Engage Your Brand™

If you’ve ever feared dropping off Google after a website redesign, this episode is your SEO safety net. 🔍

I’m joined by Sarah Dunn, founder of Sarah Does SEO, to talk about how wedding pros can protect (and even boost) their rankings during a rebrand or site refresh. 

We dive into simple, no-fluff strategies to get found by your dream clients on Google and now, even in AI search tools like ChatGPT.

Whether you’re launching a new website or just want to finally understand SEO without the overwhelm, this conversation will help you b...

What happens when a PhD in quantum materials pivots to wedding planning? ✨

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I sit down with past client and now friend, Katie Sautter, founder of K.S.Otter Events in North Carolina. Katie creates stylish, sustainable, and deeply personal weddings. And her journey from engineering lasers to building a fast-growing planning business is nothing short of inspiring.

We dive into her story of resilience, the fire that fueled her business growth, and how she built a brand that reflects both her fun personality and her detail-oriented plan...

Rebrands shouldn’t be scary, but the wrong one can haunt your bookings and your SEO. 👻

 In this Halloween special of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I’m sharing five “spooky rebrand stories” that every creative should avoid, from the Ghost Rebrand that forgets your audience to the Cursed Rebrand that kills your Google rankings. Tune in for practical tips to protect your investment, keep your audience engaged, and make your next rebrand your most strategic yet.

Key Takeaways:

Client gifting doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be thoughtful. 💡

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I’m joined by my friend and fellow designer, Whitney Zimmermann, founder of Wild Hive Studio. Whitney is a Shopify and packaging designer for product-based businesses, and she brings a refreshing perspective on holiday gifting, client experience, and community-building for creatives.

We chat about how to make your gifts feel personal (not promotional), when to send them, and why gifting can be one of the most powerful marketing...

Engagement season is just about upon us! 

In this episode, I discuss the significance of engagement season, which spans from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, and its impact on marketing strategies for your business.

We'll talk about the importance of consistent marketing efforts year-round and the need for you to to prepare your website and branding in advance to attract ideal clients. 

We'll talk actionable steps for optimizing websites, understanding timelines for branding and design, and the consequences of not preparing for engagement season. 

Some key takeaways:

What if your next big booking came from a feature in Style Me Pretty or Martha Stewart Weddings?

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jaine Kershner, New York–based photographer and founder of Tea with Jaine, a top podcast and education platform for wedding photographers.

Jaine shares her journey from corporate life to building a thriving photography business and dives deep into the art (and strategy) of getting published. We break down what editors are really looking for, how to curate your submissions with intention, and wh...

Whether you dislike, like, or love her music, we have to admit: Taylor Swift has become a pop culture phenomenon, and with her recent engagement, what she does will affect the wedding industry. 

In this conversation, I discuss the significant influence of Taylor Swift on the wedding industry and branding. I'll explore how Taylor Swift's personal and professional evolution, including her recent engagement and new album, will shape trends in the wedding market. Now is a time where there's even more importance of emotional storytelling and authenticity in branding. We'll draw parallels between Swift's approach and the e...

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your marketing toolkit: email marketing, specifically Flodesk email marketing for wedding pros. Whether you’re a planner, photographer, or florist, email marketing helps you create genuine connections beyond social media, and it might just be your most effective way to turn inquiries into loyal clients.

I’m sharing why I resisted email marketing for a long time (and what finally changed my mind), how I simplify my process using Flodesk, and why now is the perfect time to join before their pricin...

Your website isn’t just a digital storefront, it’s the very beginning of your client experience. ✨

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I sit down with Andrea Shah, copywriter and marketing consultant for wedding creatives. With over a decade of experience writing for Fortune 500 companies and luxury brands, Andrea now helps wedding pros spotlight their artistry and client experience through strategic copywriting.

We dive into everything from buyer psychology to pricing transparency, and why your website and copy are just as much a part of your client journey as the wedding day itse...

In this episode, I compar two popular website platforms, Showit vs WordPress, focusing on their pros and cons for creative service providers. 

We'll discuss user experience, SEO myths, pricing structures, creative freedom, customer service, security, and the ease of transitioning between platforms. The conversation aims to help listeners make informed decisions about which platform best suits their needs – truly breaking it down for you so you can choose the best fit for your business!

Here's a high level overview of some of the details you'll learn:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the admin work it takes to manage client payments, contracts, and proposals?

Nora Sheils felt that as a wedding planner too.

In this episode, I chat with Nora, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, about her extensive experience in the wedding industry and the development of her software platform designed to streamline operations for wedding professionals.

