Amy C. Fitzjohn's Blog, page 9

Getting The Most Of Instagram Business Profile & Instagram Ads – A Guest Post

Thank you to Mary Kyle of Snap Happen for this guest post.

If Instagram is a key part of your marketing strategy these tips will help.

 

Getting The Most Of Instagram Business Profile & Instagram Ads

Ads are the perfect way to obtain more impressions on your Instagram posts. Your post on Instagram shows to the target audience, and impressions turn into follows, comments, likes, and even purchases. It is the perfect point for every business to run ads on the platform to gather vast impressions.

 

Instagram Impressions

It counts as an impression whenever you see a post or an ad on Instagram. Impressions are more crucial to obtain new followers and to increase the likes count. 

 

The perfect way to increase Instagram impressions for getting vast reach is through Instagram ads. It is the regular practice for every business to work with Instagram ads. It’s the beginning point for any businesses that run online. You can’t obtain any engagements without impressions.

 

Instagram Ads

Instagram ads look like regular Instagram posts, but they obtain few similarities from normal posts. The CTA(Call To Action) option presents in an ad that is not highlighted on regular posts. It allows Instagram users to land on advertiser’s sites directly. 

 

The primary reason for every brand to begin ads is to increase their website traffic or to gain more brand exposure. If you need to obtain more viewership and impressions of your brand or business, you could begin with Instagram ads if you have an Instagram business profile.

 

Ads on Instagram are more effective, and 65% of the audience accepts that they use ads on the platform to discover new products.

 

Set Up Your Ad On Instagram

Setting up your Instagram ad is an easy thing. You could begin with an Instagram ad if you have an Instagram business account and a specific budget. 

 

Budget is the crucial factor in Instagram advertising. Insta ads cost , but you could get back from your ads with increased impressions on Instagram.

 

Here is the step by step guide to starting your first Instagram ad:

Choose a post that you need to advertise on the platform. It is highly recommended to select a post which is promoting or selling a service or product. Click the tap promote option under a post.Choose where to direct the audience. Be sure to direct the audience to your website, DMs, storefront, or profile.Then choose your target audience. Selecting “Automatic” is a perfect idea for beginners. As said before, the platform targets the people relevant to your existing fan base.Finally, select your budget. Investing the amount for your ad on the platform is your choice. You could choose it here, whatever your amount is. You could also estimate your impression count that your amount will bring.Click “next” to complete your payment process. 

 

Instagram takes a few seconds to approve your ad, after setting up the ad promotion. Get to watch the increasing rate of impressions once it is completed.

 

Boost Impressions On Instagram With Instagram Advertising

Now, you clearly understand what Instagram ads and Instagram impressions are. Now. It’s the perfect time to combine these two factors to play your game on the platform. 

 

You will acquire enough impressions if you invest more money in your Instagram ads. Not only impressions, but you could also receive more likes and followers for your stunning ad post. Here’s how your ad promotion is working.

 

Don’t forget to bring a perfect CTA to your ad post. And also, a caption for your ad post is very crucial to grab the attention of audiences. Make your caption more informational about your ad post and give points on what to do next for your audience. For instance, it could be “Check my website to know more,” “Check out this amazing offer,” etc. 

 

Post Type Which Acquires More Impressions

Analyze your Insights if you need to start an ad promotion but don’t know where to begin. Get “feed posts” from the “content tab” while looking at the insight feature. Here, you could get posts with the engagement rates. It’s the perfect way to find a post that is acquiring vast impressions. 

 

If you get a post with low engagements that you would like more, that may be an excellent post for promotion. 

 

And also, don’t promote any post, be with a perfect reason you are selecting a particular post for promotion. It might be something you need to promote any businesses or sell goods on your website.

 

Cons And Pros Of Ads On Instagram

The Pros are:

Develops organic reachGuarantees more effectivenessVast impressionsCould acquire more clicks to your site, likes, and followers

 

The Cons are:

Cost amount

 

Money is the only cons of Instagram ads. But you can fix your amount. For instance, if you need to spend only $10, you won’t be charged more than $10.

 

For the high amount invested, you could expect more impressions. The likes and followers count might vary, but it is sure to bring great exposure to your brand on Instagram. 

 

If you have an Instagram business account and need to get more impressions for your industry, then what are you waiting for? Make a try with these perfect ideas.

 

Author Bio

Mary Kyle is a content developer and marketing manager who works at Snaphappen. She has written more trending articles on social media and has experience in delivering engaging content.

 

Author Image

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Creative Marketing Ideas for Your Business – A Guest Post

Happy to host another guest writer on the blog this week.

Thanks to Jill Phillips, a freelance writer from Buffalo, NY, for this contribution to get your creative juices flowing…

 

Creative Marketing Assets to Give Your Online Business a Winning Edge

source: pexels.com

If you want to make an impact in today’s competitive online landscape, you need to get creative.

Your creative marketing assets are the resources that are most likely to attract customer attention.

Whether you design valuable eBooks that guide your clients through the ins and outs of using your service, or amazing videos, the idea is to engage your audience.

Over the years, the most popular types of creative marketing assets have evolved drastically.

