HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

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HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM
STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

In order to continue growing your Instagram community and influence, consider incorporating stories.  Instagram stories—images and short video content displayed above the regular feed that play like a slideshow and last 24 hours—are a great way to connect authentically with your audience. These unscripted videos help your audience relate and connect. Stories help you turn followers in to fans. While our feed might be curated with beautiful imagery, our stories have more freedom to be candid and messy. 

Here are 10 strategies that you can use to grow your business using social media:

 

SHOW UP EVERY DAY

We all know that the key to building a brand is consistency. You want be become as visible as possible. Whether that means your face on the camera, sharing someone else’s post, creating a poll, or asking a question—whatever it is, make yourself noticeable! You want to create a community and you want them to trust and depend on you. This how you will attract clients.  Be CONSISTENT!

Short and Sweet

I don’t know about you, but I have the attention span of a toddler. I lose interest pretty dang quick. If you have something important to share, try to keep it between 3-4 stories. Be concise and get right to the point. People tend to start dropping off when the stories get too lengthy. If you have something important that will take more time, use Instagram Reels.

 

USE TEXT

Sometimes people watch stories with the sound turned off. You don’t want risk them missing out on your content. Keep them engaged by adding text—brief descriptions/summaries of what you are talking about in each slide. 

 

BEHIND THE SCENES

People are naturally curious. Give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at what a day in your life looks like. Include tips and tools that you use in your workflow. Talk about the strategies you use to improve your brand so you can serve them better. Answer questions that people might have asked via email or DM. Show them some of your processes and current projects.

 

SPREAD THE LOVE

Share other people’s posts. Support other small businesses or creatives whose work you admire. Write a caption on the repost & tag them. Supporting other people is a great way to build a brand rich in community. If you see something you like—a quote, service, or product—share it!

 

HASHTAGS AND GEOTAGS

Use geotags and hashtags in your stories. This will broaden your reach and increase your chance of being found when someone is searching a specific hashtag. You want to utilize anything that can help you gain exposure.

 

POLL AND QUESTIONS

Using polls and questions is a great way to engage with your audience. It’s also an excellent way to do some market research. Ask your clients what they would like to see or what they need. Instagram lets you see who engaged. Follow up with followers who participated and see how you can serve them or if they want to work together.

 

POSTS AND REPOSTS

Add your posts to your stories. Followers are more likely to see your stories than your posts. Adding snapshots of your recent posts increases your chance of engagement on those posts. You can also re-post when you are featured or tagged on another person’s account

 

HIGHLIGHT BUBBLES

Save your stories to your highlight bubbles. This is a great way to feature the different categories of your brand. Using highlight bubbles gives you the ability to save all your favorite videos beyond the 24-hours story expiration.

 

LINK STICKERS

This is a tool is a game changer.  The conversion rate on the link sticker is excellent. It offers a simple way for clients to respond to your call of action. The link sticker allows you to link to your website, email list, register to an event, click and affiliate link and more. 

 

Remember, the key is consistency. You don’t have to use all the tools every day, but strive for consistency and I promise you will start to see results. 

 

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SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

HOW TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL

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SET UP A PROFESSIONAL
EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

When starting a business, one of the very first things we need to do set up a professional email with gmail for free. Most web hosts provide a free email when you purchase a domain. We quickly realize that their email system is not as user-friendly as what we have grown accustomed to and the last thing we want to do is spend time attempting to figure out a new system.

Setting up a professional email with Gmail on your own custom domain takes only a few minutes and will save you so much time and energy. Gmail has so many great tools and features such as: Filters, Canned Responses, Multiple-Account setup, and more.

I use Bluehost to host my domain, but the process is similar process with other domain sites. Here is how to set up your professional account:

 

 

First, log in to your domain site and then search for either an email icon or email link. Click on “email to start the process. (If you are a MAC user you can use Command F to activity a search bar. Type email and it will highlight the email option)

 

 

 

 Click on “CREATE”.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 Enter custom email and a password. Finish by hitting the “CREATE” button.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 After you have created an email on your domain site, log in to your gmail account. Click on the settings icon.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

Access accounts and import. Then click on “add a mail account.”

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 A pop up will appear. Enter the name that you want to show up when someone received your email, then enter the new email.

CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMIAL

 

  

Select “Import emails from my other account (POP3).

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 Create a username and enter your password finish by selecting “add account”.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

You will then be prompted to confirm the email by clinking on the link your email or entering a confirmation code to verify.

 

 

Wa-La! You just created a professional email. The next time you getting ready to send an email you will be able to select a drop down menu and choose which email you want to use to send your next email.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

Now you have created an email that looks professional.

.

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TASK BATCHING TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR BUSINESS

TASK BATCHING TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR BUSINESS

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task batching to
increase productivity

task batching to increase productivity

I used to pride myself on being an amazing multi-tasker. And while it’s true that I can get a lot done in a short time, unfortunately the quality can end up being subpar. I have learned you really can’t do more than one thing at once—at least not properly. Dividing your time and your attention, even if you are doing it equally, means you are giving 50% of your focus to each. People can’t multitask very well, and when people say they can, they’re deluding themselves. So although it seems you are being productive, the opposite is probably true. When we are constantly jumping from task to task, we become easily distracted by outside elements (social media, text messages, emails, etc.). Refocusing takes up small amounts of time that eventually add up to large amounts of time.When you use task batching to increase productivity in your business you will find time you didn’t realize you had. 

One of the most effective tools I have found when running a business is task batching. Batching is grouping similar tasks into continuous sessions of work time.  So instead of dispersing my time to several different tasks a day, I will designate a larger amount of time to focusing on mass production. By doing this, I become ultra-focused on that particular task and can accomplish a great deal more. For example, I will designate a couple hours a month to write all my newsletters for that month. This way I am focused, the task gets completed, and I don’t have to think about it again until next month. I can use my brain power to focus on other tasks that need to be done. 




If you implement a batching process into your workflow, you will find there is less task-switching, more focus, more efficiency, and more productivity. The batching method can be applied to several aspects of your life. This will allow you to get more done in a short amount of time and free up your time in general. 

Try the batching process with:

BLOGGING

Although it is amazing to get a lot done in one day, be realistic and give your brain smaller intervals that it can better handle. Personally, I have a 2-hour max when it comes to blogging.  You can break this process up and designate time to batch ideas, outlines, and writing.  By breaking down the process, you can be more intentional when it is time to work on your blog.

 

NEWSLETTERS

If you send out newsletters in your business, schedule a time to batch them. This can also be broken up into sessions. Schedule a time to plan out your newsletters for a quarter. You can pick a topic and schedule all your newsletters for three months. Then at a different time you can batch-write the content.

 

PODCASTS

If you are a podcaster, you can record 4-6 at a time. Set a time and a day you are going to record, and schedule all guests within that time. This will alleviate the extra time you would have spent setting up and taking down your podcast equipment. Remember: minutes add up to hours. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Instead of stressing every day about what you want to post on social media, add this to your list of tasks that needs to be batched. I batch my social media tasks into three parts: writing, scheduling, and engaging. For all my business-related social media posts, I write and schedule them on a weekly basis. This is all done in one day and then I don’t have to even think about it for the rest of that week. Completing this task all at once frees up time for me to reply to comments and engage with my audience online. 

 

EMAILS

Emails are unavoidable. They are a necessity in business and in life, but they can also be such a time suck. In order to avoid spending hours a day mired in your inbox, learn to batch this task. Try to visit your inbox three times a day. Each time for no more than 30 minutes. Once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once at the end of your day.  It’s important to find a healthy balance between being responsive without it consuming your day. Batching this task into three short stints during your day is one of the best systems.

 

HOUSEWORK

Housework is the ideal task for batching. Cleaning doesn’t require much mental focus; however, it can seem to take over our time. Instead of doing multiple loads of laundry throughout the week, designate a day that you will do laundry and try to get it all done. Pick a specific day that you are going to clean your floors and do them all at once. Give yourself a time limit and when the time is up you are finished. Don’t get distracted with all the things that you want to clean, but focus on the things that need to be cleaned. Everything else can wait.

 

PLANNNING

I do weekly planning every Sunday, and honestly it’s probably the only reason my life hasn’t fallen apart (yet). Instead of taking things day by day and making a to-do list from scratch for the day ahead of me (this can get very overwhelming), I sit down on Sunday to get a big-picture view of the upcoming week and plan out absolutely everything that I need to get done. That means less thinking and decision-making throughout the week—something I find indispensable.

