The Wake Up Call

October 6, 2014Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

The Universe is not short on wake up calls. We are just quick to hit the snooze button.   -Brene Brown

 

Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.

Many of us have had them. Some of us don’t know we have. And some of us just hit the snooze button when they happen.

Wake up calls happen all the time, in business and in life. The opportunity for us is to listen for them and to them, if we want to create an awesome biz + life.

Wake Up Call #1
A few team members are asking for raises all within a few days of each other. To me, that is a sign of something deeper. Meaning, it’s time to connect with those team members to see where they are in their career and life. Something is behind the desire for a raise. What is it?

 Wake Up Call #2
A slew of social posts about a particular company seem to be gaining momentum and people are just not happy. Will that be a wake up call, or is that company not even listening?

Wake Up Call #3
People begin not showing up to meetings, or come in late to work. Do we build resentment or decide to dig deeper into why that is.

Wake Up Call #4
Sales begin to slowly drop, less new clients are coming in, and staff is leaving. Do we see that as a wake up call or do we hit the snooze button and blame the month, season, weather or staff member.

Wake Up Call #5
A series of not so awesome YELP reviews are posted about a business. All saying similar things. The front desk staff is not nice, nobody answers the phone, the bathrooms are dirty. A wake up call? You bet. But only if the business is listening.

Wake Up Call #6
A feeling of stress and overwhelm continue to fill our bodies. Is this a wake up call? You bet it is. It’s time to look at our lives and begin to create space to breathe and get to the source of the stress and overwhelm so it can be fixed.

Awareness is the key in listening for wake up calls. It is so much easier to hit the snooze button versus dealing with issues, problems or wake up calls. It takes a ton of courage to listen for them and deal with them. And until we do, be prepared for that alarm to keep ringing.

Do you have any wake up calls you have ignored only to have them come back bigger and louder? I would love to hear your thoughts. I’m listening.

(shared with LOVE from Nina)

4-awesome-content-creation-tools

4 Awesome Content Creation Tools

September 24, 2014Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“Create something people want to share.” John Jantsch

(originally posted May 19th, 2014)

Your content is your marketing. Both online and off. I have said it what seems like a thousand times since starting Passion Squared. And the question I get over and over again is how in the heck do I create content?

Before we dive into the tools I use the most and think are the most awesome, lets begin at the beginning.

1. Your content needs to tell a story.
2. It needs to be compelling and relevant to your community, clients, and audience.
3. It needs to be consistent with your brand why, promise, story and image.
4. It needs to be quality.
5. It needs to be easy to share.

The best content you can create as a service business to share on your social platforms is happening everyday around you. Whether you are in beauty or wellness, you are connecting with clients, seeing results, playing with your team, and creating experiences, all of which are perfect opportunities to capture those moments, on film. And by film, I mean your phone. If its important to you, you will do it. Just like anything.

Here are my 4 most awesome content creation tools…

1. Pic Stitch App
Pic Stitch
I love Pic Stitch because it is the tool that creates before’s and afters and allows us the ability to tell a story through a collage of photos. Before’s and afters are still the most popular pieces of content I have seen work on Facebook and Instagram. But it can also be used to show a style and products, different angles of a cut, a smoothie recipe with the ingredients, etc. You can even brand these pics by using your logo in one of the boxes. #awesome

2. Flipagram App

Flipagram

We all know that video can be SUPER engaging, and what I love about Flipagram is that we can make “videos” with music. Simply using photos in our phone, and music from our iTunes. These are great for creating Instavids, the 15 second videos on Instagram and for auto-posting to Facebook. I have seen some of my highest engagement numbers when using this tool. And, the bonus, we can add our logo into the “slide show” to create branded content. #awesome

3. Pic Monkey

Pic Monkey
This is my go-to platform to create all my morning quote posts. Once you create a branded template, or picture, you simply import it into Pic Monkey and type away. There is a paid version with more fonts and options, and a free version which is what I use. Again, branding is key here, so find a great designer to create the templates for you if you are not skilled in that area, like me.

4. Canva

CanvaCanva

My latest obsession! I love Canva so much and just began working with it. It has pre sized templates for Facebook posts, cover images, Instagram, Pinterest and more. There are free graphics and paid graphics you can use. Their font selection is not my fave, but I am sure they will be adding more. I created my latest Facebook cover photo using Canva, by simply choosing the Facebook cover photo template, importing The Weekly Dose of Awesome logo, and choosing a white background. #awesome

So, first things first. Create a plan tied to your objectives. Then begin creating. Then share. Then measure.

