When the iPad first came out, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t impressed. It was just an oversized iPhone to me without the SIM. I wasn’t watching Steve Jobs talk about it nor did I croon as he held it. I wasn’t waiting in line or crying on twitter about it being on back order.

My arguments were simple:

I didn’t need “another” device. I’m doing my best to turn off now with my office hours.

I didn’t need or want to read on it– I enjoyed having a Kindle, which is not attached to my email constantly alerting or the temptation to play games, work or get on Facebook and Twitter.

I didn’t see the point.

How did I get here, to the point where I’m the iPad’s biggest fan? Well, retail therapy’s a helluva drug.

Prior to my purchase I made a list of the ways I would use it. The iPad, even at the entry level comes at a nice little price tag, so I wanted to make sure its use would be practical. I debunked the naysayers and complainers who stood by whining about what it didn’t have (my house didn’t come with a maid either but we still bought it). I needed to make sure it would fit well into what I have planned for my company.

Here’s the hopeful list I created:

• Use on the day of for event packets (programs, event directions, readings) and timelines
• Show videos of previous weddings
• Show image slideshows of previous weddings
• Present and sign contracts
• Notes/Worksheet during consult without having to have a computer
• Show virtual office
• Create workflow list in Taska
• Access, edit, work on Google Docs
• Web conferencing (Go to Meeting, WebEx)
• Dictate blog posts, email, notes
• Create brochures for each collection for view at consults

The first one was huge, as I hate carrying around a cumbersome binder or papers– and it will get its test run at an event this weekend. I have my event blueprints uploaded and am ready to go. My pictures look AMAZING– the work of Scarlett Lillian and Agnes Lopez jump off of the screen. I notice that people look at the images a lot longer and observe more details. During weekly staff meetings, I’m able to quickly take notes, pull up data and set appointments in my calendar. When I’m away, I can still Skype with my kids and have access to my business line with Ring Central.

I’ve had my iPad for a week and while it will never replace my laptop (which is my only comp), it truly does hold its own. For example, I was able to convert and export a contract for a client while in the drive thru of my favorite local Mexican restaurant.

This thing enhances my awesomeness. And what you’re reading was typed entirely on my iPad from the WordPress app.

Stay tuned for part two, where I’ll talk about must have apps.

At Eventology, one of the things I discussed was looking your absolute best for your web conferences—hence the title of this post “From the waist up, I am Beyonce.”

Web consults are no different than “regular consults”, except you don’t have to put in much work on what won’t be seen by your vendor or client.  Here are some tips for looking your absolute best:

Lighting:  Remember that this is not Hollywood—your little webcam can only do so much, and you will have to help it along.  Find yourself an area that has an abundance of lighting (the natural, the better).  Position yourself to have the light source behind your camera or off to your side to avoid ghastly shadows.

Positioning:  Angle your camera, or your camera’s lid higher than your seat so that it appears to look down.  This provides a more flattering angle—the lack of depth with most webcams can make it rough to accept some people doing “full frontal”.  If you won’t need the keyboard, try to place your camera a little further away for better depth and context.

Makeup:  Since colors can be washed out with the webcam’s filters and lighting, look to highlight your best features—use a highlighting shadow under your brows (be sure to fill these in), to make your eyes pop.  Some shades of gloss can be garish, so be careful with shades and applications.  It may be helpful to do your makeup while using your web cam as a mirror so that you can see if your application is correct.

Hair:  Tame your tresses!  Since webcams will cause your viewer to see you much more closely than they would in real life, choose a flattering style.  Your beautiful chignon could have you looking bald, while your beautiful curls will make you a candidate for the starring role for The Lion King.  (Again, see positioning)

Clothing:  You will want to find a top that is not busy with print or embellishments (depending on the connection, quality can be greatly affected, causing a loss of depth).  Choose colors that are flattering to your complexion and shape.  You do not want them to drown you out or demand more attention than necessary.

Play with your settings and take note of what works—this isn’t something you will want to just do by the seat of your pants.  This is an extension of your brand – so also remember than when you include “props” around you as well—be sure they aren’t too distracting, but add to the overall experience of meeting with you. 

Have fun! 

PS:

Great Webcams:

• Logitech Webcam Pro 9000
• Logitech Webcam C600 ( Black)
• HP KQ246AA 8.0 MP Deluxe Webcam

If you have not yet purchased a Kindle or any eReader for that matter, but enjoy apps like Kindle for iPhone, you will be happy to know that Amazon will soon debut its Kindle for PC and and Kindle for Mac.  The free reader will allow you access to over 360,000 books available in the Amazon Kindle bookstore.  What’s even better is that if you have purchased samples or full length books on your Kindle for iPhone app (or if you have a Kindle), with Whispersync, you can access all of your favorite books, notes and marks.

