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Andrea Freeman’s Method: Shift Your Mindset to Scale Your Business - Episode 193 Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

Everyone wants to show up as the best version of themselves, in life and in business. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. Andrea Freeman believes that everyone is on a journey to expand and learn more about themselves. She likes to say “Let your personal evolution fuel your business revolution.” She emphasizes that your business can only be as successful as you are. So how do you shift your mindset and realign with your purpose? How does doing that help you scale your business? Listen to this episode of Wingnut Social to learn more!

Andrea Freeman is a business coach who created the HOST Method. She’s on a mission to help service-based business owners realign with their purpose, create greater financial freedom, fulfillment, and make a difference in the world. She’s worked with clients to integrate mindset techniques, refine their business models, and scale quickly. Andrea’s clients experience more clarity in their purpose, they see their revenue stream increase and they achieve much more sustainable success.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:54] Knaus Berry Farm Shoutout
[3:08] Facebook’s guide to successful ad campaigns
[4:35] Andrea Freeman’s background
[5:55] Andrea has been a life-long entrepreneur
[7:06] What it’s like working with A-list celebrities
[9:35] The difference between a negative and positive mindset
[11:29] “Who should I be” versus “what should I do”
[15:34] Strategies to deal with an in-the-moment crisis
[19:48] What is the HOST method?
[22:34] Meditation + mindset
[26:45] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[28:22] How to connect with Andrea Freeman
[32:33] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Andrea Freeman

Resources & People Mentioned

“Who should I be” versus “what should I do”

Andrea feels that in life there is a lot of emphasis on doing. Traditional business advice is all about doing. Instead of focusing on doing Andrea says your foundation should be built on who you’re being. Are you being magnetic? Are you being engaging? Are you a joy to be around? She believes you should be the kind of person you want to do business with.

One of the first questions she asks her clients is: “What’s your ‘why’ and how are you honoring it?” She often finds that people either have no idea what their why is OR they know what it is but aren't honoring it. Honoring it is just getting to the core of why things are important to you—and bringing it into your business.

People can see through you if you’re putting on a veneer of how you think you should be. Andrea felt she was leaving herself out of her business. When she pivoted and only offered services that aligned with her purpose, her business began to thrive. Authenticity took her business to another level.

Shift your mindset with meditation and affirmation

Do you have moments when you need to shift your perspective? Andrea points out that you need to implement in the moment crisis strategies. After all, we can’t all go sit on a mountaintop and meditate when stuff happens in life. Andrea notes that you can take 5 minutes and use a simple affirmation to help you deal with what you're going through:

“Everything always works out for me.”
“I am divinely guided and protected.”
“Peace begins with me.”

You also want to remember that some business isn’t meant for you. She notes that entrepreneurs get sucked into feeling they have to win every piece of business. But Andrea firmly believes there is a reason some things don’t work out: “Getting the business is divine. Not getting the business is divine.”

There’s something else that Andrea recommends implementing to change the trajectory of your every day—listen to find out what it is.

What is Andrea’s HOST method?

The HOST Method plays on Andrea’s background. It’s the concept of being able to be a host in your own life or a guest at someone else’s party. When you’re a guest you don’t get a say on the food or the music. When you’re the host, you have a say in everything. It’s also an acronym:

H = Honor your why
O = Own who you are
S = Shift your perspective
T = Take inspired action

When you find clarity on your why and own it fully, you’ll naturally start to take notice when limiting beliefs and self-doubt begin to creep in. That’s when you use techniques to shift your perspective (prayer, meditation, affirmations, visualizations, moving your body, spending time in nature, etc.). Do whatever you need to shift back into being who you are. Take inspired action from that place of clarity.

Andrea notes that above all you should know that you deserve all the success in the world. There is a reason that you have a desire to do something. Give yourself the permission to go for it and shine your light.

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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Travel + Interior Design Photography Tips [Pro Ralph Velasco Shares] - Episode 192 Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

How important is good photography for interior design marketing? How important is it for the travel and tourism industry? How do you craft the perfect image that portrays what you see? In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, professional photographer Ralph Velasco joins Natalie and Darla to share his expertise.

