Exploring the Wedding Venue Potential of Your Successful Airbnb
Release Date: 03/18/2024
Quick Fire Episode: Tips for Selling Your Wedding Venue
The Venue Podcast
In this episode, Kinsey Roberts and Lindsay Lucas break down the key steps for wedding venue owners considering selling their business. With an increase in inquiries about buying and selling venues, they share practical advice based on real experience. Key Takeaways: Get your financials organized first - Buyers want to see actual profit, not just potential. Have your gross and net revenue clearly documented and ready for scrutiny. Prepare for thorough due diligence - Serious buyers will conduct what feels like a "financial cavity search." Be organized with all paperwork, documentation, and...
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Stop Losing Bookings: What Actually Happens During Venue Tours (Part Two)
The Venue Podcast
THIS IS PART TWO OF OUR TWO-PART PODCASTS ALL ABOUT ANSWERING THE QUESTION: How do you make your wedding venue stand out during tours? Are your venue tours not converting the way you'd hoped? You're not alone. Most venue owners focus solely on aesthetics during tours, but the venues consistently booking at premium rates understand something crucial: the tour experience is fundamentally a neurological journey. In this episode, Kinsey and Lindsay break down the three neural systems that factor into venue decision-making and reveal why couples actually make their venue choice within the first...
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Stop Losing Bookings: What Actually Happens During Venue Tours (Part One)
The Venue Podcast
Are your venue tours not converting the way you'd hoped? You're not alone. Most venue owners focus solely on aesthetics during tours, but the venues consistently booking at premium rates understand something crucial: the tour experience is fundamentally a neurological journey. In this episode, Kinsey and Lindsay break down the three neural systems that factor into venue decision-making and reveal why couples actually make their venue choice within the first 90 seconds of experiencing your space. You'll discover how to create a multi-sensory experience that hits all five senses, learn to...
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How to Create Viral Marketing? This Article from Harvard Business Review Might Help
The Venue Podcast
In this episode, Kinsey dives into a fascinating Harvard Business Review article that reveals why only 5% of social media content goes viral—and how you can strategically increase your odds. Discover the powerful SPREAD framework that breaks down viral content into six key dimensions: Socially useful, Provocative, Replicable, Emotional, Ambiguous, and Distributive. From Duolingo's viral owl to Taylor Swift's cryptic album drops, learn how major brands engineer shareability into their campaigns. But going viral isn't just about creating buzz—Kinsey explores the critical backend systems...
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Part Two: Venue Survival Strategy for Tough Economic Times
The Venue Podcast
In part two of our venue survival strategies series, we're diving deep into what actually works when bookings are down and cash flow is tight. We cover diversification strategies beyond just "host more events" (including why Kinsey might be too precious about being wedding-day-only events), smart debt management tips, and the real talk about where to spend vs. save your marketing dollars right now. Lindsay shares client success stories about adjusting payment structures to increase bookings, while Kinsey gets honest about her own struggles with leadership mindset during tough times. We also...
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Beyond Price Checking: The Wedding Venue Owner's Guide to Competitive Domination
The Venue Podcast
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful (yet overlooked) tools in your venue business arsenal. As both a venue owner and marketing coach, I've seen firsthand how proper market analysis can transform a struggling venue into a confident, thriving business. You'll discover: Why checking competitor prices once a year isn't nearly enough (and what you're missing when you do) The exact step-by-step process I use to analyze my venue's market position How to translate market insights into revenue-generating action steps The surprising competitive advantages most...
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Part One: Venue Survival Strategy for Tough Economic Times
The Venue Podcast
In this episode of The Venue Podcast, we tackle the critical topic of venue survival during challenging economic periods. Drawing from extensive industry research and our own experiences as a venue owner and venue consultant, we offer a roadmap for navigating slower booking seasons—whether you're experiencing a true economic downturn or just a temporary lull. We dive into interesting market shifts affecting the wedding industry, including: - Why 85% of couples are making decisions based on economic pressures - The surprising continued rise of micro-weddings since 2020 - Changing social...
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Funding from the Ground Up: DSCR Loans, SBA Curveballs & Tools for New Venue Owners
The Venue Podcast
Dreaming of building your wedding venue from the ground up? In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what new venue owners need to know about funding in today’s market — including the latest curveballs from the SBA, how DSCR loans work, and my go-to digital tools to prep your funding package. If you're serious about starting your venue the right way, this is a must-listen! Mentioned in this episode: Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay
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Top Business Influences: Who Lindsay is learning from
The Venue Podcast
Ever wondered who’s behind the scenes shaping our journey and pushing us to grow? In this episode, Lindsay is pulling back the curtain and sharing the mentors, teachers, and thought leaders who have influenced her most in the last year—both personally and professionally. From industry experts to unexpected sources of wisdom, you’ll hear who she’s learning from right now and how their insights are helping her evolve. Whether you're looking for guidance or just curious about where she gets her inspiration, this episode might just introduce you to your next favorite mentor....
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Venue Acquisition 101: Essential First Steps for Buying an Existing Venue
The Venue Podcast
Show Notes In this informative episode, Lindsay shares what she would tell her best friend if she were navigating a first time purchase of an existing wedding venue. Lindsay gives you invaluable insights on where to find these listings, proper etiquette, and the best first steps to take once you've found a business of interest. This episide will help you approach venue acquisition with confidence and clarity to get your journey started. Resources Mentioned Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay
info_outlineA Common Inquiry Among Airbnb Owners
In episode 68 of The Venue Podcast, Kinsey Roberts and Lindsay Lucas address a recurring question from Airbnb owners about transitioning their successful short-term rental properties to also serve as wedding venues.
This episode unpacks the considerations and steps needed to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for intimate and mid-sized weddings at unique locations like Airbnb properties.
- Initial Considerations: Recognizing the overlap between the short-term rental and wedding venue industries, Kinsey and Lindsay highlight the growing interest among Airbnb owners in hosting weddings.
- Key Questions: They dissect an inquiry from Stephanie, who wonders how to venture into weddings without disrupting her successful Airbnb business.
Navigating Airbnb's Policy on Events
One of the first hurdles mentioned is Airbnb's strict no-events policy. Kinsey points out that while Airbnb currently prohibits large events, including weddings, there's a workaround by booking weddings directly, bypassing Airbnb's platform. This approach, however, requires additional marketing efforts and the creation of a separate business entity for the wedding venue aspect.
- Direct Booking Strategy: Encouraging Airbnb owners to consider direct bookings for weddings to circumvent platform restrictions.
- Legal and Marketing Considerations: Highlighting the importance of adhering to Airbnb's policies while exploring direct marketing strategies for wedding bookings.
Taking the Plunge: Investment and Commitment
Lindsay emphasizes the importance of treating the wedding venue as a distinct business venture, necessitating investments in infrastructure, legal structuring, and dedicated marketing efforts. This approach ensures that both the Airbnb and wedding venue operations can flourish without infringing on each other.
- Investment in Infrastructure: Discussing the potential need for physical upgrades or additions to accommodate weddings.
- Separation of Business Entities: Advising on the legal and financial separation of the short-term rental and wedding venue businesses for clarity and efficiency.
Leveraging Existing Success for Future Growth
Kinsey suggests innovative ways to utilize the success of the Airbnb business to fuel the wedding venue venture. One such strategy involves building an email list of past and potential guests through tools like StayFi, enabling direct communication about wedding opportunities outside the Airbnb platform.
- Building an Email List: Utilizing tools to capture guest emails for direct marketing of wedding services.
- Capitalizing on Warm Leads: Leveraging the positive experiences of Airbnb guests to introduce them to the wedding venue offering.