 

EDUCATION

You should constantly be striving for self-improvement. This is one thing we don’t make a priority in our business, yet it can make the biggest impact. Instead of picking up tips and tricks here and there, designate time every week to learn about something that can benefit you in your business. Make this a habit and do it in a time that you can be focused and absorb and apply the new information.

 

FINANCES

Because you are literally doing everything as an entrepreneur, it can be tempting to let overwhelm lead you to neglect your finances. However, it is essential to your success to stay on top of your finances. Set aside time to pay your bills, record receipts, and track incoming and outgoing income. Again, one of the main benefits of task batching is complete focus. By batching your finances, you will become more aware of and organized with your money. 

 

PERSONAL NEEDS

For you workaholics out there, batching personal needs might be just the thing! Self-care is a must. When you take care of yourself and give yourself time to re-energize, you will find more motivation for your workdays. Try to schedule 1-2 hour blocks to pamper yourself, catch up with a friend, or take a yoga class.


As an entrepreneur, the only person you have to be accountable to is yourself, so it is important to find systems that bolster your productivity. Task batching to increase productivity in your business creates the right environment and habits that work for you is an investment in your own success. 

 

TASK BATCHING PROCESS

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

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HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE
YOUR INSTAGRAM

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

Did you know an Instagram post with at least one hashtag is far more likely to gain audience engagement than a post with no hashtags?

Hashtags are powerful. They can help your posts reach a target audience, attract followers in your niche, increase engagement, and develop a more positive and recognizable brand image. Hashtags can grow your business if used correctly. But if used too frequently or without a clear strategy in mind, they become ineffective.

 

What are hashtags?

Hashtags are a word or phrase lead by the pound sign (#), used on social media to identify specific topics. Hashtags are also another way to organize content. 

What purpose do they serve?

Hashtags can be used to promote products or brands if used correctly. Hashtags are how Instagram organizes the content, so it can be presented to the right subscribers as part of their feed. By using hashtags, you can increase your reach and serve larger audiences. Some of the more successful users achieve huge numbers of followers which can, in turn, create a unique tribe or community around a specific brand or product. It’s important to learn the art and the science behind hashtags to ensure you are taking full advantage of the benefits. If you don’t understand how they work, you might not get the return you are hoping for by using them. Hashtags can be used to attract followers, but you want to make sure they are the right followers.

Which hashtags should I use?

The main objective is to use hashtags that people are looking for.  At the same time though, it is also very important to avoid tags that over saturated or irrelevant to your post and brand.

For example, let’s imagine I want to post about my dog. Without much thought I might use #dog. This seems logical because people like dogs and it will get a lot of searches.

But the problem is that it won’t take long at all until my post disappears in the black hole of cyberspace. There are so many photos with that hashtag. But if I use #labradoodle instead, it narrows down the number of people who are more likely to see—and take interest in—my post. You want to choose hashtags that gets searched but not overused.

Narrowing your hashtags for your niche

An easy way to find out what’s trending in your industry is to view people and brands similar to you – your “competitors”.  Online influencers in your field are also an excellent source of trending hashtags that your communities are likely to support. 

Utilize Instagram’s built-in search. Find a word that that is relevant to your industry. For example, let’s use #photography. This tag is very overused and general. Using it puts your post at risk of getting buried beneath the noise.  But if you get more specific and use #houstonphotography, you are more likely to be seen. The smaller and more specific you can get, the more likely your posts will be noticed by the people looking for exactly what you have to offer.

How many hashtags should I use?

With each photo on Instagram you can add up to 30 hashtags. Some people use all 30 and others choose a smaller number. There are mixed opinions on the most ideal number of hashtags to use.  You have to play around and figure out your sweet spot. It is more important to use specific and intentional hashtags than it is to fill all 30 spots. Mix it up a little bit. Use a combination of common hashtags and very specific hashtags. Remember, your goal is to get relevant followers.  

Create a hashtag for your brand.