Ralph is a professional travel photographer who’s led over 100 international tours over the last 12 years. He is the founder and CEO of PhotoEnrichment Adventures and Alla Campagna. Ralph crafts tours that not only immerse you in another culture, but teaches you how to capture what you see in stunning images.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[2:04] The latest and greatest in social media marketing
[4:00] The importance of good imagery in marketing
[6:53] Ralph’s background in photography
[7:59] The importance of professional photography
[11:14] What works and what really doesn’t
[14:25] How to develop an eye for photography
[17:15] The impact of social media
[22:17] How Ralph navigated safe travel during COVID-19
[23:56] Top mistakes people make with photography
[27:47] The What up Wingnut! Round!
[30:39] How to connect with Ralph Velasco
[37:28] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Ralph Velasco

PhotoEnrichment Adventures
Alla Campagna
Ralph’s blog: Continental Drifter
Ralph on Instagram
Ralph on Facebook
Ralph on Twitter
Ralphy’s YouTube Channel
Ralph’s book: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye and More

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Travel + Interior design photography: images sell

Images sell your home. Images sell the experience. People want to know what they will see and experience and great photography is the best way to convey that. Ralph scouts his trips at least a year in advance. He captures photographs, takes video, meets people, stays in the hotels, and eats at the restaurants. Then he picks and chooses the best for his tour groups.

Ralph emphasizes that “A travel photographer has to be a jack of all genres, master of some.” Photographers specialize in architecture, people, food, and much more. But a travel photographer has to be good at everything. Photographers are story-tellers. They have to tell the story of a place, a region, or a country.

Perhaps you’re telling the story of the interior of a home. To do that, Ralph notes that you want to start with big wide establishing shots. Then take the medium shots that show a portion of the room. Then you dive into the detail shots. The way to differentiate your photography is always in the details. Everyone gets the “postcard” shot. But the people that capture the details in the photos differentiate themselves from everyone else.

How do you develop an eye for photography? How do you learn to drill down deeper into the scene and capture the soul of it? Listen to hear Ralph’s advice.

Two tips that will transform your photography

Ralph jokes that “If you don’t like getting up early, be a writer.” But it’s actually true. Photography is all about taking advantage of the best possible light. In the morning, the sun is low in the sky and you experience golden hour with long soft shadows. Think about how the light impacts your subject and get proper exposure.

When you’re photographing something or someone, Ralph advises looking beyond them. How does the background or the foreground impact the photograph? Is there something that will ruin the composition of the photo? Ralph will move around to see how the scene is changing in relation to his subject. He is in control of the scene. He recommends that you place your subject against a clear background whenever possible.

People would get 10x better photographs if they cultivated an awareness of the light and the background.

Listen to the whole episode for more of Ralph’s tips + tricks. He also shares how his business has transformed and how social media is his #1 marketing stream.

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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Can Writing a Book Catapult Your Career? LuAnn Nigara Shares Her Thoughts - Episode 191 Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Have you always wanted to write a book? Have you also wondered if it’s worth the investment? LuAnn Nigara has written two amazing books and is about to launch her third book, A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 (which Darla wrote a chapter in). In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, LuAnn talks about the process of writing and self-publishing a book—and whether or not it’s worth the ROI.

LuAnn is the co-owner of Window Works in New Jersey and created an award-winning podcast for interior designers, A Well-Designed Business. She is a sought-after keynote speaker with over 30+ years of experience in the industry. LuAnn gave Darla the education, strength, and courage to start her design business. If you’ve had dreams of becoming an author, this is a can’t-miss episode.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[2:48] The GOAT: LuAnn Nigara
[5:55] LuAnn’s book coming out Nov. 12th
[7:51] Why LuAnn decided to write her first book
[11:10] The impact of the 1st book on LuAnn’s business
[13:49] The process of writing a book
[19:39] How to self-publish your own books
[22:06] The Power Talk Friday Book
[24:20] What to budget for writing a book
[26:30] How LuAnn is marketing her book
[28:10] Don’t set unreasonable expectations
[31:47] What up Wingnut! Round
[32:27] How to connect with LuAnn Nigara
[33:51] Know what your end-game is
[37:35] Blooper Reel!

