5 FREE TOOLS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR SEO

5 FREE TOOLS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR SEO

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5 FREE TOOLS TO HELP
IMPROVE YOUR SEO

5 FREE TOOLS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR SEO

SEO can be so intimidating and overwhelming.  Even saying the words “Search Engine Optimization” can cause some serious stress.  But it doesn’t have to be complicated! There are a few simple and easy tools that you can use to help improve your SEO.  I am going to introduce you to 5 FREE tools to help improve your SEO!

 

GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE

Google Search Console (previously Google Webmaster Tools) is a free web service by Google.  It allows you to view statistics and see what keywords you are ranking for. It helps you optimize your website by showing you statistics about your website speed, broken links, and more.

 

 

One of the best ways you can leverage this tool is by seeing what keywords are performing best and then create more content or improve already performing content.  This can be done by crafting and improving headlines and creating meta descriptions that are more appealing.

 

UBERSUGGEST

Ubersuggest is another free resource that can help you level up your SEO.  Ubersuggest works by entering keywords into a search engine. It then generates a list of long-tailed variations of those keywords. Ubersuggest will give you a list of keywords that have performed well. You can then integrate these within your site.  Whenever you adjust keywords in your content, be sure that they flow and are relevant.  Sometimes this may mean you have to rewrite your content.

 

YOAST SEO

Yoast SEO is a plugin for WordPress.  This plug makes your on-page SEO so simple. It helps you optimize your SEO by giving you detailed instructions and prompts that guide you to use your keywords and key phrases in the appropriate places. It also helps improve the readability of your content.

 

WEBSITE RESPONSIVE TEST

Using websiteresponsivetest.com You want your website to be mobile compatible.  Google has a mobile-first index.  What that means is that part of your Google ranking is determined by how compatible your website is on mobile devices.  On this website, you enter your URL and it shows you if it is mobile friendly.  If your site doesn’t look good on a mobile device, it will affect your Google ranking.  This website shows you want your website to look with several different devices, not just your own.

 

PAGE SPEED INSIGHTS

Lots of brands don’t realize page speed affects SEO.  More people use Google on their mobile devices than on their desktops and that is why speed is important.  You want your website to load as fast as it can. Your page could be loading slowly because of image size, Page Speed Insights analyzes your website and lets you know different areas of your website that need to be optimized to improve the speed. 

 

Each of these free tools can help you improve your SEO.  Designate some time to learn how to use these tools to help you with your SEO.   SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Once we start to understand how it works we are able to improve our ranking on Google.  Don’t wait, start using these 5 free tools to help improve your SEO and you will soon see the results!

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10 TAX WRITE-OFFS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD KNOW

10 TAX WRITE-OFFS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD KNOW

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10 TAX WRITE-OFFS EVERY
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS TO KNOW

10 TAX WRITE-OFFS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS TO KNOW

I love this time of year.  We become re-energized and excited for new beginnings—newer, bigger goals on the horizon. Things are off to a great start, then halfway through January, we are obnoxiously reminded what lurks around the corner…TAX SEASON.  I might be a tad dramatic, but the obnoxious part is true. It’s time to prepare and I am going to give you 10 tax write-offs every entrepreneur should know.

 

Being self-employed means write-offs for our business that help lower our tax bill. Every business is different and what you can write off varies based on your business. I leave my taxes to the professionals; I have an expert handle mine. Even if you like to work out your taxes on your own, I think it’s important to educate yourself and consult a tax professional before doing so.

 

CELL PHONE

Gone are the days of spending $30 on a cell phone bill.  In addition to phone service, when adding data plans, your phone bill can really skyrocket.  We use our phones for emails, scheduling clients, social media, booking travel, financials and more.

Everything we do with our phones makes them eligible as a write-off! If you use your cell phone solely for your business, you can write off 100% of your bill.  However, if you use it for personal use as well, you’ll need to track how much of each and come up with an estimated percentage.