What started with blogging and articles has quickly evolved into entire digital courses, webinars, video sessions, and more.

Today, we’re going to explore just some of the most valuable creative marketing tools and how they can give your company an edge.

 

Social Media Profiles

Social media profiles are among the most valuable creative tools you have for expanding brand reach.

Today, connecting with your customers means reaching them in the places where they’re already spending the majority of their time.

There are about 3.96 billion people using social media in 2021. That’s a huge number of potential customers.

If you’re a fashion company selling to younger customers, then you might work with influencers to produce videos on TikTok or Stories on Instagram.

If you’re trying to reach a broader audience, Facebook is usually a good choice.

LinkedIn is the perfect social profile for businesses selling to other professional clients. It’s packed full of reputable and authoritative people in your industry.

In short, the kind of content you share through your social media accounts will depend on the platforms you use, and your target audience.

 

An SEO-Optimized Blog

The blog might sound like an old-fashioned creative marketing asset in a world full of social media sites and apps.

However, blogs can still be one of the most competitive resources your company has.

Through your blog, you have an excellent opportunity to showcase your position as a thought leader in your industry.

You can create a connection with your audience by answering common customer questions and addressing market trends.

A blog is also a wonderful way to strengthen your position on the search engines, so your customers can find you faster online.

With an SEO-optimized blog, you use keywords to boost your chance of appearing on the search results pages when your customers look for solutions to certain problems.

You can also use your blogs as a way to attract backlinks and references from other impressive companies in your field, building your reputation.

 

An Email Campaign

Email is still the most valuable way to reach your audience wherever they are.

Compared to all other marketing strategies, email gives you the most return on investment. That’s because you can easily segment and customize your emails to suit the needs of different customers.

You can also use technology to automate your campaigns.

To launch an effective email campaign, the first thing you’ll need is a lead page, or landing page.

This is where you convince your clients to sign up for your newsletter in exchange for a valuable lead magnet, like an eBook or a free download.

Once you’ve collected your list of potential contacts, you can arrange them into different segments based on their preferences, location, and other factors.

Your email campaign will give you a way to nurture customers who aren’t sure about your business.

With the right approach, you’ll turn them into dedicated advocates who even refer other customers to your brand.

You can even use your email software to find out which messages have the best outcomes, so you can optimize your campaigns in the future.

 

Podcasts and Videos

In recent years, there has been a rise in demand for content that’s available in different mediums instead of just standard written text.

After all, some people respond better to information that they can see, while others like listening to it in a range of environments.

Both podcasts and videos are creative assets that allow you to connect with a wider audience.

The great thing about podcasts and videos is that you can often use the creative writing and blogging content you already have on your site to populate these new resources.

Turning a popular article into a podcast discussion or blog means it’s more likely to connect with customers who don’t have the time to sit down and read.

You could even pull ideas from a vision board, PowerPoint, or a series of infographics, and use that as a launching point for a podcast conversation between yourself and a co-worker.

Once you’ve created your content, you can release it on everything from Apple Podcasts, to Facebook.

 

Webinars and Events

Finally, since the events of 2020, customers have been searching for more immersive options for connecting with businesses online.

One of the most popular solutions is the rise of webinars and events, which can offer amazing value in a variety of different ways.

If you have a lot of information on a specific topic relevant to your business, like email marketing, or creative writing, for instance, you can design a webinar or course based on the insights you already have.

This is a wonderful way to showcase your skills and knowledge.

If you’re comfortable working with other big names from your niche, you could even put an entire virtual event together with guest speakers you know your customers would love to hear from.

Collaborating with other market leaders improves the reach of your digital events, and boosts your chances of strong attendance.

 

It’s Time to Get Creative

Creative marketing assets for the modern market come in a wide range of shapes and styles.

Blogging and article-based content are just the beginning of what you can create with a website and a little bit of patience.

The more you experiment with creative marketing assets, the more you’ll see attention and respect towards your company starting to grow.

Don’t forget to use your analytics tools to track which of your creative assets are having the most positive impact on your audience.

This way, you can ensure that you’re spending your budget on the solutions that are most likely to drive results.

 

—

Jill Phillips is a freelance writer from Buffalo, NY. She is an aspiring entrepreneur and tech enthusiast, who loves to share her insight on various topics. When she is not writing, Jill enjoys taking photos and hiking with her dog. Connect with Jill via Twitter @jillphlps

The post Creative Marketing Ideas for Your Business – A Guest Post appeared first on Amy Morse.

4 Tip for Writing Inclusively Demographic Survey Questions – A Guest Post

I’m hosting a guest on the blog this week. Thank you Chi Whitley for sharing these insights:

 

4 Tip for Writing Inclusively Demographic Survey Questions

 

In 2021 and beyond, it is essential that your writing be culturally aware and inclusive, especially when writing demographic survey questions for internal or external purposes. When phrasing your questions, consider if you’re being inclusive to everyone and if your answer choices are making assumptions or misaligned with previous answers given.

 

See the tips below for how to write demographically inclusive survey questions that will make your business appear more professional.

