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The Director's Playbook

The Director's Playbook

BusinessEntrepreneurship74 episodes
It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as host Paul Lovelace welcomes knowledgeable guests and shares insights and solutions from his 30+ years in sales, finance, and the funeral profession. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help your funeral home thrive.
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Becoming a funeral home owner with Amanda Shropshire

Becoming a funeral home owner with Amanda Shropshire

36 min 52 sec
What does it take to become a first-time funeral home owner with no blueprint to follow? The short answer: Vision, resilience, and a commitment to families. Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Amanda Shropshire to hear how she built her first funeral home from the ground up. Amanda talks about her journey from funeral director to funeral home owner and shares the lessons she learned along the way. You’ll also hear her tips on personalized services, funeral home marketing, and asking for help. Tune into this episode for honest insights on ownership, community involvement, and service that you can use in your funeral home! About Amanda Shropshire: Amanda Shropshire is the Owner and Funeral Director at Kermit Funeral Home. She also serves as the President of the West Texas Funeral Directors Association. In 2021, Amanda received the Young Funeral Director of the Year award. Learn more about Kermit Funeral Home here: https://www.kermitfuneralhome.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts
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Digital marketing myths with Mitchell McLean and Haley Laurence

Digital marketing myths with Mitchell McLean and Haley Laurence

39 min 13 sec
As digital marketing continues to evolve, separating trends from truth has never been more important. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace is joined by digital marketing experts Mitchell McLean and Haley Laurence to debunk common myths and share practical insights on websites, Google reviews, search visibility, and building trust online. They also explore how AI is changing SEO and share practical ways clear messaging and authentic content can help your funeral home get found, build trust, and better serve families. About Mitchell McLean: Mitchell McLean is the Vice President of Digital Marketing at Funeral Directors Life. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the podcast. Connect with Mitchell here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellmclean/ About Haley Laurence: Haley Laurence works directly with funeral homes as the Digital Marketing Supervisor at Funeral Directors Life. Her hands-on experience gives her a unique perspective on what actually works in digital marketing and what doesn't. Connect with Haley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-laurence-6a1a34b2/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts
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Brady Cox on why every funeral home should livestream

Brady Cox on why every funeral home should livestream

44 min 26 sec
A funeral service may last an hour, but families want to hold on to those moments for a lifetime. Livestreaming makes that possible. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace talks with Brady Cox about how funeral home livestreaming is reshaping the way families experience and remember a service. Brady explains how livestreaming connects families in a meaningful way, preserves memories, and enhances your care. Plus, livestreaming can even drive measurable results, like preneed leads. Don’t miss this discussion on how livestreaming, digital keepsakes, and on-demand viewing can help your funeral home better serve families today and tomorrow. About Brady Cox: Brady Cox is the CEO at OneRoom, a livestreaming platform that serves funeral homes across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Brady has over 15 years of experience in technology and software. Connect with Brady here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradycox/ Learn more about OneRoom here: https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts
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Jamie Sarche on educating families before a loss

Jamie Sarche on educating families before a loss

38 min 47 sec
What if every family in your community understood the value of a funeral? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Jamie Sarche to talk about how funeral homes can better educate families before a loss occurs. Jamie shares how to ask better questions, reframe direct cremation conversations, and help families make more informed decisions. Whether you're facing more direct cremation requests or looking for better ways to talk with families about planning ahead, this episode gives you practical tools to start those conversations. About Jamie Sarche: Jamie Sarche is the Director of Preplanning at Feldman Mortuary and has over a decade of experience in the funeral profession. Connect with Jamie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-sarche/ Learn more about Feldman Mortuary here: https://feldmanmortuary.com/home/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts
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Brent Thomas on turning first impressions into lasting trust

Brent Thomas on turning first impressions into lasting trust

46 min 59 sec
Before the arrangement conference, there’s a phone call. And in that brief conversation, families are already deciding if your funeral home is the right fit or if they should keep looking. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Brent Thomas to discuss the critical roles first impressions and customer experience play in the funeral profession. Brent draws on years of research, data, and experience to show how small changes can build trust and improve families' experiences. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how intentional communication, ongoing training, and a commitment to service can help your funeral home stand out when families need you most. About Brent Thomas: Brent Thomas is the Chief Customer Officer at Dead Ringers and has decades of experience in the funeral profession. Connect with Brent here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-thomas-98ba29142/ Learn more about Dead Ringers here: https://deadringers.co/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts
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