terms of wedding trends and ideas such as wedding decor trends, bridal gown designs, or 2024 wedding ideas, .... Bonus points if you can figure out how to use them naturally in your caption versus making it sound artificial and forced.

3) INCLUDE A CALL-TO-ACTION (CTA): Every post should have a Call-To-Action (CTA). This is where you specifically tell your audience what they should do next. Something like "Contact us now to set up a FREE initial consultant" or "Share this post with a friend who's tying the knot". Think of it as guiding them to the next step in the process.

4) INCORPORATE HASHTAGS: While hashtags don't have the same impact that they once did, they still help your content be found. They work just like keywords and phrases and help your content be found. (Think of it, like a file folder label.) Figure out what some of the hashtags are for your area as well as the more common wedding-related ones and include an assortment of them at the end of each of your posts. Examples might include: #sandiegoofficiant #georgiaweddingplanner #destinationweddingplanner or #weddingtrends2024. Also don't be afraid to use location hashtags such as #washingtondcweddings #rockymountainwedding or #caribbeanwedding.

5) BE SURE TO TAG AND CREDIT VENDORS APPROPRIATELY: When you tag and credit vendors using a link (the @ sign) they are notified that they were mentioned in your post. Most often, they will then either like or comment on your post as well. The more engagement you get on a post, the more your post will be shown to your existing followers and potential new audience members. (Furthermore, it's just common courtesy to recognize fellow team members that were part of the wedding day team.)

By putting a little more thought into the captions you write, you will improve the reach that your social media efforts have.

Have a social media question or something you want to know more about, be sure to reach out to me at socialmedia@abcweddingplanners.com.

Cathy

MEMBERSHIP PRICE INCREASE

On June 1st after careful consideration and evaluation, the Association's Leadership Team has decided to implement a price increase for our membership dues. This is the first membership due increase in 10 years. This decision was not made lightly.

Over the past 4 (four) years, our association has experienced increased operating costs, including inflation, and more. Just as you are experiencing rising costs so are we. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that we can provide the high-quality services, additional member benefits, and resources that you rely on.

Current Pricing

Registered Wedding Planners $185

Certified Wedding Planners & Above $265

Vendor Memberships $225

New Pricing

Registered Wedding Planners $235

Certified Wedding Planners & Above $315

Vendor Memberships $275

Student, Emeritus, and Corporate Memberships will not change.

We want to assure you that despite this adjustment, your membership will continue to provide exceptional value. The additional revenue generated from this adjustment will be reinvested directly into the association to provide additional educational opportunities, add more local in person networking & educational events, provide the licencing needed to protect our membership and promoting ABC and its benefits by magazine ads and particpation in industry related trade shows!

We understand that changes like this may raise questions or concerns. We welcome your feedback and are available to address any inquiries you may have. Please feel free to reach out to Veronica with any questions or comments.

We recognize that some members may be impacted by this adjustment, and we are committed to supporting you during this transition. If you anticipate difficulty in meeting the new dues structure, please let us know, and we will work with you to explore potential solutions or accommodations.

We will continue to provide updates and reminders leading up to the implementation date of June 1st to ensure a smooth transition for all members.

Thank you for your continued support of ABC. Together, we remain dedicated to advancing our shared goals and serving the needs of our community.

INTERESTING NEWS ARTICLES

• A new take on Bridal Shows?
• Charlotte bride creates app to improve wedding guest experiences
• Usher kept wedding plans secret from Super Bowl co-stars

Happy Planning!!

Association of Bridal Consultants WEBSITE