Marketing Panes

Window Treatment Marketing Pros
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  • MARKETING
  • MONTHLY
Marketing Panes

Marketing Panes is the go-to podcast for window treatment and awning business owners who want to level up their marketing game. Hosted by industry expert Will Hanke, owner of Window Treatment Marketing Pros, this podcast dives into actionable marketing tips, industry trends, and proven strategies to help businesses attract more leads and grow. Each episode features insightful interviews with successful business owners and top marketing professionals, offering a range of perspectives on what’s working in the world of digital marketing, SEO, local advertising, and more. Tune in for valuable advice and fresh ideas tailored specifically to the window treatment and awning industry!

  1. 15 OCT

    Marketing Panes: Michelle Williams

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Summary and Key Takeaways In this insightful podcast episode, Michelle Williams, owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metric Solutions, shares her expertise on financial management for window treatment and awning businesses. Key takeaways include: Key Takeaways Learn why understanding how money moves through your business is crucial for growth and stability, and how to implement effective financial planning. Discover how to align your marketing budget with clear financial goals and target audience insights to maximize ROI. Understand the importance of tracking key financial metrics to measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and ensure your business is thriving. Gain practical tips on managing cash flow, handling financial setbacks, and planning for taxes, hiring, and unforeseen expenses. Video [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link="https://youtu.be/H-9mjW__YXI" css=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Guest Profile: founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting, former soft treatment fabricator, and wife / mom always. I could tell you that I have a B.S. in Business Administration, but I'm just as proud of the diploma in Christian Life Coaching I earned through Light University. Additionally, I am one of the few certified Profit First coaches in the United States and am pursuing my Fix This Next certification in Spring of 2020- and I am a creative on top of that! Other Notes/Links: To learn more about Michelle Williams visit: Scarlet Thread Consulting pssst.... want to be a guest on the show? Listen to other episodes[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Transcript Will Hanke - WTMP (00:00) All right, hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Marketing Panes, the podcast where we talk with real window treatment and awning service providers and business owners about their successes and struggles related to marketing their business. Today, we have a service provider who I've known for many years. We've always bumped into each other at IWCE, and I'm very happy to finally have Michelle Williams on the podcast today. Michelle Williams is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metric Solutions, specializing in empowering creative professionals in the design industry. She offers strategic business coaching and financial analytics, helping interior designers, workrooms, and window covering professionals navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Through Scarlet Thread Consulting, Michelle provides tailored coaching to achieve financial clarity and operational efficiency. Metric Solutions offers technology -driven software to optimize pricing strategies and enhance profitability. Those sounds like things that people would be interested in. Michelle's work transforms businesses and inspires growth in the design community. Michelle, thank you so much for being on today. Michelle Williams (01:17) It's my pleasure. Thanks for having me, Will. Will Hanke - WTMP (01:20) Yeah, very excited to kind of jump in and learn some stuff, especially on the finance side. I think that's always a struggle for small business owners along the different stages of growth. All right. Well, so let's jump right in. Why don't you tell me a little bit about your background and how you became an expert in financial management for businesses? Michelle Williams (01:31) Sure. Yeah, so my background, I started in software development for Dun & Bradstreet software and built financial software. So all the way back in the day,