EDUCATION

I don’t know about you, but I am addicted to learning new things and taking courses that will improve my business.  The good news is all this education is a write-off! Education can be defined as online courses or workshops, in-person training, books, ebooks, audiobooks or courses, and reference materials like magazines, journals, or newspapers.  Just remember, the course must be relevant to your business.

HOME OFFICE

There are many perks to working from home and a tax write-off is one of them! The IRS rule around a home office is defined as an exclusive and regular place where you do your business. That means it cannot be somewhere in your home that is also used for personal use.  If you are like me and like to lay in bed on your laptop (or sit on the couch or at the kitchen table), sorry, but you can’t write-off your entire mortgage.  You must have a room dedicated solely to your business.

 

If you meet the IRS requirements of a home office, you are allowed to write off a percentage of your mortgage or rent.  Consult with an experienced CPA to determine the percentage. In addition, you also can write-off 100% of the repairs, furniture, and decor that go in the designated room. 

 

Utilities

In addition to your home office, you can also write off a percentage of your utilities. This includes the internet, electricity, water, and gas.  Consult with a CPA to help you figure out the most accurate calculation.

 

Travel

Most of us are aware that you can write off out-of-town business trips. However, you also have the ability to write-off your local travel expenses. This can include mileage for local networking events, client meetings, and any functions you attend promoting your business.  If you use an Uber or taxi to get to a local event, track that as well. The travel must be business-related.  There are several apps available to track your business mileage.  If you don’t do this already—start!  Become more mindful of local business travel. The mileage can really add up. 

 

GIFTS

This might be one of my favorite write-offs because I love to do nice things for my clients. You can write off gifts related to your business. This can include thank you gifts for referrals, client appreciation gifts, client or colleague gifts for a special occasion, or thank you gifts for subcontractors.

 

Keep in mind, the IRS guideline for gift write-offs is that you are only allowed to write-off  $25 per person per year. If you spend $100, only $25 would be approved by the IRS.  But you can buy some pretty awesome gifts for $25.

 

SOFTWARE/APPS

There are so many amazing software programs out there that I currently use to run and automate my business.  The good news is they are write-offs!  Obviously, they have to be related to your business. So if you are a gamer, your latest X-Box game doesn’t count. 

 

If you currently use apps on your phone like Dropbox, Tailwind, Accuity or any other app used to help run your business, add those expenses to a list of write-offs.

 

FEES

In addition to writing off bank fees, you can also write off merchant processing or processing fees.  Processors like Stripe, Square, or PayPal all charge a percentage of your sales; these amounts can be written off.

 

A common mistake for online business owners is that instead of taking the small fee as an expense, they log their net sale (the amount they receive after the fee) as their gross income.

 

Subcontractors

Many business owners hire contractors to help with various tasks.  This can include graphic designers, photographers, web development, bookkeeping, copywriting, social media management or a virtual assistant. Everything you pay for these contracts is deductible.

 

If you pay more than $600 you are required to file a 1099.  If this is the case, you can get them a W-9 online from the IRS.

 

MEALS

If you take a client, colleague, or subcontractor out to eat and discuss business during the meal, that is considered a business expense.  You are able to deduct 50% of the bill, which is considered the other person’s portion.

There are a ton of available business-related expenses you can deduct each year.  Educate yourself on all the possibilities. Track and utilize the 10 tax write-offs every entrepreneur should know.  Keep your expenses separate from your personal and it will help you stay organized. 

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN

CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN

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CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN

CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN

What is a business plan and why is it important for you to have one?  A business plan is a specific and detailed description of your business and all the key components and necessary factors. It helps you identify your goals and breaks down the obstacles and strategies required to succeed. By creating a business plan, you create a detailed roadmap to success. 

The most effective business plans are simple, detailed, and realistic. Your business plan should be a tool that you are constantly referencing to measure your progress and growth. 



