
Hosted by Alan Berg, CSP, FPSA, Global Speaking Fellow · EN
If weddings and events are all or part of your business, you’re in the right place.
The Wedding Business Solutions podcast is where you’ll get real-world ideas to help you sell more, profit more, and maybe even enjoy the process a little more, too.
Hosted by Alan Berg CSP, FPSA, one of the wedding and event industry’s most experienced sales and marketing speakers, each bite-sized episode gives you practical, easy-to-use ideas you can apply right away. Whether it’s converting more inquiries, following up without sounding pushy, improving your website, handling ghosting, raising your prices with confidence, or using AI in ways that actually help your business, Alan shares insights with his signature mix of common sense, experience, and humor.
Alan is the author of 16 books, including AI for the Real World and Shut Up and Sell More. He’s also been named one of the “Top 100 Speakers to Watch in 2025” for the third year in a row by Motivator Music on LinkedIn, and is one of only 46 Global Speaking Fellows worldwide.
Some episodes are just Alan sharing ideas and stories from decades in sales and the wedding industry. Other episodes feature conversations with industry pros, entrepreneurs, and experts who can help you work smarter, make more money, and create better experiences for your clients.
If you’ve ever thought:
“Why are they ghosting me?”
“How do I book more of the right clients?”
“Why does my website get traffic but not inquiries?”
“What should I actually be using AI for?”
…you’ll probably feel right at home here.
You can read full transcripts of every episode at podcast.AlanBerg.com.
Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes, workshops, and ideas you can put to work immediately.
If you’d like to learn more about Alan’s speaking, sales training, consulting, AI workshops, or website review services, visit:
IWantAlan.com
Podcast.AlanBerg.com
ConnectWithAlanBerg.com
You can also reach Alan directly at Alan@AlanBerg.com.
Note from Alan:
I invite guests onto the podcast because I believe they can bring value to you, my listeners. Occasionally, I may have a business relationship or affiliate connection with a guest or product discussed on the show. My first priority is always providing useful, actionable information, and I do not sell guest spots or paid placements on the podcast.

If you can't walk a mile in their shoes, at least take a few stepsYou’ve probably been told that you should walk a mile in the shoes of your customers, to see what’s it’s like for them when shopping for a service or product like yours. But can you really walk a mile in their shoes if you’re not the same demographic, with no prior experience shopping for a product or service like yours? I don’t think so, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t at least take a few steps as they do.Listen to this new, 9-minute episode for some ideas on how to gain more of their perspective, to make it easier for them to do business with you.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Are you treating your wedding inquiries like sales calls instead of conversations? What might you be missing when you skip the human touch and rush to booking a tour or a meeting? In this episode, I explore why couples want genuine connection, how industry habits lead to ghosting, and practical ways to start real conversations that win more bookings.Listen to this new 9-minute episode for actionable advice on adapting your inquiry responses, reducing ghosting, and meeting couples where they are—so you convert more leads by creating meaningful engagement, not just transactions.f you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Is your business suffering from “mission creep”—trying to be everything to everyone? What would happen if you simplified your offerings and focused on doing one thing exceptionally well? In this episode, I explore how subtracting, not adding, can make your business and life better, and why aligning your work with joy and purpose leads to outstanding customer experiences.Listen to this new episode for inspiration on simplifying your business, avoiding burnout, and creating exceptional experiences by focusing on what you love and doing it better every day.About Anthony:Anthony Lambatos believes heart-led leadership isn’t just good for people — it’s good for business.Since purchasing Footers Catering from his father in 2010, Anthony and his wife April have quadrupled revenue, maintained retention 50% better than the industry average and opened an event center called Social Capitol. Footers has been recognized nationally for innovation in both catering and culture, earning “Best Places to Work” honors eight years running.In response to industry demand, Anthony founded MIBE, a leadership development and culture-building organization that helps leaders grow people-first organizations. An award-winning speaker, Anthony inspires leaders to create workplaces where fulfilled employees fuel unstoppable results.Contact: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anthonylambatosInstagram: @MibeLeadershipwww.themibe.com (education company)www.footerscatering.com (catering business)www.socialcapitolevents.com (event center)If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