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website
A Well-Designed Business podcast
Get on the email list for LuAnn Live!
The Power Talk Friday Experts (Book #1)
The Making of A Well-Designed Business

Resources & People Mentioned

Book Launchers

How writing a book impacted LuAnn’s business

According to LuAnn, “Writing your own book definitely is a game-changer. There’s no question.” LuAnn believes—4.5 years in—that the book has opened doors for her. Every single speaking engagement she’s had (50+) she has never had to pitch herself. LuAnn’s niche and credibility is business and she comes into the world as a business expert. The book solidified that credibility. It opened a door that she didn’t have to knock on.

LuAnn is a story-teller at heart. No matter the medium she is using, she emphasizes that she is going to tell a story. That’s the core of how she communicates information. She tells you what she wants you to know and drives the point home with a story. She’s a big-picture thinker. She wants the reader to know how marketing mattered for her business, what she did, and what her results were.

Her book is the journey of an entrepreneur. When she wrote the book, she worked backward. She didn’t want to sit there and break down statistics and numbers associated with building a business. She made a list of two pages worth of funny and poignant stories and the hard lessons she’s learned. Then she said, “Can I put a business lesson around that story?” Listen to learn about her whole writing process—including self-publishing a book.

Why you NEED to set realistic expectations

Writing a book is becoming a way to establish yourself as a thought leader in whatever space you’re in. But you can’t expect the book itself to be a money-maker. LuAnn wrote a book for the interior design industry. She has no illusion that this book will have a far and wide reach. She’s gone into it with open-eyes.

You have to be open to the ROI being speaking engagements and other opportunities. If you’re thinking the ROI is the book, it’s an unrealistic expectation. Everything together creates the opportunity. But LuAnn points out that you want to know how you’ll convert the book into making money.

How does she market her books? How do you build out a comprehensive plan for what your book will do for you? Listen to the whole episode to learn more!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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PODCAST FAST TRACK
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Differentiate Yourself: Amanda Berlin Says to Tell Your Story - Episode 190 Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

“There is something valuable about who you are and what you do. It warrants being told. It warrants being unearthed and it deserves to be out there...Your story may be the key that unlocks someone else's prison.” — Amanda Berlin

Do you know how to differentiate yourself in the design niche? How do you stand out from the crowd? According to Amanda Berlin, you have to connect with your clients. She believes that connection begins with telling your story. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Amanda shares tips, tricks, and tools to implement to differentiate yourself and tell your unique story.

Amanda is a visibility and business consultant for entrepreneurs. She is also the host of the Empowered Publicity Podcast, which arms soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skillsets they need to become recognizable and trusted experts.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[1:19] All about Amanda Berlin
[2:56] LuAnn Nigara’s upcoming book
[4:16] How important is it to differentiate your brand?
[8:25] How to share your story authentically
[10:43] WHY can’t you craft a compelling narrative?
[13:47] How to connect with your audience
[17:52] What if you’re afraid to be visible?
[20:30] Finding tactics to bring in dollars
[29:00] What up Wingnut! Round
[35:02] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Amanda Berlin

The Empowered Publicity Podcast
Amanda’s Website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Facebook

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK: Know My Name

Being unique means telling your story

Amanda believes that one of the easiest ways to distinguish yourself is to lean into your story. You’re the only person who has done what you have done and had the experiences you’ve had that led you to where you are today. Your story will resonate with the right clients if you use it appropriately.

No one will see the world the way you do. Your upbringing, relationships, experiences, etc. inspire your life and how you view the world. They are relevant to the people who will be the best fit to work with you.

When you’re developing your brand story, you don’t share things you haven’t processed yet. You want the energy of your story to be clean, inspiring, and connective. This is a carefully curated version of your story that doesn’t white-wash everything but DOES present a version of your story that’s relevant.

WHY can’t you craft a compelling narrative? Why are you hitting roadblocks? Listen to hear Amanda’s thoughts!

Amanda’s three circles of visibility

Amanda teaches a strategy that uses three circles of visibility. But before you focus on the three circles, you need to determine what your goals are. It’s challenging to put yourself out there if you don’t know what result you’re going for. So you need to nail down what you want to get out of this. It drives your tactics. So what are Amanda’s three circles?