1. Have Open-Ended Responses When Applicable

Many surveys contain simple yes or no type questions. These yes or no questions devise a binary data point, which has its use. However, in demographic surveys, your answer choices must contain an open-ended response, which might be “other” or “not applicable.”

 

Having open-ended questions allows surveyees to not feel boxed or to select an option they do not completely feel comfortable or truthful in assigning. Even though you won’t get your binary data point, you will get more accurate responses. So, not only are you being inclusive, but you are also receiving more reliable data.

2. Disclose Data and Personal Information Use

In today’s society, many survey respondents are wary of what personal information will be sold or given to third parties. You should always be upfront with what your intentions are with your surveys, especially with external demographic ones that are geared towards either a general or targeted audience.

 

To proactively counteract this skepticism, be upfront at the beginning of your survey. Explicitly assert how you mean to use these surveyees’ information and data. Work to answer the following questions respondents might have about the data usage from the survey at the beginning through a short paragraph or two.

 

Which companies will have access to my data?Will you sell my personal information to third parties or anyone else?Exactly how long will my personal information be kept on file?

 

3. Allow Respondents to Skip Questions

Allowing surveyees to skip questions might seem counterintuitive from a data collection standpoint, but it’s recommended to let your surveyees skip questions for certain demographic questions. If your survey is lengthy (more than 3 minutes to take) many surveyees will simply get frustrated with the survey’s length and will select answers randomly. Or, they won’t put as much thought into their responses.

 

To make sure surveys are finished with accuracy allow respondents to skip certain questions that don’t apply to them or that they might not feel comfortable answering. By allowing surveyees to skip questions, you will receive more accurate responses and information to go off of. Also, you don’t want to make respondents feel uncomfortable answering a specific question. This leads to the next tip, use skip logic.

 

4.  Employ Skip Logic

Skip logic is using logic-based commands so that respondents who answer a certain question skip or move past other non-relevant questions. For example, if your demographic survey asks about being a certain religion such as Jewish then later asks if they celebrate Christmas that can be both offensive and irritating to the respondent. A skip logic algorithm will take respondents to a different question that is more appropriate and relevant to who they are based on their previous answers.

 

When creating your next demographic survey, try to use these tips. Demographically inclusive surveys can give you key insight into your internal team and employees. Or, if used externally, a better understanding of both your current and new clients.

 

For more tips on how to write demographically inclusive survey questions visit Chattermill and see their infographic below.

 

 

 

Please include attribution to https://chattermill.com/ with this graphic.

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Review of Hello Fresh Meal Boxes

Living through lockdown is like Groundhog Day.

The days repeat and merge into each other. Damp days of staying at home and barely communicating with any other humans.

Even food is getting boring!

We’ve been preparing the same old things for dinner. It was time for a little variety, to try something different. Since we can’t go out, eat or drink out or go on holidays, we decided to experiment with meal deliveries.

We had vouchers for Hello Fresh (they always have voucher offers). I should point out that I’ve not been paid by Hello Fresh and the links are not affiliate links, this review is just my opinion… and a small rant!

 

How Sustainable is It?

We’ve successfully avoided the supermarket since the start of the coronavirus crisis.

So far as possible, we have tried to support local businesses. The family-owned corner shop has an excellent selection of well-priced basics, and no queues! We shop locally and are lucky enough to have everything we need within walking distance of our urban Bristol terrace. We get deliveries from local suppliers and being in such a diverse city, can get a whole array of excellent quality and unusual products right to our doo – thank you Good Sixty and WeAreBS3!

Often not the cheapest, but the quality is better, products are more likely to be ethically sourced, packed in less plastic, haven’t been shipped around the planet and every order to a small independent business is money in the pocket of a person doing a happy dance. Instead of an investment company for shareholders of faceless multinational corporations that are disproportionately stripping the planet of its finite resources.

Although I’ve enjoyed getting fruit and veg boxes, I am wasting more food this way. However, that may stop as I have been reading up on Preserves and Fermentation – something for another blog!

The motivation for ordering meal boxes was to just get the ingredients we need, plus meal plans for our week, alleviating that end-of-a-busy-working-day stress of “What’s for dinner?”.

I also thought it would help me to be more creative with my own recipes. To try something different and get inspiration and ideas.

 

The Verdict

We’ve had weekly Hello Fresh deliveries for a couple of months.

The recipe cards are easy to follow with some lovely recipes. In general, the meals have been good.

We’ve had few fails with missing ingredients but I’ve usually been able to substitute from my pantry. But, there is no easy way to report the missing items to Hello Fresh – a frustrating lack of customer service.

Often the basic ingredients are the same, but the recipes are relatively diverse – to a point.

After a couple of months, we’ve had repeats, and things that I would probably make at home anyway (but better, such as pasta with meat and tomatoes, but I’d add more veg than their recipes call for).

Overall, it’s been a positive experience. It has given me ideas in the kitchen to be more creative but – and this is a BIG but – so much single-use-bloody-plastic!

In fairness, the individual meals are in paper bags and most of the veg is loose – but not all of it.

 

Plastic bagged herbs, plastic bagged potatoes (why wrap potatoes in cellophane?).

 

So many little plastic sachets!

