The Tech Stack That Runs My Venue Business (For Under $400/Month)

AI Search Visibility for Venues [Part One]

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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-against-the-grain/id1616700934] Rick Mulready [https://rickmulready.com/] Connect with Kinsey and Lindsay: Website [https://stan.store/YourVenueExperts?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaemwKCJiY68TItumyUiDEsmxNjVDWjGc7IgUoQrWberSzswM7G38gOAfhUUzA_aem_cR6Cwqy4n10nb5Rxt6JOaw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourvenueexperts] Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com [kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com] Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com [hello@thelindsaylucas.com]

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile

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 [https://stan.store/YourVenueExperts?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaemwKCJiY68TItumyUiDEsmxNjVDWjGc7IgUoQrWberSzswM7G38gOAfhUUzA_aem_cR6Cwqy4n10nb5Rxt6JOaw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourvenueexperts] Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com [kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com] Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com [hello@thelindsaylucas.com]

The Tech Stack That Runs My Venue Business (For Under $400/Month)

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

Should You Put Your Pricing on Your Venue's Website?

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 [https://stan.store/YourVenueExperts?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaemwKCJiY68TItumyUiDEsmxNjVDWjGc7IgUoQrWberSzswM7G38gOAfhUUzA_aem_cR6Cwqy4n10nb5Rxt6JOaw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yourvenueexperts] Kinsey's email: kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com [kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com] Lindsay's email: hello@thelindsaylucas.com [hello@thelindsaylucas.com]

Before You Break Ground: The 7 Mistakes First-Time Venue Owners Make

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 [https://thelindsaylucas.com/funding-101] * Profit planner [https://thelindsaylucas.com/profit-planner] * Operations Overhaul [https://thelindsaylucas.com/services] * Free resources [https://thelindsaylucas.com/resources/] * Freebie: Pre-Launch your venue [https://thelindsaylucas.com/pre-launch] Kinsey and Lindsay both offer custom market analysis for 1:1 clients. Email Kinsey at kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com [kinsey@shecreatesbusiness.com] or email Lindsay at hello@thelindsaylucas.com [hello@thelindsaylucas.com]