HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT

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How To Have a Successful
Branding Photoshoot

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT

Before you hire a photographer, you need to have a clear branding strategy. You want to have a plan. Understanding the look, feel, and content that supports your brand will ensure you get what you need in your photo session. The more details and specifics you have prepared, the more likely you will be happy with your photographs.

People are not loyal to logos. They are loyal to people.  Entrepreneurs trying to sell to clients must create a feeling of trust and loyalty. Essentially, you are selling yourself.  Entrepreneurs often struggle posting pictures of themselves, but this is essential so you can connect with your potential clients. If you want to build a solid brand, you need to show up. Branding photos are key.  I am going to tell you what to expect and how to have a successful branding photoshoot.

 

FIND THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER

Find an experienced photographer whose aesthetic is cohesive with your brand.  If your ideal client is a straightforward executive and you want your brand to reflect that, you might look for a photographer who specializes in portrait photography. If your ideal client is a creative who is also a stay-at-home mom with a more carefree lifestyle, you would want to look for more of a lifestyle photographer who  specializes in candid or behind-the-scenes style of photography.  

 

Search for photographers who have a similar aesthetic to your brand. Look at their reviews on Facebook and Google.  Most photographers put their best images on their website, but look through their blog to get an idea of what a full session might look like. 

 

Try to meet with your photographer in person or via FaceTime before your session so you can start to build a relationship and feel comfortable around each other.  You can learn a lot about your photographer through communication. Make note of their turnover time and level of professionalism. You want to make sure you find a photographer that you can connect with, but also depend on to deliver exactly what you want. 

 

INSPIRATION BOARD

Create an Inspiration Board.  I like to do this on Pinterest. Pin outfits, locations, poses, accessories, props and anything else that is related to your brand. Share your board with your photographer to ensure you are on the same page.

 

STYLING YOUR SHOOT

Your outfits don’t need to match all your branding colors, but you want them to be cohesive with them.  For example, if your colors are all natural tones, don’t come to the shoot in a neon pink blazer. Be mindful of how the images will look on your website or social media with your branding colors. 

Pick outfits that fit with your location. If you are shooting outdoors in a grassy field, you won’t want to wear high heels.  Decide what types of clothing will look best with your location. 

 

Choose outfits that are flattering to your body type. Remember, just because you look good in something doesn’t mean it will necessarily photograph well. If you are self-conscious of certain parts of your body, try to cover them or make them less obvious. Avoid clothing that is too tight or ill fitting. 

 

Prepare several different looks to maximize the time you have with your photographer. Take a picture in each outfit beforehand and send it to your photographer for feedback. She might suggest adding an accessory or altering the look in some way. Consider the different seasons. If you are shooting at an indoor location you are able to wear a variety of clothing for different seasons. You don’t have the same flexibility with outdoor shoots. 

 

USING PROPS

Bring props that are relevant to your brand. Keep in mind different shots you will need for the type of content you release. If you are a writer, you might think of bringing your laptop, a notebook/journal or glasses.  Other props might be iPhone, coffee cup, magazines, food, etc.  Ask your photographer to help you create some flatlay options to add to your image library. 

LOCATIONS

Decide what type of location fits your look or vice versa.  Make sure to dress appropriately for your location.  If you want to shoot at a public location, let your photographer know ahead of time so she can research to see if photographers are allowed to shoot there or permits are required. If you are shooting outdoors, have a backup location in mind for inclement weather. 

 

Your photographer might have some suggestions for locations as well.  If you want more than one location, discuss with your photographer so she/he can plan accordingly. Your photographer will want to get optimal lighting at every location so let them know the locations ahead of time. Communicate with your photographer as much as possible on all the details. 

 

SHOT LISTS

Have a shot list prepared. Your photographer might have a different vision than you so you will want to make sure you’re on the same page.  Take the time to screenshot poses and shots that you like.  Have a list of shots in your phone or written down. Give this to your photographer.  Your photographer will appreciate this because she will know exactly what you are looking for. 

 

TURNOVER

Be sure to ask ahead of time how long it will take to get your photos back. Be respectful of your photographer. If her turnover time states on her website 2-3 weeks, don’t tell her you have a deadline and demand them in one week.  Editing images can take anywhere from 3-6 hours and more than likely you are not her only client.   


PHOTO RELEASE

Ask for a photo release. Depending on the contract, the photographer  typically owns the rights to the images, but can provide clients with a photo release—giving them permission to make copies. If you decide to print the images, certain labs require a photo release. 

It is important to have great professional pictures of yourself to solidify your brand. Showing up on your social media is how you build relationships with your audience. You want them to feel connected to you and showing your face is the best way to do that. Now you know how to have a successful branding photoshoot. I hope this was helpful for you as you plan your own branded photoshoot! 