Last week, Kindle introduced its International Kindle Wireless Reading Device that allows users to download books, magazines, and blogs wirelessly in the U.S. and internationally dropping it from its original $279 price to the U.S. Kindle’s $259.  Could this be to compete with Barnes & Noble’s new eReader, Nook which is set to debut in late November for the same price?

Happy reading!

We’ve previously touched on if a smartphone is right for you, but now we will talk to smartphone owners in the wedding industry who are looking to make their lives more efficient both personally and professionally.  I had an opportunity to talk to Wendy of Sacred Moment Weddings and the innovator behind Aspire to Plan when she first got her Palm Pre.

CWG:  How long have you had your Pre?

W:  Exactly 10 days!  I stood in line the day it was released…June 6th.  No…didn’t camp out or anything like that…just got up early and got in line about 20 minutes before the store opened.

CWG: How often do you use it?

W:  I use my Palm throughout the day but mostly when I am out and about with clients or when meeting with vendors. I also use it a lot when I’m traveling…it has a great navigational app!  I’m trying to see if I can change the voice on it though…I’d rather hear a guy’s voice!

CWG:  What does it do that makes it invaluable to you and your business?

W:  The phone has several tools that keep me organized and efficient throughout the day.  If I’m at a linen appointment without my client, I can take crisp, clear pictures and send them to her for real time opinions…My calendar is at my finger tips throughout the day for making appointments and then I can sync it to my calendar on my laptop as soon as I get home.  The NAV app helps me find where I’m going if I get lost when meeting a new client and I LOVE the multi-app functionality…I can use Tweed to twitter and text my son about his latest crisis all at the same time!

CWG:  What do you wish it would do?

W: Right now I get my email through Yahoo’s Small Business service however I can’t get to it through the Palm OS.  I can get to my regular yahoo account but not the biz side of it…yet!

CWG: What programs/apps have you added to your phone and what do you use them for?

 W: I use "Tweed" for Twitter…its very close to the original app online; I love the "Where" app for finding commonly frequented businesses like Starbucks, Target etc. when I’m in a unfamiliar part of town.

CWG: What made you choose the Pre over another smartphone?

W: Although I have been a Sprint customer for almost 10 years, I was 99.9% ready to switch my regular cell phone over to AT&T and purchase an iPhone.  Several of my good friends have it and have raved about the great functionality.  Because of my superwoman role, I must have an office on me, around me at all times!  I’m constantly mobile and my laptop was starting to weigh me down.  A smartphone was the logical next step and the iPhone was it.  Despite that and the problems I’ve had with Sprint in the past, I felt a sense of loyalty to them and to at least wait for the Palm to be released before I switched.  To try it out and see if it was going to meet my needs.  I’m glad I waited.

The Palm Pre has a slide out  full keyboard to type emails and messages quickly and easily, as well as a removable battery.  It also boasts Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G and the Palm OS, with allows for backups of your information as well as over-the-air updates.  To learn more, visit the Palm Pre for Business website or your nearest Sprint retailer. 

In a world where almost everyone has a blackberry, iPhone or something similar—if you don’t but are considering one, how do you make your decision?

I was just like you—I had a flip Samsung phone and was content with doing my business.  For Christmas, I was given a small Palm Pilot as a gift.  This was great for keeping up with contacts and my calendar. Best of all, it synced with Outlook (what I was using at the time). 

That lasted briefly, as I was tired of holding two devices in my hand and upgraded to a Palm Treo.  When my baby sent it to smartphone heaven, I moved up to an older model blackberry.  I was adamant about not getting the blackberry service because I was frequently in my home office and didn’t feel the need. Once I did, though, my life changed!  I was no longer a slave to my laptop and inbox.  After going into purchase a new holster for my beloved blackberry, I instead walked out with a new iPhone. 

I haven’t looked back since.

This isn’t about iPhone vs. Blackberry, but the use of a smartphone and how it will benefit you overall as a wedding planner. 

Benefits:

• All-in-one device that combines your email, calendar and phone
• On the go internet, some with WiFi
• Additional features such as cameras, video access or music player

How it works for your wedding planning business:

• Access to email to communicate  or respond to clients, vendors and prospective clients while away from your computer
• Access to documents via device storage or online storage
• Complete synchronization of your company’s address book with your computer and phone—you have all of your vendors at your finger tips
• Use the camera and voice recording features to take notes on venues and event design for later reporting when you get back to your computer

Now that we have discussed this, soon we will delve into profiles from different professionals as to how they use their devices and maximize their benefits.   Would you like to contribute?  Leave a comment and I’ll be in touch with our questions!