The creators of OneWed have introduced a new platform, never seen before in the world of wedding planning. The Wedding Pre-Party, an online network where brides and grooms can interact with others about their wedding planning experience. Never before have brides and grooms been able to share information with their wedding party and guests in on online format. How cool would it be to get the bridesmaids input on their bridesmaids dresses, or share the latest and greatest news with the wedding guests. If you haven’t already, check out WeddingPreParty.com today.
Be sure to log in TONIGHT to the “Wedding Pre-Party Twitter Launch Party.” I’ve never attended a live launch party on Twitter so I’m looking forward to it. The festivities begin at 9pm EST. Crash a wedding and see the Wedding Pre-Party platform in action, as well as great giveaways, and an expert panel to answer all of your wedding questions.
A few weeks ago in our 30 Days to Build a Better Blog series, I touched a bit on the importance of having a Privacy Policy for your Wedding Blog. It’s a must to disclose things like, whether or not you’re paid to promote or review products, what information you acquire from tracking and cookies, or even how you plan to use the data you capture from your readers.
There are a few sites that have made this process a bit easier. Privacy Policy Generators start with a list of questions regarding your blog, and the intentions of your blog. Your answers to these questions directly populate the information provided in your Privacy Policy. Take a look at the Privacy Policy Generators below, and be sure to include the correct information pertinent to your wedding blog.
PercentMobile is a cool app that allows you to see who is visiting and viewing your site on a mobile device and what type of device they are using. It takes just three easy steps to get started - Sign-Up, Install the Tracking Code, then Measure and Analyze your mobile traffic. It’s that easy! Now see who thinks your website or blog is a must see while on the go.
Want to accept credit card payments away from the office? Get the Credit Card Terminal Appfor iPhone. The Credit Card Terminal app turns your iPhone into a mobile virtual credit card machine. You can accept clients payments on the spot. It requires an Authorize.net account to process charges. No yearly, setup, termination, minimum, processing, application, or other hidden fees. Inquire about merchant account offers, and you’re on your way. (iTunes Store, $49.99; Inner Fence, LLC)
Google has done it again. The much awaited Google Voice service is almost here.
Google Voice assigns users a new, single phone number, that rings all of your phones at once. A few of the features offered are, voicemail storage and computerized transcription, SMS messages through the site, call routing, call forwarding, call blocking, conference calling, call record, and a voice-message-text feature. You can even listen in on a call before accepting it. How sweet is that!!
This free service will allow you to run your business more efficiently, and be accessible ANYWHERE. Therefore managing your wedding business, at least by phone, will be much easier. The drawbacks are, contacts will now need to use a new phone number, and you’ll need to throw out the old business cards for new ones. Sorry!
Although Google has not released this service to the public yet, it is expected to launch in upcoming weeks. I’ve requested a special invite to test the app. I’ll keep you posted on what I think.
Hey Tweeps!! Check out this cool app for Twitter called BubbleTweet. With BubbleTweet, you can add video to your Twitter profile page. Share your wedding wisdoms, or introduce yourself as a new bride making Twitter connections. It’s so cool!! Start by adding your Twitter name. Then add your video recorded directly from your webcam, or upload a pre-recorded video. Next, choose your preference for adding your Bubbletweet to your profile page. That’s it, pretty simple. I chose to record my Bubbletweet with my Flip MinoHD Cam. After 20 takes (I had a little fun with it), here’s my first Bubbletweet. Here’s a snapshot of what it looks like on my Twitter page.
Take a look at my BubbleTweet here on my Twitter profile. I want to see your BubbleTweet. Leave us your link in a comment, and send me a tweet to let me know what you think.
By the end of the day, when I’ve had client meetings, returning phone calls, checking email, blogging, reading, kids car pool, and more, I wonder, where did the day go? With the PunchClock iPhone App, you can track how you spend your time. This app is great if you bill by the hour, or just to manage your time more efficiently. Exportfiltered reports in HTML and CVS file, and email them too. With this app, I have totally scrapped my timesheets, and can now manage my time and see what I’m really worth. ($2.99 in iTunes; return7, LLC.)
I don’t know how I ever get along without this application. Google for iPhone is one of the best mobile search applications there is. This is a great tool for any wedding industry professional that is always on the go.
Good
Google for iPhone allows you to search by voice. Just speak into your phone the item you are searching for, and Google searches based on your current location. Sensors can tell when you are lifting the phone to your ear, and gives a brief sound alert to let you know when to speak. Your voice is transitioned to a search query, and Google displays results based on what it thought you said.
This video explains it all….
Bad
Google doesn’t always get it right. Some words are tougher than others, and the voice-search feature may misinterpret your search. If that’s the case, you can also input your search via the keyboard.
Don’t have an iPhone??
The Google App will be available for Blackberry devices in the coming months.
Like most event planners, my cell phone is my best friend. I use it to help manage and communicate with clients and vendors during the day. My mobile office manager of choice is the Apple iPhone. I’m a lover of all things Apple, therefore I use many of the iPhone applications to help me be more productive when planning events.
One of my favorite iPhone apps is, THINGS, by Cultured Code. This iPhone app is “Phenominal!!” Wtih THINGS , I have gone from dreading my To-Do list, to being excited about it.
What I Like:
Inbox- Stores new tasks quickly.
Today - Displays every task for that particular day.
Next - Gives you a quit look at the day ahead.
Scheduled- For those repeat tasks that never end.
Someday - Tasks that I’ll get to in the future, or Someday.
Projects – For the things that take multiple tasks to complete.
Logbook - Logs all previous completed tasks.
My favorite feature is the Projects manager. With Projects, you can set a task with multiple sub-tasks to accomplish the ultimate goal – completing the project. For instance your Project, “Plan Wedding”, would have multiple tasks like, Hire Wedding Planner, Set a Date, Purchase Wedding Dress. It’s so cool!
THINGS also has a desktop version that allows you to sync wirelessly on your Mac (sorry, not currently available for PC). While the benefits are surmountable, it’s not priceless. THINGS for Mac is $49.95, and THINGS for iPhone is $9.99.
Here are some of the raves, Cultured Code has received on the THINGS app:
“If Things sounds simple, that’s because it is. Other to-do list managers I’ve tried have, quite honestly, gotten in the way of me getting things done. Things doesn’t do that. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Hey Tweeps!! Check out this cool app for Twitter called 
I don’t know how I ever get along without this application. Google for iPhone is one of the best mobile search applications there is. This is a great tool for any wedding industry professional that is always on the go. 
My favorite feature is the Projects manager. With Projects, you can set a task with multiple sub-tasks to accomplish the ultimate goal – completing the project. For instance your Project, “Plan Wedding”, would have multiple tasks like, Hire Wedding Planner, Set a Date, Purchase Wedding Dress. It’s so cool!
“If Things sounds simple, that’s because it is. Other to-do list managers I’ve tried have, quite honestly, gotten in the way of me getting things done. Things doesn’t do that. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Things definitely tops our list of GTD applications for the iPhone.”