The last 31 days have been a lot longer and busier than I can remember! Thank you to all of you who have supported our membership team and have reached out to ask questions about some of the new processes.

If you haven't already gone through the updated benefit program please be sure to do so, the link is below for you. If you still have questions about your membership and the best way to use it please join us on one of our monthly Member Mumblings calls. These calls are for YOU to ask questions of the Leadership Team. Its an opportunity to get your voice heard. We scheduled calls for the remainder of the year, you can find them by clicking here.

The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) has a rich and storied history that spans several decades, representing a vital force in the world of weddings. Established in 1955, ABC was founded with a mission to elevate the standards and professionalism within the industry, setting the stage for a dynamic and evolving organization that has played a pivotal role in the success of countless wedding professionals and couples alike.

The genesis of ABC can be traced back to the vision of its founding members The Monahans, who recognized the need for a dedicated platform where wedding professionals could come together to learn, collaborate, and share their expertise. Then with David Wood and his expansion of ABC with the Travel Divison and the opportunities that it provided to our members. Over the years, the organization has grown exponentially, amassing a diverse and passionate membership base that spans the globe.

Throughout its history, ABC has remained steadfast in its commitment to education and accreditation. It has continuously adapted to the changing landscape of the industry, offering cutting-edge resources, training programs, and networking opportunities to empower its members to excel in their careers.

ABC has been a pioneer in setting high standards for wedding planning and consultation, advocating for ethical business practices, and fostering a sense of community among its members. The organization's dedication to professionalism has earned it recognition and respect from both industry peers and clients alike.

As we reflect on the history of our Association, we see a journey marked by growth, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a globally recognized authority in the wedding industry, ABC has played an integral role in shaping the landscape of modern weddings. Its legacy is one of education, support, and a commitment to making every wedding a truly special and memorable occasion.

New membership badges have been released today also! Be sure to sign into the website to download yours and update your website, social media and business cards!

Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Program Update

If you currently sell travel then you'll want to make sure to attend this webinar to learn about some of the new and exciting changes with our VP of Travel & Tourism - Nicole Marie Zillman.

Upcoming Local Events & Webinars

Your State Managers are working hard to provide educational & networking opportunities for you both online and in-person. Be sure to support them and your business and get out and meet your local members!

February Calendar Of Events For Members

Sign up and additional event information available HERE.

• ABC Florida - February Educational Luncheon (Tuesday, February 6th)
• Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Program Update (Tuesday, February 6th on Zoom)
• ABC Members At Large Online Meet Up (Wednesday, February 7th on Zoom)
• Member Mumblings (Tuesday, February 20th on Zoom)
• ABC North Carolina - Winter State Meeting (Saturday, February 24th)
• ABC Louisiana - Educational Meeting & Networking (Sunday, February 25th)
• ABC Illinois - Floral Creation Class (Tuesday February 27th)

Think about it for a moment. Communication involves two or more people. Someone initiates a conversation by asking a question. For the conversation to work, someone has to respond and answer back. This is essentially what social media is all about. As a content creator, you're trying to have a conversation and communicate with your audience.

While the emphasis used to be more on the number of followers a person had, today's algorithm focuses mainly on how many people are interacting with your content. (Ironically, you can have lots of followers, but if your people are not engaging with your content, it can actually hurt and limit your reach.) The algorithm then analyzes the results and then makes a decision on how many people to show your post to. This works pretty much the same on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and other social media platforms. The more interest that is shown, especially in the first 30 minutes after posting, the more accounts your content is going to be shared with. (Engagement still counts after 30 minutes. That's why some reels start to pick up momentum and go viral after a few days.)

