In the bustling world of wedding planning, standing out from the crowd is a must. One innovative way to market yourself as a wedding planner and build a reputation for your brand is by starting your very own wedding industry podcast. Podcasts are a popular medium for newly engaged couples to find all the answers to their queries ahead of the big day. Or in other words: a perfect way to advertise your services to a captive market.

The best part? Starting a podcast is relatively low-cost and accessible to all. So, whether you're a seasoned wedding planner looking to expand your business or a passionate newcomer eager to carve your niche in the market, podcasting could be the solution for you.

This article will explain:

1. The benefits of starting a podcast as a wedding planner
2. How to start a wedding podcast
3. How to land a feature on a wedding podcast

Benefits of starting a podcast as a wedding planner

Podcasts are a great marketing strategy for wedding planners. Check out the top three reasons to start a wedding podcast...

Position yourself as a thought leader

You host a podcast to sell your services, your brand and ultimately, yourself. In order to trust you, clients need to know that you are knowledgeable, experienced and well-respected within your industry—and a podcast is a great way to hit that trifecta! Now is not the time to be humble. Use your podcast to advertise yourself and your brand, make your USP clear and clearly demonstrate your skillset. But do so in a way that is authentic to you, people respect truth the most!  Podcasts are the perfect platform to demonstrate that you have the whole package—the knowledge and the personality.

Build industry connections

Inviting fellow professionals in the wedding industry onto your podcast as guest speakers is a great way to build your network. Featured guests will likely be flattered by the offer, setting your relationship off on the right foot! Throughout the interview you have a chance to learn from your guests' experience and expertise, your shared audiences will ensure a bigger reach on your content (and new followers for you both) and their fresh perspectives will ensure your podcast content stays fresh and engaging. Remember, you should only feature wedding professionals who you feel align with your brand ethos.

Increase brand loyalty

On Instagram, you should provide inspiration. On TikTok, you want to be relatable. As a podcast host, you need to add value. Your podcast is an opportunity to share valuable content with your audience. Your audience should come away from each episode feeling enlightened and equipped. But the relationship is mutually beneficial. The best way to build brand loyalty is to offer your audience something in return—exactly like you do on your podcast. By offering high-quality insights on your podcast, you build a loyal audience and establish yourself as a trusted source of industry knowledge.

How to start a podcast as a wedding planner

Starting a podcast is easier than it looks. Follow this simple guide to start your own wedding industry podcast and share your knowledge with the wider wedding community.

1. Formulate your podcast idea

Define your niche

Define your podcast's focus within the wedding industry. Consider what you want your brand to be known for and your personal expertise. This could range from destination weddings and bridal fashion trends to vendor collaborations and behind-the-scenes insights.

Identify your audience

Who do you want to listen to your podcast? Are you targeting engaged couples seeking planning tips, fellow wedding vendors looking for collaboration ideas, or both? Tailoring your content to your audience's needs will make your podcast more engaging and relevant.

Plan your content

Outline potential episode topics, guest interviews, and episode formats. Your content should offer value, entertain, and educate your listeners about wedding planning, trends, and business insights. A mix of solo episodes and interviews with industry experts can keep your content diverse.

2. Produce your podcast

Invest in your equipment

Invest in decent podcasting equipment, including a good-quality microphone, headphones, and a pop filter. You should also choose user-friendly recording software such as Audacity or Adobe Audition. Clear audio is essential for retaining listeners.

Master your delivery

It's not just what you say, it's how you say it. Maintain an engaging tone and pace throughout the recording and keep episodes concise and well-structured. Edit out any background noises or long pauses to ensure a polished finished product.

Craft engaging titles

Write attention-grabbing episode titles and concise descriptions that highlight the value your content offers. Use relevant keywords to make your podcast easily discoverable.

Design your cover

Create eye-catching podcast cover art that represents your USP as a wedding planner. Tip: This should be aligned with the branding of your wedding planning business.

3. Launch and promote your wedding business podcast

Choose a hosting platform

Select a podcast hosting platform. We recommend:

• Libsyn
• Podbean
• Anchor

These platforms distribute your episodes to various podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Leverage social media

Utilise your existing presence on social media to announce your podcast launch. Share teasers, behind-the-scenes insights, and promotional graphics to generate buzz. You could also partner with other wedding industry professionals for collaborations and promotions to expand your reach within the wedding community.

Consistency is key

Stick to a consistent podcasting schedule, whether it's weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Regular episodes keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Launching a wedding industry podcast can be an exciting way to showcase your expertise, connect with your target audience, and elevate your wedding planning business's visibility. Happy podcasting!

How to feature on a podcast as a wedding planner

If you're looking for all the perks of a podcast but none of the commitment to hosting your own show, featuring as a guest on wedding podcasts is the right move for you. Follow these steps to land an appearance on your favourite wedding industry podcast...

1. Do your research

Sending a DM or an email with your pitch to the podcast hosts. Before making your first move, it is important to get familiar with the podcast and the hosts themselves. Understand that these podcasts maintain their reputation and bond with their audience by providing valuable content. Thorough research will help you craft a pitch that proves you contribute to that value and gives you a better shot at landing that spot as a guest. You can flex your achievements all you want, but your ability to align, add value and connect is more important.

2. Tell your story

Podcast hosts love to share stories, so give them one. Your story is for you to tell—in your pitch, get a little personal and share something distinct about you, your profession, and your brand. You can also use your social media accounts as your voice. And be brave—tag hosts in your posts and stories, comment on their posts and react to their stories.

