While speaking and exhibiting at WeddingMBA last week, we also snuck in a few sessions and came back many lessons learned from the largest wedding industry convention in the U.S.

In our new series — 11 Lessons Learned at WeddingMBA — we’ll share some of what we learned with you, our wedding industry friends.

You’ll find a few new lessons each week for the next month.  We’ll also send out a weekly digest (sign-up here to receive the email) of the lesson highlights.

And we start you with a bonus lesson: Not many people are awake at 9 a.m. on Wednesday during WeddingMBA. 

You see, the evening before is the WeddingWire party at the Palms (which we enjoyed but left early to get in a good night’s sleep).  So we know that many of you who did attend WeddingMBA probably missed Kelly Werder’s session, The Runaway Bride: Protecting Your Business and Your Money.  Well you view the slides HERE and still take advantage of the Contract Review or Template special. {inquire via email to: Kelly@wedbizmedia.com}

Now, on to Lesson One: Vintage & Rustic are still here, they’re just more specific {The Knot’s Rebecca Dolgin shares 2013 Trends at WeddingMBA}

If you’re at WeddingMBA, be sure to stop by the WedBiz booth.  If you’re not, be sure to check out our take on all the goings-on on our WedBizatWeddingMBA.com blog HERE.

Below you’ll find a how-to video for using the scheduling feature.  Try it out and let the WedBiz Social Media Coach know if you have any questions!  Coach@WedBizMedia.com

Congratulations Tanika Mack, of Infinite Possibilities Wedding And Event Planning who won the iPad! 

We also had three runner-up winners of iTunes gift cards and complimentary access to the WedBiz Social Media Coaching Program: Meghan Eyerman of Design the Date, Crystal Chauvin and Amy Anderson of Affairs by Amy.  Congratulations to all!

We’re giving away an iPad TOMORROW and we want to give you a chance (or 3) to win!  You must enter TODAY by midnight to win.

How can you enter to win:

1)   Be one of the first to receive the WedBiz Mobile report, “Mobile Marketing for the Wedding Industry,” coming soon!  Sign-up for our Alert Email here: http://www.wedbizmobile.com

2)   Become a WED Preferred Vendor {or Renew} – for details, please visit: http://www.wedthemagazine.com/advertise-with-us   (worth 2 chances to win!)  If you’ve already renewed, you’re already entered to win – no worries!

3)   Relieve your marketing mania – sign-up for the WedBiz Social Media Coaching Program – for details visit: http://www.WedBizSocialMediaCoach.com

Choose your way(s) to enter and then – in 90 seconds of less — fill out the registration form HERE.  All registrations forms must be received by Midnight (PT), May 31.

We’ll announce the winner on June 1.  Good Luck!

By the way, we can’t offer you a chance to win the iPad for voting for us in the Mission:Small Business Grant giveaway since it is against program rules BUT we’d really appreciate your vote at: MissionSmallBusiness.com

(Employees of WedBiz Media or their relatives are not eligible to win.  US residents only are eligible.)

“Did you know that Twitter was originally named Twttr, a name inspired by Flickr? And that, although many thought this year’s Superbowl held the record for the most number of tweets per seconds, the record holder is actually the Japanese anime Castle in the Sky? Our visual analysis takes a look at all the latest statistics on Twitter- with a few projections for the future as well.”

Have you heard?  You could win a $250,000 grant for your small business with Mission: Small Business from Chase and LivingSocial!  Learn more below.

AND be sure to vote for WedBiz Media — sign in at MissionSmallBusiness.com, type in WedBiz Media and click Search.  Click the “Vote” Button to cast your vote.  We greatly appreciate it!! 

You can vote for multiple businesses.  Be sure to let us know if you’ve applied for your wedding business and we’ll gladly give you a vote.

Orlando NACE, together with The Association of Bridal Consultants, invites YOU to join them for this informative evening with THE WEDDING DIVA, Tuesda, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orlando World Center Marriott. If you are in the wedding or special event industry, you won’t want to miss this HOT TOPICS event!

Your small gift for a new homeowner (i.e. toaster, mixer/blender, coffee maker, kitchen utensils) to support the Association of Bridal Consultants’ “Showers of Happiness” program in conjunction with Habitat For Hummanity, would be greatly appreciated.

RSVP TO:  www.OrlandoNACE.com  

Pinterest has exploded in the world of social media – from Sept 2011 to Feb 2012 it grew 866% (Flowtown.com).  {For more Pinterest stats, take a peek at: http://www.wedthemagazine.com/wedpinning/category/pinterest-statistics}

Brides LOVE Pinterest! They are pinning and repining like crazy!  So what is Pinterest and how can you use it to promote your wedding business?

Pinterest is an image curating tool that allows you to “pin” images from around the web and collect them into “boards.”  A few basic terms: A “Pin” is the image, “Boards” are the collection of images, and a “Repin” is sharing the pins of other users.

Pinterest, when used properly, can drive a lot of traffic to your website or blog which can then be converted to sales.  This is especially true for online shops such as Etsy.com.  Since WED has been on Pinterest, it has risen to a top 3 referral source for our blog – AMAZING!

Here are 5 Key tips for using Pinterest to promote and market your wedding business:

Tip 1: Pin images from your website/blog or online store and show off your business.  Images pinned from a website or blog will remain linked to their original source as others repin and share those images.

This may seem obvious, but we see many pinners out there who only Repin and never pin their own work.  Install “Pin” buttons on your blog/site for easier pinning and use them (or the Pin Bookmarklet) to pin from your site.

Tip 2: Write a good description – most who repin the image will leave the original description.  Make your description appealing and use key terms.

Tip 3: Include a link to your website or blog in the description for easier access.  Although the image keeps the link to your site, this makes for quicker access for potential clients/customers to find you.

Tip 4: Credit the photographer and other vendors in the photo!  For example, if you are a planner, show off a recent wedding, but be sure note the photographer and other vendors such as florists whose work may be featured in the photo.

If the photographer or vendors are on Pinterest, follow them and you can link to them in the description using @name.

Tip 5: Create interesting Boards that appeal to Brides/Grooms – create collections based on color, style, topics, etc.  Combine your original content with Repins from colleagues, wedding magazines, wedding blogs and more.

These tips are only the beginning! For more on how to use Pinterest and other social media in your business, order our ebook “Using Pinterest to Promote and Market your Wedding Business,” including detailed how-to for using Pinterest.

Order below: $9.99 including our “Follow Friday” enewsletter

Need help with your whole Social Media Strategy?  Check out the Wedbiz Social Media Coach including how-to videos and our ebook “Using Pinterest to Promote and Market your Wedding Business.” Use the code WeddingMarket25 to receive 25% off.  Order by May 31 for your chance to win a new iPad!

With Pinterest taking off, WedBiz Media also created WEDpinning.com to highlight the best wedding pin boards.  Got a great board? Tell us about it!  Send the link to @WedBiz on Twitter, or post it in the comments below, and we may feature you on WEDpinning.com.

What do we look for to feature board on WEDpinning? Combinations of original and repins for interesting collections.  We love a good combination of quality AND quantity – there needs to be enough substance to be appealing.

You’ll also find a “Must Follow on Pinterest” list on WEDpinning.com.

And again, for those still learning #Pinterest and social media overall and how to use in your wedding business, be sure to take a look at Wedbiz Social Media Coach which includes our ebook on “Using Pinterest to Promote and Market your Wedding Business.”

Use the code WeddingMarket25 to receive 25% off WedBiz Social Media Coach

Happy Pinning!!