Feel free to reach out to me anytime for support or to help you walk through planning for your own photoshoot!

 

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IMPROVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

IMPROVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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IMPROVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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Instagram is not about how many followers you have; it’s about engagement. You know the importance of getting engagement on your own feed, but it’s equally important to engage with your followers. Designate an amount time you want to spend on Instagram each day.  The more time you put into it, the more benefit you will get out of it. You will grow your brand as you improve your engagement on social media.

COMMENTS

Allocate time after you post to engage with your audience. Any time you comment—whether on your own post or others’—try to leave more than four words. Put some thought into your comments and encourage conversations.  

Spend 10-15 minutes daily scrolling through your home feed and commenting on and liking any relevant pictures.  You also want to spend a few minutes going through the Explore page, which allows you to explore other accounts that are similar to yours and find new people to engage with.  If you are more of a numbers person, commit to commenting on 50 different accounts a day. 

HASHTAGS

We use hashtags to get our work featured and found. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post. Start interacting with the hashtags you use. For example, after posting something to Instagram, click on each hashtag you’ve used and like and comment accordingly on around 30 photos. Not necessarily the most recent ones, but any photos that look like they belong to accounts similar to yours, as well as the nine top posts for each hashtag. This not only allows you to find and engage with people in your target audience and vice versa, it also means many people may see your activity and either follow you or check out your page. This can lead to more page views and perhaps subscribers, and will also return likes and comments.

CONNECT WITH YOUR IDEAL CLIENT

Change your mindset to ask: How can I help and serve my ideal client? Then follow your ideal clients and engage with them. You will start to build relationships that will convert to friendships and clients. For example,  I might follow someone who I perceive as my ideal client and then direct message or send a video to them to get to know them. I ask them about themselves. I offer to help them in areas where they might be struggling. Relationships of trust and dependability are created organically and sincerely. 

ENCOURAGMENT

We all know what it feels like when we start something new. We are self-conscious and unsure. Work time into your workflow to send comments, likes, and direct messages to others in your industry. Do this without any intention of reciprocation. This is the law of attraction: when we give for the sake of helping others, it will return to us in our own businesses.

 

FEATURES

Feature or highlight other people’s work. Pick one day a week and post on your story accounts in your industry that inspire you. Tag them in the post so they can repost if they choose to. This is a great way to show support while lifting up others. 

Instagram is like any marketing tool you use in your business—you get out what you put in.  If you follow the steps you will learn how to improve your engagement on social media. It takes time, but if you do it correctly you will get a significant return on investment. 

 

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HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

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HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF
AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Pricing can be a tricky topic. As entrepreneurs, we tend to both highly value and undervalue our work simultaneously.  We know the time and financial sacrifice it took to hone our craft and establish a business, yet we struggle with recognizing our value and having the confidence to follow through with pricing that reflects that value.  You need to learn how to price yourself as a photographer.

The first step in a successful pricing strategy is to set a financial goal.  How much do you want or need to make annually? The rest is simple math. Once you determine your annual income goal, decide how often you want to work.
 

Example 1: I want to work with one client a week and take off seven weeks a year. That would mean working with 45 clients a year.  If my annual income goal is $45,000, I need to charge $1000 per client.

$45,000/45 = $1000


Example 2: I want to work with four clients a week and take seven weeks off a year. That would mean working with 180 clients a year (or 45 a month).  If my annual income goal is $150,000, I need to charge around $835 per client.

$150,000/180 = $835


As you play around with the formula, you may realize you want to charge more and work less. Once you have finalized your number and come up with the amount you need to charge each client to reach your goal, you have just determined the price of your minimum package. 

WEBSITE PRICING

There are conflicting opinions on whether to display your pricing on your website. Your industry may help you determine which route is best. When I was primarily a photographer, my website clearly stated that my packages started at $750. This transparency attracted ideal clients and repelled those turned off by the price.  Once a client inquired about booking a session, I sent them my magazine. I talked about my work, what to wear, what to expect, etc. I then revealed my full pricing close to the end.  I wanted them to be sold on my process and understand my value before they looked at the detailed prices.  

 

In my coaching business I don’t list my pricing or packages online. I do a consult with each client. I explore their needs and underscore the value of what I am offering.  At the end of the call, I tell them what it costs to work with me. 

 

The goal is to sell your clients on your service or product first. You want them to decide that they want to use you long before they see your prices. Then they will figure out a way to pay what you are worth because they value what you offer. These are your ideal clients.

 

CREATING PACKAGES

Clients prefer packages over hourly pricing.  Entrepreneurship requires flexibility. One hour may turn into five hours and you don’t want to chase down money from your clients or leave clients annoyed because they have to pay more than anticipated. Package pricing implies expertise—that you are not just about the money but about providing top notch service regardless of time spent.  Sometimes it is necessary to charge an hourly rate for events, but try to pair your hourly rate with products and services to ensure your client feels like they are getting a great value.
 