 

I get that plastic preserves food, but why not use biodegradable alternatives? There are biodegradable cellulose and other products available that would keep the food fresh enough for long enough.

Why use plastic trays which are ‘recyclable’ but in reality, rarely are recycled. Even when you do put them in curbside recycling there’s a high probability they are getting shipped overseas to plastic mountains or ending up in landfill anyway. ‘Recyclable’ is not good enough. Let’s not produce the waste in the first place!

When other perishables are packaged in dense cardboard packing alternatives, why are Hello Fresh still using plastic?

I’ve been really disappointed with the amount of single-use plastic.

This image is an example of a typical meal pack and all the single-use plastic it creates:

The plastic waste from one Hello Fresh recipe pack

What’s Next?

“Recyclable is not good enough. Let’s not produce the waste in the first place!”

 

The recipes are designed to be really simple.

If you are learning to cook for yourself, this is probably a good introduction. Now we have tried a few meals, the amount of waste means we have now canceled our box.

We have, however, decided to try MindfullChef. On the face of it, their waste looks minimal and the recipes are a little more adventurous.

We’ve not had our first box yet, but I’m looking forward to giving it a go and seeing how it compares.

 

 

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The Book Struggle – Falling Out Of Love With Fiction

I always like to have a couple of books on the go.

I’ll be reading a non-fiction book in fits and starts throughout my working week (the most recent business book was ‘Essentialism’) and I always read a fiction book in bed for a while before I go to sleep.

It’s the bedtime book that is a recurring headache for me.

 

The Book Struggle Is Real

For every fiction book I finish reading, there will be 7 or 8 others I picked up and never finished.

If a fiction book doesn’t grab me in the first couple of chapters I can’t be bothered with it.

Life is too short and there are too many books to read.

It happens so often now I’m just jaded.

For a time, I was infatuated with Paul Sussman books (read all of them), but he tragically died a few years ago.

I always enjoy a Tom Wood, Victor the assassin books (read all of them).

Or a Scott Mariani Ben Hope book. I still have a couple of Scott Mariani ones to catch up on but frankly, I’m getting bored of the same old formula. Yeah, Ben Hope’s OK, but I don’t really care about him as a character, the fact I can’t even picture him in my mind’s eye is a sure sign of my ambivalence.

I’ve always enjoyed Kate Mosse’s books (read all of them).

 

The trouble is, I’ve never found a style of fiction book or a particular author that I always enjoy and I’m tired of trying.

So, my bedtime reading has become non-fiction as well.

 

On A Break

After years of working at a strained and unfulfilling relationship with fiction books, in general, I’m on a break.

Right now, I have officially fallen out of love with fiction books.

If I ever was in love in the first place, or looking for love – it’s been unrequited.

 

My last two bedtime books were non-fiction and I loved them.

I took Monty Don and David Attenborough to bed with me and now it’s Sandi Toksvig’s turn.

 

Monty Don’s My Garden World

It’s a month-by-month musing about the flora and fauna Monty experiences from his garden and farm in the changing seasons. In particular, he talks about birds. Sharing elegantly written thoughts, feelings and facts about our feathered friends.  Even his writing is soothing yet authoritative, just like the man himself. And I was sad about Nigel the dog all over again, this book being something of a tribute to the familiar Gardener’s World golden retriever.

 

David Attenborough’s A Life On Our Planet

Part memoir, part record of a changing climate, part activism. If you have any doubt about the impact we humans are having on the climate, read this.

The first part is a damning and increasingly depressing account of how badly humans have treated the planet. How our arrogance, ignorance, ambivalence, and greed have decimated the natural world.

The second part offers hope and optimism and a plan to re-wild the world. It’s a stirring read and makes me want to go out and plant trees and shun all plastic!

 

Sandi Toksvig’s Between The Stops

We went to Sandi’s book tour event at St George’s in Bristol in October 2019 where we got a signed copy – in fact, that was the last event we went to before lockdown (now there’s a depressing thought).

She was an absolute delight. Just as you imagine she would be from seeing her on TV. Warm, funny, eloquent and wonderful. I love her even more now that I have finally got around to reading about her world view as seen from the top seat of a number 12 bus. I can hear her voice in the words.

This is an altogether funnier and more light-hearted book than David Attenborough’s, but Sandi still has serious messages to share, and lessons to learn – muddled with a little local history.

That’s one of the lovely things about reading non-fiction written by someone you are familiar with from TV. You literally hear their voices in the words, which is a real treat when it is someone you admire.

 

Stephen Fry’s Mythos

It was infinitely appropriate to hear Stephen’s voice regaling the reader with tales from ancient Greece. I can confidently pretend I know about Greek Mythology when really it was just through a bite-sized interpretation – but I felt terribly intelligent afterward!

 

Next on my book pile:

Ben Fogle’s Inspire: Life Lessons From The Wilderness

As a fan of his New Lives in the Wild TV series, this will be a good one.

I look forward to taking Ben to bed with me next

 

Unforeseen Benefit

One of the unforeseen benefits of this extended yo-yoing in and out of lockdowns is that I have more time to read. Not only am I taking books to bed to read, but we are also spending more time in the evenings simply sitting together in front of the fire, some ambient beats playing on the stereo, and enjoying the simple pleasure of just reading a good book.

