Your Content Is Your Marketing

The Tools of The Trade

October 25, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“What you seek, exists within you. Every resource you need is available to you.”

Marcia Wieder

Your Content Is Your Marketing

When we think of “tools of the trade”, we think of scissors, combs, blow dryers and products, not about the platforms and technology we need to empower our business in the awesome new social + digital world.

Remember, it’s about providing value to your community and becoming more discoverable on the web, to ignite word of mouth and referrals, and this happens by creating fresh, consistent and relevant content on the web.

So we decided to share a few of the “resources” we use, in hopes of making it easier for you to begin your content creation process.

Websites and Blogs
WordPress
We use WordPress for our website. You are on WordPress reading this blog post right now.  It’s fairly easy, we have full control, and once it’s designed, it costs nothing.

Tumblr
Tumblr is a great, and free, social blog platform that is awesome for salons to “anchor” beauty content as its really about images and very few words.

Inbox Marketing
MailChimp
We use MailChimp for our inbox marketing (emails to you).  It’s super easy and free (up to 12,000 emails a month).  Email marketing is still one of the BEST ways to engage clients and drive traffic to your social and digital pages and most importantly, into your salon.

Images
Photo & Quote Apps
While we do not create anywhere near the amount of images you will for your salons social pages, there are some great apps you can use to capture some pretty fantastic, quality images.  You can find these in the App store.

  • Instagram

  • Camera +

  • Instaquote

  • Over

To learn more on this topic, we just had an awesome webinar this week on Content Creation and Curation for Salons. If you want to view it simple click here and we will send you the link to view the recording.

We also offer one-one-one coaching and mentoring to help you better engage in the social + digital space to empower you and your business.  If you are serious about taking your marketing to the next level, click here, and we can chat and see if our program is right for you.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Baby You’re A Firework

October 24, 2012Nina KovnerHEROES

  “The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.”

 Henry Miller

Jodi DiPiazza, an adorable 11-year-old girl living with autism, uses music to connect with the world.

This video from Comedy Central’s Night Of Too Many Stars brought tears of joy to my eyes, to watch a young artist realize a dream against so much adversity. Beautiful.

It is so amazing what happens when we take a moment to step outside ourselves, and our never ending to-do list, and remember what living is all about; giving back and being of service to others.

If you are having one of those days, all wrapped up in your to-do list and need some inspiration or a reality check, please take a moment to learn Jodi’s story and experience Katy Perry and Jodi DiPiazza singing Firework.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QX-xToQI34I#!

Jodi also loves the Internet, and created her own website when she was just 3 years old.  You can check out Jodi’s website by clicking here.  You can also follow Jodi on Twitter @jodigirl2001.

To learn more about how you can help beautiful young people living with autism like Jodi, click here.

Jodi + Katie are both true heroes in my book.  And I am so grateful to have discovered this story of hope.

(shared with LOVE from your passionista Nina)

Are We Too Connected?

October 23, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE

“Social Media is about sociology and psychology more than technology.”

Brain Solis

When we talk about the social + digital revolution, many immediately think about the technology side of things.  The screens, the platforms, and the “smart” people behind all of it. It can sometimes be very intimidating.

We propose we think about it in a different way.  Instead of thinking about the medium or the technology, lets think about the power of the medium, and how it is engaging, empowering and connecting people both locally and globally.  Now we’re talking, yes?

Most people need to be connected, to be engaged, to be recognized, to be listened to, to seek knowledge and information.  And when we look at technology and platforms this way, it all becomes a bit more exciting and way less intimidating.

Beauty professionals are masters of sociology and psychology, you practice it every day in the salon, with your team and your clients.  So guess what, you got this!

But can society be too connected?  Check out this super funny clip from last weeks Parks & Recreation.  Can you relate?


(video discovered on NBC)

Is it really technology’s fault that we cannot put down our iPhone?  The honest answer is its not about the technology, its about how we choose to use the technology.  So no more hating on technology, instead, think about all the ways you can use these platforms to get closer to your dreams.  And yes, we can be too connected, but remember, its a choice.