3. Share your expertise

Be your own cheerleader! Highlight your expertise as a wedding planner to capture the podcast host's attention. No need to brag, but be confident in your abilities and display them by sharing tips and tricks about wedding planning and organisation on your website, social media accounts, or at events. You could even take on a coaching or teaching role for fellow wedding pros—eventually, your wisdom and experiences will reach the podcasting network too!

4. Update your socials

Are your socials active and up to date? Or do they resemble an ancient history book? You want a wedding podcast host to see your recent experiences and commitments. A profile with an inactive feed and no up-to-date information can be misleading and offputting. Give your social media sites a spruce. We're talking Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok—the works!

5. Prepare your portfolio

An incredible portfolio creates a great first impression. Share your work far and wide and be sure to let podcast hosts know in your pitch if you've landed a feature in a trade publication before. The icing on the cake is a bank of client testimonials scattered across your website and socials. Nothing beats good, detailed feedback from actual clients you worked with, having their perspective really boosts your credibility.

Your day-to-day responsibilities as a creative entrepreneur can often cloud your focus on long-term business goals. For this reason, KPIs are essential to staying on top of your game!

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are quantifiable values that show how well your business is running—without the complicated data. KPIs simplify progress analysis by presenting a straightforward report on elements of your business such as workflow efficiency, marketing success, and financial health! There's no fixed list of KPIs every business must track—it's all up to you! But many businesses choose to adopt those that revolve around financial performance, customer satisfaction, and project management.

When identifying what KPIs you will hold yourself accountable to, you should always consider the nature of your business and your priorities. Let's explore some options...

Financial KPIs

Net Profit Margin

Formula: net income / total revenue

In business, there is one main goal: to earn. Your net profit is your "take-home pay"—so the more the better right? Monitor your net profit margin and constantly ask yourself how you can improve—spending down, income up!

Many creatives underprice their services out of passion, naivety or a lack of self-belief. Make sure you're charging what you're worth!

Quick Ratio

Formula: (income + securities + receivable money ) / liabilities

Unexpected costs happen, but you can be prepared for whatever comes your way! It is sensible to regularly check in with your quick ratio to ensure that your earnings can pay off your debt and liabilities. A quick ratio of 1 or higher means you're financially safe. Anything less than 1 means you'll need to exert more effort to make ends meet!

Customer KPIs

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Formula: marketing expenses / no. of new customers

A marketing mantra for creative small businesses: thou shall not spend an arm and a leg for bad marketing strategies. And how do you know your strategy is lacking? You calculate your customer acquisition cost. The amount of money spent to land a client is a clear indicator of the efficiency of your marketing strategy—in general, you shouldn't need sky-high investment to see results!

Compare CAC results from different marketing strategies and identify the best one for your business.

Conversion Rate

Formula: (no. of new customers / no. of leads) x 100

You did it! You've finally reached your target web traffic and social media engagements. And yet, your sales stay low and clients remain scarce—what went wrong? The important thing is that you spot the problem. Which is why you should always be tracking your conversion rate. Determine what strategies are earning you paying clients and not just ghost visitors—then stick with them!

Project KPIs

Estimated vs. Actual Project Budget

Formula: (estimated cost / actual cost) x 100

This KPI reports the difference between how much you expected to spend versus how much you actually spent on a project. Always aim for a low difference—but not too low! You should use this figure to help you price your services at a fair but profitable rate. Prices rise and fall at the most unexpected times. So if you want better estimates, you have to stay updated with the true cost of your project resources.

Estimated vs. Actual Project Duration

Formula: (estimated hours / actual hours) x 100

Varying requirements and complexity levels make it hard to get a firm grasp of how long each project should take—unless you're a robot! By comparing the estimated time to finish a project versus the actual time it was finished you'll be able to monitor the accuracy of your predictions and make adjustments to your method accordingly.

A more accurate picture of your time will lead to less stress and potentially the ability to take on more projects!

Visuals can make or break your marketing but as a new wedding planner, with a limited wedding planning portfolio, it can be hard to find the perfect image. Whilst it might be tempting to snoop online and find suitable imagery from fellow wedding pros you admire, there is a catch: copyright.

Copyrighting images protects the rights of creators, providing control over who can use and distribute their work. Meaning, you'll need permission to legally use copyrighted images. Otherwise, you could face legal charges and fines. Thankfully, we have found a hack: stock imagery. "Stock imagery" and "aesthetic" aren't commonly used in the same sentence, but we have found sites that prove stock imagery can be beautiful too! We've rounded up the best sites for finding free stock photos and royalty-free images that align with your brand aesthetic—elegant, elevated and chic! Browse the likes of Pexels and Unsplash for beautiful imagery that you can use across service brochures, client packages, and even your website layout. Time to find imagery that does your wedding business justice! Let's find you the perfect pic...

How to source free imagery as a wedding planner

Nobody wants to be slammed with a huge copywriter fine, especially not when you're setting up your new wedding planning business. But don't worry, finding royalty-free images online is easy. Follow these simple guidelines and find suitable and safe imagery for your wedding business marketing content in no time.

1. Use public domain images

If you don't want to go through the trouble of reading and paying for licenses then your best bet is to stick to browsing websites that offer free stock images for commercial use like Unsplash and Pexels. These websites are simple to use and are well-stocked with wedding imagery. Finding stock photos that fit your aesthetic and tell the right story for your brand can be tricky, but with patience and creative searching, you'll be sure to find the perfect fit.