So how do you encourage people to engage with your account? Here are some quick and easy tips to try:

• ALWAYS RESPOND TO QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: This is pretty basic, but if someone wants to engage with you, have the courtesy to respond to them. This could be a potential client who is silently following you and is ready to take the next step. When your audience feels more valued by you, they are more likely to want to keep engaging. (By the way, just to clarify, I'm not talking about those annoying accounts that ask you to be an ambassador or the bot accounts who want you to promote it on their site. Truthfully, their comments still count as engagement, but you're best to simply ignore them.)
• ASK A QUESTION? Try to come up with a question that might encourage your audience to respond with an answer and interact with. What part of your wedding day are you most looking forward to? What is your biggest question about wedding planning? Which bouquet do you like the best - 1, 2 or 3? What colors are in your wedding palette? How many guests are on your guest list?
• GIVE A CALL-TO-ACTION: Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do. Save this post for future reference. Share this post with a friend who's getting married. Follow me to learn more about wedding planning tips. Send me a DM to set up a consultation now.
• LINK/TAG OTHER VENDORS: This is so easy for wedding pros! When you showcase one of your weddings or events, be sure to tag the other vendors involved (especially the photographer). When they see your post (which they will get notified about), they are more likely to comment and potentially share as well. (Two for the price of one!) Want to really nail it? Tag the couple as well as your clients are still probably in wedding euphoria and will often rave about the experience of their wedding and working with you!

Don't forget about the importance of taking some time to engage on other pages, especially ones that might be similar to your own and where your ideal client might be hanging out. You want people to come and engage with content on your own page. It's only fair then that you go and engage on other pages as well. Think of it like networking or meeting new people at a party. You go into a busy room, choose someone and start having a conversation. It begins more generally, but as you get to know one another, the conversation gets deeper. Engaging on other people's pages and accounts is very similar. Start basic and begin building a relationship.



• Visit wedding show pages in your area. Compliment vendors you know who may be recognized or have a booth there. You can also look for general posts that the wedding show might be posting or asking questions on that you can respond and comment on. If people see your name and account a few times, and like what you say, there is a chance they will come over and check out your page to see what you're all about.
• Visit the accounts of other vendors you like working with or possible even vendors you want to work with. Compliment their work in a sincere or genuine way and even include what it is about them that makes them so enjoyable to work with. Couples that follow them will see that you work together and visit your page as well.
• Wedding blogs, magazines and such will often be talking trends, planning ideas, and even general things to think about. Include your take on them, what you like (and sometimes what you don't). Keep it real and authentic with a genuine comment and they might even respond or "pin" your comment getting even more eyes on you.

I know your plate is already full, but engagement is a little thing that can make a BIG difference when it comes to growing your account. Try and schedule in some additional time each week to engage with your audience and audiences in similar accounts and you should start to see the results!

Have a social media question you need answered, be sure to send me an email and I will get back to you at socialmedia@abcweddingplanners.com.

Cathy

State Managers represent ABC locally, communicating and assisting members in many valuable and supportive ways. They manage state and regional meetings, conference calls, and webinars to promote education and enhance networking in their areas.  They act as a point of contact for members' questions, concerns, and issues and are a major contact for non-members interested in learning about our members and ABC membership.  They lead with ethics, fairness, and hard work to bridge national and local efforts.  Our State Managers moving forward are:

• Tammy Waterman, MWP - Florida
• Callie Rackley Carr, AWP - Georgia
• Desiree Dent, RWP - Illinois
• Monica Richard, MWP - Indiana & Kentucky
• Donna Brian, MWP - Louisiana
• Shelby Tuck-Horton, MWP - Maryland & DC
• Brandy Lane, PWP - Michigan
• Aaren Muex, PWP - Missouri
• Jennifer Ball, MWP - North Carolina
• Brooke Johnson-Leppla, PWP - Ohio
• Galina Nemtsov Wohl, PWP - Pennsylvania
• Jasmin Jackson-Bray, PWP - Texas
• Michelle Myers Riddick, CWP - Virginia
• Sari L. Skalnik, MWP - Puerto Rico

Remember if you aren't in one of these states Jenn Ball will be your go-to person! So be sure to reach out to her! She'll be hosting a zoom meeting to discuss updates this month!

Association of Bridal Consultants WEBSITE