The innermost circle represents collaborations and alliances: your strategic partners who will refer clients or become clients themselves. They generate word of mouth for your business. When people feel connected to you, they invest in working with you.
The middle circle is speaking and events: conferences, virtual presentations, speaking to associations, etc. You are creating your own stage.
The outermost circle is media: The traditional media relations such as getting featured in a magazine, interviewed on tv, or speaking on a podcast.

As you move away from the innermost circle the connection to the audience becomes looser. But which circle you choose to leverage depends on your individual goals. Amanda also points out that you must find visibility tactics that resonate with you—but also embrace things that challenge you.

What if you’re afraid to be visible? Which tactics can bring in more clients? When do you hire a publicist or a coach? How are relationships so important to growing your business? Amanda shares her thoughts on ALL of these questions and so much more. Don’t miss this episode!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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PODCAST FAST TRACK
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Market Your Brand to Land a Licensing Deal [Victoria Larson's Strategy] - Episode 189 Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

How do you market your brand for maximum visibility? How do you land a licensing deal when you’re not a celebrity designer? What does it take to make the collaborations successful? Victoria Larson stumbled into her first licensing deal but has since perfected her strategy. What does she recommend? How does she land licensing deals? Listen to this episode to learn more!

Victoria is a textile and wallcovering designer. She launched her collection of printed fabric, printed grasscloth, wallpaper and wovens in 2010. She often collaborates with brands and is on her second licensing deal with Stout Brothers. All of her work is crafted in the US and is perfect for classic or modern interiors.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:50] Natalie’s medical scare [She’s OK!]
[6:05] Marketing yourself to get a licensing deal
[7:22] Victoria’s background in design
[10:04] Was getting a licensing deal a strategy?
[14:42] Marketing your brand for visibility
[16:05] Victoria’s social media strategy
[18:32] How she’s getting licensing deals
[21:52] What are licensing deal-breakers?
[23:11] Does the type of product matter?
[26:28] Don’t cannibalize your own brand
[27:07] What up Wingnut! Round
[29:10] How to connect with Victoria
[32:05] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Victoria Larson

Victoria’s Website
Connect on Instagram

Resources & People Mentioned

From architectural interior design to textile design

In the beginning, Victoria dabbled in production and began creating a lot of test prints. She made pillows for her friends and caftans for her daughters—which is how she stumbled into her first licensing deal. She was introduced to a friend of a friend who loved her daughter's caftans. This person happened to run the US side of a children's swimwear company. She asked Victoria to create their custom designs. She said yes because it sounded like fun.

So Victoria grabbed books and learned what she could. She reached out to as many people as she could who knew anything. She learned Adobe illustrator. She ended up working with that swimwear company for 8 years doing one big launch—and one mini launch—a year. It was fun for her and grew her creativity. Because it was so easy, successful, and fun, it became part of her plan moving forward. She decided she’d always do licensing in addition to her brand.

Marketing your brand to land a licensing deal

Victoria believes that it’s become far easier for smaller boutique brands to get a licensing agreement. You don’t have to be a celebrity designer anymore. She states that “There’s more emphasis on the process, on the craft, and on the story.” Brands are seeing the value of partnerships.

Victoria’s goal is to create relationships—not just sell a product. She doesn’t have a giant Instagram following. But social media isn’t just about likes and followers. It’s about creating relationships and engagement. Engagement is feedback for a smaller brand. If you use it the right way, you get instant feedback.

It’s also about being clear about your intentions. Make sure that you’re using Instagram for your brand story—not your dog photos and vacation pictures.

Choose your collaborations carefully

Where do you look for brand collaborations? Victoria points out that you can start with your existing relationships. Do you do a lot of custom work with a vendor? Who are like-minded brands? What are their brand values? Will they be a good fit?

Victoria is very careful about who she collaborates with. She’s had successful collaborations and some that haven’t done well. She notes that you have to know what your goals are going into the agreement. You have to understand the time-commitment and marketing commitment that’s necessary to make it a valuable and successful venture.