2. Review social media rules

Social media sites have different image usage rules that users need to be aware of. Make sure to read these if you intend to share content that is not your own on any social platform. If you fail to comply with guidelines, your posts may get taken down or your entire account could get suspended.

3. Read the license terms

If you plan to purchase an image license, make sure to read the license terms closely. Remember, copyright images have usage limitations. Be sure to choose a license that covers your intended purpose and take note of what you can and cannot do with the images.

4. Ask for permission

If you have your heart set on a particular image and can't find an alternative, you could try simply asking the creator for permission. Running an image search is the best way to find the owner, and when you do, you can send them a polite message or email. Whatever the outcome, it is important to respect the owner's decision.

Where to source stock imagery as a wedding planner

These websites are home to thousands of royalty-free images suitable for use across your wedding business marketing content. Time to get browsing...

Unsplash

Unsplash hosts a library of more than 10,000 wedding-themed images. A gold mine for wedding planners, on Unsplash you can find images of happily married couples, dreamy venue shots, extravagant cake toppers and more. Style consistency is key in building a recognisable aesthetic for your brand, which is why Unsplash allows you to search photos by collection, saving you time (and headaches) in looking for images with similar themes or photography styles.

Pexels

Whatever your aesthetic, find it on Pexels. Set up an account on Pexels and you can follow your favourite creators so you can save time repeatedly searching for photographers that align with your brand—who knows, maybe you could even strike up a long-term partnership. Pexels also has a huge bank of royalty-free videos in 4k to make your website look extra polished and instantly more memorable.

Canva

Surprise! Canva is the gift that keeps on giving—with free editing tools and now royalty-free images! Start with a simple search for "wedding" imagery and let suggested images guide you to the perfect picture. Canva is home to a diverse bank of wedding photography, spanning fairytale weddings to toned-down casual affairs.

Kaboom

As well as an array of landscape and object photography, Kaboom boasts an impressive bank of portrait photography—a face always helps to personalise your brand and demonstrate your commitment to personalising your clients' experiences. If you're already wedded to a colour scheme, browse Kaboom's image library by colour to find imagery that perfectly complements your palette.

Top tip: Tag @kaboompics in your photos—they love to see how their images are used by their community and often reshare people's work with their 30k + audience.

Sourced Co.

Sourced Co. was founded for wedding pros, by wedding pros so they understand the importance of great imagery in building your wedding business. Sourced Co. exists to give new wedding planners a helping hand in building their portfolio because, in their words, "not having a portfolio shouldn’t stop you from chasing your dreams." Build your portfolio in the way that suits you with Sourced Co.

A niche is an area of specialisation. When it comes to interior design, that means picking an interior design niche that compliments both your unique skill set and your passion, whether that be maximising the functionality of small spaces or art deco decor!

Many credit a strong niche as the secret ingredient in building a successful interior design business. And they're not wrong, niching down allows you to hone your craft, often charge a premium fee and most importantly, readily attract your dream clientele—rather than finding clients, clients find you.

But as an interior designer, you're a naturally gifted all-rounder. And so you may feel hesitant to settle into a niche. Niching is a big decision for your interior design business, so take a second and ask yourself these questions before narrowing your niche.

Does this niche complement my skill set and my passion?

If you're narrowing down your interior design niche, finding that sweet spot between passion and skill is a must! First things first, you should work within a niche that you genuinely enjoy—to the point that you'd do it as a hobby. Having this level of interest makes your job more enjoyable and you more employable, clients will recognise your clear passion!

With that said, interest alone isn't enough. Clients won't just hire you because you like maximalist design, you have to be good at it too. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses as an interior designer. You don't have to have all the skills now, but a solid base is needed in order to succeed within your niche—remember, you'll be competing against experts in this field. Assess where your strengths and your passion overlap—that's your niche shortlist!

Is there a demand for this niche service?

This one is important—does anyone actually want or need your niche? Regardless of your commitment or expertise, your interior design business won't thrive without a market. Always consider how many people are looking for the services you offer. If the market looks too small, don't make the switch—positioning yourself in this niche will limit your business growth!

How can you gauge the demand? Conduct some market research! Ask family, friends, friends of friends and strangers whether your prospective niche interior design service is of use or interest to them—the bigger the sample size, the better. You can also turn to your old friend Google. Search for some keywords related to your niche and see what kind of coverage they have—are lots of businesses already working in this market? Are people seeking out similar services on social media but to no avail? Public demand is your biggest indicator as to whether this niche is a viable direction for your interior design business.

Who will I be competing against?

If your keyword research led you to conclude that there was high demand for your services because there was a high level of competition, you need to decide whether you're up for the challenge. An oversaturated market is hard to break into. Why would your interior design business stand out above the rest? What makes your approach that little bit different and why will that make clients choose you? Don't go into business until you're confident with your USP.

Here's the trick: let's say you dream of working exclusively in minimalist kitchen design (an already saturated field), could you undercut the market and specialise in low-cost minimalist kitchens? Or perhaps you have a knack for designing minimalist kitchens that are still practical and functional for growing families? Decide what makes your service different, and capitalise on that!

Am I ready to commit to a niche?