If you are serious about learning how to engage and connect on social + digital platforms, we offer one-on-one coaching and mentoring to help you grow and become more discoverable on the web.  Click here to learn more about our program.  We look forward to helping you live your dream.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

J. Scordato Salon

Passionista Profile: Jacqueline Scordato

October 22, 2012Nina KovnerPASSIONISTA PROFILE

“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”

Vincent van Gogh

 

J. Scordato SalonJ. Scordato SalonJ. Scordato Salon

Meet Jacqueline Scordato, hairdresser, color educator and owner of J. Scordato Salon in beautiful Tucson Arizona.  Jacqueline has made a commitment to learning everything she can about how the social + digital space can help her grow her salon and more importantly, her team, to help them achieve their goals and dreams.  That is what we call true leadership, and something all owners can strive for.  Awesome.

Passion Squared: What are your current goals as a salon owner?

Jacqueline: As a new salon/salon owner I am constantly striving to create buzz and awareness that we are here and ready to serve our guests, while striving to build our salon culture.  Through that it’s a goal to help each team member find their journey in this industry whether it be print work, getting involved in fashion shows, or whatever else motivates.

Passion Squared: Which social platform are you focusing on to reach that goal?

Jacqueline: Right now we are focusing on our Facebook page.  Attending the social webinars have really opened us up to how important it is to focus and master a platform before moving on to adding another one to the mix.

Passion Squared: Why that one?

Jacqueline: We decided to start with and focus on Facebook.  Most of the age group we are targeting is found on Facebook so it made sense to begin there.  It also seemed to have the most information available on how to use it to build our business.

Passion Squared: What did you do?

Jacqueline: Webinars have definitely been key to understanding Facebook and exactly how it works.  In addition to that we joined a local social media networking group to help create more buzz by cross promoting on our page and meet other businesses.  We post daily with a picture, a caption, and an easy to answer question to try to engage people who’ve liked our page.

Passion Squared: What have the results been?

Jacqueline: We’ve been experiencing great results… It took about three months of daily posting on our page and commenting on others posts to start seeing a steady influx on our page.  Our own guests have started looking forward to our posts and have been interacting as well.  We’ve just hit four months of posting and are now experiencing at least one referral a week from our Facebook page!  So excited to see where it takes us after a few more months!

Passion Squared: Any other thoughts or comments?

Jacqueline: When I first opened the salon I was excited and active on our Facebook page and then began entering as many social platforms as we could.  With free time being a rarity I began to slow down on posting and became overwhelmed with so many different sites.  After beginning the social webinars with Passion Squared I began to look into Facebook again and have made it part of my morning coffee/wake up routine.  Now as I’m becoming more comfortable and efficient with Facebook, I can’t wait to branch into another platform!

To connect with Jacqueline and the J. Scordato Salon Team, you can find them engaging on their social pages…

J. Scordato Salon Website

J. Scordato Salon on Facebook

J. Scordato Salon on Pinterest

J. Scordato Salon on Twitter

Instagram @jscordato82

A big shout out of love and thanks to Jacqueline and the J. Scordato Salon Team for sharing their story.  We are so happy for your success and excited to watch you continue to grow.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Instagram Cheat Sheet

Instagram Cheat Sheet

October 21, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“How much does a hipster weigh?  An Instagram.”

Unknown

 

When we posted the joke/quote above on our Facebook page back in June, it seemed either nobody got it or did not think it was very funny.  Ah, the perils of learning what your community responds to.  Anyway, we still think its hilarious and discovered this awesome Instagram Cheat Sheet, perfect for all you hipsters out there obsessed with this platform as much as we are.  Enjoy.

Instagram Cheat Sheet(image discovered on Google)

Lets play on Instagram, you can follow us @passionsquared.  We would love to follow you back and watch how you are using Instagram to showcase your art, your business and of course, your awesome life.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)