The Tech Stack That Runs My Venue Business (For Under $400/Month)
Release Date: 07/23/2025
![AI Search Visibility for Venues [Part One] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/190880105?height=50&width=50)
AI Search Visibility for Venues [Part One]
The Venue Podcast
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...
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How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
The Venue Podcast
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 Tech Stack That Runs My Venue Business (For Under $400/Month)
The Venue Podcast
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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Should You Put Your Pricing on Your Venue's Website?
The Venue Podcast
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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Before You Break Ground: The 7 Mistakes First-Time Venue Owners Make
The Venue Podcast
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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Dream Big, Start SMART: Building Your Wedding Venue in Phases
The Venue Podcast
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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How to Get More Wedding Venue Leads: 3 Strategies That Actually Work
The Venue Podcast
"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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Risk, Liability, and LLCs: Structuring Your Wedding Venue with Onsite Accommodations
The Venue Podcast
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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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...
info_outlineThe 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