Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy.
So here we are, the last couple days of 2013, a year that may have been your awesomest or not-so-awesomest. Which gets me to thinking about how we determine awesome. Is it based on numbers, milestones, happiness, bank balances, relationships, resolutions kept, or broken?
For me, awesomeness is how I helped empower the people who I love. How I showed up for my family, friends and community. But what is important to remember is we all define it differently.
To be able to attain awesomeness, it requires courage, commitment and consistency. A great example of that is this blog. Blogging is new to me, I wrote my first blog in March of 2012 and have blogged either every day, week or month since.
It took courage to put myself out there, not being concerned about haters, but being driven by the value I was hoping to deliver, it took commitment to be “all-in”, no matter what was happening in my life, I made a commitment and stuck with it. And lastly, it took consistency, which is one of the greatest opportunities I see for so many small businesses.
Many of us get an idea, and start strong, then over time, for whatever reason, begin to fade. Consistency is what is gonna keep us in the game. I had the courage to make a commitment to be consistent, that is how I have built Passion Squared to be the awesome business it is today.
With that, I will share with you the Awesomest Blog Posts of 2013, awesomest defined, in this case, by the most unique views.
Many of these are my faves, which tells me that what I am creating is adding value and resonating with you. And that my friends, is the awesomest of all and I am so grateful to be able to serve you.
As we move into 2014, I want you to begin asking yourself what awesomeness means to you, your customers and your business. If it is not crystal clear in your mind, take a moment to get quiet and think. We move towards what we focus on, and my wish for you is to continue to move towards your awesomeness, however you define it.
“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.”
Walt Disney Company
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy.
As the year comes to a close, I reflect on all the opportunities there are for small businesses when it comes to branding, storytelling, and marketing both online and off. One of the biggest areas I continue to see is how we present our images on social platforms.
Image matters. Both online and off. Cut off logos, blurry pictures, cut off pictures, etc are not helping our image. But there is a solution. Finding a designer that can help size your images can make a big difference in how your brand is seen in the eyes of the customer.
While there are always exceptions and variables and the platforms seem to be changing almost by the day, these templates are a great place to start.
Facebook Profile Art (and almost every other social platform profile pic)
If you are using Facebook for business, your logo goes here. Not a promotion or fancy image. Save that for the Cover Image or a post.
Facebook Cover Art
This is an awesome place to show your business, your work, a feature program or promotion. Make the space count and change it up just like you change-up your marketing calendar. When creating this image, be sure to leave space for the Profile pic in the lower left hand side.
Facebook Event Art
If you are big on posting events such as fundraisers, girls nights, grand openings, etc, this can be a highly engaging part of your Facebook biz page.
Facebook Post Art (also Instagram)
When creating art for Facebook and Instagram posts, this is a good template to follow. When you post images taken from your phone or tablet, Facebook and Instagram almost always “re-size” it for you when uploading.
YouTube Channel Art
If you have not noticed, YouTube changed their channel layout, and thus, the need for creating new art. It’s a tricky one, but important none the less if you have a presence on YouTube.
Pinterest Pin Art
Image is everything on Pinterest. Be sure to invest the time, money and energy to present compelling and powerful images if Pinterest is part of your social strategy.
When in doubt, always go to the HELP section of any social platform. There is almost always help available on sizing, dimensions, etc. Are there any platforms you would like to see a cheat sheet for? Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out directly to me, I’m listening.
As 2013 comes to a close and plans are being made for 2014, it may be a good idea to add a review of all your social pages. Do they reflect your image, message and brand? Are all the links updated and working? Is your About section current and relevant. Those are just some of the questions to ask yourself as you do your year end review.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Anaïs Nin
(Park City, Utah, captured by my awesome iPhone)
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy.
As I was traveling home from Utah yesterday, I began to realize how much awesomeness lies on the other side of fear.
Many may understand, many may not, but what I am talking about is how much we miss out on when we become paralyzed by fear. And I’m not talking about FOMO fear (Fear of Missing Out), I am talking about all the beauty and awesomeness that exists in the world and not experiencing it because of fear.
On the Other Side of Fear Is…. The new business you want to create.
The new product or service you want to launch.
The book that is ready to be shared with the world.
The video you have been thinking about making.
The blog you have been meaning to start.
The relationship you have been dreaming of.
The conversation you have been meaning to have with a co-worker or boss.
The trip you have been wanting to take.
The dream job you know is out there.
The family member who misses you.
You see, what I learned upon returning home is there is so much awesomeness and joy on the other side of fear. And the truth is, I have missed out on some pretty cool experiences because of fear. Today, I begin to write a new story. Today I am committed to turning my fear into fuel. Am I still afraid? Yes. Will I let that stop me from experiencing life? No. Not anymore. How about you?