Last but not least, consider whether this is the right move for you and your business right now—are you ready to niche down? Once you commit to a niche, you'll need to stick with it. Niching means losing certain clients, accepting you'll be working on less diverse projects and hard work to re-establish yourself and your brand. But the rewards are plentiful, establishing yourself as an expert, honing your skillset and working with your like-minded clients on dream projects.

Take your time! It is a big decision but you'll know when the time is right!

Struggling to put your brand into words? Kathy Young is the owner and founder of Rekindle Communications—a website copywriting + brand messaging studio that breathes life into your brand message one word at a time. We invited storytellers and brand owners in the Visualist community to a brand makeover masterclass with Kathy. In case you missed it, here are the highlights...

How do I translate my vision into the right words?

First things first, be clear on your vision: What do you hope to accomplish in your career/business? Who would you be working with? What kind of work would you be doing? How would it make you feel by doing it? Now write that down! If you're more of a talker than a writer, try talking your ideas out loud to a voice recording app and re-listen to them. I do this all the time, it helps us to talk freely so we can then reorganise our thoughts into written form.

Is there a difference between how I should write for my website home page vs. my blog?

Your website should be an insight into your perspective and your brand worldview. You're naturally going to make more confident, self-assured statements there because you're essentially creating an argument for why your approach to your work is exactly what your clients need. Focus on headlines that are heavily branded and pack as much value as you can into the shortest amount of words. Blogs, you have a little more breathing room. Not everything has to be branded, your ultimate priority there is to educate and build SEO. So whereas I would recommend a clever, witty headline for your Home Page headline, I would recommend a clearer, more direct headline for a blog post.

I'm planning on launching my new website—what is your no.1 piece of advice?

My philosophy is that no one cares about your website launch unless you give them a reason to. Make your website launch feel like an event! Give yourself a 14-30 day window of content (at least) that shares the behind-the-scenes of why you're rebranding and the story behind your business—build the anticipation and crucially, get people excited. When you launch, think about how you can incorporate a giveaway of some variety. This helps people feel excited to be a part of the journey and gives them a reason to care!

My corporate voice vs. me—how can I avoid sounding too formal?

1. Focus on storytelling. Take note of super relatable things in your own life that you can share. When did you last have an "oh sh*t" moment? What's a personality trait you share with your best-fit client? What are every day funny/weird happenings that you can share? What's a secret confession that your audience would love to know? Don't be afraid to get personal, because that's when you start to shed off the corporate speak.

2. Use the senses. Think of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Try to be vivid and stay away from cliches or generalities because they're easy to lean on. How can you say the same thing but with your own spin?

3. Write all your ideas down first. Next, read it out loud. And finally, edit for personality. When we write copy there are two sides to us, the writer and the editor. Don't feel like you have to get it right with your first shot. Get your ideas out of your head and onto the paper. Reading your copy out loud, you'll naturally see where it sounds like a robot and you can fix it from there.

4. Check your DMs. A lot of your personality comes out in the DMs and texts that you send to friends! Take note of how you talk to your closest friends or biz buddies! It gives insight into your personality and you can translate that into your copy.

How can I identify the words that encapsulate my brand, my "brand dictionary" per se?

I would start by writing out a list of brand "Don'ts". What do you not say as a brand? What buzzwords in your industry make you shudder? Now you'll know what to steer clear of when writing copy and it is easier to identify what should be in your Brand Dictionary. So that your keywords don't become repetitive, I would focus on creating "action statements" rather than standalone adjectives. For example, here are some "words" I created for an executive coach:

• Create a new normal
• Artificial harmony isn't good for teams
• Your employees are humans
• There are no shortage of bad managers

To find your action statements, dive into your core values—what are 'non-negotiables' either in your work or your approach? How can you rephrase them into action statements that demonstrate how you do your work? Finally, reference where you find inspiration outside of your work. What are some themes you can pull from that to bring a fresh spin to what you do?

So many brands are using the same positioning these days: sustainable, ethical, modern etc. How can I stand out?

Remember: what you say doesn't have to be revolutionary, it just has to resonate. Here are a few prompts that I share with my clients when they feel stuck with displaying their USP:

1. What makes you angry in your industry? Like what can you absolutely not stand and it makes you sick in the pit of your stomach? Why do you feel this way?
2. What is your client trying to accomplish through your brand? Instead of leaning into your style, lean into the lifestyle your client is trying to create. How do their values align with your own?
3. What's a common perspective in your industry that you disagree with? How would you want to shift those beliefs?
4. If you could get on a soap box and preach about anything related to your work, what would it be?

When is it time for a rebrand?

You need a rebrand if:

• You're trying to break into a new market.
• You want to elevate the clients you're working with to be more aligned with your brand values.
• You're trying to position yourself around a certain aspect of your work that lights you up more. Example: even though I'm a copywriter, I choose to position myself around brand messaging because that's the part that I feel most passionate about.

But before you rebrand, make sure you're clear on your offers—and make sure they're bringing in $$$! It's easy to focus on the sexy stuff like brand positioning but you need to make sure that you've validated your offers and consistently delivered results through them. That's what matters most. Fun fact: I've got a rebrand brewing in the next year! In the meantime, I'm establishing my authority around brand messaging and really solidifying my process. I have recently written a blog all about this topic, check it out!

I have a limited budget, where should I spend my money for maximum impact?