When creating package pricing, you want to start by listing out everything your ideal client needs. 

Consider the following:

 

Does your client need help trying to figure out what to wear?

 

How long will it take to do a session?

 

How much time will it take to edit their session?

 

How long will it take for their ordering session, packaging orders, and delivery?

 

What is the cost of products?

 

Look at everything your ideal client could possibly need or ask for during a project and bundle it together (within reason) into a complete package. Don’t nickel and dime your clients. Remember to always under-promise and over-deliver.  A good rule of thumb is if it is going to take less than 30 minutes of your time, do it. If it is going to cost you less than $20, do it. 

 

What to Include in Your Packages?

Have you heard of paralysis by analysis? When we are given too many choices we become paralyzed and don’t know what to choose and so end up choosing nothing. Give your clients 3-4 different package options.  Pick 2-3 high end products that you want to sell and put them in your packages.  Remember that you can always include an à la carte option in your pricing.

Pinpoint your bestselling products and put those in your top and middle-priced packages. My two highest selling products were digital images and albums. Those two products are not in my lowest package.

To simplify, price all your prints at the same price. For example, 8×10 or smaller is considered a gift print. Include 5 gift prints in your all your packages.  They will pay the same for an 8×10 as they do a 4×6. This will also help push them towards purchasing the digitals so they can print their own images. 

Price your highest package at a ridiculous amount. This does two things. It makes for a really awesome day when someone ends up purchasing that collection, but it also pushes clients toward your middle package. 

 

Security Deposit/Sitting Fee

A security deposit is just that—security. It secures that spot for your client, and also gives you a guaranteed amount made before you even begin. Having a larger security deposit serves a few purposes.  First, it will help you attract your ideal client. Asking for a larger amount upfront ensures that your client can afford to pay for your services and also when it comes time to order they have idea what to expect. Secondly, if part of the security deposit goes towards their order they will be willing to spend more money because they won’t have to come up with as much at their ordering session.  Lastly, if on occasion if you have someone who doesn’t show up or doesn’t place an order, you are not out the time you spent working with them. Years ago I raised my security deposit. I worried I would lose business, but I didn’t and it has been one of the best things I have done. 

 

How to Price Products

When pricing high-end products ($100 or more), I suggest charging at least three times what you pay out of pocket. The reason? On occasion a client might not double check the file name or there may be a picture that needs a touch-up edit and you will have to reorder. I am not saying IF this happens, I am saying WHEN it happens, because it will. You do not want to go into the negative when you have to replace a product. Charging three times the base product cost ensures you will still make a profit even if you have to reprint. 

DIGITALS

If you sell digitals—and you can assume most photographers do—refrain from selling individual files. Sell all the digitals or none. Selling individual files or even 5, 10, or 20 will bring your sells down drastically. Most clients will want the digitals. If you give them options, clients will narrow down their five favorites and convince themselves they don’t need the rest of the images. Remember: once you give the digitals, clients can print on demand and won’t buy prints or products because they know they can them cheaper elsewhere, regardless of the quality. Your digitals should be your highest product listed. Price them extremely high to push them towards buying a package that includes more products.

 

VERBIAGE

Use phrases such as “most popular” or “biggest savings” to entice your clients to buy your higher collections. You want your clients to know that you are saving them money. Figure out what the package would cost if they bought everything à la carte and let them know what they will save. Let your clients know what others are purchasing and why. Clients like to be told what to do or what is popular. This is one less choice they have to make. We often reason that if so many others are doing it, it must be the best decision.

 

À La Carte

Assign high prices to everything in your à la carte. This will push your clients towards your packages and get them to spend more. Your clients will realize they get more for their money when they purchase a package and in turn that will increase your sales. 

Pricing can often be one of our biggest points of confusion.  We know we are worth more, but don’t have the confidence to charge that amount. Do the math first and then work on your mindset. Once you have learned those tools you will know how to price yourself as a photographer. Learn to understand and embrace your value, because if you don’t value your time and work, your clients won’t either. 

 

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SEO FOR BEGINNERS

SEO Blog

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SEO FOR BEGINNERS

SEO FOR BEGINNERS

SEO is a great tool to generate free, passive traffic. Similar to other tools in our business, it takes time to see results, but if you are consistent and intentional you will notice an increase in traffic and visits to your website and/or blog. There are a few easy steps to learning SEO for beginners.

 

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization is a tool you should use to maximize the content you are producing to generate traffic. By creating relevant web content and using the proper elements, you will direct traffic to your site through search engines such as Google. Google is the biggest search engine and is used by millions each day.
 