Nora shares her journey from starting Bridal Bliss to creating Rock Paper Coin, emphasizing the importance of team building, operational efficiency, and the challenges of branding in the tech space. 

T...

What better way to celebrate my birthday than reflecting on five years of running this business?

In this special birthday episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I’m sharing the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned, from sales skills to mindset shifts that have shaped both my life and my business.

We’ll talk about why learning sales early on sets you up for long-term success, why entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like its own “cult,” and how investing in help (instead of trying to DIY everything) can move your business forward faster. I’ll also share what it...

Did you know Pinterest is STILL a powerful tool to grow website traffic? 

In this episode, Dana Johnson, owner of Dana's Desk, teaches us her genius Pinterest ways! 

Pinterest can be a powerful tool for wedding and event professionals and is one that is still highly underestimated, even in 2025. 

We'll discuss Dana's journey from wedding planning to becoming a Pinterest strategist, the importance of consistency in marketing, and how to effectively use Pinterest as a visual search engine. 

Dana shares insights on debunking myths about Pinterest, long-term success strategies, best practices for...

What does it really take to expand your wedding business into multiple markets without losing your identity or burning out?

In this episode, I’m joined by Irene Katzias of Irene & Co. Events. Irene is a wedding planner with teams across Connecticut, New York, and Utah.

We dive into what it looked like to go from side hustle to full-time business, how she scaled into the luxury space intentionally, and what she’s learned about pricing transparency, SEO, and team building along the way.

Irene’s story is a refreshing reminder that growth doesn’...

Frustrated with your website or wondering if you’re even on the right platform?

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I compare two of the most popular website platforms for wedding and creative professionals — Squarespace and Showit.

We cover why your website platform choice matters for design flexibility, SEO, ease of use, and long-term growth. I share my personal experiences working in both platforms, as well as insights from helping clients successfully switch between them.

Get ready to hear the pros and cons of each, how they’ve changed in 2025, and what...

What if your brand wasn’t just pretty but purposeful, profitable, and deeply personal?

In this episode, I sat down with multi-passionate creative and founder of Jade Alexandria Creative, Jade Buford to talk all things branding, entrepreneurship, and what it means to show up on brand in a meaningful way.

Jade shared her journey from corporate life to creative business ownership, the lessons that shaped her approach to branding, and what inspired her to write her new book, The On-Brand Blueprint. We talked about how branding isn’t just about visuals, it’s about clarity, connec...

Feeling the slowness of the economy, or like you're just not booking as many weddings as usual? You're not alone! 

In this episode of Engage Your Brand™, Heidi Thompson from Evolve Your Wedding Business came on to chat about how to book more weddings with your dreamiest couples. I was on her podcast, Evolve Your Wedding Business a while back, and just had to bring Heidi on to talk about marketing for wedding pros!

It was a great conversation all about how you can optimize your marketing, get specific wit...

Wondering if you should name your business after your own name, or come up with something creative? Personal vs business names for brands have been a debate for a while.

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I delve into the world of brand naming, exploring the nuances between personal and business brand names.

Discover the pros and cons of each, and learn how your choice can impact your business's growth and identity. Whether you're considering a rebrand or starting fresh, I'll offer insights and examples to help you make an informed decision. 

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I interview Cinthia Onines, a systems strategist and marketing expert for wedding professionals. 

We discuss the importance of effective systems, branding, and contingency planning in the wedding industry. 

Cinthia shares her journey from being a wedding planner to founding Boda Bliss, emphasizing the need for streamlined processes and a supportive community. 

Get ready to cover the significance of marketing strategies and project management tools, and real tools to enhance your business systems.

Here are some takeaways:

Do you know what it takes to get your dream clients to purchase your services?

In this conversation, I discuss the significance of understanding the client journey in the wedding and event industry. 

We'll chat about the importance of mapping out your client experience from the moment they become aware of a service to the point of inquiry and beyond. 

The discussion covers various stages of the client journey, the need for effective communication, and strategies to enhance client engagement and satisfaction. In this conversation, we'll discuss the importance of understanding client journeys, pa...

Overwhelmed with marketing and feeling like you're doing it ALL, all day every day?

I feel that, which is why I wanted to bring on Tayler Cusick-Hollman to talk about marketing.

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ podcast, I interview Tayler Cusick-Hulman, founder of Enji, a marketing software designed for wedding professionals. 

Tayler shares her journey from aspiring community college professor to entrepreneur, detailing her experiences in the marketing field and the challenges of building a tech company. The conversation delves into the unique marketing needs of the wedding industry, the dev...