Branded hashtags are specific to your brand. Examples would be #applestore or #bmw. This ensures that the post relates back to your business and followers start to recognize your name. By creating your own hashtag and then encouraging your clients to use it, you will start to create a community. When someone is searching for a product or service and comes across your hashtag on several accounts, it shows that consumers are happy with your product or service. This builds trust and shows and will help build confidence in your brand.

Using hashtags is a great way to increase your traffic, gain exposure, and help grow your social media organically.  Take the time to research the hashtags that will benefit your business the most and then begin using the hashtags on your next post! 

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5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

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5 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

If a potential client dropped in on your Instagram, would they be clear about what you do? Your Instagram bio can include details of your business, contact information, highlights, call to action and more. In order to draw your ideal client, you must optimize your Instagram profile. I am going to give you 5 steps to improve your Instagram profile.

You want an Instagram profile that clearly highlights what you offer, showcases your talents, and reinforces your brand. By making a few small tweaks, you can create an Instagram that will draw people in.

Here are 5 steps to take your gram profile from good to great:

Profile Picture

Choose a profile picture that shows your personality. This is your first impression and you want to show your audience you are a real person and not just a logo. You are at the center of your brand; people are loyal to people, not logos. Consider the initial visit to your profile like a first date: you want to make an impact. You want your potential client curious to know more. The more you show your face, the more engagement you will start to see.

 

Profile Description

You want your Instagram bio to be as clear and concise as possible.  You are only allowed to use 150 characters—make them count! To appeal to your target client, start by creating a rough draft using the following formula:

Who + Problem + Solution + Results


Who is your ideal client? What is their problem? How can you help solve their problem? What result will they get by working with you?


Once you have identified these elements, narrow it down to 1-2 powerful sentences.

 

Profile Link

Typically, we default to our website link, but there are better options. Your ultimate goal is to get potential clients to purchase a service or product from you.  For effective marketing you want to always have a call to action. Make your call to action (CTA) so strong and descriptive that visitors immediately click the link in your bio. You want to be constantly moving potential clients towards committing to your brand. 

 

If your goal is to grow your newsletter list, offer a freebie for first-time subscribers. If you want a client to schedule a consult, use a scheduling link. Place the link to your shop in the profile when you are launching programs or products. Your profile link should be directional and specific. 

 

Highlight Bubbles

Using this is a great way to highlight different areas of your business. You have the option to save specific stories to designated highlight bubbles. When you’re adding to your highlights section, think of the key areas you want to showcase for your business and how to keep those highlights in line with your brand. Organize your highlight bubbles in order of relevance. 


Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to share behind the scenes, clips, or simply create mini-stories by using text, photos, or even GIFs. Using stories is a great way to connect with your audience. Video is a great way to show your audience the person behind the logo. The videos last 24 hours, unless they are saved to highlight bubbles. Similar to posting, the more you use this feature, the more audience engagement you will create. 

Take some time to scrutinize your profile. Ensure that it is written with clarity and is cohesive with your brand. The next time someone checks out your profile, they will have no doubts as to what you are offering. 

 

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REFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

How to Improve your Elevator Pitch

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REDEFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

REDEFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

What do you do? 

 

 

This question is inevitable when you introduce yourself. As an entrepreneur, it is essential to master your elevator pitch—a succinct statement that conveys the essence of your work. You never know who your next client may be, so always be prepared to sell yourself and your brand. 

 

 

The words you use to describe yourself at networking events, in your bio, in online networking groups, or any introduction, need to stand out and leave an impression. This is how you make connections, build a strong reputable brand, and attract more clients! Remember that you don’t need to appeal to everyone, just your ideal client.  Refining your elevator pitch gives you confidence and surety that will help you connect with the right people.  The following are key factors that will help you to convey clearly who you are and what it is you offer. 

 

WHO AND WHAT

Start with your first and last name and then your job title. Don’t be vague with your title. Include adjectives to either describe your specialty or personality traits. Whether you are a photographer, writer, coach, or designer, you want to describe what you specialize in.  If your title is all encompassing—like a web designer, freelance writer, or salon owner—use descriptive words that encompass your strengths.  Words like hardworking, energetic, positive, motivated, etc. 

 

 

Me: I am Brittni Schroeder. I am The Confidence Coach for Entrepreneurs. 