Users typically type a subject line in the search bar and wait for Google to generate resources that match their request. People rarely look past the first page of results; therefore, our goal is to try to rank on Google’s first display page.  The better you are at SEO, the more traffic and business you will start to receive. SEO for beginners will help your visibility as time progresses.

 

TITLES

Researching relevant keywords for your niche is essential to see the desired results. Identify the keywords that are searched most often in your area of expertise. Use the words in your content, but make sure you are using them authentically and not spamming each post.  Your target client will quickly pick up on your overuse of keywords and may decide to disregard your work. Once you have identified the main keywords for your niche, you’ve finished the hardest part!

 

INTERNAL LINKS

Internal links are highly recommended to help your SEO.  This means you link your blog posts and pages to each other, but only if they are relevant. For example, if I decide to write a post on confidence in business, I may choose to reference the blog post “The Difference between Confidence and Self-Confidence” in that post. To do this I find a word or sentence that refers to confidence and link it to that blog post. Employ this strategy in all your posts. This also helps your bounce rates as people will stick around on your website and find out more about you or your business.

 

IMAGES

Using images to help your SEO is another great tool. Google cannot tell what your images are about, so you need to tell Google by adding alternative text to your images. 

You do this by editing your images on your page or post in the WordPress editor or similar program.  After the image is selected, you will see a designated spot that reads Alternative Text or Alt Text; place your keywords there. 

EXTERNAL LINKING

External linking refers to any web resource outside of your own website that can contribute to SEO. By linking an external resource in your blog or on your site is way to hopefully get backlinks.  Back linking is when another site links back to you.  Sites with higher page rank will give you more relevance in a Google search.

SEO doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Start with a few minor tweaks to your blog posts. Focus on one task at a time. Traffic generation is a process but will pay off if you are consistent.  SEO is a great marketing tool that can be used without breaking the bank. Learning SEO for beginners can be simple and show you how to become intentional with your marketing and understand how to utilize a variety of traffic generation options.

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ACCOMPLISHING GOALS

BUSIENSS COACH

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ACCOMPLISHING GOALS

ACCOMPLISHING GOALS


It is time to start accomplishing your goals. It’s time to begin what you are afraid you won’t finish. You can do it! Create a thought that will lead to the feeling you’re needing to motivate yourself. I promise the action will follow.

 


Two of the most common are: 

  1. Not enough time 
  2. Not enough money. 

Everyone has dreams and ambitions. Accomplishing goals is something we all strive for. We have serious goals we want to accomplish, but maybe we keep putting them off for one reason or another. We come up with excuses to justify our inaction. 


Sound familiar? On the contrary, if our car broke down or you had to get a life-saving treatment your insurance didn’t cover, we find the time and/or money. We make it happen because it is important to us. 

 

So why don’t we take that same action when it comes to our accomplishing our goals?  The reason we don’t take action is because of a thought in our minds. It sounds simple, but the thoughts we have either drive us or stall us. Let’s think about it. When we decide to buy a car, what thoughts drive us? 

 

The thoughts can be, “I need this car to be safe,” or, “this car will be more practical.” Whatever the thoughts, we eventually take action and buy a car. 

 

If you aren’t acting on something important to you, it’s because of your current thoughts. Figure out what those thought are. What feelings do those thoughts cause? The combination of our thoughts and feelings determine our action or inaction, so it is important to identify them.

 

Once you’ve pinpointed your thoughts, it’s time to put in the work to change them. Ask yourself how you want to feel once you’ve taken action. How do you think you’ll feel once you accomplish your goal? Take that feeling and work backwards to identify the thought you need to have to bring about that feeling. Those thoughts will soon transform your mind. As you start to believe those new, more empowering thoughts, you will feel driven to take the action that you want. 

 

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COMPARING SOCIAL MEDIA SCHEDULING APPS

Comparing Social Media Apps

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COMPARING
SCHEDULING APPS

COMPARING SCHEDULING APPS

One of the keys to a successful business is time management. Time is our most valuable asset, so the more time we can save, the more time we have to move our businesses forward.  When you see an opportunity to automate—take it!  Social media can be such a time suck, so in order to maximize your time, consider using a scheduling/planner app. There are several out there and I’ve done some research to help you compare and see which one might be best for you. Most apps have a free option. However, in order to add certain features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version. 

 

LATER

One thing that sets this app apart is its integration with Linkin.bio, Linkin.bio allows you to link your Instagram posts to the right products or pages. It also offers analytics, shoppable likes, and more.