Victoria believes it’s important to lay out both parties' expectations to find out the commitment level on each side. It will take more time than you think it will. She likes to lay out a timeline for marketing: When do sneak peeks start? When do we put it on Instagram? Who posts what? What additional marketing will there be? Who does what and when? When expectations are out on the table there are no surprises.

But Victoria emphasizes that you shouldn't cannibalize your own brand. You can’t go all-in on someone else's brand and forget about your own. Make sure the offerings are different so you’re not directly competing. You don’t want to confuse your customers or upset your sales channel.

Who handles the marketing expenses? How do you get clear on unified goals? Does the product you choose matter for landing a deal? Victoria shares so much valuable insight into marketing and licensing in this episode. Don’t miss it!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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PODCAST FAST TRACK
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WHY the New Facebook Business Suite is Sweet - Episode 188 Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

The Facebook Business Suite may just make apps like Hootsuite and Later obsolete. How? Facebook’s new “Business Suite” allows you to manage Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger from one app. Learn ALL about it in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode!

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:36] Guava Jelly + Weddings
[1:35] Facebook Business Suite
[2:08] How it helps small business owners
[2:51] The functionality + options
[3:48] Things to keep in mind
[5:07] How is it different?
[7:21] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

Facebook Business Suite Deets

The Facebook Business Suite is a hub that you can utilize via mobile and desktop. How does this help you? It will save you time. It saves you from having to log in and log out of multiple profiles. The inbox feature will also organize your messages, comments, alerts, and notifications in the same place.

You can manage ads, feed posts, appointments, events, jobs, settings, etc. You can edit page info or ban users. If you can control everything from one place you’ll miss less and be more productive. You can see ALL the activity that you select to see. You can choose a different business simply by tapping the icon in the top left corner.

What sets the Facebook Business Suite apart

There are TWO reasons why this app will be a gamechanger. First, small businesses get first dibs. They're only allowing this feature to be used by small businesses until 2021. It’s Facebook’s way of helping small businesses first.

How is it different from the Pages Manager app or Creator Studio? You get a more comprehensive view of activity from both Facebook and Instagram + you can do a lot more. If you’re looking for a free app, this is the way to go.

How else can it help you? What doesn’t it do? Find out by listening to the whole minisode!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

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PODCAST FAST TRACK
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How to Collaborate with Nano-Influencers [Neal Schaffer’s Take] - Episode 187 Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

How do you use macro, micro, or nano-influencers to grow your reach on social media? How do you partner with them in a way that’s collaborative and benefits both parties? Is it worth the time, money, and effort? According to Neal Schaffer, Becoming an influencer—or working with them—can be SO impactful on your business. If you’re ready to embrace the age of influencer marketing, give this episode a listen!

Neal Schaffer is the founder of PDCA Social. He also teaches digital marketing at Rutgers, Guinness, and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. He’s spoken about digital marketing in four continents and over a dozen countries. He’s written FOUR books on Social Media, including his most recent, “The Age of Influence.” He’s also the host of the Maximize Your Social Influence Podcast. Don’t miss his expert advice.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[3:34] Neal Schaffer’s background
[5:08] What led Neal to write his book?
[7:22] Have influencers fallen out of favor?
[10:48] How influencers can help start-ups
[11:38] The miseducation about influencer marketing
[13:46] Instagram takeovers in interior design
[16:08] Paying for an influencer: What is the going rate?
[18:03] Leveraging user-generated content
[20:01] The power of a collaborative relationship
[23:49] The ROI of Influencer Marketing
[25:45] The two sides of influence
[27:11] What up Wingnut! Round
[29:12] How to connect with Neal
[32:03] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Neal Schaffer

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK: The 4-Hour Workweek
WEBINAR: How to Become a Social Media Influencer in 2020

The influencer industry is shifting to nano-influencers

When most people think about influencers, they think about people like the Kardashians. That’s a problem. The world wants reality—so there’s been a shift in the industry. Things are becoming less staged. We’ve moved from macro-influencers (like the Kardashians) being important to micro-influencers (10,000+ followers) and have landed on nano-influencers (1,000+ followers).

Neal points out that instead of paying big bucks to work with a macro-influencer, consider this: Who do you know that has 1,000+ followers? Maybe employees, partners, or customers? Can you tap into people that already know, like, and trust you to be influencers for you?