How often do you hold yourself back because you’re waiting until you can do something perfectly? What have you learned or accomplished when you finally tried something new, even if it felt uncomfortable or you failed at first? In this episode, I share stories—from learning languages to playing piano live, to earning martial arts belts later in life—about how the best growth happens when we allow ourselves to be imperfect and take that first, shaky step beyond what’s familiar.Listen to this new 8-minute episode for inspiration to step outside your comfort zone, embrace the discomfort of learning, and discover how failing forward can lead to your best results.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Are you giving AI enough of your own voice to create content that genuinely reflects who you are? What steps can you take to make sure the results you get from AI aren’t just generic, but uniquely yours? In this episode, I dig into how to use AI as a tool—starting from your website text, emails, and even telling stories out loud—to help you create personalized, authentic content that stands out. What if learning to personalize and really “teach” your AI could take your authenticity to the next level?Listen to this new 10-minute episode for practical ways to make your AI-powered content authentic and uniquely “you”—and learn why giving more context and personalizing your tools will help you stand out.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

What would your business look like if you removed all your self-imposed limitations? Are your goals based on your possibilities or your fears? What if you stopped focusing on the "what" and started with the "why"? In this episode, I talk with Lester Young about how powerful a mindset shift can be for goal setting, why your goals should start with clarity and vision (not just numbers), and how to keep yourself anchored even when business (or life) throws you off track.Listen to this new episode for practical strategies to overcome limiting beliefs, create focused and meaningful goals, and build the mindset that drives consistent progress—one step at a time.About Lester: Lester Young is a 5 time author, keynote speaker, consulting and Executive Director of Path2Redemption Training & Consulting. Drawing from lived experience and years of mentoring, he trains juvenile justice staff and supports justice-involved youth and adults with practical tools for emotional intelligence, restorative practices, and successful reentry.Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lester.young.648899 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lester-young-b1b6a0106/Website: https://path2redemption.org/If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Do you ever worry that someone else’s success is taking away from yours? What if focusing on how your competitors are doing actually keeps you from reaching your own goals? In this episode, I ask: Could you be more successful by putting your energy into your own unique results rather than measuring against the competition? What might you accomplish if you stopped defining success by someone else’s achievements? I’ll be sharing why your market is bigger than you think, why every client doesn’t need to be your client, and why your definition of success should be yours alone.Listen to this new 9-minute episode for a fresh perspective on competition and how investing in your own growth can bring more opportunities than you think.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Are you leading your team by reminding them of what not to do—or are you focusing on what you want to achieve together? Do negative approaches hold you back from moving forward after setbacks? In this episode, I dig into why positive motivation is the key for yourself and your business, share lessons from my experience, and hint at practical ways to get past sunk costs and focus on winning together.Listen to this new 7-minute episode for guidance on choosing positive motivation, moving past failures, and leading your team forward, no matter the challenges.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/AI For The Real World - A Practical Guide to AI for Wedding & Event Pros is your easy way to learn how to harness the power of AI, no matter which AI tools you use. Get Yours Today at www.ShopAlanBerg.com I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Is your website truly speaking the language of AI, or are you getting lost in translation? What happens when couples use AI to search for wedding pros—are you coming up as the answer, or is your competitor? In this episode, I dive into how the way we search has changed, why it’s not just about traditional SEO anymore, and what practical steps you can take to help AI understand your business accurately. Learn how a simple page hidden from your navigation could be the game-changer in your online visibility, and why regularly updating your reviews and fresh content matters more than ever.Listen to this new episode for practical tips on making your website AI-friendly, creating an AI-focused resume page, and boosting your findability as search keeps evolving.About Brian: Brian Lawrence is the co-author with me of "From Browsing To Booking" and producer of the Inclusive Wedding Summit. His agency is the go-to web design and SEO resource for numerous wedding industry authorities and also consults with many businesses on website and seo strategies. He was homegrown in the industry, owning numerous wedding businesses and serving as VP of a national wedding brand.Contact Brian: https://www.brianlawrence.com/meeting-with-brian-lawrence/https://www.brianlawrence.com/If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Is more always better when it comes to leads? What would happen if you focused on quality over quantity, and spent more time following up with the inquiries you already have, rather than trying to get even more? In this episode, I challenge you to reconsider your goal: are you drowning in leads but struggling with conversion? I’ll hint at smarter ways to qualify inquiries, use technology for better follow-up, and look in the mirror before blaming your sources. What if better conversion—and not sheer volume—was actually the key to your success?Listen to this new 9-minute episode for a practical perspective on how smarter follow-up and better conversion can help you get more business from the leads you’re already getting.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com