“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?
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)
“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”
Vincent van Gogh
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…
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)
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.
(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)
“Think left, think right and think low and think high. Oh the thinks you can think up if you only try!”
Dr. Seuss
Why Pinterest?
With all the social platforms available for us to engage on, Pinterest is one that has not taken off in our industry as much as others. Yet Pinterest is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website or blogsite and to become more discoverable on the web, just by being creative. And more traffic to your website can mean more new clients. Hmmmm.
Hair + Beauty Rule
What is alarming, very much like we see on YouTube, is some of the most popular boards on Pinterest are Hair & Beauty boards, NOT created by beauty professionals. Just people passionate about hair. Hey wait, isn’t that you? Well yes, but if you are not on Pinterest sharing your passion for hair, then how can you become discoverable? Think about it.
Two of the top 15 most popular pins ever on Pinterest are nails and hair. One mom, Elizabeth Van Essen , who is not a hairdresser, had one of her how-to hair videos liked 7341 times, repinned 32,620 times with 99 comments. She has an entire website called Babes In Hairland dedicated to hair how-to’s. It may be something you want to take a look at if you are interested in Pinterest for your salon.
Is Pinterest for You?
Are we saying everyone should be on Pinterest? No. But what we are saying is if you have specific goals and want to drive more traffic to your website, to become more discoverable on the web to attract new clients, this may be the perfect platform for you to engage in.
Of course, when they get to your website or blogsite, you must be sure they can easily take some type of action. Such as the ability to see your salon through pictures, browse your services and prices, and most importantly, can they make a reservation online.
If you are looking to better understand the Power of Pinterest for your salon or business, we have a super cool webinar recording on our YouTube channel PassionSquaredTV. If you are currently on Pinterest, we would love to follow your boards. You can follow us by clicking here.
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
“Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.”
Henry Ford
I’m Not Good At That
How many times have you said I’m not good at that? I would suspect, more than you care to admit. Before you went to beauty school, were you good at it? If you were like me, the answer would be a big NO!
To be honest, I could hardly use a curling iron and had no clue how to put a roller in someones hair. But I made a commitment, and I tried, and after a while, realized I was actually really good. This is my story. Every step along the way, every opportunity that was presented to me, if I did not know something, I figured out a way to learn it.
I have always believed I could do something, and with the skills I acquired along the way, my undying passion and my ability to execute on ideas, I made good things happen.
Passion + Skills + Execution
No matter where you are in your career, there are three things you must possess to be successful in business and live a fulfilling life.
Passion
Many of us discovered our passion when we walked through the doors of beauty school. Well, at least that’s my story.
Passion is misunderstood. There are a few articles written recently that say “follow your passion” is a completely misleading phrase. Meaning, if we are taught to follow our passion, and our passion is, let’s say, watching TV all day, then maybe that’s not exactly how we will live a happy and prosperous life. Unless of course, you are independently wealthy.
What I believe is if you find something you are passionate about, it is entirely possible to turn that passion into an awesome career & life. However, passion alone is not enough, you must take the steps and do the work to turn your passion into something meaningful, and something that pays the bills.
Skills
You may learn these in school, in advanced classes, or you may be self-taught. And if you did not learn what you needed to, find out where you can learn it, or find people who know it, or who have done it.
I have had awesome mentors, and have made a commitment to lifelong learning, no matter where I was or what title I had in my career. I still do.
When Gordon + I set out to create Passion Squared, I did not know how to use WordPress, the platform I am using to write this blog, but that did not stop me. I made a decision to learn, and found the resources I needed to learn, then sat down, and learned. Sounds simple, but how many times do you stop at this step, because you think, “I’m not good at that”.
So, either learn the skills or hire the skills, doing neither will not help you get closer to your dream.
Execution
This is what separates people who make things happen and people who talk about making things happen. Execution does not get talked about enough. We are told to follow our passion, and work really hard, and things will just magically fall into place for us. Not true.
How many times have you said you wanted to do something, and just never followed through? How many times did you have an awesome idea to generate new referrals or marketing program, and realize six months later it never happened?
Execution is everything. You can have great ideas and great intentions, but unless you make a decision and commitment to execute on those ideas and intentions, they are just ideas, not executed.
So now you have the secret recipe. Take two cups of passion, add a cup of skills mixed with a gallon of execution, and you are well on your way to doing big things.
Promise me you’ll remember, you are smarter than you think. You are. I know. I am you.
(image discovered on Google)
