Dina’s Little Purple Book

I love to share.  It’s fun getting a great deal or finding the perfect resource and equally grand to tell others and have them swoon over the goodness, too.  My friends will tell ya, I have an eye out for everything- from great food sites like epicurious, to bargain sites like Rue LaLa (clothes +) or Jetsetter (luxury travel)- I’m all about exchanging knowledge for  hugs (and occasionally tokens of gratitude- there are  few affiliate links)

I have shiny ball syndrome for whatever makes my business life easier, faster, smoother, better  and you can benefit from that.  You’ll find some  pretty cool stuff that will save time, money, make you look brilliant and pretty much run your business if you want.  (Can’t do anything about looking thinner-sorry)

I’ve  either used it myself or  a very trusted colleague has shared with me.  No fooling around- to make it to this page a product or service has to:

• Solve the problem presented like a shopping cart, plugin or virtual assistant
• be easy to use and understand
• have great instructions (like video tutorials) or reliable customer service
• be affordable
• fun to use (not essential I know, but it helps)

Without further ado… (Click on title for more information.)

 

Aweber

 

I’ve used Aweber to manage and grow my email lists and my business right from the start. Their services have only gotten better. You can track so much- open and click thru rates, which content is most popular- and really target your messages. Their autoresponders guarantee you won’t be a spammer, but allow you to stay in touch with and be top of mind with your brides.

 

Business Brilliance University

 

Did you realize there would be so much extra paperwork to run your own business? Be honest.  I didn’t when I started out 18 years ago.   If you’re a new wedding entrepreneur or an established veteran who doesn’t have all the pieces in place yet, I invite you to consider attending BBU.  Jessica Eaves Mathews in an incredible attorney who understands entrepreneurs and offers experts, articles, and training for those who don’t have the answers or the time to go get them.   That’s you, right?  You could lose everything you’ve worked so hard for if procrastination meets up with a serious legal issue.  Join up now.

 

Local Trafic Builder

 

 

 

 

Brian Lawrence brings years of experience in the wedding business to bear when he helps you craft a profitable website.  Are you optimized for SEO? Do your pages convert visitors well.  Honestly, do you understand how to pick keywords?  I don’t know the answers to these, but Brian does. He’s an expert.  What I like most is that he makes everything so precise yet approachable and the fact he handles EVERYTHING so you don’t have to. Brian is the guy when you’re ready to get serious about online advertising and making your site a profit-center not an expense.

Nancy Juetten- Extreme Bio Makeover

 

 

 

 

 

If you read my bio, you know how good Nancy is at making someone sound like a superstar.   I mean, like wow.  My mom taught me not to toot my own horn so it was critical for me to have someone who listens as intently as Nancy and who has such a creative way to share why I’m the right person to help you.  Want to stand out with your brides for being yourself, talk to Nancy.

Affordable Legal Help from Rocket Lawyer

The legal side of life whether it’s business or your family can be kind of scary.  Especially when you don’t know where to turn for help.  I’m an attorney and I need trustworthy guidance too.  That’s why I was impressed with Rocket Lawyer.  For less than a movie date, the Professional Package gives you unlimited access to a bevy of legal documents for personal and business use, Esignature services, document storage and instant legal advice.  I’m here to help you with the people side of contract.  Rocket Lawyer gets you through the paper.

 

 

Sendpepper- Easy Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Sendpepper reminds me of Goldilocks.  Some CRMs like Infusionsoft are way too big & confusing.  Some like AllClients are just too plain and simple. But Sendpepper is just right for me.  Like me, you need to stay top of mind with brides but can’t spend all day emailing or calling them.  This wonderful system lets you automate all your follow-up, and your ezine, and any sales promotions.   If you’re using Aweber, switching was a breeze!  What a spicy hot tamale CRM!

Julie Steelman- Selling Expert

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright, I admit it.  I don’t like to sell anymore than you do.  But I do like to invite, entrance and give my gifts to the world and that’s where Julie Steelman comes in.  You gotta love (and follow) a woman who, after making 100 million dollars in sales for her clients, moves to Hawaii to live happily ever after with a new hubby.  After following her work for a year I figured Julie had a lot to teach me- I was right.   Want to feel comfortable with sales, make your dream amount and feel sassy about it- talk to Julie.  Her new book, The Effortless Yes, will be available soon.  Make sure you get your copy of this sales bible.