    48 min

  2. 8 OCT

    Quarterly Outlooks: Here Comes the Pane

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Summary and Key Takeaways In this episode of Marketing Panes, host Will Hanke discusses the current state of the window treatment and awning industry with guests Mike Lewis from AAA Awnings and Jessica Harling from Behind the Design. The conversation covers market trends, technology innovations, and hiring challenges in Q4 2024. Key Takeaways The market is seeing a shift towards luxury clients and budget-conscious customers. Technology integration, such as smart home features, is becoming increasingly important. Hiring and training remain crucial for business growth. The Sun Shading Expo showcased innovations in exterior shading solutions. Video [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link="https://youtu.be/3AtF8RAVYyE" css=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Current Market Trends Shift in Customer Base Mike Lewis notes a significant change in their customer base: "We've seen a lot of people go extra luxury and cost really wasn't a factor... Or the opposite has hit and it's like, hey, you we have this minimum and it seems like we're getting a lot of minimum jobs too." This polarization of the market presents both challenges and opportunities for window treatment businesses. Election Year Impact The upcoming election is affecting consumer behavior. Mike explains: "This happens every four years for us. Honestly, it's election year and that's is always a big thing and you know money trickles downhill." Opportunities in the Luxury Market Jessica Harling emphasizes the importance of networking in the luxury market: "You have to go where they live... Whether that is being on a board or going to a charity event or whatever, you just have to go where they live and literally network with them." Technology and Innovation Smart Home Integration The podcast highlights the increasing importance of smart home technology in the window treatment industry. Features like motorization, solar panels, and integration with voice assistants are becoming standard expectations for many customers. Innovations from Sun Shading Expo Mike shares an interesting innovation he saw at the expo: "There was a retractable awning company that will still are retractable awning that we have puts lights in there. They're actually integrated in it's not an aftermarket thing." This kind of integration showcases how the industry is evolving to meet customer demands for both functionality and aesthetics. Hiring and Training Challenges Changing Perspective on Hiring Jessica challenges the common notion that it's hard to find installers: "It is not hard to find installers. It is hard to find what is the expectation in your head of a perfect installer. You have to train them." Importance of Training Both guests emphasize the crucial role of ongoing training. Mike shares: "Training them after, basically we always say after a year is when you should probably stop making mistakes, right? But it takes a long time to really get there." Looking Ahead to 2025 As the industry prepares for 2025, both guests are focusing on growth and preparation. Mike is expecting a "good bounce back" and is focusing on SEO to prepare for increased demand. Jessica is planning group workshops across the country to provide training on products, sales, and customer service. The window treatment and awning industry is evolving rapidly, with shifts in customer demographics, technological advancements,

    10 min

  3. 1 OCT

    Marketing Panes - Casey Richardson

    Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Video https://youtu.be/oDHByxYBYqk?si=T55OFeYYKwModG3M In This Episode Discover why continuously testing and optimizing your Facebook ad campaigns is essential for maximizing success. Learn about the common mistakes business owners make when running Facebook ads and how to avoid them. Get insights into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and how businesses can stay ahead. Get recommendations on must-read books and training resources to enhance your marketing strategies. Guest Profile: Casey Richardson Casey Richardson is a Partner & Co-Founder at Craft Agency Group, a white label agency specializing in lead generation Facebook Ads. Focusing on niche agencies working with local service providers, Craft fills a gap in the white label marketplace - offering Facebook Ads at the highest level possible. Casey is known for his data-driven approach and expertise in testing and optimization, making him one of the most sought after strategists in the industry.Casey’s dedication to the agency community runs deep, and in addition to being a trusted service provider for some of the fastest-growing agencies in the country, he is also a coach, consultant, and speaker. Other Notes/Links: To learn more about Casey Richardson visit:Craft Agencypssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to other episodes Transcript: Will Hanke - WTMP (00:00)All right, hey everyone, Welcome to another episode of Marketing Panes, the podcast where we talk with real window treatment and awning service providers or business owners about their successes and struggles related to marketing their business.Today we've got a great service provider who's also been a friend of mine for a while and does some really great things. And I'm very excited to have him on today. So Casey Richardson is a partner and co -founder at Craft Agency Group and Ad School, specializing in lead generation from Facebook ads. Focusing on niche agencies working with local service providers.Kraft fills a gap in the white label marketplace, offering Facebook ads at the highest level possible. Casey is known for a data -driven approach and expertise in testing and optimization, making him one of the most sought after strategists in the industry. I'm lucky enough to have him on my podcast today. So Casey, how are you?Casey (01:01)Man, I'm doing great. What an intro. Thank you, Will. Appreciate it, man. Happy to be here. Happy to add value however I can.Will Hanke - WTMP (01:03)HahahaYeah, so I'm so very excited about Facebook ads. I know you're doing some fantastic things over there. So for the listeners, I want to get in a little bit to obviously how they can use Facebook ads for their business. You know how you set things up. You know, we'll kind of get through some different things. But before we get into all of that, why don't you give me a little bit of background? Give me the story of how you got into the digital marketing world in the first place.Casey (01:39)Sure, yeah, man. You know, I was a creative freelancer for 10 years. So I was always doing something in small business, you know, typically around graphic design, photography, video, something in that kind of world. And, you know, one of my more recent ventures, I guess, that kind of like tipped everything over into marketing is I ran a video production business and that agency was actually the first business that I built up to a million dollars a year. Andthat one of the things that we came across in ...

