“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
André Gide
SEO, made simple.
Many times, terminology can really mess up a persons day. In this case, for me, its the term SEO (search engine optimization). My motto is why use a big complicated word when you can use one that people understand? Isn’t that the point? Sometimes I think not. So, anyway, to us, all SEO really means is DISCOVERY. When clients or customers are looking for a service or product, can they easily find you on the web?
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist(even though they are super cool).
The goal is to be discoverable, whether it’s you as an individual, a salon or a brand. The way to be more discoverable is to have an active, engaging and relevant social + digital footprint. That means Facebook, YELP, YouTube, etc. Easy, right?
Not all platforms are created equal.
If you are a salon or stylist, the most discoverable platforms for you are YELP, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, online booking and marketing platforms such as Schedulicity or a communication/review platforms such as Demandforce and your website or blogsite such as WordPress or Tumblr. If you are a brand, it’s your website, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and a blogsite such as WordPress or Tumblr. If you are super active on Twitter, its a great platform for discovery, which our industry as a whole is not at this point.
My love don’t cost a thing.
Now, there is a way to pay for discovery (paid search), such as Google ads and Facebook ads, and while we believe in both of these for certain businesses and objectives, the great news is if you are active on the platforms above with relevant, engaging and consistent content, your discovery will be organic (un-paid search), meaning, its free.
So there you have it. Now back to the original question, are you DISCOVERABLE?
While there is much more to learn about discovery and more pieces to the puzzle, the above is the most important to understand for a small business. To learn how to become more discoverable, ask us about The Social Beauty Intelligence Check-Up, a super cool service we provide to expand your social + digital IQ. We also offer one-on-one mentoring if that’s more your thing. Click here for more info.
(image discovered on Starbucks Loves Pinterest board)
Simple is smart. Yet many times we feel the need to complicate things, thinking more words, more bells and more whistles somehow create more value.
Our hero marketer Seth Godin breaks it down on his blog today. Simple. To the point. Awesome.
Free coffee, next exit
That’s the most effective billboard one can imagine, particularly if it’s typeset properly and if the coffee is good.
Most billboards aren’t nearly as useful, because the wrong service is promoted, or, more likely, because someone saw all that space and worked hard to fill it up.
The same thing is true of most websites. You know so well the why’s and how’s of what you built and how terrific it is, and the thought of using just a few words when a bunch will do is frightening indeed.
No, your solution doesn’t have to be simple or obvious. But the story about what it accomplishes does.
The goal of a marketing interaction isn’t to close the sale, any more than the goal of a first date is to get married. No, the opportunity is to move forward, to earn attention and trust and curiosity and conversation.
Simple, clear and actionable.”
Seth Godin
Which areas of your marketing can you simplify? Your story, website, promotions, service menu?
So go grab your cup of creative fuel and take a fresh look at your stuff. Easy? No. Worth it? Yes.
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.”
Erma Bombeck
Blogging has been around since the late 90’s and still today is one of the best forms of content sharing and engagement. Some make a living off of blogging, some just blog to share their passion on a subject.
Today, there are 77 million blogs on Tumblr and 56 million on WordPress (including Passion Squared) according to Wikipedia. WOW.
Blog Platforms We Love
WordPress We love Get Handsome, a blog created by hairstylist and men’s groomer Luke Makovic who blogs about grooming, life and style (yummy food included), using WordPress.
Tumblr We all love MAC Cosmetics, and can learn so much by how they use Tumblr to share the MAC experience.
Our Four C’s To Blogging
Commitment
Like anything, making a commitment is a big deal. So be sure you are fully committed to your blog and your community that will be engaging with it.
Consistency
Both online and off, consistency is the foundation of growth and success. Once you make a commitment, the consistency of how often you post on your blog is key.
Content
We say that your content is your marketing, and that cannot be more true than on your blog. Your content is why people want to engage with you, your content is the value you deliver through your blog.
Courage
You will need a lot of this one. When we put ourselves and our dreams out there for all to see, it takes courage. Know that some blogs will be super awesome, some will get no response at all. We must have courage to create and share what we are passionate about.