What a worthwhile way to waste some time!

 

 

 

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Ways to Practice Empathy in Your Sales Process (and Why You Should) – A Guest Post

Hosting a guest on the blog. The sales process need not feel ‘icky’, here are some tips to think differently about how you ‘sell’ in your business. Stop pushing and start communicating…

 

source: unsplash.com

 

“Failure to communicate” is the most cited reason people give for their problems, especially in times when nothing seems to be going right.

 

If we would only sit down and communicate better, all our problems would disappear.

 

But communication is not only about talking, just like there is more to sales than just selling.

 

In fact, sales and communication are alike.

 

It is not enough to just talk to get your message across, and it is not enough to merely sell to get your product to the customer.

 

You need a deeper understanding of your target audience and their needs if you want to succeed.

 

Business-centric thinking is old news. It’s time to switch to a customer-centric approach. But where to start?

Practicing Empathy to Improve Performance

If you want to provide a solution that will make both parties in the process happy, it is vital to understand the customer’s problem.

 

You can’t do that without empathy.

 

Empathy is key to a successful sales performance as it goes hand-in-hand with trust, successful communication, and problem-solving.

 

Prospects and customers are above all human beings and should be treated as such.

 

That’s why the best kind of selling feels like helping — when salespeople apply empathy to their approach, prospects notice.

 

An empathetic attitude will make your customers open up to you, not only because they trust you more, but because you give them the space to speak and ask the right questions.

 

With a clear understanding of the problem, it is much easier to come up with the right solution.

 

Here are a few ways you can practice empathy in sales.

 

Start With Your Team

Effective communication within a company is the prerequisite for its success.

 

In order to improve the sales performance, it is crucial to transform the mindset of your team.

 

Teach them to slow down, listen actively and speak less. Most importantly, show them how to put themselves in their customers’ shoes.

 

Practicing empathy among your own employees so they understand its benefits is fundamental.

 

When they experience an empathy-based approach in their own workplace, they’ll be able to implement it in their relationships with their customers.

 

Put Your Customer First

Make your customer feel understood first and foremost. Instead of focusing on being interesting to them, be interested in them.

 

Focus on your prospects’ needs rather than their possible wants and make sure that what they need is something you can deliver.

 

Empathy fuels connection. Allow your prospect to explain their frustrations and listen carefully before you offer a solution.

 

The more you learn about a client, the better you will be able to tailor your offer to their specific needs.

 

Consider Things From Their Perspective

You have to be able to put yourself in your customer’s shoes, while temporarily setting your own needs to the side.

 

Unfortunately, many small businesses fail to devote enough time to getting to know their customers.

 

They’re so busy setting up the business that they get distracted from what really matters.

 

The customers will ask many questions about your product or service, but they’ll likely care less about what it has than about how it can help them.

 

Being able to look at things from your customers’ perspective will prepare you for the sales process and put you ahead of the competition.

 

Seek to Understand

A good salesperson will be fully involved and pay attention to the customer’s needs and objections until they can find an opportunity for themselves.

 

For that, they’ll need to ask the right questions.

 

Asking questions is not only a way to show interest and make your prospect feel heard.

 

It’s a way for you to learn more about their requirements, find ways to personalize your approach, and successfully overcome objections.

 

Always start with an open-ended question to identify the prospect’s problems and aspirations, as well as find out about their buying process.

 

For instance: “Our clients would often tell us they failed to close opportunities even though the groundwork was done. Is that something your team is struggling with?”

 

Then, use closed questions to confirm that you and the prospect are on the same page.

 

Ask questions like: “Do you think your team underperforms during negotiations for lack of information about your product?”

 

However, closed questions can sometimes signal the end of a conversation.

So, make sure you ask several in succession, or follow up with another clarifying question (such as: “Does our solution make sense to you? What are your thoughts?”), both to avoid making that impression and get further insight.

 

Not asking questions is one of the biggest mistakes in sales, but as with everything, you need to be customer-focused to be effective.

 

Stop Pushing, Start Communicating

We’ve all been there. Someone has tried to aggressively sell us something at least once in our life.

 

We all know how that feels — and that’s reason enough to avoid making the same mistake.

 

It’s a waste of time for both parties if what you’re trying to sell doesn’t hold any value for the prospect.

 

In the popular imagination, sales is often perceived as the process of tricking the customers into purchasing at any cost.

 

However, all salespeople worth their salt know such an approach is as ineffective as it is harmful.

 

Don’t push prospects into buying something they don’t need and risk making your company look bad.

 

Instead, focus your time and energy on qualifying prospects and finding those who would really benefit from your product.

 

That way, even those opportunities that fail to end in a sale will be to your benefit, as the prospects will be impressed with how professional you are.

 

As a result, you will likely be top-of-mind when the need arises for your solution.

 

Empathizing with the prospects and communicating more is going to boost your sales performance and give you more insights into what truly matters.

 

Conclusion

Empathy is a truly powerful tool that can put your sales team at an advantage you never thought was possible.