And most importantly, if you want to create compelling and relevant content, engage a designer to help you create templates, to size your logo properly and even in some cases, create your content. And if you are thinking you can’t afford it, I am telling you, you cannot afford not to if you want to create awesome in your marketing. Think about it like this… As a hairdresser, you get pretty worked up when people do their hair at home, think about how the designers of the world feel when they see crappy graphics.

(shared with LOVE from Nina)

UPDATE on September 24, 2016
I still use these tools weekly except Flipagram. I’ve added Diptic, Afterlight, WordSwag and PicPlayPost to my go to faves. The point is, some things never change, and some things evolve, just like biz + life. #awesome

30 Seconds To Mars Concert

My Night With Jared Leto

September 22, 2014Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“If you are willing to walk the path of a dreamer, then anything is possible.”

Jared Leto

 

30 Seconds To Mars Concert

                                       (images via Jared Leto Instagram, follow him, cause he’s awesome!)

Here is the audio version of this post, thank you so much for listening.

So yes, this happened. My awesome Sis Lisa got tickets to see Jared as an early birthday present to me. I mean, wow. Best Sis ever, right? This post is about my night, and actually, my recent love affair with the human that is Jared Leto.

The Leto Experience
I have been a kinda fan of his for a while. But I became a mega fan when I watched his awesome doc Artifact. I mean to be honest, I think I have watched it a gazillion times. And each time I cry. So there’s that. And his performance in Dallas Buyers Club, OMG. No words really except for the fact that I lost some of the most awesome humans during those times in the 80’s to AIDS, and the story touched deep in my heart. So when Jared won the Oscar, well, you can only imagine my emotions, and yes, I cried.

So, to be able to see him live, I wondered if my love affair with him from afar would become stronger after seeing him LIVE. Well, of course, the answer is YES, squared!

What is it about him that I am so obsessed with? His humanity. Yes, he is a #megababe, but that is not what it is. He is real. He is authentic. He connects. He creates. He engages. He cares. He is vulnerable. He dreams. He is imperfect. He is passion. He is love.

As I sat at the Hollywood Bowl that night, having a panic attack, which is another blog, I knew I had to get incredibly focused as to not lose my s#%t! So I choose to focus intently on him. On his dialogue. On his energy. On how he connected with the audience. And again, I cried.

Authenticity + Transparency
In a world craving transparency and authenticity, to experience Jared Leto LIVE confirmed to me that the true way to make a difference in the lives of others is to truly care. To authentically & passionately connect and engage. To be whole. Not one person on Instagram and another at a concert.

At the end of their set, he shared with the audience that the band would be at their merch tent signing CD’s for as long as they could. Are you kidding me? An Oscar winner? A mega rock star? Signing CD’s? Yes. Because they care.

The Lesson
The lesson in all this? Authenticity, transparency, passion & caring are and will continue to be the foundations of an awesome business.

No matter how big or how small you are, if you allow your head to blow up, become driven by ego, get too “busy” and full of yourself, and think you are “too big to fail” all I can say is proceed with caution.

If you are a passionate studier of business, if you are passionate about artists, please see Artifact. And if Jared comes to town, well, you know, you just gotta go!

(shared with LOVE from Nina)

PS: A big thanks to my Sis for creating an awesome night for me, and having so much compassion & patience when I have panic attacks. I love you Sis!

Flowbee

The High Price of DIY

September 15, 2014Nina KovnerGROW

“If you think a professional is expensive, wait ’til you try an amateur.”

Red Adair

 

Flowbee

(image via Google)

Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.

Beauty professionals have incredible pride in being masters of their passion. And I love that. Graduating beauty school is still to this day one of my most awesome accomplishments.

Most likely you studied and practiced for years to obtain a license, certification, or some type of advanced knowledge. You have invested several thousand dollars to train with the best and are passionately committed to daily improvement to the tune of thousands more dollars and time in advanced education and tools.

What baffles me is how did that experience make you believe that you also can design marketing plans and strategies, design logos and websites and create brands? Last time I checked, beauty school curriculum did not include graphic design, strategy, branding or business development.

I’m sure the graphic designer or web programmer feels the same way you feel when they see your DIY graphics and websites, like when you see DIY cuts and colors. #ugh If I had a dollar for every time hairdressers freaked out about home hair color, and YouTube stars teaching at home beauty, I would be a gazllionaire.

