“Your content is your marketing.”
In this episode of #QandAwesome I answer a question I get every single day. What the heck do I post on my social platforms? It begins and ends with getting clear on your brand and your audience.
5 Ways To Create Awesome on Instagram
A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed. Ansel Adams
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, in today’s world, I would add video to that statement and boy, it is truer than ever in the social + digital world.
You see, we have all been given the opportunity, thanks to Insta, to tell and share stories in a way we never imagined possible. And that is what engages people, stories. And engagement leads to interest, and interest can lead to relationships, and relationships can lead to revenue. Ahhhhhh, yes. See how that works?
Here are 5 ways you can begin creating awesome on Instagram today!
1. Create a plan around how you will share your brand story.
What will it look like, feel like, sound like? What types of content will you share that helps tell your story. Who is your target market and what is of interest to them? How much time will you put towards building your community and content? All very important questions to ask.
2. Spend time on your “about” story.
Be sure your logo is clean and clear on your profile. This is a must. I want to know who you are and why I should follow you. Keep it real. We crave that.
3. Be mindful of the URL you use on your profile, as it’s the only way to “link out” on Instagram.
Ask yourself, “where do I want people to go?” And yes, this can change as often as you choose. And if you are posting anything asking me to go outside of Instagram, simply change the link. (and remember to change it back!)
4. Share other posts (#regram) only if it’s consistent with your brand.
While you may want to share all sorts of content, think first if it is consistent with your brand story. And always give credit for what you share, unless in the few instances where you do not know the origin of the post.
5. Engage, engage, engage.
This is the most important of the list. If you care, you will find time to engage. This means following people that matter to you and your brand, liking, commenting and sharing (if applicable) posts. Responding and replying. This is about relationships. Period. And relationships take time to build.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to caring, commitment, consistency and action. Now you simply need to choose to make a decision. I know, no magic pill, but you know you will always hear the truth from me.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
Want to see how others are creating awesome on Insta? Follow these passionate humans…
@sugarskulls
@marcrepublic
@larisadoll
@cassandraplatinum
@andrewdoeshair
@houseofpop
Just to name a few…
Is Price Really The Issue?
“Value is more expensive than price.” Toba Beta
One of the core principles of marketing is price; it is also one of the most misunderstood elements of creating an awesome business. Price can be determined by many things… cost of goods, overhead, brand positioning, product or service type, strategy, business model, and more.
But what I want to focus on today is value. Value and price are not the same, and I agree a gazillion percent with the above quote. Value is actually more expensive than price. What does that mean?
In my experience, it means the amount of value you bring to your service experience is what ultimately matters, and delivering meaningful and relevant value consistently is not easy.
Do you know what your clients value? Really know? If you don’t, it’s time to find out. If you solely compete and do business on price, be careful, as you become a very vulnerable business, in fact, you will become a commodity. (Defined by Webster’s: a good or service whose wide availability typically leads to smaller profit margins and diminishes the importance of factors (as brand name) other than price) Ouch!
A haircut, a Pilates class, an ice tea, anyone can get those anywhere, anytime. You have to give me a reason to want your haircut, take your class or purchase your ice tea.
My colorist Lucie Doughty at AT Tramp delivers value far beyond the price. She is kind, attentive, focused 100% on me, and delivers quality consistently. That is what I value. The same with my hair cutter Carlos Ramos, aka Sugar Skulls, in fact, I get my haircut almost weekly, so clearly I love my experience.
My Pilates studio, Whole Body Method is calm, friendly, focused and really cares about my well being. That is what I value.
My Starbucks, and now my Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf next door to the Passion Squared Loft consistently deliver a smile, a happy greeting, and pay attention to what I love, TONS of ice. That is what I value.
What do your clients value and are you delivering it consistently. Those are the questions I want you to focus on this week. When there is true value being delivered consistently, price no longer is the issue.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
PS: If price really is the issue, and you are in the volume, discount business, that is a strategy too. The key is knowing what business you are in. And always be mindful, some other business is always going to offer a lower price.
The Hook
Make every detail perfect, and limit the number of details to perfect. -Jack Dorsey, Co-Founder, Twitter
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
As I have wandered through several small businesses over the last month, something has stuck out to me that I felt inspired to share. Something so small, and many times overlooked, yet something that tells me so much about how much the business pays attention to the customer experience and to be honest, if they actually care about me.
What is this thing? A hook. Yes, a hook, in the bathroom. You know, a hook to hang my bag, purse, whatever. Do you really want me to put my purse on the floor? Really?
One of my biz mentors Robert Cromeans has always said, “It’s the little things.” And he is right. It is.
Every little detail that I experience with and about your brand matters. Both online and off. The look, smell, color, energy, vibe, sounds, all of it matters. So as the awesome quote from Jack Dorey says above, “make every detail perfect and limit the details to perfect.”
So today, I challenge you to take a walk around your business, both online and off, and check out your details. And while you are at it, be sure there is a hook in the bathroom.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
Defining Your Brand
People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe. -Simon Sinek
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy!
According to one of my go-to awesomeness creators on all things marketing and business, Seth Godin, he states “A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.”
So, when we think of creating, building and growing a brand, such as a salon, Pilates studio, or education business, we must begin with defining our WHY and our promise, which are the foundation of our brand story. Without a story, and I am not talking about an old school mission statement, we are not a brand; we are just another business that can be easily replaced with another.
Your brand is not your name, logo or the colors you choose for your business card, the words you use or wall paint. That is your brand identity and ultimately become your brand image. And while those choices you make are very important and critical, having an awesome logo or name and no clarity around your WHY or promise, will not matter in the end. You see, its your WHY and promise that once defined, help guide you into the best name, logo, colors and words, not the other way around.
Here is a series of questions for you to ponder to begin to define your brand.
1. What is your WHY?
Why are you in business? Why should I choose you over someone else? What problem are you trying to solve? Passion Squared WHY is to help empower the people I love through providing proven ideas, systems and processes to help create awesome in biz + life. The problem I want to solve is small business failure for beauty and wellness professionals.
2.What business are you in?
Hint: Its not haircuts or exercise classes. Passion Squared is in the empowerment business.
3. What is your promise to your team, clients and community?
After engaging with your business, what will the outcome be? Passion Squared promise is to share honest ideas, insights and inspiration that will empower the community to take action on those ideas and create awesome in their business, with love.
4. What three words best describe your experience?
If you can get it to one word, even better. Passion Squared one word is empowerment. My three words are awesome, create and empowerment.
5. If a client were writing a 5 star YELP review about your business, what would it say?
If it matches or comes close to your why and promise, you are awesome. A client of Passion Squared would say after engaging with my business, my client had more clarity around what steps they needed to take to grow and felt empowered to create awesome in their business.
Begin here. Take the time. Get the team involved. Listen to what your clients say about your business today. Read your YELP reviews and Facebook page comments. Rome was not built in a day and neither are real, sustainable brands.
PS: Your brand is not the product lines you choose to carry or use. It’s actually the other way around. Based on your brand why, promise, story, identity and image, you choose the product line that fits your brand.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)