 

It is not a skill your team can develop overnight, but starting is the first step towards establishing meaningful connections with your customers.

 

Other aspects of your business are important, but they would be nothing without those who need your product.

 

So next time you find yourself selling something, make sure you remember that you’re value-selling and adopt a “customer-first” mindset.

Let the buyer anticipate enjoying the benefits of your product or service and watch the magic happen.

 

 

Michelle Laurey works as a VA for small businesses. She loves talking business, and productivity, and share her experience with others. Outside her keyboard, she spends time with her Kindle library or binge-watching Billions. Her superpower? Vinyasa flow! Talk to her on Twitter @michelle_laurey.

 

 

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What’s In A Name – How To Come Up With A Name For Your Business Idea

Are you agonising over a name for your business venture?

It’s another year, and another rethink for my business.

I’ve been mentoring startups for almost 10 years, and even though I’ve had a writing support niche, it’s been the mentoring that has consistently provided the lion’s share of my income.

I freelance as a Business Mentor for various enterprise agencies and projects, some of which I’ve listed in the directory of free business support blog I wrote a while ago.

However I spin it, everything I do is because I love working with micro-businesses and entrepreneurial folks who are creating a job for themselves.

 

So, What Am I?

I had a lightbulb moment.

I was having a conversation a friend when I remarked that I am such a slow reader that I don’t read as many books as I’d like, and the response was, “but you’re a writer, I’m surprised you don’t read more.”

A voice, deep inside me somewhere, cried out, “I’m not a writer”.

That was a real epiphany for me. I realised that, yes, I write, yes, I’ve authored books, and (evidently) I blog – but I’m not ‘a writer’.

It set me thinking, “then what am I?”

 

I’m still not sure, but my first instinct was to change my Instagram and Twitter handles to @AmyMorse_Mentor, as I realised I was sending the wrong message out to the world.

 

A State Of Flux

 

When it comes to running your own business it never will be ‘finished’. In fact, the moment you can sit back and say, “this business is finished”, when it’s your business, what you are really saying is “I’m finished with this business.” At which point, you should move on!

Businesses should evolve, develop, flex and adapt over time, because that’s what happens to the people who run them.

 

How My Business Is Changing

As my business shifts away from the focus on writing, and more towards sustainability (in both senses of the word) I need to decide what to call myself.

In my quest to find some tools to decide on my new business name, I found this useful video with 5 steps to come up with a blog name – but it is equally appropriate for a business name.

It’s a similar process to what I recommend to start-ups I mentor but it’s useful to see it as a video tutorial.

I’ve adapted the five steps shared in this video slightly. Even though I’m not ‘a writer’ I still have a fondness for words, so having a word bank appeals to me on many levels, regardless of what I use it for!

Step 1: Keywords

I like the old school method of big pieces of paper. Brain dumping words onto a physical piece of paper with a pen engages the creative parts of your brain more than using a digital interface does so I recommend capturing the words on a big bit of paper, back of some old wallpaper, a sketchpad, flipchart or white board – whatever you have.

Key word in this context are the words you would use to describe what you do. In the context of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) these are also the words someone may type into Google to find you.

I’ve started with the usual words people may use such as , startup, enterprise, business etc.

 

Step 2: Descriptive words

I’ve switched this step from the video because step 3 is a useful tool for all of the words you come up with.

These are adjectives, nouns or verbs associated with the keywords. I’ve started with sustainable, eco, green, growing etc.

 

Step 3: Your Word Bank – Thesaurus

Plug your words into Thesaurus.com: Synonyms and Antonyms of Words | Thesaurus.com

You can see in this example I’ve put in the word ‘business’.

 

 

I am also looking at my Vision Boards for word ideas.

 

You could even build your word bank as part of this vision building process by finding words and phrases in magazines that appeal to you.

Start a document and type in the words you’ve brain dumped, words from your thesaurus search and words from your cuttings

 

Step 4: Mix ‘n Match

Experiment with different combinations of words, cutting and pasting and shuffling them around on the screen. You can even go old school and write the words on PostIt notes and mix them around.

 

Step 5: Check the Contenders

When you’ve found few combinations that appeal to you, step away for a while and do something else. This will allow you to reset your brain and come back to this with fresh eyes. You may find when you walk away and think and reflect on it, you’ll have been ruminating on a couple of work combinations in particular.

Go back to the list and pick a few (3 or 4 options) then check them.

Google the combinations to see if someone already has the domain name or the name is registered as a company already. If it’s already taken you may wish to rethink it. You wouldn’t want to either be mistaken for another business or worse still, be threatened with legal action by another business for using ‘their name’.

Once you have settled on a final couple of contenders, ask other people for their input. Ask friends, family, you could even put a poll on your Social Media channels. It’s easy to get stuck in our own head when we work for ourselves. It’s worth bouncing your ideas off other people, you never know, they may give you a better idea.

Saying things out loud is powerful.

Does it sound right?Does it feel right?How do other people react?

 

There was one quote from this video that resonated… “break out of normal patterns of speech.”

This is a timely reminder for me. We all have a tendency to use the same words a lot in our own personal vocabulary.

