A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed. Ansel Adams
#QandAwesome Episode 7 Boundaries + Saying No
In this weeks episode of #QandAwesome I talk setting healthy boundaries and saying no. Two things I find many of us struggle with in both business + life. Simple? Yes. Easy. OMG no, but the most loving thing we can do for ourselves, our businesses and others! Thanks so much for watching.
6 Thoughts On Engagement
The leaders who get the most out of their people are the leaders who care most about their people. – Simon Sinek
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
I got an awesome question from an awesome human on the Passion Squared Facebook page and it inspired this post. Thanks so much Nate for inspiring me to share my thoughts on the topic of engagement.*
In working with my clients, whether it’s my one on one clients or my awesome A School group, this is often a topic of discussion. And as one who has developed and lead teams as well as grown communities on social platforms, I am passionate about this topic as well.
Why? Because I believe many of us have challenges when it comes to engagement of people, teams or even social platforms and we know we can do better.
First, lets define engage:
Engage (verb aka action word)
to get and keep (someone’s attention, interest, etc.)
Now how in the heck do we do that? Get and keep someone’s attention and interest?
Listen
Ahhhhh, the old listening trick, works every time if we actually do it. And I mean really listen. Not with the intent to respond, but to show me, through your actions, that you are really listening and I am really being heard.
Be Honest
Having loving, courageous conversations are tough for many. But without them, we cannot nurture and grow ourselves or expect to nurture, grow and engage others.
Understand Me
As the great Stephen Covey taught us in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “Seek first to understand.”
Be Human
Authenticity is the old, new and future black. If you want me to be engaged, than I want you to be real. I can see right through your “status quo” verbiage.
Show Up
Trust is possibly one of the most important elements of an engaged team or community. And trust is bread through promises kept. We must never get so “busy” in the mundane day to day that we forget an important part of leadership: showing up and being fully present.
Care
Like really really care. I know, we all say we care. But humans can tell if that is true or not. From our words, actions, promises kept, all of it. Just like Simon Sinek shares in the opening quote.
Choosing to lead a team, a community or a company is an awesome responsibility that takes a huge, selfless commitment. And it’s not for everybody.
If you are feeling challenged by your team, your community or your social platforms and not feeling they are engaged, take a look at this list, and in the mirror.
Lastly, two of my go to people on leadership are Simon Sinek and Marcus Buckingham. My go to humans on engagement are Brian Solis and Gary Vaynerchuk. All of these awesome, passionate and smart humans have tons of content online from books, to talks to blogs and more. I highly recommend them.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
*Edited blog post, originally published 3/16/15
#QandAwesome Episode 6 Marketing + Storytelling + Engagement
In this weeks episode, I answer a question about how to sell something to a market that does not know you or your product. It all begins and ends with creating and delivering value, long before asking for the sale. Thanks so much for watching!
Your Content Is Your Marketing
“Our job is to connect to people, to interact with them in a way that leaves them better than we found them, more able to get where they’d like to go.” Seth Godin
About every other day, I get asked “Nina, where do I find content for my social pages?” And my answer is always the same, what is your brand story, promise, purpose and objective. When you know this, then, and only then, will you begin to find inspiration to create or curate (share other peoples) content.
This past week, I was inundated with posts on Facebook and Instagram about the hair transformations of Kim Kardashian and Jared Leto. Now let me get something very clear, this has nothing to do with whether I am a fan of either of them. But for those that follow me, you know I am obsessed with one of them. #teamjared
What I witnessed were so many hairdressers and trade publications I love bashing their hair (and hairdressers) and even posting a message to clients to NOT come (pictured above) into the salon and ask for a certain color. OMG, are you kidding me? I am confident most had no idea the impact these posts were having on their brand. Thus, my intense need to write this post.
Now, onto my point. Your content is your marketing. It is your story. Your brand. Your promise. And if you are using your Facebook and Instagram pages to help grow your business, then why in the world would you post anything that tells clients NOT to come in to see you or ask for a certain look?
Each day I work with passionate humans looking to learn how to engage authentically and effectively on social platforms to help grow their business.
In my lifetime, I have NEVER seen anything like the empowering opportunities the social web gives to creative small businesses. It is astounding. If used properly, of course.
The beauty of our world is that we are free to believe, share and post anything we want. All I am asking is that you understand the effects of your posts and are clear on your objectives for the platforms you choose to engage on.
Remember, your content is your marketing. Every post, share, comment, like (even what you are liking and commenting on other peoples pages)… Each moment is telling your brand story to your current and future clients.
What does your content say about your marketing? It matters.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
PS: A big shout out to @jasonbacke of @tedgibsonbeauty for being an awesome model of content that supports his brand. Well done!