Neal emphasizes that you should tap your sphere of nano-influencers before external people. If these people are already bought-in to who you are, they’ll talk about your company in an authentic way. It’s a quicker way to incite word-of-mouth and will be a lot more successful and long-term than a single transaction with a macro influencer.

Per Neal, ”When we redefine influencers as 1,000 followers as a minimal threshold, there are just more chances with every day that we can work with more of the people in our sphere of influence through online collaborations.”

WHY work with nano-influencers?

An influencer is most likely a content creator at heart. So if you’re not a content creator, why not tap into those that are? You can look at influencers for content amplification AND content creation for you to leverage on your website, social media, and ads. Why outsource to irrelevant companies when you can preview an influencers’ style just by looking at their feed?

For some influencers, working with you (or anyone else) isn’t always about the money. It might be about the prestige. Or you have a product or service they really like. People will do things for product-service experience—NOT always money. It’s a win-win situation. It’s negotiation. It’s a sale.

If you work successfully with an influencer or creator, what they create can live on for years. Blogs, Pinterest, YouTube videos, podcasts—all have a long lifespan. It all depends on the life cycle of the social media platform(s) you use.

What’s the going rate for a nano-influencer? How do you measure the ROI? What’s the benefit of a collaborative relationship? Do you want to work with influencers—or become one? Neal Schaffer packs SO MUCH amazing content into this episode. Listen for the whole conversation.

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
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The Ins and Outs of Instagram Alt Text - Episode 186 Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

Do you know what alt text is? Most website-savvy people have some familiarity with how it works with images on your website. You add a short-but-sweet description and it helps your images get discovered in a Google Search. But Instagram alt text is NOT the same. How is it different? What is it for? Darla and Natalie demystify Instagram's alt text in this Wingnut Social. Monday Marketing Minisode.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:38] Natalie: tuning in from an undisclosed remote location
[1:17] Instagram alt text: What is it?
[2:44] What Instagram alt text doesn't do
[3:33] How to craft Instagram alt text
[4:45] How to edit Instagram alt text
[5:57] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

Instagram alt text

Instagram alt text 101

Alt text—the commonly used shorthand for alternative text—is a description you can add to your photographs on Instagram (similar to your website) that is meant to describe exactly what’s in the photo. It allows people with visual impairments to get a description of what it is they’re unable to see.

Instagram will add alt text for you if you don’t add it yourself. But if you do want it to be 100% accurate, you can edit yourself. Your latest kitchen makeover? Your favorite tile backsplash? Describe them the way YOU want to.

If your clientele includes visually impaired people, you definitely want to make sure the alt text it’s detailed and accurate to your brand. Even if your branding isn’t specific to the visually impaired, you want to be inclusive and make sure everyone can enjoy your work!

How to craft Instagram alt text

How do you write alt text that pops? Natalie notes that you want to keep it short and specific. Try not to exceed 100 characters. Avoid using the terms “image” or “photo.” Why? It’s a waste of time because Instagram already classifies it as an image or a video.

So how do you edit it? If you want to change the alt text after a photo’s been posted, click on the ellipses (ahem, the three dots) and choose “edit”. In the bottom right corner of your photo you’ll see the words “edit alt text.” Click on that, and voila! You can add alt text to your Instagram photos.

Get the full details on how to leverage Instagram alt text for your business by listening to the Monday Marketing Minisode now!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Positioning in Marketing: Create Your Unique Brand with Shannyn Lee - Episode 185 Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

What is market positioning? Why does it actually matter for your business? According to today’s guest, Shannyn Lee, “Positioning is fundamental business strategy. It is what you need to do to make sure that the world knows who you help and how you help them and what’s different about you.”