 

IDEAL CLIENTS

Know who you are trying to serve and identify them in your pitch. Remember that you don’t need to appeal to everyone, just your ideal client. By understanding who they are, you will better understand how to identify and help them. 

 

Me: I coach female entrepreneurs. 

 

PROBLEM

Identify your ideal client’s problem or struggle. Always look for ways that you can serve others. Try to understand the root and the cause of your their challenges.

 

SOLUTION

The best way to be an effective influencer is to help your potential client recognize that you are their solution provider. You want to make their life easier, better, or more enjoyable by solving a problem, answering a question, or serving them in a way that helps. Try to avoid any negative connotation. The problem doesn’t need to be stated, it is implied when you pitch the solution.

 

Me: I help female entrepreneurs by giving them effective business tools and incredible confidence to accomplish the success they are capable of achieving.

 

CREDIBILITY

You want them to know you are an expert. You have experience and education that positions you as someone who can help them succeed. This is your chance to shine. Briefly explain your background, awards or honors that make you relevant. Give tangible evidence that shows you know what you are doing. 

 

If you are just starting out in your business you can mention your education, a powerful story behind your cause, or a testimonial of someone you have worked with. The main goal is to show people that you are qualified to help them. 

 

Me: I have been a successful entrepreneur for 10 years, with my work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, and several other publications.  I have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen amazing results. 

 

CURIOUSITY

Draw people in, get them interested in what you can do for them. You want them to inquire about what you have that can help them achieve success. They want to know what how you will help them improve their business and their lives. They want to learn about what makes you different and unique. 

Me: I have some amazing tools that will transform your life and your business that you haven’t used up to this point. If you are ready to take your business so the next level, you would be such a great fit for my program. 


CALL TO ACTION

Always end with a call of action. People like to be told what is next.  Show them that you can help them solve their problems and lay out exactly what they need to do next to make that happen and get to where they want to go. Give them your card or set up a time to discuss further. Be proactive and ask them for their card. Tell them you will contact them with the next step. You want the relationship to progress, so keep the momentum moving forward. 

Me: Let me get your email. I would love to send you some free resources that will dramatically improve your business. We can then set up a time to chat more about how I can help you.  

Example: I am Brittni Schroeder. I am The Confidence Coach for Entrepreneurs. I help female entrepreneurs by giving them effective business tools and incredible confidence to accomplish the success they are capable of achieving.  I have been a successful entrepreneur for 10 years, with my work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, and several other publications.  I have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen amazing results. I have some amazing tools that will transform your life and your business that you haven’t used up to this point. If you are ready to take your business so the next level, you would be such a great fit for my program. Let me get your email. I would love to send you some free resources that will dramatically improve your business. We can then set up a time to chat more about how I can help you. 

My elevator pitch is under a minute. I am able to tweak and modify it for different situations. Like everything—if you practice it, you will master it. Eventually your elevator pitch will be on point. 

 

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BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

Becoming A Goal Setter

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BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

I have always been a goal setter. But I don’t always accomplish all of my goals. I am pretty sure I have had the goal “journal regularly” on my list for the last 20 years and fail miserably year after year. But that’s okay. I believe the reason to have goals is not necessary to feel good or bad about ourselves, but to strive to become the best version of ourselves. We should constantly be pushing to become a better version of ourselves. Setting goals helps us get there.

 

There is a law of attraction in life. The things we focus on, talk about, think about, or believe, WILL happen. Have you ever noticed how successful people keep having more success? Or sad and negative people only see sad and depressing things in life, and keep experiencing them? What you put your energy into, will return to you. 

 

GOALS

The first and most important thing is to write down your goals. When we write down our goals they become real. They are no longer just a wish or a thought. Be specific with your goals. Identify when you want to complete the goal and how you will measure its completion. For example: I will send out 10 résumés by December 31st. You have given yourself a finish goal deadline. You will know it is completed because you will have sent out all 10 résumés.

 

OBSTACLES

As we set our goals, obstacles are bound to arise. We might have the thought that we don’t have enough time, we aren’t smart enough, or we are not capable of reaching what we most desire. Equally important as setting goals is identifying the obstacles that keep us from reaching them. Make a list of as many things you can think of that might get in your way from completing your goals. Now you’re on the offensive.

