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Fall in LOVE with Your Business Again with Kris Plachy - Episode 183 Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

Have you lost your mojo? Are you in a slump? Is your business sucking out your soul? If you don’t have a compelling reason that has you in LOVE with your business, it may be time for a come to Jesus moment, according to today’s guest—Kris Plachy.

Kris is a coach and a consultant that works exclusively with female entrepreneurs. She has 25+ years of experience leading, managing, and creating high-performance teams. In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, Darla and Natalie chat with Kris about embracing your compelling reason—and what to do if it’s long gone.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[4:20] Kris Plachy joins the wacky wingnuts
[7:00] Reconnect with your compelling reason
[10:19] Are you locked-in to loving it?
[12:45] When your compelling reason is gone
[15:30] How to identify the signs it’s time for help
[18:58] How to plan an exit strategy
[22:18] What up Wingnut! Round
[24:12] How to connect with Kris Plachy
[25:19] It’s time to face the music
[29:22] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Kris Plachy

Kris’s Website
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Instagram
Write your CEO Job Description
The Lead Your Team podcast

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK: Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting

Fall in love again: Reconnect to your compelling reason

What’s happened in 2020 is forcing humanity to come face-to-face with the fact that nothing is stable. But Kris points out that WE create our own stability. We have beliefs about what will happen for us today and this year. We make a strategic plan, set goals, and we believe them. She helps her clients see that on any given day anything could happen—you just didn’t live thinking it.

To push through the difficult times, you have to reconnect to your compelling reason, AKA your why. Why are you doing this? Kris bluntly states: “If you don’t like your reason anymore—then stop.” It is hard to be an entrepreneur right now. There’s plenty of opportunity to be had, but you have to be willing to be nimble, flexible, and resourceful.

That’s why your compelling reason needs to light you up every day. Kris points out that you don’t have to try and save something you’re not passionate about. “I want to make sure you like your reason. Because there are things we have to do that are hard that doesn’t mean we don’t still love the goal—the compelling reason.”

What brought you into interior design that made you want to do that work in the world? If that still exists, then the details of “hard” can be figured out. Don’t give up because it’s hard. As your business grows there are new levels that are hard and difficult—but they CAN be navigated.

Make time to rejuvenate yourself

Do you truly know if your compelling reason is gone? Or are you just worn down and tired? Don’t give up on the dream because it’s hard to manage. Kris looks for a persistence of thought: Have you talked about making a change for months? Does it overwhelm your thoughts? Do you have another direction you’re ready to take?

When it’s the right thing to do, you shouldn't rely on a feeling of relief, because relief is temporary. Kris emphasizes that “We don’t want to change our circumstances just to make ourselves feel better. That doesn’t get you long-term growth and results.” Get clear on what you want.

Most of the people Kris works with had to white-knuckle it through the pandemic. They applied for the PPP, grants, or moved towards online options and curbside pickup. But the burnout is real. Can you take a day off? Can you find a way to be reflective? Can you take up meditating? You HAVE to pour back into yourself. You HAVE to take ownership of your emotional health. If you want to earn money and build a business that you feel good about, you have to look inward.

If you know your compelling reason is gone, what is a smart exit strategy? How do you pivot or start over? Listen to the whole episode to hear Kris’s thoughts!

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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6 Ways YOU can Make Money on Social Media - Episode 182 Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

Making money on social media can seem SO complicated. But the truth is, anyone can do it. You don’t have to have millions of followers or snag sponsorship deals (well, that helps, too). In this Monday Marketing Minisode, Darla and Natalie count the 6 ways YOU can make money on social media. Don’t miss it!

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:36] Natalie’s Big Green Egg
[3:02] #1: Instagram Shops
[3:58] #2: Facebook Paid Live Events
[4:43] #3: YouTube Partner Program
[7:55] #4: Twitter Pre-roll
[9:17] #5: LinkedIn Events
[10:14] #6: TikTok’s Creator fund
[11:40] The disadvantages to monetization
[14:02] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

#1: Instagram Shops

Did you know people can shop your products on Instagram? The one caveat is that you need to sell physical goods like pillows, t-shirts, pottery, art, etc. Users can shop through your products right from the app. You’ll have to use a business account connected to a Facebook page and a catalog (i.e. a Shopify site). But once Instagram approves your shop, you get to rake in the cash.

#2: Facebook Paid Live Events

Facebook lets you monetize your event with a one-time access charge that’s collected when your guests register. You just have to apply and undergo a review process to find out if you’re eligible. Darla and Natalie might be collaborating on a webinar soon, so stay tuned! (To hear more about Facebook monetization, check out episode 175)

#3: YouTube’s Partner Program

YouTube is currently the #1 way to make money with social media. You can actually make a living from it. The downside is that you have to have at least 1,000 subscribers and over 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months. It’s a lot of work, but there are 5 ways you can make money on the platform:

Advertising Revenue
Channel memberships
Merchandise Shelf
Superchat and Super Stickers
YouTube Premium Revenue (Subscription Fee)

Listen to learn more about the avenues you can take! Also, check out Wingnut episode 171 for the full story on Mid-rolls.

#4: Twitter Pre-roll

Twitter isn’t usually an effective medium for interior designers, but if you have thousands of followers on Twitter, you can capitalize on this. Twitter now allows you to add pre-roll to monetize the video content you share on Twitter. To do this, your content has to be deemed safe and you have to be accepted into the program. Bonus: You can choose which videos will get ads and even who gets to advertise on them.