You want to focus on minimum viable because as a start-up, your #1 priority is bringing in revenue in the short-term. I wouldn't go all out on a custom website or brand design that's thousands of dollars because it's likely that your brand will evolve over time. And unless you are 100% confident that your business won't change, I wouldn't invest in full-service copywriting either. If anything, I would invest in branding experts in a consulting capacity to help you hone in on what makes you different. Invest in minim. Work with branding experts, but try to get away with minimum viable. What is the most simple website with the most simple messaging you can get away with as you figure out your brand?

Remember, you won't really understand your brand until you start working directly with your people. Focus on getting clients in the door, and doing market research to understand what drives them. I would focus efforts specifically on doing market research of past clients and not just broad market research. Tip: past clients' descriptions of your work could contribute to your Brand Dictionary!

How do I choose brand partners that align with my brand messaging?

Building a brand is the ultimate test of integrity. Before pursuing every collaboration, you should ask yourself "Does this align with my vision and how I best deliver my work?" I think it is okay to work with people who have different stylistic preferences than you. In fact, I think it shows that you're versatile. But if they have underlying values that differ from yours, that's where there can be a conflict of interest in the long run. For example, I do collaborations with a speaker coach who teaches people how to grow their visibility by speaking on stage. I'm more of an introvert myself and would never speak at a TedTalk, but we align because we both focus on storytelling and connecting with people. Different personalities, same values.

What are the advantages of outsourcing my copywriting?

If you feel pretty set with your brand/your offering, then it should be easy to bring on a copywriter for a larger project, like your website or a sales page. It's so much easier for a copywriter to pick up your voice if you already feel confident in your approach, your personal brand, what makes you different, etc. If you're looking for more ongoing support with your copy (newsletter, blogs, etc.), then I still recommend working on a big project with a copywriter first and then continuing that relationship. A big project helps a writer to really understand your voice and how to weave that through the rest of your marketing. Either way, when working with a copywriter I always recommend creating a brand messaging guide. This way, you at least walk away with a literal guide that you can hand over to an intern, a social media manager, or anyone else in your company to maintain your brand voice.

I know some clients who love writing their own content because it's their form of self-expression but it is probably worth working with a professional copywriter if you feel like writing content really drains you—if you feel more lit up focusing on other areas of your business. I believe people should feel empowered to outsource their voice if it'll serve their goals long-term.

Learn more about how Kathy can help your business by visiting her website or connecting on Instagram.

‍Every month, we invite industry experts to answer the practical questions of our creative community. Brand messaging, financial management, legal contracts—you name it! Want to join our club and bag an invite to our next session? Sign up here.

In short, yes—every professional interior designer should hire a professional photographer. To interior design clients, visuals are everything. So when it comes to showcasing your designs, your iPhone camera is not going to make the cut (sorry, not sorry). You're proud of your designs, right? So it is time to do them justice with the help of a professional interior photographer. More so than your average photographer, these niche professionals know how to showcase your individual design style and most importantly, understand what sells to interior design clients. They're not just here to capture a photograph, they're here to capture you at your very best.

Worried about the investment? High-quality photographs of your interior design work can be used across your website, social media and physical assets—repurposable content that is sure to make a return in customer acquisition. If you're still not convinced, here are three reasons you need to hire an interior photographer.

Elevate your brand image

Whether you like it or not, first impressions do matter. Your website portfolio and social media feed are a client's first port of call—what they see there will determine whether or not they want you to design their home. You can produce the most elegant, intricate designs but no one will bat an eyelid if the photos are just... meh. Not to mention, high-quality images are often associated with high-quality service. Don't just showcase your work, give your client a taster of the exceptional standards they can expect whilst working with you. Getting a professional photographer ensures that all your designs' photos encapsulate the vibe and aesthetics it wants to portray.

Side note: professional photography coupled with beautiful design is a tried and tested way to capture the attention of reputable interior design magazines. If you're looking to get published and elevate your brand image to a new level—it is time to give that interior photographer a call.

Save yourself the time

Okay, hiring an interior photographer is a big investment—but what is worth more, your money or your time? Your own attempts to take the perfect shots of your interior design projects are going to take a lot of time. Time that could be spent liaising with new clients, putting together a new design concept or marketing your brand. However, professional photographers possess all the right equipment and expertise to get that shot in no time at all. Hire an experienced interior photographer and you likely won't even need to oversee the process. Your time is precious. But we get it, so are profits. Remember that any money you spend on a professional photographer is an investment in your brand and the future of your career—and you can't put a price on that!

Achieve consistent quality

Nothing irks someone more than low-quality images. And without a professional, that is likely what you'll end up with. Yes, you might get a lucky shot here and there but consistency is key here. It is best to put your camera away and call on the experts. Your designs tell a story—discuss this with your interior photographer—but a low-quality image will distract a client from that story. A portfolio with inconsistent style not only loses its magic touch but may also confuse viewers.

Worse, inconsistent style and quality lead a client to assume some images were grabbed from other designers. Maintaining consistent quality assures clients that they are dealing with a legitimate interior designer.You also need to look for a photographer consistent with your niche—interior design. Like the interior industry, photographers tend to excel in one field over the other—don't expect a portrait photographer to produce the same quality shot as a professional interior photographer.

You're living the dream: you work in the creative industries in a city buzzing with artistic inspiration—London. However, working remotely or as a freelancer, can get a little lonely. Thankfully, London is filled with communal working spaces for creatives just like you.

If you're spending too much on coffee to secure a spot at your local cafe, then co-working spaces could be a much better alternative! Co-working spaces allow plenty of privacy while promoting a sense of community. There's space for you to do solo deep work, 1-on-1 meetings, and small group discussions.

