Show notes:
In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Aymin, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Events, a venue management company in the US. Jonathan also hosts the VenueRx podcast and founded the Wedding and Event Venue Association, so he brings a wealth of experience and some refreshingly honest insights into running and growing a venue business. We chat about Jonathan’s journey into the wedding industry, from starting a staffing company to managing wedding venues across the US, and why being successful in this industry takes far more than simply having a beautiful space.
We also get into the practical side of marketing. Jonathan explains why he doesn’t believe in writing off a platform just because it hasn’t worked for another business, and why looking at your own numbers is essential when deciding where to invest your time and money. From wedding directories and Google Ads to Meta, TikTok and AI-driven referrals, we explore why different platforms can work differently depending on your venue and your ideal client.
One of my favourite parts of this conversation is our discussion about consistency. It can be tempting to give up when your marketing doesn’t seem to be generating immediate results, but couples may be watching your content for months before they’re ready to enquire. Jonathan explains why it’s important to keep showing up, track your results and look at the bigger picture rather than reacting to every individual post or quiet week.
Common Sense Events
The Venue RX podcast
The Venue RX Instagram
Time stamps:
03:53 - From Fired to Founder — Jonathan's Journey into Hospitality and Venue Management
19:20 - What marketing is actually working for venues?
34:02 - Measuring Social Media Success: What Metrics to Track
45:11 - People First: Turning Authenticity into Hiring and Culture
54:05 - Balancing Family and Work: Life with Seven Children
01:08:54 - Final takeaways: Track your data and next steps
Mentioned in this episode:
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