    35 min

  4. 17 SEPT

    Marketing Panes - LuAnn Nigara

    Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Video https://youtu.be/msy5BXuBDFw In This Episode Learn how to view objections as opportunities to understand your clients better and drive the sale forward. Discover the importance of documented standard operating procedures (SOPs) in scaling your window treatment business while maintaining quality and brand reputation. Understand the essential qualities for running a successful window treatment business and why ongoing staff training is crucial. Explore the growing market for exterior products and how to position your business to capitalize on this trend. Guest Profile: Kathy Pace LuAnn Nigara is a dynamic media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur, best known as an original founder of Window Works in Livingston, New Jersey, and current co-owner of Exciting Windows. She is the host of the top rated podcast, A Well Designed Business, and the founder of LuAnn Nigara Inc., which supports creative entrepreneurs through live events. Luann University and coaching. Luann's newest podcast, Window Treatments for Profit, focuses on the custom window treatment industry. She serves on the National Board of the Window Coverings Association of America and regularly contributes to industry publications. Other Notes/Links: To learn more about LuAnn Nigara visit: https://luannnigara.com/ pssst.... want to be a guest on the show? Listen to other episodes Transcript: Will Hanke - WTMP (00:00) All right, hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Marketing Panes where we dive deep into marketing strategies and tools that drive success in the window treatment and awning industries. Today, I'm excited to have LuAnn Magara with us, a true expert in the window treatment field. So LuAnn, thank you so much for jumping on today. I really do appreciate it. LuAnn Nigara (00:25) my goodness, Will, I'm so happy to be here with you. Thank you. Will Hanke - WTMP (00:27) Yeah, yeah. So let me read your bio so we know who you are. LuAnn Nigara is a dynamic media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur, best known as an original founder of Window Works in Livingston, New Jersey, and current co -owner of Exciting Windows. She is the host of the top rated podcast, A Well Designed Business, and the founder of LuAnn Nigara Inc., which supports creative entrepreneurs through live events. Luann University, which we'll talk a little bit more about later, and coaching. Luann's newest podcast, Window Treatments for Profit, focuses on the custom window treatment industry. She serves on the National Board of the Window Coverings Association of America and regularly contributes to industry publications. That's pretty awesome, pretty impressive, quite honestly. LuAnn Nigara (01:19) Sounds good, doesn't it? Will Hanke - WTMP (01:22) Yeah, that sounds great. Yeah. So thanks so much for being on. Right, right. Yeah. Yeah, we can always make something that sounds really good about ourselves. So give me a little background about how you got into the window treatment world. LuAnn Nigara (01:24) We all sound better in print, don't we? Well, I met a man that I fell in love with. His name was Vin Nigara. And he had just opened Window Works about six months prior. And I actually had met him when we were dating. And at one point during our dating, he opened Window Works. And about six months after him opening Window Works, I found myself in a job that I hated. Will Hanke - WTMP (01:42) Yeah. LuAnn Nigara (02:03) And of course we're going out for our dinner dates and so forth and I'm complaining,