 

Features:

 

  • Manage multiple accounts per platform (paid plans only)
  • Drag and Drop tool to arrange the look of your Instagram feed
  • Easily find and repost content from other users and automatically credit the original poster
  • Find the best time to post
  • Track engagement, followers, and clicks
  • Make it easy for followers to make purchases with a Shoppable feed
  • Add multiple links to posts
  • Use on desktop or mobile
  • Hashtag suggestions (paid plans only)
  • Schedule videos and multi-image posts (paid plans only)
  • Post to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

PLANOLY

One of the best features of this app is the ability to schedule and plan stories. 

Features:

  • Drag and Drop tool to arrange the look of your Instagram feed
  • Discover, curate, and repost user-generated content from your community
  • Schedule Content and draft captions to post directly to Instagram
  • Track analytics to better understand your audience
  • Manage and reply to your comments in one place
  • Schedule your content and watch it appear on your grid
  • Draft multiple grids before planning
  • Stories – Plan, arrange and draft captions for your stories.
  • Comment Inbox
  • GIF’s
  • Option to add team members

PLANN (www.plannthat)

One of the features that differs with Plann is it offers the ability to edit, upload, and schedule Instagram stories.

 

Features:

 

  • Drag and drop tool to create the perfect Instagram feed
  • Ability to mass upload hundreds of photos at once
  • Organize, edit, and schedule Instagram stories
  • Analytics to help you understand what is working
  • Photo editing and image overlay tools 
  • Instagram strategy tool to help you set and plan long-term goals 
  • Ability to store hashtag groups so you can schedule posts faster
  • Easily find and share user-generated content about your brand
  • Competitor analytics—see what’s working for your competitors

TAILWIND

Tailwind is mostly known as an automated scheduling and analytics app for Pinterest, but they recently expanded their feature set to include Instagram scheduling. One thing Tailwind’s Instagram scheduler has over other competing apps is their unique Smart Schedule functionality. Tailwind automatically recommends the optimal times to post, uniquely tailored to your Instagram account. This means posts are scheduled to go live when your audience is the most engaged and most likely to interact with your content.

Features: 

  • Drag-and-drop calendar lets you plan your posts, stories and videos 
  • Automatic sync across desktop and mobile so sharing your media to Instagram is always just a few taps away
  • Smart hashtag recommendations suggest the best Instagram hashtags to use, with intuitive color coding to help you maximize your engagement
  • Save hashtags into reusable lists that you can easily access on desktop and mobile with a single click
  • Regram from Instagram in a few clicks with their Browser Extension for Chrome, Firefox or Safari
  • Post at the best times with smart calendar recommendations made specifically for your Instagram account
  • Automatically refine your schedule over time to ensure more people actually see your content in their feeds
  • Stay organized and on track by setting a daily post frequency, and then queueing up your content days or weeks in advance
  • Bulk upload on desktop makes sharing from your photo libraries a snap, whether you’re importing directly from a DSLR camera or using your favorite photo editor
  • 9 grid preview allows you to visually plan your content
  • Manage multiple Instagram accounts with one login in a single dashboard

HOOTE SUITE

Probably one of the most compelling reasons to use Hootsuite is the fact that it allows you to manage so many different social networks. Hootsuite currenty allows you to manage:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook Pages
  • LinkedIn Profiles & Pages
  • Instagram
  • WordPress blogs
  • Vimeo, Tumblr, Evernote, Flickr, Mailchimp, Slideshare, Storify (via 3rd party apps)

Features:

  • Manage accounts from over 35 popular social networks—including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more—in one dashboard
  • Curate online content and schedule social media posts across platforms
  • Monitor topics online and respond quickly
  • Get in-depth analytics on your social media accounts
  • Use built-in social media contests and campaigns to grow your audience
  • Manage your team with assignment and approval workflows
  • iOS and Android apps available

All of these apps have amazing features and will help with managing your social media. I use Tailwind because I use Pinterest as well as Instagram in my business. All the apps get great review and would benefit your business. Take the time to do your own research and find what app will benefit you the most in your business.

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HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT NURTURE SEQUENCE

How To Create A Nurture Sequence

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HOW TO CREATE THE
PERFECT NURTURE SEQUENCE

HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT NURTURE SEQUENCE

One of the most important things you can do for your business is create and grow a newsletter list.  Your newsletter list is the only thing that you own.  Every other marketing network is owned and controlled by someone else.  Newsletters have been proven to be the best way to sell your services or products. If you don’t have one, that’s okay. Start today!  There are several CRM (Customer Relations Managers) out there to choose from. I use Flodesk, but there are many equally great providers.

In order for your ideal client to give you their email, you need to offer something of value. This can come in the form of a free guide, webinar, value video, checklist, coupon code, etc. It has to be something they really want or need. Put some thought into what your ideal client would consider valuable.

Once you figure out what you’d like to offer and your potential client gives you their email, it is time to nurture your relationship with a series of emails otherwise known as a nurture sequence.