Find all the benefits of working communally for yourself by visiting the best co-working spaces in London for creatives.

Creative co-working spaces in North London

Camden Collective

A space for: creative startups

Price: Starting at £300 per month

Location: Collective Auction Rooms, 5-7 Buck Street, NW1 8NJ

If you're down by Camden Town, take note of Camden Collective—a registered charity that takes over empty buildings and uses them to house free hot-desking spaces, affordable fixed-desk spaces, and subsidised offices for startups!

Highlights:

• Lunch Club
• Collective Socials
• Business support and mentoring

The Greenhouse N16

A space for: growing entrepreneurs

Price: Starting at £275 per month

Location: The Greenhouse, 49 Green Lanes, N16 9BU

The Greenhouse N16 is a co-working space run by creative individuals like you. It's a multi-purpose space for businesses of all sizes that come with everything a budding creative business requires. In other words, "they provide the space, you bring the ideas!"

Highlights:

• Free meeting rooms for members
• Café and greenhouse dining area

Creative co-working spaces in South London

Work.Life

A space for: solopreneurs

Price: starting at £7 per hour, £350 per month

Location: 5-7 Tanner Street, SE1 3LE

Work.Life has locations all across London but once you're a member at one, you're welcome at all! And there is the option to pay by the hour for those who are not ready to commit or simply want more of a drop-in space. Enjoy fully furnished office spaces, private meeting rooms, and unlimited coffee wherever you are and whenever you fee like it!

Highlights:

• Unlimited coffee
• Bonus digital community
• Access to all locations

Impact Brixton

Space for: creative natives

Price: starting at £35 per month

Location: 17a Electric Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LA

A bright, diverse and inclusive workspace for Brixton's creative community! Whether you'd like a quiet space to knuckle down or a buzzing office to fuel your ideas, there's a place for you at Impact Brixton.

Impact prides itself on facilitating connections between the local creative community. After all, running a business becomes easier in good company!

Highlights:

• Printing, scanning, and photocopying services
• Membership discounts
• Access to exclusive events and educational programmes

Creative co-working spaces in East London

ARC Club

A space for: animal-lovers

Price: starting at £15 per day, £180 per month

Location: 72-76 Digby Road, London, E9 6HX

Arc Clubs are more than office spaces, they are on a mission to "shape neighbourhoods into thriving and connected communities." Most importantly, Arc Club encourages members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The selling point: Well-behaved animals are welcome in Arc Club canteens and social work areas!

Highlights:

• Printing and scanning services
• Partner perks
• Pets!

Neighbourhood Works

A space for: trendsetters

Price: starting at £89 per month

Location: 1E Mentmore Terrace, E8 3DQ

Neighbourhood Works is ideal for those creatives who find inspiration in bespoke artworks and nature, earning it a space on Elle magazine's "Top 10 Co-working Spaces in the UK" list. You'll find a Neighbourhood Works close to all the most fashionable spots in London, this one is found in the heart of trendy London Fields, so you'll be just a few steps away from your favourite brunch spots, cinemas, and hidden local gems.

Highlights:

• Peloton room and yoga studio
• Unlimited tea and Climpsons coffee
• Pet-friendly spaces

Creative co-working spaces in West London

Huckletree

A space for: hustlers

Price: Starting at £35 per day, £185 per month

Location: MediaWorks, White City Place

You can't change the world alone, but as a team, anything is possible! And when it comes to networking and business growth, Huckletree is the place! Huckletree has 7 themed workspaces (aka hubs) scattered around the UK and Ireland. Their White City space is home to innovators in the Future Living space. Visit their website to find out which site is the best suited to your creative business.

Highlights:

• Business mentorship and courses
• Exclusive discounts

Second Home

A space for: eco- conscious creatives

Price: Starting at £60 per day, £250 per month

Location: 68-80 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL

Fact: green spaces make people happy. And that's what Second Home is all about!

Second Home is a co-working sanctuary in East London. With a range of Membership options, you can work however and whenever you prefer. At Second Home you'll find more than just a desk, you'll find a whole community (pets included)!

Highlights:

• 10% Libreria discount
• Weekly wellness events
• Unlimited Printing

Nejla Renee has always had a passion for fashion, routed in an understanding that dress is the best vehicle to express your most authentic self. After a successful career in finance, Nejla returned to her lifelong dream of sharing her knowledge as a personal stylist.

Nejla Renee Styling offers a service that is equal parts practical and passionate, combining her keen eye for detail and strong understanding of fit and proportion with her innate sense of style and desire to educate others on the power of a great wardrobe.

Nejla recounts her progression from a fashionista with a dream to one of the top personal stylists in New York.

Natural Instincts

I previously worked in finance, but realised that was not where my passion was. I’ve always had a natural talent for fashion and knowing what types of clothes work for people so I used my passion and experience to launch my own business. My education in business really helped with the logistics of building a legitimate business. Exceptional relationship building is key, no matter what kind of business you are in.

The mindset of sucess

I built my business from scratch as I was coming from a completely different field. I started my business about 12 years ago now, and at the time there weren’t that many people doing personal styling so I never felt as though I was playing catch up, if anything I was a pioneer in the personal styling space.

Pursuing my new career wasn’t difficult because I didn’t leave any room for doubt; I just made the decision to succeed. There were definitely times when doubt would creep in but ultimately I knew that I was doing the right thing.

