Episodes

  • AI Search Visibility for Venues [Part One]
    Aug 4 2025

    Search is changing—and fast. With AI-generated answers now appearing at the top of platforms like Google and Bing, venue owners need to start thinking beyond traditional SEO.

    In this episode of The Venue Podcast, Kinsey Roberts and Lindsay Lucas dig into AI search visibility and what it means for wedding venues moving forward.

    You’ll learn what AI search actually is, how it’s different from standard search results, and—most importantly—how to position your venue to stay visible and competitive in a changing digital landscape.

    We cover:
    🤖 What AI search results are and how they’re generated
    📉 Why relying on your website alone may hurt your visibility
    📈 Easy ways to boost your venue’s relevance in AI-driven searches
    🧠 Content strategies that work with both algorithms and couples
    ⚠️ What venue owners should do now to future-proof their online presence

    If you're wondering how your venue can stay ahead of the curve and keep showing up when couples are planning online, this episode is your roadmap.

    Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

    Marketing against the grain podcast

    Rick Mulready

    Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay:

    Website

    Instagram

    Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com

    Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com

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    35 mins
  • How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
    Jul 28 2025

    Episode Summary:
    Your Google Business Profile might be one of the most overlooked tools in your venue’s marketing strategy—but it shouldn’t be.

    In this episode of The Venue Podcast, Kinsey Roberts and Lindsay Lucas break down how wedding venue owners can fully optimize their Google Business Profile to improve visibility, build trust with potential clients, and drive more qualified inquiries.

    Whether you're just claiming your profile or looking to take it from “meh” to magnetic, this episode walks you through practical steps that will make your venue easier to find and more enticing to book.

    What we cover:
    ✅ The importance of your Google Business Profile in local search
    📸 What photos to post (and how often!)
    📝 Must-fill fields that help you show up in search
    ⭐️ How to collect and leverage reviews
    📍Common mistakes venue owners make (and how to fix them)

    If you're relying solely on social media or your website to get found, you're missing a huge opportunity. This episode will help you make your venue stand out where it matters most.

    Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay:

    Website

    Instagram

    Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com

    Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com

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    37 mins
  • The Tech Stack That Runs My Venue Business (For Under $400/Month)
    Jul 23 2025

    The detailed breakdown of Kinsey's Tech Stack to run her wedding venue, Vista View Events for less than $400/month.

    Here's the List:

    Creative & Design Tools
    Canva Pro - $20/month

    All social media content (Instagram carousels, Facebook posts, Reels covers)

    Photo editing and headshot retouching

    PDF guides and digital products

    Physical printed materials (thank you cards, planners, branded envelopes)

    Client Management System
    Dubsado - $20/month

    Central CRM for all client relationships

    Contract and agreement storage

    Client portal functionality

    Custom lists and client-specific resources

    Inquiry form creation and website embedding

    AI-Powered Productivity Suite
    Three AI Tools - $56.66/month total

    ChatGPT Pro ($20/month): Primary AI assistant

    Claude ($20/month): Alternative AI perspective

    Perplexity ($16.66/month, paid annually): Research and fact-checking

    Business Communications
    OpenPhone - $64/month

    Professional business phone line on personal device

    Business hours automation

    Custom voicemail messages

    Text messaging capabilities

    Multiple number and user management

    Alternative mentioned: Grasshopper as backup option

    Financial Management
    QuickBooks - $35/month

    Essential bookkeeping software

    Tax preparation streamlining

    Monthly reconciliation capabilities

    Key advice: Start early, even with minimal revenue

    Website & Online Presence
    Squarespace - $22.33/month (annual billing)

    Website hosting and management

    E-commerce capabilities for future products

    Built-in email system (though not used)

    Integration with other tools

    Email Marketing & Client Communication
    FloDesk - $64/month

    Beautiful, customized client emails

    Automated check-in sequences

    Annual "wedding year" celebration emails

    New client follow-up automation

    Integration with lead capture system


    Automation & Integration
    Zapier - $29/month

    Connects Dubsado inquiry forms to FloDesk sequences

    Automated workflow triggers

    Eliminates manual data entry

    Set-and-forget functionality

    Professional Email & Productivity
    Google Workspace - $25.50/month

    Professional email addresses (@vistaviewevents.com)

    Gmail interface with business features

    User management capabilities

    Multiple inbox organization

    Scheduling & Appointments
    Acuity Scheduling - FREE

    Automated booking system

    Tour and consultation scheduling

    Final walkthrough coordination

    Phone call appointments

    Cost-saving tip: Included with Squarespace subscription

    Key Takeaway:
    Budget-Friendly
    Total investment under $400/month for a established venue

    Strategic tool selection based on actual usage

    Annual payment discounts when available

    Tool Selection Philosophy:
    "The tool that works is the one you actually use"

    1. Regular business audits to eliminate unused subscriptions

    2. Focus on integration and automation over individual features

    Growth Considerations:
    Tech stack has evolved over 9 years of business

    Started with much lower monthly investment

    Each tool serves multiple purposes to maximize value

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    17 mins
  • Should You Put Your Pricing on Your Venue's Website?
    Jul 21 2025

    In this short and sweet episode, Kinsey Roberts and Lindsay Lucas tackle one of the most frequently asked questions from venue owners: “Should I put my pricing on my website?”