A nurture sequence is an automated series of emails that someone receives after they opt in to your email list. The objective is to build trust and confidence in you.  This is your opportunity to show your potential clients your desire to willingness to serve them. 

Your email nurture sequence should be at least 2-3 emails long, at the very least. The length can vary depending on what message you are trying to convey. Make sure each newsletter creates value. Don’t worry if people unsubscribe! You don’t want to waste your time on people who aren’t interested in what you have to offer. Those who unsubscribe are not your ideal clients. 

 

WELCOME EMAIL

Your welcome email is the email subscribers receive instantly after signing up. This is typically the most opened email. This is the email that contains the freebie and value item they signed up for.  Your welcome email is your opportunity for a first impression. This is the time to draw them in and make them want to learn more from you and what you have to offer. This is an opportunity to introduce yourself and position yourself as an expert in your field.  Make sure that every email you send contains a Call To Action.  Let me repeat: Every email needs a Call To Action. 

For example, you ask them to follow you on Instagram or Facebook, read a blog post, subscribe to your podcast, reply, forward to a friend, etc. 

 

FOLLOW-UP EMAIL

After you have written your welcome email, think about what you want to put in the follow-up emails.  This is the time to get your audience to know, trust, and love you! You can send them follow-up emails about your freebie, links to your most popular blog posts, video content, coupon codes, or even another freebie.

 

Everyone is trying to simplify these days, you need to ensure your emails create value or your readers are more likely to unsubscribe. Remember to show your personality and treat your readers like they are your friends.  Get into the all-I-want-to-do-is-help-my-clients mindset and let your emails reflect that. 

 

OFFER E-MAIL

Ultimately, we want our subscribers to convert into customers, but be conscious about the right time to sell. Don’t try to sell them in every email. Your subscribers might be put off if you try to sell in your first, second, or third email. Make sure you have nurtured your relationships well before you ask.

Learn their language. Ask questions and really try to understand their needs. Ask questions like: “What are you struggling with at this moment?” Or, “If you could hire out one thing in your business or life right now what would it be?” These questions are great market research for how to improve your business. 

When you feel like you have built trust and nurtured your relationship, then you will be ready to make your offer. Your offer might be a consultation, a coaching package, a service or an offer to purchase a product. What ever the offer may be make sure you are clean and concise with how they receive the offer. Use the button option or an obvious link.

 

AUTOMATE & TEST

When you have finished your nurture sequence, you’ll want to automate it. Most email marketing systems will have detailed instructions how to set this up. The most time-consuming part will be to write the newsletters. The set up should be pretty straight forward. After the setup is complete, you will need to do a test run. Ask a couple different people to test it for you—possibly someone who is your ideal client and someone who has a knack for grammar.  Make sure every link, download, and redirect is working properly.  Once that is finished—BAM!—you are ready to go! 

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HOW TO PLAN A MONTH OF INSTAGRAM CONTENT IN AN HOUR

HOW TO PLAN A MONTH OF INSTAGRAM CONTENT IN AN HOUR

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HOW TO PLAN A MONTH
OF INSTAGRAM
CONTENT IN AN HOUR

HOW TO PLAN A MONTH OF INSTAGRAM CONTENT IN AN HOUR

 

One of the biggest struggles for coaches and entrepreneurs is the balance between social media and all the other responsibilities in your business.  It can feel like social media controls us, not the other way around.  However, with social media being one the most accessible ways to find new clients it is necessity for your marketing strategy. There a numerous benefits to using social media for business. 

 

 

Do you find yourself scrambling trying to find something to post? Do you write and rewrite your captions trying to think up something original and clever to caption your image? If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. 

Social media can be an amazing tool for entrepreneurs. Being consistent is essential to optimize its benefits. However, most of us have a love/hate relationships with Instagram, the algorithm, and the unpredictability. When it comes to Instagram we face several obstacles. We need to learn to identify these obstacles, form a strategy, and execute. One of the biggest obstacles many are faced with when it comes to social media is consistency. By implementing some time management and planning skills, you can alleviate a lot of unwanted stress when it comes to Instagram. 

It’s time to get organized!

 

CATEGORIES

Think of 5-10 categories that represent you and your brand. Think of your Ideal Client Avatar (ICA). Your goal is to connect with your audience and try to serve them. What are some categories in your life that are going to help you connect with your audience? Try to come up with things you are passionate about that your audience would be as well.  Often our ICA is similar to ourselves. If that is the case, what are things you would be interested in if you were on someone else feed? Here are some of my categories:

Business Tips

About Me

Family

Travel

Food

Your categories can change and that is okay, but try to list five to get you started.