CONTENTS

A business plan contains a complete overview of your business. It is broken down into several key components:

  • Executive summary – A brief summary of what you do, who you do it for, and why.  
  • Your vision – Insight into why you are starting the business.
  • Legal Structure – By law and to protect yourself, you should consult a professional and decide how you want to structure your business.  For example, as a sole trader or a limited company. This is determined by how you plan to operate your business. 
  • Management – A list of all members of management and leadership, including detailed skill sets and experience. 
  • SWOT analysis – identifies your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is a comparative analysis against your competition. 
  • Guidance – This will identify who you will turn to when you need advice or instruction.  This portion may include mentors, business advisors, specialists, and so forth. 
  • Regulatory Requirements – Research and identify the laws that regulate your industry and come up with an action plan as to how you will comply. 
  • Products and Service – List in detail the products or services you plan to offer, why they are unique, and your price points for each.
  • The Market – Who are your ideal clients, where are they located, what are their unique needs and desires, why they will purchase from you, and how will they purchase your product or service. 
  • Suppliers – If you sell a product, identify your buyer and your backup suppliers.
  • Financial Forecast – Determine an estimated forecast of sales, profit and loss, breakeven, and cash flow. 
  • Financial Requirements – If you will need funding, identify when you will need it and how you will secure it. 
  • Your Team – List your staffing, contracting or outsourcing needs, and the costs of each. 
  • Resources – Identify the resources you need to start your business, why you need them and the cost. This may include office material, furniture, vehicles, equipment, etc. 
  • IT Needs – Make a list of any Information Technology support you might need, why it is essential, and the cost.  This may include a website, scheduling software, payment processors, etc. 
  • Action Plan – Create a detailed strategy of what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how you plan to execute. 
  • Appendices – This section is for any other extras that may not be included in the main report, but are a necessary part of your business success. 

When you create a business plan, you clarify your idea and goals to ensure that they are feasible.  Committing your thoughts to paper creates a more precise picture of your business. It helps you identify the possibilities and recognize the risks.  This process helps you reduce your chance of failure.

 

Gaining a clear objective of your business will help you sell your ideas to employees, financial institutions, and potential clients. 

Oftentimes, people think business plans are solely for businesses that need financial assistance. However, a business plan is a helpful tool for the success of any business.  A business plan gives clarity, guidance, and direction.

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CREATOR ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM

CREATOR ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM

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CREATOR ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM

CREATOR ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM

In early 2019, Instagram rolled out a new account option for users: Creator accounts on Instagram.  There are now three account options available (Personal, Business, & Creator), so take the time to research which account is ideal for you and/or your business.

Although the Creator and Business accounts have a lot of similarities, there are also some key differences. Creator profiles include features and tools that specifically cater to influencers. The app describes the Creator profile as best for public figures, content producers, artists, and influencers.

INSIGHTS

Instagram Creator offers a few new Insight features for influencers to understand the data around their followers. Here are a few of the features:

  • Daily number of unfollows and follows (business accounts get a weekly report of this).
  • Demographic data (age, location, gender, etc.) This is offered for Business accounts as well.
  • Creators have a new, updated dashboard.

In addition to the new analytics available for your profile in the app, you can now access your Instagram analytics on your computer using Creator Studio. Creator Studio is available for both Business and Creator Accounts, so this isn’t by itself a reason to switch over to a Creator Account. The only difference you will see in Instagram Creator Studio insights between a Business and Creator Account is the existence of the new daily Growth Graph (followers and unfollowers) for Creator Accounts.

 

MESSAGING

Business and Personal accounts have only one inbox. In the new Creator account, Instagram has included a feature that helps organize and categorize messages.  It offers three different folders: Primary, General, and Request. 

 

Request messages are from profiles that don’t follow you.  You can move the rest of your messages between folders. The purpose of this feature is to have the ability to organize and prioritize messages.

 

 

CATEGORIES

With the Instagram Creator account you are given the option to choose a category.

 

SCHEDULING APPS

As of now, Creator accounts are not able to integrate with third-party scheduling apps. This is something to consider if you schedule your content ahead of time.

 

ACTION BUTTONS

The Creator account does not include the action buttons of the Business account (Start Order, Book, and Reserve).

 

Creator account features are tailored to help accounts with larger followings.  Take the time to learn about the features and learn which profile will be ideal for you.