I’ve noticed I say ‘does that make sense’ a lot when training and coaching
I also overuse the word ‘interesting’.

I want to evoke a sense of sustainability, green, eco, and also enterprise but want to avoid these overused words – for a start, it’s hard to find a name that someone hasn’t already registered by using such words. It also sounds so samey. I hate jargon. I want a more ‘interesting’ name. It’s a work in progress…

I’m still at steps 1 and 2 with my new business name!

 

 

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What’s The Point of a Vision Board?

Here in the UK, we have started 2021 in yet another lockdown.

via GIPHY

I’m so over lockdowns, it’s getting boring now…

 

Apparently, having learned nothing from the last two lockdowns, some bright spark thought we should give it another shot – Third time lucky and all that…

 

I’m sure many of us have thought, “what’s the point in making any plans for 2021?”

We can see it coming because we were here last year.

Months of unending house arrest and the collective hysteria of mysophobia.

Living a protracted half-life in virtual Zoom rooms, while pumping money into Amazon and Netflix to quell the tedium.

 

New Year, New Start My A***

 

At the start of a new year, I usually enjoy creating my vision board for the year ahead. This time it seemed like a fruitless exercise.

When we can’t go anywhere or do anything, it just becomes about getting through each day with our sanity intact!

 

Having put the question to Social Media, “is there any point in doing a vision board this year”, I slept on it, had a word with myself, and realised that there is still a compelling argument to see beyond where we are.

 

The Real Point

I had a small epiphany, the point of a vision board is not to predict the future, but to focus our minds on what we really want. Despite some of it being physically impossible, that’s not the point. The point is to imagine the possibilities and find some clarity.

If you could achieve it right now it wouldn’t be ‘a vision’ it would be your reality. What would you have left to aspire to or work for?

One thing we can say about the start of 2021 is that it is more predictable than most years. In 2019, I doubt anyone predicted 2020 would be the year a global pandemic would hit, and the response of governments around the world would be to lockdown entire nations and impose punitive sanctions on anyone daring to do normal things like leaving the house, going out for dinner and visiting your family!

At least we know what to expect this time around!

 

I Did It Anyway

So, as a change in pace, instead of my usual evening of Netflix, after finishing work in our box room spare bedroom/my office, I got the magazine box out and started cutting.

 

How To Create A Vision Board

It’s a simple process.

Grab load of old magazines, books flyers, even junk mail. I always keep boxes of old magazines just for creative projects so there is never a shortage in my art supplies! I also have a thing for stickers so I have boxes of these too.You can even get your kids involved. Especially if you are trapped at home with them and looking for ways to keep them entertained that doesn’t involve them melting their brains and destroying their self esteem by endlessly scrolling through social media!Flick through the magazines and if any images, words or phrases pop out at you cut them out. Don’t over think this, just cut out everything that draws your attention or inspires you.Once you have a small pile of cuttings, grab a big bit of paper – I used my A3 sketchpad – but in the past I’ve used a big sheet of cardboard from a box or the back of some old wallpaper.Arrange your images and words on the board. This is the part where you can think about them more. Edit them out, be selective and look at where things fit.Once you’re happy start gluing. PritStick does the job fine.

Have fun with it!

 

Behold, my 2021 vision board…

What Did I Learn?

There is much less focus on writing and travelling this year and more on nature and sustainability.

Here are the past 2 years of vision boards for comparison:

 

It was definitely a worthwhile exercise to do a vision board for 2021, if for no other reason than it was an enjoyable way to spend an evening getting creative.

 

EmpoweringYou can’t control the world outside your window, but you can control your response to it.FocusFlicking through magazines is diverting and distracting, it switches your focus to other things.MindfulnessBringing all of your attention into this moment and being fully present in it is a potent tonic for body and mind.PatternsSeeing patterns and beauty in unrelated things you’ve bought together.CreativityBecause we all need to get messy and play for a while. Setting our imagination free and finding joy in little things.ClarityOnly when you edit down the images and words you’ve selected do you start to find clarity. By finding images and phrases that appeal to you, you can see what really matters.Sense of PurposeSomething positive and productive to do.FunIt was a lovely way to spend an evening – cosy on the sofa, chilled ambient beats playing, the log burner roaring, a frothy mug of Chai Latte – and a stack of magazines, a big sketch pad, some scissors, and a Pritstick.Are you doing a vision board this year?

 

 

 

 

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Packaging Matters For Fashion Businesses

Making ethical buying choices can be challenging. One the one hand we want to reduce waste – especially single use plastic – yet on the other we have a budget to keep to, there are often compromises.

Plastics take thousands of years to decompose and are causing massive damage to our natural environment. In the UK, we trust that our doorstep recycling does actually get recycled, but we produce so much of it that we are shipping it overseas where it accumulates in the environment – out of sight out of mind. Experts predict that at current rates by 2050 there will be more plastic on our oceans than marine life.

As small businesses, we can make a difference.

We can cast our vote for the type of world we want to live in by leading by example.

In this contributed content, the example used is a fashion business. Do any of these tips inspire your business to make better choices when packaging goods?