 

FREQUENCY

Determine how many times a month you want to post. Remember: the more you post the better. If you can post twice a day you are a ROCKSTAR, but if you can only post 3 times a week that is okay too. For the best results try to post a minimum of 5 times a week. After you have decided on a realistic number, multiply that number by 4. I want to post 5 times a week (5×4=20). I need to come up with 20 posts a month.  Then I divide 20 by the number of categories I have (20/5=4).  Four is the number or times I need to post from each category. I need to come up with 4 images and captions for each category. When you do it that way it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. 

 

IMAGES

Once you have determined your categories, start being intentional about gathering images. If one of your categories is food, try to take a picture of your burger next time you are on a date. If one of your categories is books, take a day and walk around Barnes and Noble taking pictures of some books you are interested in reading or have already read. Designate a folder on your phone or on your computer and start gathering images that fit within each of your categories. 

Imagery is very powerful.  Take the time to learn how to take good pictures. You don’t need an expensive camera to take great shots. There are many resources out there that can teach you how to take good images. Instagram is a visual platform; ensure that your images are visually appealing.

Stock photography is also an option. There are several sites out there—both free and paid—that have great stock images that you can use as well. 

 

It is important to have great professional pictures of yourself to solidify your brand. Invest in a professional branding photo shoot. Showing up on your social media is how you build relationships with your audience. You want them to feel connected to you and showing your face is the best way to do that.

 

CAPTIONS

Make a list of your categories. Below each category, jot down as many relevant ideas as you can think of. Remember you always want to connect and/or bring value to your audience so think of how your caption will do that.  For example, if I want to post about books I would post about a book that might interest my audience. People love dogs so I might post about my dog to connect with the dog-lovers in my audience. Once you’re finished, you will have an entire list of caption ideas.


EXTRAS

Look at your calendar and see if there are any holidays, National Days, promotions, or giveaways you want to post. Add these to your caption and shot list. 

 

SCHEDULE

Now is time to schedule your month. First, place all your extras on your calendar. Next, you will want to fill in the blanks in order of your categories. Keep repeating the categories until your calendar is filled. 

 

EXECUTE

There are several planning apps you can use to preplan your Instagram. You can also use Instagram and save your posts as drafts. At this point, you should have your images and caption ideas ready to go. Now it is time to write out your captions and post. Designate 1-2 hours at the beginning of the month and batch all your posts or break it up into once a week (this is what I do). 

 

By planning ahead you will free up your time and relieve stress. It also will help you to stay consistent. Don’t let your social media overwhelm you and take over your days. Get organized and plan. I promise it will pay off.

 

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MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

Mindsets of Successful Entrepreneurs

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MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

I was recently asked about my journey as an entrepreneur. It really had me reflecting on how far I have come and the time it took me to get there. Looking back at my success really had me appreciating all the failure. It wasn’t until much later in my journey did I learn how mindset played a huge part of my success. It really got me thinking about the mindsets of successful entrepreneurs. 

“Tell me about your big dream.” This is one of the first questions I ask my clients. Over time, I’ve noticed a pattern. The answers many give are general, safe, and predictable. So predictable, in fact, that I often know what they will say before they say it: “I want to be successful,” my clients tell me. But when I ask them to define what success means to them, I am surprised at the mediocre aim of their goals.  “I just want to make a little extra money or  I would be happy with a few more clients. “ I challenge my clients, inquiring why their goal is not to make a million dollars or to become the CEO?  I push them to be honest with themselves.  Their reasoning surfaces: “I don’t have the education, I don’t need money to be happy, I don’t have the time.”  

We are all capable of “The Big Dream.” The only thing that holds us back is our own thoughts.  That is IT! It sounds too simple, but the truth is that our thoughts control our results. Rarely do people focus enough on this aspect of success.  That is why the first thing I teach my clients is to identify, recognize, and manage their thoughts.  You can have every business tool available and all the education in the world, but if you don’t learn to control your mind you will not have the ability to progress with fortitude. If you are looking to become the best version of yourself, you will need to learn to implement the proper tools. 

Confidence in Yourself. 

Confidence is having the ability to trust yourself. You say you will do something and you do it.  You have surety that you can do hard things. If you start something, you finish it, no matter the outcome.  This builds character, determination, and self-respect. You become known for these attributes. Successful people understand this concept and implement it into all aspects of their lives. 

 

Comparison Equals Motivation

Jealousy and envy is innate. These thoughts are present regardless. It is when you let these feelings hinder your progress that they hold you back.  Learn to recognize jealous thoughts and change them into thoughts that motivate and serve you. Dwelling on negative emotions because of what others have can be detrimental to your own growth. Find people who motivate and inspire you.  You have a choice in who you are surrounded by and the thoughts you choose to think. 