Shannyn Lee is the Director of Coaching at Win Without Pitching. She helps her clients to translate the Win Without Pitching ideals into real change with lasting results. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how YOU can properly position your business for maximum results.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:52] Tour de France 2020
[2:53] Shannyn Lee joins the podcast
[4:50] What is positioning in marketing?
[6:49] Why some businesses struggle
[8:03] How you know your market positioning isn’t right
[8:52] How do you figure out what your positioning should be
[13:46] The conversation about pricing + money
[16:34] How is your business being perceived?
[18:04] When you don’t want to change your positioning
[20:15] What up Wingnut! Round
[23:30] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Shannyn Lee

Win Without Pitching
Connect on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

Book: The Sparrow by Mary Dora Russell
RESA event: 9/22 @ 2pm (Meeting ID - 827 3403 9517 / Password - 061425)

Why do businesses struggle with market positioning?

Shannyn points out that positioning is an exercise in sacrifice. People are afraid that they’ll be left behind or they’re being pigeon-holed when they choose a niche. Or they’re worried they’ll get bored doing one thing. But the reality is that clear market positioning is THE best thing you can do for your business.

Shannyn shares that Win Without Pitching’s mission statement is that they’re experts in sales training for creative professionals. For them, the “what” is sales training and the “who” is creative professionals. One of Shannyn’s client’s in Sydney, Australia does “interior design for the hardest working rooms in your home” i.e. the laundry room, utility room, and closets.

Shannyn points out that there are different ways to slice and dice it. You can choose a narrow vertical—like marketing for banks—or you can be an expert in marketing to millennials. But you have to focus on a vertical, demographic, or unique point of view.

This allows you to be bold about who you are, why you believe what you believe, and why there is a certain way to approach the work.

Repositioning your positioning in Marketing

How do you know if your market positioning isn’t right? Shannyn notes that your biggest clue will be in the sales process. If you can’t explain who you are, how you help, and how you’re different—it’s a sign. Your prospect will often haggle on price, won’t let you lead the conversation, and won’t be bought-in.

So how do you pivot? How do you create a new mission statement for your business? Shannyn’s advice is to focus on what makes you the best at something: What is your particular perspective? What are the outcomes that you bring as a result? What are the things about your business that you’re an expert in? Or what do you want to build expertise around?

It begins by looking at an area of focus. Choose a discipline (interior design) and choose a market or specialty. Generate ideas around market and discipline before you add flowery or descriptive statements. Shannyn emphasizes that “There is a way for you to go all-in on who you are. Your personality and your perspective on how things are done help differentiate you from others in the interior design space.”

How does positioning impact your pricing? How do you get comfortable talking about money? When should you avoid changing your positioning? Listen to the whole episode to learn more!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How IGTV Captions Help YOU Capture a Larger Audience - Episode 184 Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Are you guys still using IGTV? Did you know they’ve added a feature that will automatically add captions to your IGTV videos? Facebook has been doing it for a while and it’s time for Instagram to catch up. Why is this a BIG deal? Darla shares all the details in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode. Don’t miss it!

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:40] The solo Wingnut
[1:04] IGTV is adding captions
[3:41] How IGTV is rolling out this feature
[5:27] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

IGTV

How IGTV captions will impact video

It’s no secret that Darla believes that video is a VERY important aspect of your marketing and that it should be one of your marketing pillars. It expands your reach—now, more than ever.

Darla is an early bird—getting up as early as 3:30 am some days. She’ll play videos very quietly on her phone so she doesn’t disturb Natalie or their pups. Darla isn’t the only one: 85% of videos on social media are watched without sound.

Another fantastic bonus? Adding captions to your videos can increase the time spent watching your video by 10–15%. That's HUGE. Darla will watch a video to the end if she can read it. Others likely feel the same way.

How IGTV is rolling out this feature

Until now, IGTV hasn’t offered captions. Now, through the use of AI, your videos can automatically have captions. How do you prepare for this? Make sure your audio is high-quality and clear. This will increase the accuracy of the captions. Instagram claims that the more the feature is used, the more the AI will adapt and roll out more accurate captions.

The feature is being added in 16 different languages as of September 16th, 2020. To make sure it’s active on your Instagram account, head on over to your settings and search “Captions.” Toggle the “Auto-Generated Captions” slider so that it’s on and make sure the default language is correct. Voila! You will now begin to see auto-generated captions on videos.

Will this feature help you watch more IGTV? Will you produce more videos to take advantage of the uptick in traffic? Will it reduce your expenses? Let Darla know what you think about IGTV!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social

www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)

Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

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