Did you know colors can influence up to 90% of first impressions with your business?

This is why strategic color selection is crucial for branding.

In this episode of Engage Your Brand™, the conversation covers how to build a luxury brand color palette, the psychology behind colors, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for implementing an effective color strategy. I'll explain how to be intentional with your color choices to create a memorable and cohesive brand identity -- one that is both strategic and authentic to you.

Some quick takeaways:

Episode 11 brings to you the very first guest on Engage Your Brand™ – Nina Addeo! 

In this engaging conversation, we'll explore the evolving landscape of social media in the wedding industry, particularly focusing on the differences between millennial and Gen Z clients. 

We'll also discuss the importance of quick responses, authenticity, and effective branding strategies on platforms like Instagram. The conversation also delves into the significance of behind-the-scenes content and the challenges of using video in marketing. Nina shares insights on how to create a comfortable client experience and the story behind her brand, 'I Do Weddin...

Want to get to know me and my brand better? In this episode, I talk through the history behind my brand, Emily Foster Creative - why I started it, why I named it after my personal name, and what we offer. 

But this is so much more. We'll also talk about what you need to know when launching a new brand and developing yours into something bigger. We'll talk about how to position your services to help you brand your business in a more stable way, and how to choose a brand name that fits you.

In this episode of the Engage Your Brand™ Podcast, I discuss the importance of having multiple variations of your logo to build a consistent and recognizable brand. 

Big takeaway: different logo formats  ensure brand presence across various marketing touch points. 

This episode covers the differences between illustrated and text-based logos, the significance of custom logos, and outlines four essential logo variations every brand should hav - especially in the event and wedding industry! 

You'll also learn how to effectively use these logos in different contexts to maintain brand consistency.

Did...

In this episode, we'll cover the essential website pages you need to have if you're a wedding or event pro. 

Gone are the days where it was acceptable to have just 1 long page on your website. In fact, I recommend you have more than 5 pages, but at the very least 3 separate pages! 

Here are some takeaways:

In this episode, we cover one of the biggest essentials of building any successful brand: defining your ideal client. 

Here's a secret we deny early on in our businesses (and maybe for way too long in): 

You don’t need a million clients. You need the right ones.

And for most of you, it'll take booking just 12-60 clients in a year to be fully booked and profitable.

In this episode, we'll cover:

Ever wondered what's standard when it comes to deliverables in a branding package?

In this episode, we cover the seven brand assets your business needs these year! We'll talk all about file types, logo formats, and other nitty gritty details you might not have known you needed. 

Download my Brand Colors Freebie here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/brand-colors-freebie

Are you thinking of leveling up your brand and want some professional help? Contact me to start brainstorming your rebrand:

h...

In this episode, we talk all about wedding venue marketing and why most venues desperately need to level up their game. If you're another type of event or wedding pro, this podcast is still for you as I'm sharing marketing tips that still apply to your business!

Here's an overview of what we'll cover:

In this episode, we cover what an elevated brand is as well as some tips for how to get to that next level with your brand. 

We'll cover what an elevated brand is, why it matters, and some actionable ways you can start elevating your brand today. 

Here's the freebie I mention in the show:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/brand-colors-freebie

Have questions about how to implement this advice? Contact me here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/contact

In this episode, we'll cover some essentials for refreshing your website as a wedding pro or event pro. 

Some highlights are:

View the full blog post here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/website-refresh-checklist/

Download my free checklist for refreshing your website here:

https://emilyfostercreative.com/elevated-website-checklist

In this first episode for wedding pros and event pros, we go over what it means to engage your brand in your marketing and other elements of your hospitality business. 

Get ready for a podcast full of actionable tips and more! 

Welcome to Engage Your Brand —the podcast for wedding, event, and photography pros who are ready to elevate their brand and stand out in a saturated market. Hosted by Emily Foster Creative, we’re diving into strategy, storytelling, and actionable tips, because your business’s branding deserves to be so much more than just pretty. Whether you’ve been in business for one year or three decades, this space is for you.

If you’re tired of blending in and know deep down that your work deserves to be sought after— and priced higher – you're in the right place. We...

In this episode, I (Emily Foster Keller) share the story behind the Engage Your Brand podcast - the branding podcast for wedding and event pros. We'll cover the story behind the name, talk a little about Emily Foster Creative, and talk about why I'm starting a podcast. 

If you're looking for branding and website design tips for wedding pros or hospitality pros, stay tuned for more actionable episodes