 

Avoid the Past

We all have experienced failures and disappointments in our past, but that is where they live—in the past. Take those experiences and use them as a tutor. Don’t let your past define you. But let it refine you into something better. When you blame your past for your current situation, you become a prisoner to things that are out of your control.

 

Embrace Failure

Failure shows you are doing something new and different.  Willingness to be uncomfortable and try new things is when growth appears.  It is the fear of failure that holds us back from taking action.  When we embrace failure, we become open to taking risks and in turn gain more opportunity, more growth, and more knowledge.  Successful people make committing to fail a mindset they seize.

 

Time Management

Learning to control your mind helps you to manage your time.  Successful people often value time over money.  Time becomes the most valuable commodity in their workflow.  Being intentional with your time and your thoughts about time helps you accomplish your big goals.  Be determined to manage every minute as if it were an investment in your success. Be respectful of your time and others. Plan your days and honor your plan. 

 

Unattainable Goals

Goal setting is the most compassionate thing we can do for ourselves. By doing this we strive to be the best and achieve the best.  Learn to include what you once thought of as “unattainable goals” in your list.  When we start to change our thoughts to work towards the big goals, we begin to evolve. We surpass goals we didn’t realize were even possible.  If we focus on a goal we want to achieve, then we become focused on ways to accomplish the goals. Opportunities will begin to present themselves and we become better versions of ourselves regardless the outcome. 

As you implement these mindsets into your business, you will see growth and progression.  Create new habits and thoughts and be consistent. Change takes time, but the payoff is huge. How will you implement these principals into your life?

 

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COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

Collaborating With Brands

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COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

Collaborating with brands in your industry is a great way to get your name out there.  It is important to constantly show support to vendors and other small businesses within your industry. Creating supportive relationships is key. Supporting others without expecting anything back will create loyal and genuine relationships. You will find when you sincerely want others to succeed, they will feel the same way about you. 

Always be looking for networking opportunities. Find out what those with similar audiences are working on and how you can support them. Remember, your ultimate goal is to serve your target audience. Once you have created a relationship, suggest collaborating on something together. The collaboration could be a podcast interview, guest blog post, coupon code, FB Live interview, Instagram takeover, or giveaway. You could also offer your services for free in exchange for a shout out. Everyone benefits in a good collaboration. Both parties are able to grow, increase their audience, better their business, & more. 

If you want to put together a giveaway, make sure you and your fellow collaborators have a similar target audience.

Example Giveaway: 

Theme – Prom

Target Audience – High School Girls

Venders – Photographer, Gown Boutique, Make Up Artist, Hair Stylist, Tanning Salon 

Details – Put together a package that includes a service or product from each vendor. In order to enter they have to follow each of the vendors, leave a comment and tag three of their friends. 

Example Giveaway:

Theme – Self Care

Target Audience – Mothers

Venders – Life Coach, Boutique, Massage Parlor, Hair Salon, Restaurant 

Details – Combine gift certificates from all the vendors and create a day of pampering for a mother. In order to enter they have to follow each of the vendors, leave a comment, sign up for your newsletter and tag three of their friends.

THE WHO

Finding people to collaborate with can be tricky. Try using someone you already have a relationship with. Without an initial connection, it might be challenging to know if the collaboration would be a good fit. Start off with a smaller collaboration to see if you work well together. You want to ensure you are both dependable and committed so it will benefit both parties. 

You don’t have to work with big influencers right away.  Remember, the goal is to attract the right kind of clients and quality is more essential than quantity. Just because someone has a lot of followers doesn’t necessarily mean they have high engagement. You may think you can reach more people, but what if those people aren’t in your target audience? Then it’s not as beneficial to you or the influencer. Pitching to micro-influencers to collaborate can be more effective. When you are looking for a collaborator, look beyond the numbers. 

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THE VALUE

Of course, your ultimate goal is to bring you more business, but your secondary goals is to create value for your collaborators. In order to get someone’s attention, it’s best to lead with how the collaboration could bring them value, rather than what you’re getting out of it. You want to make sure that there’s enough value for you, but there should be at least equal value for the person you are reaching out to. 

 

THE ASK

It is important to have a plan before you pitch a collaboration. You don’t have to explain every detail, but prepare a few ideas. Remember to lead with the benefits that relate to them. 

 

THE EXPECTATIONS

Communicate your expectations as soon as possible. This can be done by creating list of tasks that need to be completed from start to finish. Be specific on who will be doing what and when. Set deadlines for each task based on final target date. Setting expectations upfront is the best way to guarantee success with your collaboration. 

Collaborating is an excellent way to grow your social media. Remember you want to make sure you are attracting the right kind of followers and that it benefits everyone involved. When you work with other entrepreneurs, make sure you give them more value and exceed their expectations; they’ll be more likely to want to work with you again. Building solid relationships with those who share your target audience is a great way to help your business grow.

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