 

Packaging Matters For Fashion Businesses

 

 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-gift-boxes-on-brown-wooden-floor-surface-1050244/

 

In the world of fashion, packaging matters! After all, what does a boring brown box or cheap plastic bag say about your business? It does nothing to distinguish your brand and, if anything, it actually cheapens your products. You have worked hard to create the items you sell, so don’t fall at the final hurdle with poor packaging. 

 

When your customers receive a new garment or accessory and it arrives in a luxurious and stylish branded gift boxes, it increases their sense of anticipation, leading to increased brand loyalty. Did you know that 49 per cent of customers have stated that they get more excited to open a product when it is packaged in an appealing way? 

 

Have you considered a collapsible gift box?

A collapsible gift box is just the thing to get your customers excited! It can be assembled in a matter of seconds, and it features a magnetic closure, so it can be reused again and again. The high-quality material and sleek design create that luxury feel you are trying to achieve. Not only are these boxes ideal for jewellery, accessories, and other fashion items, but they can act as stylish, premium quality wine cartons too.

 

Why does packaging really matter?

How do you feel when someone likes one of your brand’s posts on Instagram? Or, better yet, shares it? You feel like you have taken a great step forward, right? You have reached more potential customers, and you have increased your online visibility. 

 

Well, a luxurious, branded bag does the same thing. The only difference is that it achieves this outside of the web, which has a bigger and more memorable impact. 

 

Whenever someone walks around with your brand on display, they are advertising your company for you – just like a share on Insta! When it comes to bags for your business, they are more than packaging materials: they are sleek and stylish brand advertisements. 

 

Offering a gift-wrapping service to your customers to really impress 

Let’s be frank: buying a gift for someone can be a bit annoying! Choosing something they love is the fun part. But then you have to spend more money and time on wrapping it up in pretty paper and adding all of those finicky decorations. It’s something most people could do without! But it’s a great opportunity for you…

 

Why not take away this hassle and expense from your customers by using cartons as a gift-wrapping service? It’s likely that a lot of people purchasing fashion garments and accessories from your business are doing so as a gift for someone else, so impress them with a sleek and stylish gift box. This is a great way to ensure they buy from your business again and again. They won’t have to worry about wrapping the gift, which can always be a bit of a nightmare, and it costs more money too.

 

So there you have it: everything you need to know about achieving packaging success at your fashion business!

 

Your turnNext time you package your product to send to a customer, what simple swaps can you make to your packaging?Next time you buy from a supplier, what steps will you take to minimize waste and make more ethical choices?

 

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Marketing Strategies to Improve Your Online Brand

Improving your online brand is more important now than ever, when bricks and mortar shops are struggling and offline marketing is restricted by the pandemic.

This contributor suggests some ideas to inspire your marketing and build your online brand.

 

Build Your Online Brand

 

Image Credit

 

Is your online brand underperforming? Or would you like to grow your online business through a new product launch or rebounding campaign? If you want to be successful online today, you need to embrace a range of marketing strategies that are more effective than anything that has come before. This article looks at the main avenues to reach more customers, create more leads, and grow your online business. 

Social Media Marketing

If you want your brand to be more effective in the medium to long term, you should embrace social media marketing. SMM can help you develop products that match your customer’s requirements or desires; it can also give you important feedback on who your target audience is and help diversify the brand. SSM involves publishing high-quality content on social profiles, engaging followers, analyzing results, and running social media ads. If you want to find out How To Advertise On Facebook follow the link.

Google Advertising 

Google advertising is the gold standard for online advertising. It makes up 33% of all online advertising, and its nearest rival is Facebook. Google advertising refers to Google Maps, Google Reviews, and Google Ads, all of which can have a significant effect on your business’s online performance. If you want your business to be visible online and your keywords to be easily found by relevant users, you need to register with Google and design some effective SEO. With Google Ads, you can accelerate the process for a small fee. 

Email Marketing and Segmentation 

Email marketing and segmentation work together to create an effective marketing strategy for your brand. Segmentation allows you to separate your target audience into relative groups based on geographic, psychographic, demographic, and behavioural data. This data is excellent for targeting and retargeting the right customers with the right products. That’s where email marketing comes in. With your email lists segmented, you can effectively strategize who will receive which ad and when. Obviously, this helps to streamline your marketing, save revenue, and increase returns. 

Customer Retention 

It might seem as though marketing is all about advertising and converting leads in your sales funnel, but there’s another much-undervalued practice that’s just as important – it’s called customer retention. Customer retention is the practice of retaining the customers you already have by valuing them and marketing to them regularly. Think about it, a customer you have already won gives you the chance to learn more about them and retain their interest in your products. Always follow up on a sale with ‘how is your product’ emails and forget to remember their birthdays. 

Influencer Marketing 

Who are you more likely to buy a product from a television commercial or a friend who recommends it? Nine times out of ten, it will be the friend because you trust them and value their judgement. This is what influencer marketing is all about. Influencers are bloggers and vloggers with large social media following. Their audience is made up of people interested in their personalities and updates. An artificial bond of friendship is developed through the channels that provide an effective marketing opportunity. 

 

 

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