 

STRATEGY

Once you have a detailed list of your obstacles, it is time to form strategies. Figure out ways that you can overcome the obstacles. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed and definitely don’t underestimate your potential. If one of your obstacles is that you don’t know how to do something, your strategy can be to learn how to do it or to find someone else to do it for you. Often, when we feel stuck, we slip into inaction. Don’t let that happen!  You can do anything you set your mind to do. Remember you are in control of your mind and your thoughts.

 

As you work towards your goals you will see your own growth. Your mind will get stronger and you’ll begin to cultivate confidence. The amazing thing about goal setting is that whether or not you reach your goals, you are guaranteed to become a better, more-improved version of yourself.

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FAILURE AND THE FOUR OUTCOMES

Failure is such an important component of self-confidence. Accepting the possibility of failure shows you have the self-confidence.

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FAILURE AND THE FOUR OUTCOMES

FAILURE AND THE FOUR OUTCOMES

Failure is such an important component of self-confidence. Accepting the possibility of failure shows you have the self-confidence to try and be content with the result regardless. Failure shows you are trying something new. You are open to change and ready to learn. Many people lower their expectations in an attempt to avoid failing. People avoid failing because they don’t want to feel disappointment or discomfort, but in the long run they will feel disappointment because they are not progressing. If you want to succeed, you have to get really, really good at failing. If you are willing to fail and open to learning from your failures, you are more likely to reach your goals. 

 

There are four outcomes in life:

 

SUCCESS

Success is obviously the outcome that we all want and strive for. This means we accomplished what we set out to do. When we achieve success in anything it gives us a sense of accomplishment. Success is a key factor that contributes to our overall confidence. 

 

FAILURE

Failure is the second most desired outcome. Failure means you tried. You put forth effort, energy and took a risk. Failure shows that we have confidence and determination to grow. 

 

GIVING UP

Giving up is when we try something but let the discomfort or the fear take over. We resign to the thought that we cannot, will not, or are not. This outcome displays the want for something, but the fear of failure or what others think overpowers your desire to keep going.

 

INACTION

The fourth and worst outcome is inaction. Inaction or procrastination is when we don’t attempt something. The thoughts of fear or discomfort destroy our chance of progression. We won’t ever know if we will or will not succeed, because we don’t even try. This is something we want to avoid at all costs. 

When you continue to fail, you continue to succeed. You will grow. Be determined to become a person of action. Self-confidence is developed and groomed through failure. The more you embrace failure, the more likely you are to experience more success. Embracing failure is one of the most important tools I teach my clients when they develop self-confidence.

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

HOW TO BACK UP YOUR IMAGES

How To Back Up Your Images. A good rule of thumb is to back up your images on three different platforms. This is important not only for your clients, but also for yourself.

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HOW TO BACK UP YOUR IMAGES

HOW TO BACK UP YOUR IMAGES

I lost all of my images! 

 

Have you ever screamed that out in terror during the middle of an editing session? It only takes ONE time to lose images to make you realize you NEED to back up your images. We all have heard the horror stories of laptops crashing, external hard drives not working or corrupted SD cards. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it.  Being proactive about backing up your images will prevent a mountain of avoidable stress.

 

A good rule of thumb is to back up your images on three different platforms. This is important not only for your clients, but also for yourself. There will be times when your clients will lose the images you sent them or when the links to their galleries won’t work. It’s crucial to always be prepared. Being reliable and dependable are indispensable qualities when it comes to the success of your business.

 

HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN TO BACK UP

Regardless of your industry, imagery is central to promoting our businesses. Whether you are backing up images from your DSLR Camera or your phone, it is important to implement a back-up system. 

 

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

I use the 3TB My Passport Ultra External Hard Drive to store my images. I create a folder in My Passport (or any external hard drive) and then import my images in Lightroom. The images live on my hard drive, but I am still able to edit them in Lightroom and Photoshop. Once the images are edited, I export them as JPG’s and store them on a separate hard drive. Using an external hard drive has more than one benefit. Storing your images on an external hard drive frees up space on your computer, keeping it uncluttered and able to process faster.  

 

TIME MACHINE

If you are a MAC user, you can use Time Machine. You will need an external hard drive that is at least the same size as your Mac’s internal drive. Turn on Time Machine and select the backup destination. It will back up your entire Mac, including system files, apps, music, photos, emails, and documents. It automatically backs up your Mac and performs hourly, daily, and weekly backups of your files. 

 

ONLINE STORE SERVICE

There are several online storage platforms available. I use Amazon Photo for my iPhone and Backblaze for my desktop and laptop. These programs can be installed and programed to automatically backup every time you open your devices. Other online options are Google Drive, DropBox, and iCloud. Most online services offer free versions to back up your photos, although it’s generally just a small amount of storage space. Storing images online ensures that your images will be safe in the event that your house is robbed or a hurricane strikes. 

 

MEMORY CARDS

This may be an extreme measure, but it only took me one time of losing images to become overly cautious. I have several SD cards that I use. I have made it a habit to only format my cards after all images have been backed up on three different platforms.  It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

Hopefully you’ll never need to use a backup platform, but these are good resources to have in case! And, believe me, your clients will love you for it!

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

CREATING AN AMAZING FACEBOOK PAGE

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

CREATING AN AMAZING FACEBOOK PAGE

CREATING AN AMAZING FACEBOOK PAGE

Did you know that 78% of American consumers have discovered retail products/services on Facebook?  Having a Facebook page for your business is essential for promoting and marketing your business. Social Media has transformed the way people view and interact with businesses and brands. It is vital in this day and age that your business has an active, engaging, valuable presence on social media.  Your Facebook business page is one of the first places people will go to learn more about your business or brand. 

 

There are 2.23 billion people who log in to Facebook every month. This gives your small business access to a LOT of people. Most social media users log in to their social media several times a day. A great question to ask is how can you afford not to use it? There are several social media platforms available.  Every platform offers different benefits and appeals to different audiences. Before you invest a lot of your resources into any social media platform, make sure it is the correct one for your business. Be familiar with your ideal client and research which platforms they utilize. Getting your business on the right social platforms will allow you to connect with the right people and result in the success of your business. 

 

BRAND AWARENESS

One of your main goals is to create a value for your ideal client. You want to serve, serve, serve. If done correctly you will create a loyalty. This community will be instrumental in recommending your brand to their friends if they have a good experience. You will have the ability to constantly engage and ensure that your audience feels important and appreciated. Once this relationship is established, they will become your best clients. 

 

FEEDBACK

One of your main goals is to create a value for your ideal client. You want to serve, serve, serve. If done correctly you will create a loyalty. This community will be instrumental in recommending your brand to their friends if they have a good experience. You will have the ability to constantly engage and ensure that your audience feels important and appreciated. Once this relationship is established, they will become your best clients. 

 

MARKETING

Social media provides you with an efficient and cost-effective way of talking to the masses in real time. You are more likely to reach your intended audience when your reach is unlimited and your message can carry to people all over the world.  You have the option of marketing organically or you can use paid ads and get huge results.

 

WEB TRAFFIC

Social media can act as amazing funnel. If you are strategic in your engagement and interaction, you can direct potential clients to your website.  The more visits you get to your websites, the more likely people are to invest in what you are offering.  Use your Facebook page as a tool to direct people to your website.

 

GROW YOUR EMAIL LIST

Make sure to use your Facebook page as an opt-in for your newsletter. Use your page to entice potential clients to sign up to get special deals, tips, discounts, etc. Your newsletter list is the only thing you own, that no one can take away from you. If people are willing to give you their e-mail, they are interested in what you are offering. People on your newsletter list will be more likely to become paying customers.  Your email list is another tool you can use to serve and build loyalty. 

 

GOOGLE RANKING

Being active on social media you will improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and you will appear in more searches. Because Facebook is one of the bigger platforms, staying active there makes you more likely to show up higher in Google rankings.

 

There are so many benefits for your business by being present and active Facebook. If your ideal clients are using this platform, take the time to utilize the tools it has to offer. I have created a guide that includes 10 Steps to Improving Your Facebook Business Page to get you started! It’s time to get social on social media!

customers.  Your email list is another tool you can use to serve and build loyalty. 

GRAB 50 VIRAL FACEBOOK POSTS