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PERSONAL VS BUSINESS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS

PERSONAL VS BUSINESS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS

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PERSONAL VS BUSINESS
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS

PERSONAL VS BUSINESS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS

If you’ve had the Instagram app for a while, you probably have a personal account. Back when you signed up, you may not have even had the option to decide between a personal or business profile. But if you’re using your Instagram for your business, you should understand the difference between personal vs business Instagram accounts.

 

PRIVACY

If you decide to switch to a business account, it’s important to realize that you will lose the privacy feature. In other words, anyone can see and follow your account. If privacy is an issue, stick with a personal profile. However, if you want to grow your account, a private account will likely hinder that goal.

When your account is private, you won’t show up on the explore page or hashtag pages and people can’t see your content unless they follow you. People cannot direct message or share your private content on their accounts either. Often times, people will avoid following private accounts unless they know the person personally.

 

REACH

There is speculation that personal accounts have better reach than business accounts. There isn’t a great deal of statistical evidence to back this up. However, this rule absolutely applies on Facebook. And because Facebook owns Instagram, these same changes could be coming for Instagram.

 

ANALYTICS

Analytics are very important for marketing success. They help you understand how to plan and form a strategy. On a business profile you can see:

    • total profile visits
    • accounts reached
    • people that clicked your website after you post
    • how many people saw your post from hashtags
    • what time and day your audience engages the most
    • and more

These tools alone can help you determine what types of posts your audience responds to best and which posts drive more traffic to your website. You cannot view insights on a personal account.

 

PAID ADVERTISING

When you use a business account you have the ability to pay to boost or promote posts. You can get your content in front of new targeted accounts. Targeted posts are proven to be the most effective way to reach most people.


SWITCHING

You can switch your account from personal to business and back again. Keep in mind that f you decide to switch your business account back to a personal account, you will lose all your past insights—even if you switch right back.

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10 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE

10 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE

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10 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE

10 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE

A potential client is looking for your service or product and they land on your website. This is their first impression of you & your work. Are you assured your website has the power to sell them on your services? If you take time to curate your website, you’re more likely to get the results you are wanting.  Here are 10 things every business should incorporate in their website:

 

FACEBOOK PIXEL

A Facebook pixel is a must-have component. It sounds more complicated than it is, but a Facebook pixel is a snippet of code that you add to your site that automatically tracks your website traffic and visitors.  This information helps you learn about the people engaging with your content.

The pixel allows you to run targeted ads to your ideal client. Whether you decide to run ads or not, you’ll still want to install the pixel.  It gathers information over time and you will have information from past visitors available to help you create a successful ad campaign.

 

EMAIL OPT-IN

If you don’t have an email list—get one! Email lists are one of the few things we have complete control over.  Make it a priority to consistently grow your email list.  Create an enticing email opt-in on your website.  You are far more likely to get someone to give you their email if you are offering an awesome freebie in exchange for their email.

 

Be mindful of your ideal client when creating a freebie. Think of something that will create value for them and leave them wanting more. This could be a checklist, a guide, cheat sheet, e-book, a course, or a worksheet.  Whatever it is, make sure your audience will find it useful.

 

 

EASY ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is a great way to really connect with your audience.  By posting both curated and unscripted versions of yourself, you can build the “know, like, and trust” factor with your people. Make it really easy for your website visitors to continue the connection. 

The footer of your website is a great place for social media buttons.  Make sure that your icons appear on every page of your website. That way no matter what page they land on, visitors can find and follow you easily.

 

PHOTOS OF YOU

People are loyal to people—not logos.  Include at least one picture of yourself on the website. You want people to know you are human and that you exist in the world.  This kind of connection helps people put a face with a name. It helps create trust.

 

The obvious place to put your picture is the About Me section, but try to add a few more images on your website.  Especially if you’re a solopreneur or service-based business. Try to push beyond the traditional headshots and incorporate some lifestyle photos showcasing your personality.  Hire a photographer to do a branding photoshoot and post those images throughout your website.

 

GOOD COPY

Use verbiage and copy that speaks to your audience.  Try to avoid over using the word “I”.  You want your potential client to know that you are there to serve them and to help them get results.

 

Figure out what they struggle with and offer solutions in your copy. Attempt to speak directly to the audience you are trying to attract.  Readers want to know why they should trust you and a big part of that trust is knowing what they are struggling with and how you can help them.

 

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

SEO is a big part of any online business.  SEO will draw the right people to your website.  Learn and understand keywords and implement them throughout the copy on your website. Make sure your keywords are authentic and organic.  Avoid keyword overuse because people will notice and may be put off.  Organic search is our biggest website referral source.


TESTIMONIALS

Having social proof on your website validates your business. Testimonials and reviews are powerful tools to help you secure more clients.  I don’t know about you, but I rarely buy a product without reading the reviews first. Testimonials show your audience that you deliver on your promises and that clients love working with you. 

 

Testimonials are one of the most effective tools to build trust.  Establishing trust is a necessity for booking clients. If your clients can give you data and numbers, that shows how much you have improved their business.

 

Place testimonials throughout your website.  Add 1-3 on your homepage, service page, and any sales pages. You may also consider dedicating a page specifically for client testimonials.

 

MOBILE FRIENDLY

A large part of website traffic is viewed mobile devices.  Take the time to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices.  Your website should be user-friendly on mobile devices and easy to navigate. Take the time to resize images and text so they look good on any device and the content can be viewed continuously. 

 

CALL TO ACTION

Always conclude with a call to action.  That might be to sign up for your newsletter list, get a hold of you directly, or book your services.  Don’t miss out on clients because they don’t know what to do next. In addition to a contact page on your website, include several different options for engagement throughout the site.

 

Always keep the momentum moving forward with potential clients. However that might translate—whether it’s getting to know you better through social media or signing up for a newsletter—lead them there.

 

USER FRIENDLY

Create an innovative and creative website but be sure to provide an easy way to navigate and obtain all the information. Try to avoid websites that are overly busy with too much information.  Your website should clear and concise.

 

Avoid long paragraphs, hard-to-read fonts, or complicated navigation menus. When linking resources or calls to action, use words like “click here”.  Although there are many dazzling online features available, keep your audience in mind when creating your website. Sometimes less is more.

 

Does your business website include these 10 essentials? If not, implement them to help you up-level your business! Ensuring that your website serves your audience and demonstrates that you can help your ideal clients get results will significantly improve your business. Take the time to learn, understand, and create an effective website and before you know it, you’ll be turning fans into clients!

.

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PINTEREST BEGINNER GUIDE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

PINTEREST BEGINNER GUIDE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

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PINTEREST BEGINNER GUIDE
FOR YOUR BUSINESS

PINTEREST BEGINNER GUIDE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

I once thought Pinterest was just for inspiration for decorating your house and throwing parties. I quickly learned this visual platform not only helps me throw a great party but also is a great tool for my business.  If you aren’t using Pinterest in your business it’s time to start. I have created Pinterest beginner guide for your business.

 

It is important to understand how Pinterest works so you can create a strategy and leverage it in your business marketing. This platform is a great way to increase your traffic and grow your brand.

 

PINTEREST IS A SEARCH ENGINE

Pinterest is very similar to Google. Statistics show that 250 million people use Pinterest every month. When we are looking for ideas, topics, and inspiration, we head to Pinterest. With that said, you need to ensure that your profile, boards, and pins are optimized so they appear in the search results.

 

Keywords and Pinterest 

Using keywords is the most crucial element to ensuring that maximize your reach. Your objective should be to connect with your ideal clients.  Researching and utilizing keywords that your ideal client may search is key to growth. Take time to make lists of words and phrases your ideal clients might search for.

 

Although you can follow and be followed in Pinterest, that number does not limit your reach.  With the proper techniques your reach potential is huge.

CREATING PINS

Most pins are vertical and this is the preferred orientation. I use Canva to create my pins and they have prefabricated templates that make it quick and easy.  Pinterest is a visual platform so use images, text, and colors that are appealing and draw people in.  Use images that are relevant to the content that you are pinning.

 

WHAT TO PIN

Pin all of your content.  Anytime you post content, pin it.  You can also pin from someone’s website or Pinterest feed.  If you read an interesting post or see an image that inspires you pin it to your Pinterest.  Some websites have a pin button installed which makes it easy to access.  However, you have the option to install a Pinterest extension that will enable you to pin from most sites.

 

CREATE BOARDS TO STAY ORGANIZED

You can organize your content by creating different boards that can house different topics.  When creating boards, you are prompted to give them a title so you know what types of pins live in that board.  When you save a pin to Pinterest, you select a board to save it. To maximize your reach, try to come up with subcategories.  For example, I am a business coach so I have boards for SEO, Mindset, Growing Your Newsletter, etc.  When creating your boards, reference your keyword list to utilize words your ideal client may be searching for.

When using Pinterest to help with your business, use secret or hidden boards for personal pinning. When you make a board secret that means no one can see it but you.


FOLLOWING OTHER PINNERS

You can follow other people on Pinterest, but you can also follow individual boards.  This is a great way to ensure that your feed is filled with pins that are relevant to what you what to view.


YOUR PINTEREST FEED

When you log in to your account there are several types of pins that will show up.  Different pins can come from different sources.

  • Pins from people you follow
  • Pins recommended by Pinterest based on your interest
  • Promoted pins or paid pins

ALGORITHM

Like other platforms, the Pinterest algorithm changes often. Every Pinterest user sees different pins on their home feed.  Your engagement may fluctuate, but pinning consistently is key.

It is important to try new things and create new strategies.  Keep an eye on your Pinterest insights and continue to watch for updates.  Take time at least monthly to educate yourself on what is working on Pinterest and adjust your strategies.

 

YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL

Your objective on Pinterest is to get people to pin your original pin. While you still want to share other people’s content, you ultimate goals is to promote your pins and get people to click on them and end up on your blog or website.

 

 

Become aware of what it is people are pinning and produce content that is similar to that. Pay attention to the images, graphics, text and content that is getting pinned the most. Create different graphics for the same content and see which one performs the better.  Utilize the Pinterest autofill search bar to see what is being searched for the most.

 

CONSISTENCY

In order to see results from Pinterest, you must learn to be consistent.  It will take several months of pinning and learning how Pinterest works before you will see results.  Schedule time every week to be active in Pinterest. 

Spending time learning and using Pinterest can be a great tool in your business. It can help you strengthen your brand and improve your visibility.

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UNDERSTANDING INSTAGRAM INSIGHTS

BEST BUSINESS COACH FOR WOMEN

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UNDERSTANDING INSTAGRAM INSIGHTS

UNDERSTANDING INSTAGRAM INSIGHTS


There are differing opinions on whether or not to switch your Instagram from a personal account to a business account.  I will give you one reason that switching to a business account can help you.  That reason is Instagram Insights.  Instagram provides business accounts with the analytics that will show you the data you need to in order to understand what is working and what isn’t.  Understanding Instagram insights can improve your business. 

There are several third-party apps that offer analytics, but these often misalign with Instagram’s data.  The most accurate source is the app itself. Using the data Instagram Insights provides is the most accurate overview of your account’s performance.  There is a lot of data available, but the three important categories to pay attention to are: Content, Activity, and Audience.


CONTENT

The content section lets you view all your content. It gives you the ability to see how many times each post was viewed. You can compare different posts to see which content does better than others. This is a great resource to show you when followers prefer a selfie as opposed to a picture of your lunch.

Take the time to create a strategy for your feed.  Figure out what your audience responds to best and use more of that in your content.

 

ACTIVITY

This feature is a great resource that helps you see when our audience is active.  It gives you weekly audience interaction. It shows you specific days that your audience is the most active.  This information lets you know when your audience is likely to be on the app and therefore which times you should post your important information.

 

AUDIENCE

It is crucial to know who your audience is in order to really connect with them.  Often we think the goal is to sell them on our product or service, but the truth is that our main goal should build to build the “know, like and trust” factor.  Once you have created a connection, the business will happen organically.  The audience section of insights lets you see where your followers are located. It also lets you see your followers’ age ranges and gender.  One of my favorite features in the Audience Insights is how it breaks down by day and hour when your audience is the most active.  This is a great tool to help you know when to post to get optimal engagement.

 

INDIVIDUAL POST INSIGHTS

You can also get detailed analytics on each individual post. This category shows you likes, comments, when your post was sent to someone or posted in a story, and whether it was saved. 

 

DISCOVERY SECTION

The discovery section lets you know how many accounts your post reached. It gives you a percentage of the amounts that it reached that were not following you.  It also lets you know how many impressions it received from the hashtags, home, profile, and other.

Make sure you are checking your insights on a regular basis.  You have the ability to see what images, content, and hashtags are working for you.  This is a great tool to see what is and isn’t working.  When you learn what is working do more of that to connect with your followers.

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FINDING IDEAL CLIENTS

FINDING IDEAL CLIENTS

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FINDING IDEAL CLIENTS

FINDING IDEAL CLIENTS

 

Businesses begin with a great idea or an innovative product.  Although we believe in our service and/or products, the key to success is determined by effective marketing.  In order to create a strong marketing strategy, you must know exactly who you are marketing to. You have to learn and understand the importance of finding ideal clients.

 

When choosing your target audience, the smaller your market the more success you will find.  It seems counterintuitive, but it is true.  If you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one.  There are so many services and products in the world.  People are bombarded with choices. When presented with too many options, people get stuck.  They don’t know what to pick, so they pick nothing.  I call this paralysis by analysis.

 

By narrowing your audience and appealing to a niche, you become a SOMETHING or SOMEONE that people want to choose.  You are different from all the others. You are the expert.

 

As you narrow your target audience, remember that your service and/or product won’t appeal to everyone. Don’t let this stop you.  You don’t want to appeal to everyone.  You want to find people who have specific interests or unique needs. 

 

It’s a fallacy to think that by doing this, you’ll stunt your growth and have only a small number of clients—that there aren’t that many people interested in what you are offering.  Remember that the power of your service or product is not in the quantity, but in the quality and the value or experience, you offer.

 

When customers experience your service or product, their experience will be unique and different.  You will then start to create a sense of community with your customers.  They will spread the word to others with similar interests.  This kind of business can’t be found in a big company.  It’s something only individuals can provide.  It is the kind of experience so many are seeking today.

 

When you are trying to identify your ideal client, look for someone who not only wants your product or service but someone who values its worth and is willing to invest.

As you work towards understanding and identifying your ideal client I want you to think of the 3 Ps:

 

PLACES

Where is your target client hanging out?  Where do they spend their time?  Do they spend their time at the dance studio or are they at the gym?  Are they a part of Facebook groups or book clubs?  Are they volunteering at their kid’s school or traveling to a third world country? By understanding where they go and the things they do, you will begin to better understand your clients.

 

PEOPLE

Who are your clients spending time with?  Who are their influencers and friends?  What podcasts do they listen to?  Whose blogs do they read? Do they follow fashion bloggers or fitness accounts?  Learning who they surround themselves with will give you an insight into their wants and needs.

PRODUCTS

What kinds of products and services do they buy?  Are they into makeup or workout clothes?  Do they drive a minivan or a BMW? Are they purchasing camera gear or software programs? The more you know about your ideal client the more value you will be able to offer.

 

In order to understand who your ideal client is, you have learned all there is to know about them.  Try creating an ideal client avatar. This made up avatar will represent your ideal client.  Give your avatar a name, hair and eye color and age. Do they go to school?  What car do they drive?  Where do they eat?  Where do they shop?  You need to know anything and everything about them.

 

 

After you have created your avatar, everything you do and say within your business relates to or benefits them. Your social media posts, the events you attend, the promotions you offer are all intended to benefit or help your avatar.  The more you understand about who you are marketing to, the more successful you will be when it comes to selling and promoting your offerings. Once you know who you are marketing to, you will understand the process of finding your ideal client.