In retrospect, there is nothing I would change or wish I had known sooner. My naivety has helped me become who I am and have the business that I do today. Besides, I don’t believe in regret only experiences as opportunities for growth and change.

Hitting the spot

I come to understand my clients through a series of deep-dive questions and exercises that discover who my client is and what they want. Then, we delve into their closet. Here I can gather more information on the types of clothes they naturally gravitate towards. I then take all that information—and trust me there is a lot—and create a visual that represents my client’s new style identity. We ensure we are on the same page with this vision before proceeding further.

I know I've perfected a client's personal style when, at the end of the process, we put together clothes we kept from their closet cleanse and new things we added to create looks that let their true selves shine. Usually, at this point, my clients experience so much joy because they finally feel as though they have everything they need to show up in the world.

Vintage gems

My personal style: Edgy. Bold. Chic.

My favourite piece in my wardrobe right now is a vintage colour-blocked corset top, I’ve had it for 10 years and it is such a unique piece. Individuality is what I love about vintage. I feel sexy and powerful in it and I love that I can style it in so many different ways. It’s unique, timeless and versatile!

Benefits of style

I think a strong sense of personal style lends a distinct level of confidence to any individual. With that confidence, they can then focus their energy on the other things they do in their life and not let not having the right thing to wear hold them back.

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Follow Nejla Renee on Instagram for your daily fashion fix and find out more about her services on her website.

Colour speaks volumes. The right colour palette elevates your work to a new level but finding it takes time and effort. A tip making the search for that dream colour combo a little easier: use a colour palette generator.

Like a colourful PA, a colour palette generator tool will reduce the time it takes for you to find the perfect colour combo for your creative project. As all designers know, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a colour palette. Which is why, like colours themselves, colour palette generation tools come in many different shades. Whether you're looking to automate your design process, find a colour scheme for your Instagram feed or get a dose of colour inspiration, there is a colour palette tool that can solve your creative dilemma.

We cannot just pick one, so we prepared a list of the best colour palette generators you can try now!

Huemint - See Colours in Action

Huemint allows you to play around with colour palettes, locking in your favourite shades and swapping in new ones until you find the perfect combo. But how can you be sure a colour combo really works until you've seen it in situ?

Which is why Huemint then applies that colour scheme to mock-ups of merch, packaging, signage and more—amazing, right?

Farbvelo - Generate a Wild Card

We all need a little burst of inspiration now and again! Farbvelo's colour generator provides just that! See things from a new perspective—again and again and again. Use Farbvelo to generate endless colour combinations. Eventually, one is sure to hit the spot!

Top tip: play around with the settings to get colour palettes customised for your needs.

Visualist — From Picture to Palette

Have you ever found an image that perfectly captures the colour scheme you're going for—but you just can't figure out the hex codes? Or even if you did manage to, wouldn't it be great if it didn't take so damn long!? If the answer is yes, you're going to love Visualist.

Upload any image to your Visualist library and watch as AI pulls out the key colours and compiles them in a colour palette. You can then further customise the palette it creates and download it as a new image—pretty cool, right?

Want to try it out for yourself? Join the waitlist here!

Colorkuler - Build a Colour Coordinated Feed

Let's face it, we all obsess over the aesthetics of our Instagram feed! And rightly so, Instagram is often your first impression to potential new clients. Colorkuler analyses your Instagram grid and determines the dominant colours—and there you have it, a colour palette to work with going forward even potential new brand colours!

Colour subliminally says a lot about you and your brand, it's worth checking that yours are doing you justice!

Khroma - Embrace AI

To get started with Khroma, you'll need to select 50 colours from a seemingly endless array of hues and shades. Khroma then uses AI technology to memorise your colour preferences and recommend palettes to your taste.

You can save all the colour combos recommended to build a reference bank of tailored colour combos you're sure to love!

Speaking in Color - Turn Words Into Colours

Hex codes? So old-fashioned! The next it girl is using words to identify colours. Sometimes we can't visualise a colour but we can describe it as a memory, a setting, or a feeling—with Speaking In Colour—that's all you need! Describe the mood of your colour palette the best you can, et voila! You'll have your perfect colour palette in a matter of minutes.

The demand for personal styling services naturally dwindles a few times a year—it's nothing to worry about and no reflection of the quality of your services. That being said, less contact with clients and no styling new appointments in your diary can be pretty anxiety-inducing. Instead of staring into the abyss and finding fault in yourself, convert your downtime into a productive period for your business and your mind.

Use these quieter periods as an opportunity to elevate your skills, expand your network and nurture your passion for the personal styling industry. Time to put on your best outfit and get to work!

Start studying

You thought your school days were over? Think again! Personal styling is a competitive industry—take this lull as a sign it's time to refresh your knowledge. Reputable professionals and schools such as the London College of Style offer an array of online courses to help you develop new skills or refine existing ones. Your existing clients will appreciate your heightened skillset and an extra accreditation next to your name is sure to attract a new clientele.

Remember, studying can be social too! Following fellow styling professionals or trendsetters in the fashion space will keep you up to date with industry news and emerging trends.

Go out and socialise

Repeat after me—networking is key! A quiet work schedule means more time to socialise with fellow industry professionals and potential new clients alike. Don't limit yourself to your existing circle. Be creative in who you reach out to—a local organisation, a brand you have always admired, etc. Think about who your ideal clients are and how you can align yourself with them. Who knows, maybe that next message will lead to an exciting new project!