Developing a website (and a business or brand for that matter) is way more than the colors and fonts. There is a strategy behind each word, each page, and each click. Same with logos. You think if it was that easy there would be a degree for graphic design? Creating a business, a brand, a logo, a website and a strategy is both an art and a science. Sound familiar?

By all means DIY, but please know that nine times out of ten it will show, in both your sales and profits.

In the world I work & play in, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked for help then quickly said, “I can’t afford it.” My question back is “Then how can you afford to build a business?” I have seen entrepreneurs waste thousands of dollars (including myself, not thousands but hundreds) and insane amounts of time on DIY, in the end, being frustrated and mad and nothing to show for it. I have also seen people do it the right way, invest time and money up front, and get what they need to create awesome.

You don’t need a million dollar budget to create. But you do need someone with experience and expertise to help guide you. You can do it right the first time, or you can do it wrong the first time, second time and third time until you realize it’s just not working.

When you choose to move way outside your experience and expertise, don’t be surprised when things don’t work out as you wished they would.

Once you engage a pro and set objectives, create a plan, logo, and brand identity, there are some great DIY (kinda) platforms for small businesses to use. But again, use with caution, and if you do not understand it, engage someone who does.

Here are some DIY and (kinda) DIY resources I use often for my business:

Canva
WordSwag
PicMonkey
Squarespace
WordPress
MailChimp
Moo
StickerMule

For my website, shopping cart, workshop materials and program logos, I engage a professional designer and web programmer, always. I pay $50-$75/hr. for these services and they are based on referrals from people I trust and content I love. For strategy, planning and marketing, I have quite a bit of experience in that area, so for me it’s DIY, after almost 30 years in the business of education, sales, leadership and marketing.

I also invest a significant time and money to feed my brain. Whether it’s through books, webinars, workshops, or coaches. This month alone I have invested over $500 in my education and well being. How much have you invested?

There are exceptions to every rule. If you are a bad ass hairdresser, graphic designer, web programmer, marketer, and strategist, I want to meet you and give you a big hug.

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

Want to work with someone who can help guide you on the path to awesomeness in your biz + life? Click here and lets chat. If we are not a good fit and I can’t help you, I most certainly will point you in a good solid direction to help you grow. But beware, you will get 100% honesty from me. Because I care. So be ready.

 

 

 

A cool logo blog header

A Cool Logo Does Not Make You A Brand

September 8, 2014Nina KovnerGROW

“Design is essential but design is not brand.” Seth Godin

 

For the last few years, I have had the privilege and honor of engaging, listening, and coaching small businesses in the beauty and wellness worlds. It truly is my purpose, and I am grateful every second I get the honor to empower those I love.

However, there is a trend I see happening that must be stopped, and that is the belief that if you make a cool logo, secure a domain name and throw up a website, you are a brand. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the truth must be shared. That does not make you a brand, it makes you a logo, domain and website owner. There is a big difference.

So, what makes a brand? While there are a gazillion elements, I will focus on a few that in my experience are the most important and powerful. No matter if you are a 1 person team or a 1000 person team, online or off, these principles apply…

1. Purpose + Promise
Having clarity around the purpose + promise of your business and the ability to communicate it through storytelling creates value + meaning (for your target audience), which in turn, create a brand.

2. Culture
How you communicate, the dialogue & systems you use, your team, how train your team,  your negotiables, your non-negotiables, how you make decisions, how you care for your team, how your team cares for your clients, all of these things create a brand.

3. Experience + Value
How the customer experiences your business, how they feel, the emotions that come up while engaging with your business, the value that is perceived in the mind of the client, that is a brand.

4. Strategy
Planning, what you say yes to, what you say no to, your plans, pricing, promotions, programs, that is the beginning of a brand.

5. Relationships
When people begin to engage with your business and relationships are built. When transactions take place, that is a brand. And knowing your audience. Who you are for, and who you are not for. Both very important.

6.Identity
Your look, your feel, your sounds, and the consistency of your look, feel and sounds, all of these elements combined, creates a brand. This is where your logo comes in.

You see, we have it kinda backwards. We don’t start with a logo when creating a brand, we actually end with a logo.

When creating a business, with must begin with our objectives, our WHY’s, the outcome we are seeking, our strategy, our culture, experience, promise, purpose, and then, when we have clarity around that, it is time to begin design. And not one second sooner.

Why? Well, a logo is designed to communicate a brand promise, purpose, culture, etc. So how in the world can a designer create a logo without knowing those things? In fact, more importantly, how can you create a legitimate business and a brand without knowing those things? You know?

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina