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Luanna Rodham

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7 Social Media Marketing Tips for the Most Popular Platforms

social media marketing

social media marketingDo you feel like you’re in a rut with your social media marketing? Do these thoughts keep running around in your head: “Which platforms should I really be on? How can I really be visible on the ones that I choose? Should I try a different platform? Shouldn’t social media be fun?”

You are not alone! Many people feel overwhelmed by social media marketing. It can be confusing and frustrating trying to figure out which platforms your target audience may live on and how to be visible on those platforms.

Never fear! I have reached out to seven people who are experts on some of the biggest social media platforms. They have shared their best visibility tips with us.

Feast from their words of wisdom!

Instagram with Michelle D. GarrettMichelle D. Garrett

It’s important to recognize that Instagram thrives on action. Users interacting on your content triggers Instagram to show your content more frequently. How can you use this to your benefit? Consistently have a call to action.

For example, photos and quick videos shared to your feed should include a caption that directs the viewer to immediately take action. That action could be liking, saving, commenting, or sharing the graphic. It’s also important to share visually appealing content. Your images don’t need to be professional-grade, but they should be clear, bright, and draw the eye in. Think about what makes you stop and take action on the platform.

It’s easy to take one piece of content and share it in multiple ways to your Instagram community. Here’s a sample flow to repurpose one piece of content:

  • Share a quote or image that relates to an article on your site or a product/service that you offer. The caption can include 3-5 key points that are accentuated with emojis to break up your text. Include 15-30 relevant hashtags for visibility.
  • Recap each point throughout the day using InstaStories. Include 1-2 hashtags and incorporate one of the engagement tools.
  • Go live recapping your content. Save the video immediately after your live.
  • Upload your video to IGTV. Include a recap, relevant hashtags, and a link that goes to the article, product, or service. When you post your IGTV video, make sure a preview is posted to your main feed.
  • Finally, share your IGTV post into your InstaStories.

The more frequently you incorporate these steps, the easier you’ll be able to quickly create content that will get engagement and opt-ins thus making your social media marketing easier.

Michelle D. Garrett wants female entrepreneurs to embrace their inner diva and become driven, inspiring, victorious, and called to action while learning to make money by showing up consistently. A wife, mom, and mental health advocate she teaches women in business how to find the “right for them” balance between family, life, and work. Her goal is to provide women in business the peace of mind by being able to balance family, life, and work in a way that feels good for them. Visit Michelle at Divas with a Purpose. 

YouTube with Lou BortoneLou Bortone

When it comes to visibility and awareness, YouTube is the undisputed king. The mega-platform has a staggering 2 Billion users.  73% of adults in the US use YouTube.  That’s more than Facebook, and twice as much as Instagram.  In fact, YouTube is quickly passing traditional television as the “preferred” screen to watch.

For that reason, a YouTube presence is “must-have social media marketing” for small business owners.  The problem is, for most entrepreneurs, their YouTube channels are a hot mess.  If you fall into that category, there’s still hope.  They are a few things you can do to upgrade your YouTube game.

  • First, think of your YouTube Channel as an extension of your brand and your website. Use your brand colors and create a channel banner that matches the rest of your branding.
  • Next, create a channel trailer or “welcome” video for your channel. Organize your videos into playlists to curate your content. Make sure your channel isn’t a “mish-mash” of random videos, as a confused viewer will leave your channel faster than you can say “subscribe!”
  • Then be sure to optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags (keywords). Create custom thumbnails to make your content visually appealing and easy to find and use YouTube’s “end screens” to preview your other videos and keep people on your channel longer.

Most important, good content that’s relevant and useful to your target audience will keep viewers engaged and coming back for more. As I like to say, if you want more video views, make better videos!

Lou Bortone has been in video marketing since before video marketing was a thing! He’s been a leader in the video space since the launch of YouTube in 2005. Before that, Lou was in the television business in Hollywood for over 20 years. He’s a video marketing consultant, speaker and author of “Video Marketing Rules: How to Win in a World Gone Video.” Visit Lou at LouBortone.com.

Twitch with Kelly McCauseyKelly McCausey

In March 2020, when the pandemic hit and shut down my travel plans for the foreseeable future, I gave myself permission to play in a new space I’d been tempted by for years.

I’m talking about Twitch.tv.

You see, I’m a gamer. Yep, a 53-year-old Nana who plays video games. My favorite game is Don’t Starve Together. Not surprisingly, it’s a community-focused game you play with others.

My son, who is also a gamer, told me I ought to stream my gameplay. He’s entertained by my enjoyment of the game and thought others would be too. I signed up, learned the basics of streaming gameplay, and got started. I hired a Stream Coach to give me advice on how to get viewers to my Twitch channel.

Turns out success on Twitch is a lot like other content marketing. Create, network & be consistent.

I have been streaming for over six months now and don’t only stream games. I have streamed ‘Just Chatting’ sessions and I’ve done graphic design on stream as well. Twitch is a platform that welcomes the variety streamer and people you meet there don’t generally pigeon hold you.
What I love about Twitch for anyone who does something visual or enjoys spoken word video content creation, is that you meet new people pretty much every time you stream. I have made friends all over the world and yes – oddly some of them have expressed interest in what I do in my business.

Gaming brought me to Twitch, but the community has won my heart.

Kelly McCausey is a blogger, podcaster, and business coach with a focus on content marketing and community building. She knows you want to publish content you’re proud of for a community you love. Visit Kelly at LovePeopleMakeMoney.com.

LinkedIn with Heidi MedinaHeidi Medina

Are you training the LinkedIn algorithm to work for you or against you?

One of the biggest mistakes I see people making on LinkedIn is jumping on the platform and posting, connecting, and engaging without a thought of what they are trying to achieve. Most never even thought about their goals before taking action.

But here’s the thing, if you aren’t taking action deliberately, you’re not training the algorithm to help you. The main reason I can spend an hour or less per day on LinkedIn is because I’ve spent time deliberately teaching the algorithm to work for me based on the goals I’m trying to achieve.

An algorithm is a tool. One that can work for you or against you depending on how you train it. Train it well, and you will have a feed filled with people’s content you want to comment on – making your engagement so freaking quick and easy each day. And your content will be shown to people you want to see you. Plus, the suggested connections are your ideal clients – which means no searching. You just go down the suggestions hitting the connect option.

Your actions teach the algorithm who you want to see and who show to you. If you’re connecting and engaging with anyone and everyone, you aren’t giving the algorithms a focused vision of who you want to see your content and what types of content you want to see.

Deliberate action is what helps you achieve your purpose.

Hi. I’m Heidi Medina from Talk to Heidi. I’m a business coach who helps people learn how to create human connections with themselves and others using the power of conversation and fun so that they feel valued, accepted, motivated, and empowered to achieve their goals and dreams. Visit Heidi at TalktoHeidi.com.

TikTok with Tish Lee

I had never thought about using TikTok. I only knew it as ‘that app for kids.

Then a friend sent me a link to a body positivity gal on there. It didn’t take long before I went down a rabbit hole devouring quick 30 to 60 second videos and quickly finding people using it to market their businesses and build community.

Because I’m in the body positivity niche and there is a huge community on the app, I decided to give it a go and haven’t looked back – the best social media platform I’ve ever decided to use!

The return on investment (ROI) I’ve seen has been well worth the efforts!

Here are my 3 best visibility tips for TikTok:

  1. Have Fun! Don’t go to TikTok and expect to shove your content (blog posts, sales pages, products, etc.) down people’s throats. Even the businesses I follow, have fun and jump on some of the trending themes. This means you might do a dance, use a silly voice-over, etc. For visibility, I’ve noticed I get put in front of more people (land on the FYP – for you page) when I jump on some of the dancing or lip-syncing/voice-over trends). That’s how new people find and follow me.
  2. Engage with your followers. If people take the time to comment on your videos, comment back! Show them you’re not just there for the numbers/likes, etc. I’ve had a follower of mine create a video and share my profile with her followers because she appreciated how much time I spent engaging with her whether it was commenting on her stuff or commenting back to her when she commented on mine. People love it when you acknowledge them – be “visible”!
  3. Don’t spam like! Back when I first started my TikTok account, I would scan a few seconds of someone’s video, like it, and move along to another one of their videos and do the same. In TikTok land, this is a huge no-no and people will quickly call others out for doing it. Not only does it hurt the person you’re doing it to, but it can also hurt you… with both of you ending up shadowbanned and that’ll put a damper on your visibility quickly!

The takeaway I want to leave you with… just have fun! People love connecting with someone real that lets their personality shine.

Tish Lee encourages women of all sizes to take up space confidently and comfortably with no apology. She knows if you don’t take your space in the world, no one else can and that would be a damn shame. Visit Tish at ShiningSelf.com

Facebook Groups with Val Selby

When I created my first group 7 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing, yet it’s rocked a crazy 95% engagement for nearly the entire time. It’s due to the very personal interaction I have from the very beginning.

I technically do it “wrong” and make way more work for myself. But, when I have clients make a real connection with their group, their engagement grows tremendously and very quickly.

Member requests are a GOLDEN opportunity to connect. They just decided to check out your group and if you set up your questions correctly, they even had enough trust to give you their email address because they want more of what you have. Contact new member requests in a private message before you approve them to the group.

I have a template I use that includes a short bio and a link to my about page for more info. It includes my goal for the group and an invite to go to the site for specific topics. If your questions are set up appropriately, then you can even change out the topic to be a pain point they gave you.

It’s very much setting the tone for what they can expect in the group and I always, always sign off telling them they can contact me at any time. I get many replies and they introduce themselves and give me more pain points they are experiencing that I can address in the group later and in other content.

I know that is time-consuming, but if you have admins or VA’s, you can create a template and have them do the reach out as your team. The personal touch sets you apart from every other group out there. In the last year, I have had many new members instantly invite 2-5 people. Now that they know you, you’ve got just a speck into their trust and they want to tell others.

Val Selby specializes in helping solopreneurs build their community full of raving fans that crave their expertise. Her specialty is creating bundles, summits, and giveaways that make you look amazing and show you as the expert in your niche that you are. Visit Val at ValSelby.com.

Pinterest with Daniel HallDaniel Hall Social Media Marketing

Pinterest is a marketer’s dream and here’s why. Any posts that you make on Pinterest can be seen by all Pinterest users. Not just by people that follow you. They don’t have to be your friend. They can be anyone. They don’t even have to be logged into Pinterest to find you.

Pinterest is like YouTube, archival in nature. Anything you post on Pinterest can be found years later. So when you understand this, and that the whole culture and backbone of Pinterest is in sharing (or what Pinterest calls re-pinning), you start to get a little idea of just how powerful Pinterest can be from a marketing standpoint.

A little background about Pinterest:

  • Pinterest is like an online bulletin board – primarily for collecting visual pieces of multimedia (mostly images).
  • People use Pinterest to discover and save ideas because it’s a search engine first and foremost.
  • Ideas can take lots of forms, from recipes, to renovation projects, to the perfect pair of shoes.
  • Every idea is represented by a “Pin” that includes an image, a description, and a link back to the image’s sources online.

Why Pinterest should be part of your social media marketing plan:

  • Pinterest encourages users to organize boards dedicated to niches that people are interested in.
  • It is visually stimulating and fun to browse.
  • Pinterest makes it easy to add a clickable link to anywhere you want.
  • They actively encourage users to share pin and re-pins.
  • Links to your offers also get shared with the images.
  • Pins get shared and re-shared over and over.

My biggest tip for you about Pinterest is that whatever image you create to post, you should link it to anything you choose – a product, a book, a blog post, anything you want to promote.

If you would like to learn more about how to make Pinterest part of your social media marketing strategy, check out Real Fast Social Graphics.

Daniel Hall is a USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, speaker, consultant, coach, lawyer (JD from Texas Tech University), nurse (BSN from University of Texas at El Paso), and host of the top-rated Real Fast Results podcast. He is also the creator of the popular “Real Fast” training programs. Visit Daniel’s YouTube Channel for video tutorials. 

Would you like to improve your own social media efforts – make it easy, breezy fun again? Check out these FREE social media brainstorming planner for many of the platforms mentioned here.

Choose Which Social Media Platforms Work Best for You

Now that you have visibility tips from these knowledgeable experts, go through and choose which social media platforms will work best for you.

You want to pick the ones where your target market hangs out, and the platforms you enjoy engaging on. Social media marketing should be fun! Remember, it’s all about relationships and being you. Don’t forget to find joy in the process.

Filed Under: Marketing, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: social media marketing, social media tips

Time to Make a Change

make a change

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut? Like you’re doing the same things over and over and there is no difference. Then you wake up one morningmake a change and you realize, “It’s time to make a change!”

But, you can’t make that change by yourself and you have no idea where to start! Does this sound familiar? I have been there.

About a year ago I decided I had to make a change. I had known Kelly McCausey for many years and knew that she offered a “Stretch Yourself Challenge” every year in September.

I decided to take a leap and sign up for the challenge. I wasn’t sure what I was in for. However, I knew many of the people that were in the challenge and they had said that in the past this challenge had really grown their businesses.

I made the decision to go all-in! 

  • I read through the manual that Kelly provides.
  • I strategically picked the challenges that would help my business grow.
  • I participated in coaching groups.
  • I listened to or watched the replay of the live calls.
  • I posted in the forum.

The results were amazing!

My Personal Results

First of all, I came away with some great relationships. These women are still supporting me in my efforts today. Not just in my business, but in my personal life as well.

Here are a few things I came away with:

  • I became very clear on a new direction I wanted to go in my business.
  • I made intentional connections that led to new business.
  • I decided to re-design my website and get a new logo (no more website shame).
  • I reached out to former clients and received glowing testimonials that also led to new clients.
  • And much more…

Repeat Offender

I am participating in the Stretch Yourself Challenge again this year. I am all in again. The key to success is to set your own pace and be your own competition.

This year I am working on content marketing and visibility. I have participated in coaching triads which have led to new friendships and great ideas!

I have really enjoyed posting in the forums and giving and receiving support from my fellow challengers.

stretch yourselfStretch Yourself Challenge Self-Study

Every year the Stretch Yourself Challenge is held live in September. However, Kelly offers a self-study option that you can choose to join in year-round.

Are you ready to make a change? Are you tired of feeling like your all alone? I recommend the Stretch Yourself Challenge because it helps you make changes fast. And, even with the self-study option you can still post and get help in the forum!

Make a change today. Join the Stretch Yourself Challenge. And when you do, message me in the forum and I will support you! 

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: make a change, stretch yourself

4 Social Media Marketing Tips

Social Media Marketing

social media marketingWhen you think of social media marketing, do you feel like the lady in the picture? I know we have all felt like this at one time or another, or weekly, or maybe daily.

Social media marketing can be very overwhelming. Although, it doesn’t have to be! I have a few tips to make it easier and take away that overwhelm!

4 Social Media Marketing Tips – It Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

  1. Start with one platform. While it is true that you should be on more than one social media platform, do not try them all out at one time. Pick one and start with just that one. Research the ins and outs. Make sure you have the right size banner (each platform has a different banner size). Watch how other people are posting and engaging on that platform. Once you feel comfortable there, then move onto another one.
  1. You don’t need to be on every social media platform. Go where your target market is. For example, I found that Twitter does not work for me. So, I don’t spend my time there. Figure out where your target market lives and have a presence on those platforms.
  1. Post useful, engaging content. People like to learn. If you have knowledge that people need and want, share it. Also, learn from others and engage with them.
  1. Spend your time wisely. As I said earlier, just pick a couple of platforms to be present on. Post, engage and get off. Limit yourself to a certain amount of time each day to be on social media.

Time is a precious commodity. Use it wisely when it comes to social media marketing. Social media can be a great business tool, but it can also be a rabbit hole.

Social media marketing may not be the best use of your time. Your best use of your time is creating the content that I can use to turn into social media and give you exposure. Please reach out to me and find out how: Book a 20 minute free strategy session with me here 

Filed Under: Marketing, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: marketing, social media, social media marketing

Stretch Yourself – I Went White Water Rafting and Lived!

stretch yourselfLet me start out by being honest! When I first was asked to participate in a “Stretch Yourself” Challenge, I freaked out a bit. Yes! When I think of “stretching myself,” I think of something else I have to do that I don’t have time for.

Now, this particular challenge is to work on my own business. And, yes, I know it sounds strange to say I don’t have time for that. But,  when you are a service provider it can be hard to concentrate on what will make you money instead of making your clients money.

I decided to think back to a time when I really stretched myself and was scared to death. However, I wanted to think back to something that helped me grow and change for the better! That time was 2007 and white water rafting!

White Water Rafting with 35 Teen-aged Girls

In 2007 I was asked to be the camp director over a church camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee. One of my responsibilities was planning a high adventure for 35, 16-17-year-old girls. I wanted to know what they wanted to do for the adventure. They talked about how the Boy Scouts always got to go white water rafting but they never got to. It was something they really wanted to do. White Water Rafting with 35 teenagers - stretch yourself

First of all, you need to know that I am a desert rat! I was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where there is NO water. We get 7 inches of rain in a year (if we’re lucky). I never learned how to swim. And to this day, I am not a strong swimmer. However, I decided to not let that bother me. My thinking was, “Well, one of the other leaders can always go.”

I worked VERY hard and got the trip approved for these 35 girls. They were very excited! Then the real stretching began! We had to have a certain number of adult leaders and all the girls wanted me to go. My head was screaming, “NO! I have three small children! They need their mother! I don’t want to die!” These sweet girls wanted me to go because I worked so hard to get it approved.

I really struggled with it! I really was scared to death! “What if one of the girls gets hurt? What if I drown? What if I fall out of the boat and smack into a big rock?”

The first thing I did was to pray for help. Then, I picked leaders to come that knew why I was afraid and how to support me. They didn’t make fun of me or belittle me, they supported me! I told them my fears and they helped me overcome them. I surrounded myself with good uplifting people.

I Went White Water Rafting and Lived!

The day finally came! And yes, I overcame my fear and stretched myself. This picture is of me literally stretching myself and getting into the boat! White Water Rafting getting into the boat

One of the great things about being the leader is you get to ride in the last raft with the best white water guide. I didn’t know at the time. That way I was able to keep an eye on all the boats ahead of me to make sure that none of the girls floated away.

And you know what, after all the planning and stretching, I had a great time! The girls and leaders had a great time! Every single one of us was stretching ourselves. That was the whole point of doing a high adventure.

Stretch Yourself Challenge 

This month I am participating in a challenge that helps me stretch myself in my business. Is it as scary as white water rafting? In some ways, yes! I have not been that great about promoting my own expertise and experience. I am really good at promoting and talking about the value other people can bring to someone’s business. However, I am not good at talking about my own value.

Kelly McCausey and the other participants are supporting me in this challenge. You’re going to see some new blog posts from me. And, some other surprises! I would love for you to join me! Just click here to learn more!

What are some things you have done to stretch yourself? Something that takes you or has taken you outside of your comfort zone?

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: challenge, stretch yourself, white water rafting

Live Networking Events: 3 Reasons Why You Should Go

Live Networking Events

I have been in the online business world since 2003! I’ve had babies and raised my children during that time. I love being able to work from home. It’s allowed me to be home with my kids and make the money I need. However, as my kids have gotten older I’ve realized I need support from people who understand what I do for a living. It can be very lonely working online. Over the years I have turned to live networking events to find the support I need.

3 Reasons Why You Should Attend Live Networking Events

I love attending live events! They build me up in ways that are hard to describe. It’s not just the education you receive, although I have received very valuable business education, it’s the relationships. I’ve come up with three reasons why YOU should be attending live events. Live networking events can help you emotionally and profitably.

#1 – Live Networking Events are Good for Your Soul

live networking events
Me and the amazing Kim Coles at Beach Camp 5!

This is so true! I recently attended a live event where I met Kim Coles! Kim Coles played Synclaire James on the hit TV show “Living Single.” I actually got to meet her in person! And, we sat down and had time to talk. She spoke on how to use personal stories in your business! I learned so much from just being in her presence. It was fun and very good for my soul!

I was reminded of some funny stories from my childhood. I felt comfortable sharing them with the entire group. We all laughed! And, laughing is good for your soul.  Above is a picture with me and Kim! Just that one encounter brought joy and peace within myself.

#2 – Live Networking Events Are A Great Place To Build Relationships

Live Networking Events
Me and Rayven Monique, from Color Happy, having an extremely fun dinner at Beach Camp 5.

After having been online for such a long time, I realized I needed more than just business relationships. I needed relationships with people in my same business world, but on an emotional level. And, I have found that! You have to pick and choose which events you are going to. Some events are great for emotional relationship building and other live events are more suited for building business relationships. So, when you are choosing events, keep in mind what you really need. Do you need friends? Or do you need business partners?

#3 – Live Networking Events Can Bring You New Clients

Let me just tell you, I would much rather meet my clients in person! And, I have done just that! Most of my clients I have met at live events. I love it, because you can see if you really connect. I like to have long term clients. I don’t mind doing projects here and there, but when I really like working with someone, I want them to come back to me over and over again. Meeting a potential new client in person is one of the big reasons I go to events!

Make The Decision To Go To At Least One Live Event This Year

If you are at home, or at the office, or in an coffee shop, and you’re reading this, I totally encourage you to take action! Find a live event that fits you either emotionally or for your business needs today. And, make plans to go! I’m posting two events that I am hoping to attend in 2019!

live networking events
Hanging out with the amazing Monique Johnson at Exposure & Profit 4.

Love People + Make Money Live

This event is more of a business learning event. However, there are lunches and dinners to make emotional connections. I will definitely be at this one. Love People + Make Money Live, Atlanta, GA – October 16th-18th, 2020.  I will be there! This event is hosted by Kelly McCausey! She has a great line up of teachers! Check out the line up here.

Beachprenuers Beach Camp

I attended this event for the first time in April of 2018! This is the event where I met Kim Coles! I made some great emotional connections at this event and learned a lot about what I want to be doing in my business. I am planning on going again in 2020. This is a woman’s only event hosted by Kelly McCausey and Nicole Dean. Beachprenuers Beach Camp  – May 1st-3rd, 2020 Daytona, FL. Get details here.

 

Do you go to live events? If so, what are the names of some you would recommend?

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: business education, live events, live networking events

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