    We get straight to the point and unpack the pros, cons, and strategic considerations that come with displaying (or not displaying) your pricing online. Whether you're a brand new venue navigating your first inquiries or a seasoned pro refining your booking process, this quick listen will help you make an informed and confident decision.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why there's no one-size-fits-all answer

    • How your pricing strategy impacts your lead quality

    • Ways to display pricing (without scaring people off)

    • The hidden power of transparency in today’s market

    Tune in for a fresh perspective and a few practical tips that will save you time, headaches, and maybe even a few awkward inquiry emails.

    Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay:

    Website

    Instagram

    Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com

    Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com

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    11 mins
  • Before You Break Ground: The 7 Mistakes First-Time Venue Owners Make
    Jul 14 2025

    Every week, another beautiful venue closes its doors within the first few years. The reason? It's the costly mistakes made before ever welcoming the first guest. In this episode, Lindsay pulls back the curtain on the 7 most expensive missteps first-time venue owners make and provide actionable strategies to avoid them.

    Whether you're in the dreaming phase, applying for funding, ready to sign a lease or even a seasoned venue owner, this episode will save you time, money, and heartache by learning from others' expensive lessons.

    Key Takeaways

    🎯 Market research isn't optional

    💰 The MVP approach saves money

    📊 Know your real numbers

    🏢 Location is more than rent

    ⚙️ Systems prevent disasters

    📱 Marketing starts before opening

    🧠 Mindset matters

    Links + Resources mentioned in the episode:

    • Funding 101
    • Profit planner
    • Operations Overhaul
    • Free resources
    • Freebie: Pre-Launch your venue

    Kinsey and Lindsay both offer custom market analysis for 1:1 clients. Email Kinsey at kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com or email Lindsay at hello@thelindsaylucas.com

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    42 mins
  • Dream Big, Start SMART: Building Your Wedding Venue in Phases
    Jun 23 2025

    Feeling like your dream of owning a wedding venue is slipping away?

    Take a breath — and don’t give up.

    In this solo episode, Lindsay Lucas, wedding venue consultant, shares a powerful mindset shift that could change everything: You don’t have to build the dream all at once. You just have to start smart.

    If traditional funding options said "no," it might be time to go back to the drawing board and explore building your venue in phases — a strategic, sustainable approach that reduces financial risk, opens more funding doors, and even comes with added benefits like spreading out tax liabilities over several years.

    You’ll learn:

    • Why “no” from a bank isn’t the end — it’s feedback for your plan

    • How breaking your project into 2–3 realistic phases can get you to the finish line faster

    • The long-term financial and operational upsides of a phased approach

    • How to regroup, rethink, and relaunch your venue dream without losing momentum

    Whether you’re in the early dreaming stage or facing obstacles mid-build, this episode will help you realign with your vision and move forward — wisely.

    Connect with Kinsey & Lindsay:

    Website

    Instagram

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    15 mins
  • How to Get More Wedding Venue Leads: 3 Strategies That Actually Work
    Jun 18 2025

    "Bookings are down for this year" - sound familiar? If you've been watching your lead pipeline slow to a trickle while refreshing your inbox hoping for inquiries, this episode is your lifeline.

    Kinsey and Lindsay are pulling back the curtain on three strategies that are actually working to generate wedding venue leads right now (not the same tired advice you've heard a million times).

    Grab your notebook (seriously, you'll want to take notes!) as Kinsey breaks down:

    📱 Strategy #1: Leverage Social Media Consistently Learn the exact content formula that moves couples through their buyer's journey - 40% awareness content, 40% consideration content, and 20% decision content. Plus, discover how to use automation tools like ManyChat to be the fastest responder in your couples' DMs.

    🤖 Strategy #2: Optimize for AI Search & SEO Visibility Traditional SEO is evolving rapidly. Find out how to position your venue for AI search tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google's Gemini. We'll share specific tactics for creating AI-friendly content that gets your venue found.

    🤝 Strategy #3: Network & Collaborate Strategically Move beyond random networking events. Learn how to deepen relationships with your vendor partners, host meaningful gatherings at your venue, and become the go-to connector in your market.

    Whether you're an aspiring venue owner or a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can implement today.

    Resources mentioned:

    ManyChat (for social media automation)
    Claude by Anthropic
    ChatGPT
    Perplexity
    Google's Gemini AI

    Got questions or want to share your success? Find us on Instagram @yourvenueexperts or email us at shecreatesbusinesspodcast.com

    P.S. Would you attend a venue owners conference in Colorado? Let us know - we might just be planning something special! 👀

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    43 mins
  • Risk, Liability, and LLCs: Structuring Your Wedding Venue with Onsite Accommodations
    Jun 16 2025

    In this episode Lindsay answers a listener's question,

    "Should my wedding venue accommodations be in a separate LLC?"

    If you're running (or planning) a venue with onsite lodging, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN 🎧

    Lindsay breaks down exactly why smart venue owners separate their accommodations into their own LLC:

    • Liability protection (because wedding drama ≠ lodging issues)
    • Different insurance needs = different coverage
    • Cleaner financials = better business decisions
    • Exit strategy flexibility (sell one, keep the other!)

    This listener question came at the perfect time - so many of you are adding accommodations or considering it. Don't make the mistake of lumping everything together!

    Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay

    Website

    Instagram

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    15 mins