Nurture your passion

Just like any creatives, personal stylists can suffer from creative burnout. A little break is a good time to re-energise and remember why you fell in love with the personal styling industry in the first place! Flick through your favourite fashion magazines, visit your favourite clothing stores (yes, in person) and read through your glowing client testimonials—remind yourself why you love fashion and why your clients love you!

How about taking some time to explore your other passions too? Pick up a hobby, organise time with your friends or pursue that passion project you've always dreamt of! There is a world away from work and this is the perfect opportunity to explore it.

Wedding planners, have you ever made it to the end of a wedding and been, well, super relieved it was all over? Chances are you made the same mistake as countless other wedding planners: ignoring the warning signs of a toxic client.

Wedding planning is a competitive industry, so securing clients always feels like a great achievement. However, sometimes your clients turn out to be a little problematic; critiquing your packages and rates, demanding 24/7 availability, and shutting down all of your suggestions. Yikes! After reflecting on your time spent working with a difficult client, you can often see that the signs were always there—some discreet, others clear as day.

Whilst securing clients is essential to your business' success, so is preserving your mental well-being. A negative relationship is not good for you or your clients. To prevent any imperfect partnerships in the future, watch out for these red flags when meeting with new clients.

Radio Silence

Everything is prepped. Your clients have signed the contract, paid the retainer, and out of nowhere they... go missing.

You try to contact them multiple times via email, text, and calls—but to no avail. Then, out of nowhere, they return. Expecting everything to be in place. Some clients don't want to be heavily involved in the planning process, that's fine! But 0 communication with no prior agreement is not okay. If your clients are suspiciously hard to contact right from the outset, it could be a red flag.

These are the type of clients that expect you to do the impossible. Often these clients don't even tell you what they want but will always have something to critique in the ideas you present. Whatever you do, it'll be wrong! Slow to no communication will disrupt your entire workflow—take our advice, reserve your time for other clients and run!

Incessant Bargaining

Everyone loves a bargain! However, there is a fine line between ensuring you're getting a fair price and becoming disrespectful.

If a client questions the price of every single one of your wedding packages, repeatedly compares your services to cheaper wedding planners, or says the unthinkable: "your services aren't worth that much"—red flag! Don't fall for it—stand by your prices! These clients are manipulating you. They like your services, but want it for cheap. If a client refuses to come to terms with a well-reasoned explanation of your pricing, it is probably best to call off the partnership on your own terms.

Hour Hogging

If a client is demanding an unreasonable amount of your time in the early stages of planning, it could be nerves but it could also be a sign of controlling behaviour to come.

This is the type of client who doesn't care if it's your rest day, 3 am in the morning, or even if you're at another client's wedding—they'll call you. Best to avoid getting to that stage. Respect should work both ways. If you've clearly discussed your office hours with them but they continue to overstep your boundaries then working with them will only have negative repercussions on your other projects. Nobody should steal precious moments out of your "me" time!

Suspicious Storytelling

If there are bad clients, then there are also bad wedding professionals. So at some point, you may encounter clients who have already worked with other planners before you—and that's okay! But what is not okay is acting unprofessionally and consistently badmouthing their past planner. Criticising is acceptable, but if you feel like they've gone below the belt then you should take the and leave—who's to say you won't be next?

A client has a right to privacy but being very secretive about why the relationship broke down could also indicate potential future issues.

Picture this: You've spent hours searching for the perfect image. You've finally found it. Well, almost. If you could just remove that one pesky distraction in the background. Sound familiar?

Image background removal tools are available to creatives, but some are tricky to use. Even tech-savvy creatives know removing the background of an image takes time and energy—time better spent creating!

With new AI technology, you can forget the lasso tool and manual erasers. Get the perfect image in just one click.

Most of these tools are free. Some even come with extra image editing features!

Add these background removal tools to your design toolkit. Never miss out on an (almost) perfect image again!

This article will explore:

• Top tools for image background removal
• How to use background removal apps and software
• Tips for creatives to enhance their image editing process

One-click background removal by Visualist

Best for: moodboard fanatics

Visualist is software for creative professionals to work, earn, and scale better.

Visualist offers a moodboard-making tool that includes an easy-to-use background remover. You can remove image backgrounds with just one click.

Once you're happy, download your background-free image or add it to your moodboard!

Too good to be true? Visualist is in private Beta.  Sign up for the waitlist now!

Image background remover by Canva

Best for: DIY creatives

Chances are, you're already familiar with Canva, But have you fully explored their image background removal tool?

You can edit individual images or remove backgrounds in presentations, posters, and more!

The catch? Canva's background removal tool is exclusive to Canva Pro users. Why not sign up for a free 30-day trial and give it a try? You'll also gain access to a wealth of templates!

Background remover by Cutout

Best for: editing in bulk

Cutout.Pro is a free background remover designed for bulk image editing. Compatible with Mac and Windows, the Cutout App allows you to remove backgrounds effortlessly—up to 10,000 images at a time!

Express Background Remover by Adobe

Best for: extreme precision

Adobe's Express Background Remover is another promising tool. It's simple to use and delivers great, clean results—what's not to love?

If you want to customize your new image, simply sign up for an Adobe account to access a variety of fun photo editing tools!

Background remover by Retoucher

Best for: on-the-go creation

When creativity strikes, you need to act fast—meaning, you need that background gone now!

If that's your story, Retoucher's Background Remover fits your style.

Capture images on the spot and remove the background instantly—now nothing can slow your creative flow!