Exploring the Wedding Venue Potential of Your Successful Airbnb
Release Date: 03/18/2024
The Venue Podcast
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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"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...
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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...
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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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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.