A big heartfelt thank you to Erin Short of The Hair Nerds for giving me the kick in the ass I needed to make the trip to Utah possible, to Larry Curtis, Jami Quenum and the beautiful team at Taylor Andrews Academy for inviting me into their home, to Jake Thompson, Andrew Carruthers and Nick Hemsley for a night that will forever remain in my heart and to my beautiful family in Park City for the reminder that home is where ever family is.
“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.”
Jeff Bezos, CEO Amazon.com
Here is the audio version of this post. Thanks so much for listening. Enjoy.
Today is Cyber Monday, another made up shopping holiday to drive traffic to websites to consume goods and services. I’m sure you know this by the gazillion emails that are waiting for you to click on in your inbox. That fact is, we are all online. Whether we are socially networking on Facebook and Instagram or shopping for the holidays.
We are all in e-commerce today, one way or another. And we all need to think hard about the customer experience (online), if we want to be a relevant business in 2014 that is.
Here is a simple checklist for you to see if you are a discoverable business and for you to audit the customer experience (online).
Search Engines
1. Google terms that relate to your business. If you are a hair salon, Google “best hair salons”, “best colorist”.
2. Take a look at what results come up. Are you there?
3. Click on the links. Are they your business pages? What do they look and feel like?
Website
1. Visit your website.
2. Is it easy to find your location? Contact info? Hours of operation?
3. Are there pictures of your business and your work?
4. Can I make a reservation or at least contact you?
5. Is the copy reader friendly and relevant to your business?
6. Can I easily see where to find you on Facebook, YELP, etc?
7. Is it mobile friendly?
YELP (being active on YELP is one of the best ways to rank higher in search engines. Fact.)
1. Have you claimed your page? If not, click here to learn how.
2. Have you added images of your business and work?
3. Have you filled in the “About this business” section?
4. Are there recent reviews?
Google Places
1. Have you claimed your business?
2. Have you added images, contact info, hours of operation and a business description?
Facebook
1. Do you have a business page?
2. Have you claimed your unique URL? This is the best way to show up in Graph Search, the “Google” of Facebook. Click here to learn how to claim your name.
3. Is your about us section filled out?
4. Are the hours of operation there?
5. Is your website, phone number and an email address available?
Instagram
1. Have you written a short about message?
2. Is there a link to your website?
3. Do you have your phone number or email listed?
Inbox
1. Can I easily find where to sign up for your emails?
2. Do you have a subscribe area on your website?
3. Do you have a subscribe tab on your Facebook page?
While this is not even close to a complete list, it’s an awesome start if you are in a service business. When was the last time you took a look at your online presence? Today may be an awesome day to start.
“Change almost never fails because it’s too early. It almost always fails because it’s too late.”
Seth Godin
Here is the audio version of this post. Background music (snoring) compliments of Zen Louis Kovner. Thanks so much for listening.
I work with small business owners every day, myself included, and one of the themes that runs through nearly all I work with is the challenge of making the choice to make a change. Whether it be a change in systems, strategy, people, resources, planning, whatever. Sounds like a simple theory, but not so simple to commit to and ultimately execute.
One of my favorite Seth Godin quotes is… “You don’t run a punch press or haul iron ore. Your job is to make decisions.”
As a small business, whether it be one person or 10, in order to create awesome and achieve our dreams, we have to get really comfortable with making decisions. And that begins with a choice to do so in order to get the change we are seeking.
We are so good at over complicating things. But it really is as simple as making a choice. If we want to change the outcome of our efforts, we have to look objectively at what choices we are making, every single day.
There is so much freedom that comes when we accept the fact that we have a choice. It also totally freaks people out because when we accept that, all the responsibility for the outcome comes back to us. Ugh!
Here are a few examples I experience on a daily basis, do any of these sound familiar?
You want to increase referrals and you are a service business? Create a referral program and embrace referral platforms such as YELP.
You want to increase holiday traffic and reservations, try an inbox marketing campaign like my buddy Benjamin Jay did at the Hair Loft ltd (check out our Facebook chat about it from November 11th)
You want to have a happy, healthy culture? Get rid of the bullies and tantrum throwers.
You want to get out from the day-to-day and begin to work on your business vs. in your business? Begin making the decisions today that will allow you to transition from worker to leader.
You want to build relevant social platforms? Wake up a half hour earlier, stay up a half hour later, or find someone in your world who is passionate about it and create meaningful content, and share it.
You want more time to do the things you love? Make time. It’s a choice.
So I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. We all have the power to make choices. The key is in making the decision to choose the action that will ultimately get us to the result and change. I see it every day. It’s not easy, but it can completely change the way you lead and manage your business, and in the end, help you create more awesome.
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy.