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10 INSTAGRAM STORY FEATURES TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS

10 INSTAGRAM STORY FEATURES TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

10 INSTAGRAM STORY FEATURES
TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS

10 INSTAGRAM STORY FEATURES TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS

Instagram stories are a great way to connect with your audience.  This 24-hour video clip is a great way to show your followers the behind the scenes of your not-so-curated life. Whether you’re trying to grow your engagement or brand awareness, Instagram had features to help you. Your ultimate goal with social media is to connect and engage with your audience and stories is a great way to do that.  Here are 10 Instagram story features to help your business and improve your engagement.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

LOCATION STICKERS

In order to get more views and engagement on your stories, tag locations using location stickers. Similar to location tags for posts, when you tag a location on stories, your story will appear in public story feeds for that location. So someone searching for that location will see your story.

Location stickers are an awesome tool when running an event. If you’re hosting an event at specific location, try and tag that location ahead of time to let your followers know where you will be. Remember to always keep your tagged locations relevant to your content.  Don’t post a picture in San Francisco and use a New York City location sticker.

If you own a brick and mortar, be sure and register your business on Facebook to ensure others can tag your location on their posts and in their stories.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

MENTION STICKERS

When you are inspired by or collaborating with other brands, it’s important to give them a shout out. You can do this by using the mention sticker.  Not only will it notify them, but it gives them the ability to repost in their own stories.  This is a great way to build a community and also show support.  Utilizing this tool will create a network of people that will help promote each other.

HASHTAG STICKERS

Hashtag stickers are utilized the same way as location stickers. When people click on the hashtag—whether it is in a story or on a post—it will take them to the public page.  Your story will appear on the public page and get more exposure.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

GIF STICKERS

Try using GIF stickers to make your stories more visually appealing.  Using the right GIF will grab your audience’s attention and encourage them to engage. There is a GIF for almost everything!  Type a word in the GIF search bar and scroll through all your options.  Using  GIFs is a fun way to add some personality to your posts and set you apart from others.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

POLL STICKERS

Poll stickers are some of the best tools you can use in your business.  These stickers are a great way to do market research.  Ask your audience their opinions and thoughts.  The poll sticker and the emoji slider are great tools to determine what your audience likes and dislikes. Your audience is likely to respond to this sticker because they only have two options.  It’s as easy as tapping their choice.

You are then able to view the results. You can use that feedback as an opportunity to engage with your audience and gather valuable information.  Using poll stickers is a great way to improve your marketing strategy.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

QUESTION STICKERS

Question stickers are another great tool you can use in market research. You can use the question sticker to ask your followers what they want to see from you.  You can use this tool to ask for help, which is a great way to start conversations with your audience.  People love to feel important and needed and this tool is ideal for building relationships with your followers.

There are so many different ways that you can use question stickers in your stories. If you are doing an Instagram Live Q&A, ask your audience what they want to know. If you create free resources or guides, ask them what they want to see. 

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

QUIZ STICKER

The quiz sticker is a fun way to get engagement and interaction with your audience.  The sticker gives your audience multiple choices.  This is a great way to do market research or connecting with your followers by asking entertaining questions.  You can create your own or use the available options.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

CHAT STICKERS

If you want to improve engagement and start a conversation try using the chat sticker.  This is a great way to do a private group chat with up to 31 of your followers.  You get to determine who joins the chat and can engage your community of followers.

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

DONATION STICKERS

This is a fairly new sticker to Instagram, but it allows you to donate to a registered non-profit. Register your non-profit through your non-profit business page on Facebook .

10 Instagram Story Features to Improve Your Business

PRODUCT STICKERS

If you sell products, this tool is a must.  You are able to use the shopping stickers on your products.  The sticker will link it to your shop to purchase.  The shops need to be set up through Facebook or another Instagram-approved integration. The great thing about this feature is you don’t have to have 10,000 followers to use the tool.

Instagram stories have so many great features to help you leverage your marketing. Use some of these features to connect with your audience.  Take full advantage of these 10 Instagram story features to help your business grow.

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