    1 hr

  5. 3 SEPT

    Marketing Panes - Sandra VanSickle

    Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fHLoVxfpd4 In This Episode Learn how to evaluate potential workrooms with a detailed checklist of questions to ensure a successful partnership. Discover how design software and project management tools can enhance efficiency in your window coverings business. Understand the importance of setting timelines, documenting work order changes, and maintaining clear communication to avoid misunderstandings. Gain insights into Sandra's dedication to teaching and providing online training in the window treatment industry, and how it can benefit your business. Guest Profile: Sandra VanSickle Sandra VanSickle is a respected figure in the window coverings industry, known for her extensive expertise spanning over three decades in custom window treatments. She owns and operates Sew What's New, LLC, a prominent wholesale studio and training center based in Apex, NC. Sandra excels in creating high-quality window treatments and shares her wealth of knowledge through online courses, hands-on workshops, articles, and speaking engagements.In addition to her studio work, Sandra co-owns the Craft Your Creative Life Retreat, a unique event that blends sewing skills, business strategy, and wellness for industry professionals. She also serves as Director of IWCE's Artisan Atelier, where she organizes and facilitates two days of training sessions in the exhibit hall, helping attendees enhance their skills and stay ahead of industry trends. Sandra also produces the "Live With Sandra V" show, where she offers training and insights to a broader audience.Sandra's dedication to education and leadership continues to inspire and shape the window coverings community. Other Notes/Links: To learn more about Sandra Vansickle visit:Sandravansickle.compssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to other episodes Transcript: Will Hanke - WTMP (00:00)All right. Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Marketing Panes. My name is Will Hanke. This is the go -to podcast for window treatment and awning business marketing. Each month, we bring you insights from industry experts and fellow business owners sharing tips, tools and strategies to boost your online presence and drive growth. My guest today is Sandra Van Sickle. She's a respected figure in the window coverings industry.known for her extensive expertise spanning over three decades in custom window treatments. She owns and operates So What's New, LLC, I love that, a prominent wholesale studio and training center based in Apex, North Carolina. Sandra excels in creating high quality window treatments and shares her wealth of knowledge through online courses, hands -on workshops, articles, and speaking engagements. Sandra, you're quite busy.In addition to her studio work, Sandra co -owns the Craft Your Creative Life Retreat, a unique event that blends sewing skills, business strategy, and wellness for industry professionals. She also serves as director of IWCE's Artisan Atelier, where she organizes and facilitates two days of training sessions on the exhibit hall, helping attendees enhance their skills and stay ahead of industry trends.If you've ever been to IWCE, they're right in the middle and they're always busy. Sandra also produces the Live with Sandra V show where she offers training and insights to a broader audience. Sandra's dedication to education and leadership continues to inspire and shape the window coverings community. Sandra,

    42 min

  6. 1 SEPT

    Marketing Updates For Window Treatment Businesses

    Explore the latest insights on the Google Core Update and actionable SEO strategies for window treatment businesses. Learn how to enhance visibility through quality content and authentic visuals.