So now what you ask? Here are some tips for you to consider before diving into the blogosphere.
Why Start Blogging?
You have something to say and are passionate about sharing it.
You want to create more value around your brand.
You want to become more discoverable on the web.
You are looking for a new creative outlet.
You want to be seen as an “expert” in your field.
What To Consider Before You Begin?
What is the theme of your blog? (beauty, hair, fashion, how-to’s, men, make-up, business, etc.)
How much time will you commit to posting?
What resources do you have available to help you?
Where will you find content ideas?
Are you ready to go all-in?
How To Get Started.
Pick a platform. (WordPress, Tumblr, etc.)
Choose and image/theme that fits your brand.
Connect and integrate your website and social pages to your blog.
Set a schedule on how often you will post including the types of posts that connect back to your theme. And commit to it.
Play with test posts, the more you practice and play, the easier it will be. Practice makes perfect (or what we like to say, perfectly imperfect)
If you are passionate about sharing your art, and want to blog but need some help, we offer one-on-one mentoring to help you craft the ultimate blog. Click here for more information on our mentoring program.
(shared with blogging LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
PS: This blog post took about an hour to create along with two americanos, thank you Starbucks and thank YOU for allowing us to share our passion.
“The more people you inspire, the more people will inspire you”
Simon Sinek
Whether you are leading a team or “leading” your clients to try a new service, a new product or reserve their next appointment, this TEDTalk by Simon Sinek shows us a powerful explanation of how sharing the “whys” behind our message can positively transform results. Do you know your WHY?
“Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question, Why?” TedTalks
To be inspired and learn more about WHY we love Simon Sinek, visit Start With Why.
If you are serious about finding your WHY and building your brand both online and off, we offer one-on-one mentoring to help you craft the ultimate plan. To learn more about Passion Squared Mentoring, click here. We look forward to helping you ignite your passion and live your dream.
(shared with love from your passionistas Nina+Gordon)
“A leader, first and foremost, is human. Only when we have the strength to show our vulnerability can we truly lead.”
Simon Sinek
It seems in today’s world, many people still believe they need to be perfect. We have this thought that we have to present ourselves, particularly as leaders, to be all knowing and all powerful. That we are problem free. Many of us wear a mask or hide behind a curtain of perfection. Kinda like the Wizard, yes?
From personal experience, I can tell you, that is a recipe for a potentially unhappy life.
Getting Real
What our team wants to see from us, what our family and friends want to see from us, is vulnerability. They want to know we are human, just like them. They want to know that yes, we are here to lead them, to show up for them, but that we too have struggles, and because of those struggles, we actually become better leaders. Because we have learned to show up even when things get tough.
My Story
A little over 5 years ago, I was in a very dark place in my life. So dark in fact that I chose to face my demons and get treatment for depression and anxiety. While I was in treatment, I learned the meaning behind “perfectly imperfect”. For workaholics and perfectionists like I used to be, this was a concept I had to really wrap my mind around, for me, it was a matter of life and death.
That experience not only made me a better person, it made me a better leader. Because I realized that in order to be the best for others, for my team, my family and my friends, I had to get over the notion that I had to be perfect. Do I still have struggles? Yes, everyday, believe it or not. But I did the work and found the tools I needed to show up for my life and for others.
The World Has Your Back
If you are like I was, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, my hope for you is that you realize the world has your back. That you are human, and its OK to be vulnerable. It’s actually that vulnerability, that perfectly imperfect you that can help you develop more meaningful relationships and makes you a better leader. How awesome is that?
(shared with LOVE from your passionista Nina)
PS: If this post resonates with you and you need someone to talk to, I am here for you. You can click here to email me, or call me at 310-503-1342.
(image discovered on Starbucks Loves Pinterest board)
We love Get Handsome, a blog created by hairstylist and men’s groomer Luke Makovic who blogs about grooming, life and style (yummy food included), using WordPress.
We all love MAC Cosmetics, and can learn so much by how they use Tumblr to share the MAC experience.