    8 min

  7. 20 AUG

    Marketing Panes - Kathy Pace

    Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. Video https://youtu.be/3ljG_iKnWmI In This Episode Learn how Kathy Cragg Pace transitioned from mortgage sales to in-home design sales and developed a modern sales strategy focused on building connections and creating a personalized sales experience. Understand common pitfalls in the sales process, such as overwhelming clients with information and not presenting prices in person, and discover strategies to overcome these challenges. Gain insights into prioritizing client convenience and needs, and learn how to foster human connection and relationship-building in sales. Explore Kathy's strategies for improving lead conversion rates and mastering the money conversation, along with an introduction to her Modern Sales Mastery course for personalized sales guidance. Guest Profile: Kathy Pace Kathy Cragg Pace is a megawatt beacon of growth, expertly guiding window treatment sales professionals into the world of thriving they deserve. In a sea of sales sameness, Kathy helps design sales pros fearlessly find their success with her Modern Sales Way, encouraging them to throw out everything we’ve all been taught about “closing a sale,” replacing it with the brightness of human connection and learning how to deliver an irresistible selling experience. Her specialty is helping businesses look at their existing sales process and implement her Modern Sales methods quickly and painlessly, so they can finally move beyond the most common objections without any of the "salesyness" so often taught in traditional training. You’ll learn the art of “the stretch to connect” so you can thrive in design sales. Throughout her extensive career, she’s led her own award-winning design franchise, real-estate and custom home-building companies, a North American network of large and small window-covering business owners, and a nationwide sales team of in-home design professionals. She’s worked with the biggest names in the industry, and influenced $450 Million dollars in sales. This pro knows!Kathy’s Modern Sales Way includes a course, sales tools, and coaching, available for the first time to entrepreneurial businesses. She guarantees results, and she generously shares thought-provoking insights, memorable selling stories, and free downloadable guides. Other Notes/Links: To learn more about Kathy Pace visit:KathyPace.compssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to other episodes Transcript: Will Hanke - WTMP (00:00)Welcome to the next episode of Marketing Panes. My name is Will Hanke. This is your go -to podcast when it comes to window treatment and awning marketing. Each month we bring you insights from industry experts and fellow business owners sharing tips, tools, and strategies to boost your online presence and drive growth. Excited about my guest today, we're going to be talking about sales.And in today's environment, that's probably something we need to be paying attention to a little bit more than we have maybe in the past couple of years. My guest is Kathy Cragg Pace. She is a megawatt beacon of growth, expertly guiding window treatment sales professionals into the world of thriving they deserve. that sounds really good. I like that. a sea of... Yeah, not surviving. You're right. Thriving. Great. In a sea of sales sameness,Kathy Pace (00:45)Not surviving. Thriving.Will Hanke - WTMP (00:52)Cathy helps design sales pros fearlessly find their success with a modern sales way,

    1h 4m

  8. 13 AUG

    Current Marketing Trends and New Strategies

    Marketing Panes is a monthly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. In This Episode Learn about the decline in lead generation and the rising costs of paid ads, especially on platforms like Google Ads. Discover alternative platforms such as Nextdoor and Yelp for hyperlocal targeting and the benefits of exploring new ad campaigns. Understand the value of newsletters, content credits, and project pages in enhancing SEO and maintaining customer engagement. Video https://youtu.be/uEUYqjzR5ms Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:25 Increasing Costs of Paid Ads 04:19 Utilizing Social Media and YouTube 06:16 The Benefits of Content Marketing 07:17 Improving Local Rankings with City Blitz 09:41 Conclusion Summary In this conversation, Will Hanke provides updates on the industry trends and offers tips to offset the decrease in leads. He discusses the current trend of leads being down and attributes it to factors like the economy and the election. He mentions that paid ad costs, particularly on Google ads, are increasing. Will suggests exploring other platforms like Nextdoor and Yelp for advertising. He also talks about the importance of utilizing social media platforms, building a YouTube channel, optimizing Google Business Profile, and sending out monthly newsletters. Additionally, he mentions the benefits of content marketing, purchasing additional content credits, and using the City Blitz system to improve local rankings. Takeaways Leads in the industry are currently down, possibly due to the economy and the election. Paid ad costs, especially on Google ads, are increasing. Exploring other platforms like Nextdoor and Yelp for advertising can be beneficial. Utilizing social media platforms, building a YouTube channel, and optimizing Google Business Profile can help reach a broader audience. Sending out monthly newsletters and focusing on content marketing can generate more leads. Purchasing additional content credits and using the City Blitz system can improve local rankings.

    12 min
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About

Marketing Panes is the go-to podcast for window treatment and awning business owners who want to level up their marketing game. Hosted by industry expert Will Hanke, owner of Window Treatment Marketing Pros, this podcast dives into actionable marketing tips, industry trends, and proven strategies to help businesses attract more leads and grow. Each episode features insightful interviews with successful business owners and top marketing professionals, offering a range of perspectives on what’s working in the world of digital marketing, SEO, local advertising, and more. Tune in for valuable advice and fresh ideas tailored specifically to the window treatment and awning industry!

Information

  • Creator
    Window Treatment Marketing Pros
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Marketing Panes

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