#5: LinkedIn Events

LinkedIn isn’t just for business connections. You can create events and use the platform to promote an online OR in-person event. You provide a link to an external ticketing site. The best part? You can also bring in a third-party to help manage the page + event.

#6: TikTok’s Creator fund

Last but not least, Darla’s favorite platform has launched a creator fund. Basically, TikTok is offering money to people to create content on TikTok. It will pay prominent creators for original video content. If you meet the requirements, you should see a notification in your inbox (under “All Activity” and “From TikTok”) that notifies you that you’re eligible to apply for the creator fund. What are the eligibility requirements?

You have to be 18 or older
Have at least 10,000 followers
Have 10,000+ views in 30 days
Read and agree to the TikTok Creator Fund agreement
Live in the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain

Once approved, you can start making money from your content. If you have videos with thousands of watches? Cha-ching.

Why should you monetize your accounts? How does it help your business? Are there any disadvantages? Listen to the whole minisode to find out!

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 Get Famous on TikTok [Courtesy of Mrs. Space Cadet] - Episode 181 Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

How do you get famous on TikTok? Is there some secret sauce or magic trick? Contrary to popular belief, It’s not JUST 12-year-old boys & girls dancing on TikTok. Today’s guest, Erin Azar—AKA Mrs. Space Cadet—is one of the notable non-child users who’s made a name for herself. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how she grew her TikTok channel to reach stardom—and how you can, too.

Erin Azar is a mother of 3 training for her very first marathon. She downloaded the app because GaryVee said you HAVE to get on TikTok—it’s where the money’s gonna be. She wanted to see what the big deal was and why TikTok was so marketable. Now, she has over 361,000 followers on TikTok.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[2:01] Today’s guest: Erin Azar AKA Mrs. Space Cadet
[4:15] HOW Erin grew her following on TikTok
[8:32] The importance of authenticity and relatability
[10:03] The story behind the name: Mrs.Space.Cadet
[12:58] Hitting a milestone: 100,000 followers
[14:24] Video is intimidating: getting comfortable on camera
[16:10] Erin’s backup plan if TikTok gets banned
[18:08] How much time Erin spends on TikTok
[19:12] How can you monetize TikTok?
[24:29] How Erin feels about Instagram Reels
[26:50] The importance of the “For You” page
[27:46] What up Wingnut! Round
[32:25] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Erin Azar

@Mrs.Space.Cadet on TikTok
@ImMrsSpaceCadet on Instagram
Mrs. Space Cadet on YouTube

Resources & People Mentioned

How Mrs.Space.Cadet took TikTok by storm

When Erin started posting her runs on YouTube she laughed at how funny she looked. She had a lightbulb moment: Why not see if TikTok users thought it was funny, too? The first run video she posted BLEW UP. It got a million views overnight.

Erin realized it was a sign that something was missing in the running community. Every running influencer looks a certain way, they run a certain pace, and they post about specific things that aren’t relatable to everyone. Her authenticity and relatability allowed her to create her own niche. After 4 months of posting run videos, she hit 100,000 followers on TikTok.

She was skeptical of TikTok from the beginning because it was so new—but it has stolen her heart. Where did the name Mrs.Space.Cadet come from? How did Erin learn to get comfortable on camera? How much time does she spend recording her videos? Keep listening to find out!

Get famous on TikTok: The importance of the “For You” page

So how do you get famous on TikTok? Erin’s husband, Dan, is always asking her: You’re going to put THAT on TikTok? The answer is always yes. Erin strives to be the exact same person on TikTok that she is in person. It doesn’t matter if she hates her hair, her eyebrows look funny when she talks, or she’s saying something embarrassing or goofy—it’s uniquely her.

Erin points out that every single video you post WILL land on someone’s “For You” page. If someone likes it, it goes to another person. Everyone gets a fair shake. Facebook and Instagram can’t do that. Erin emphasizes: “If you have good lighting, good sound quality, and your 15-second or one-minute video is engaging, and people want to see the end, you are going to take off on TikTok. It’s that easy.”

Erin gets contacted frequently by affiliates and ambassador programs. But she only agrees to rep things she can’t live without—like Liquid IV and goodr Sunglasses. She does have some brand deals in the works, but they’re still under wraps for now.

How does Erin feel about Instagram Reels? What else does she think helped her get famous on TikTok? Listen to the whole episode to learn ALL about 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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Make Social Media FUN Again - Episode 180 Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Has posting on social media started to feel like drudgery? Are you ready to put the “social” back in social media? Do you want to make it FUN again? Social media marketing is a multibillion-dollar industry with a serious ROI—but it isn’t all about business. It can be a place to be fun and light-hearted. How? Listen to this Monday Marketing Minisode to find out!

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[1:32] Is social media a drudgery?
[2:52] Check out the AR filters
[3:42] Create a challenge
[4:50] Insta stories: Jazz ‘em up
[7:09] Contests and giveaways
[7:59] The “Why” behind the episode
[9:37] Social media CAN be fun
[10:55] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

TikTok reminds us that social media IS fun

Anyone on TikTok knows that you can get wrapped up in hours of fun and laughter. Darla and Natalie’s 15-year-old is always on TikTok (and so is Darla…). It’s been a great way for their family to bond.

TikTok has revolutionized social media by bringing back what’s been missing for so long: fun. Everyone is noticing and every platform is trying to keep up—especially Instagram. But how do you get back on board?

How can you bring back the fun?

Need some ideas to spice up your social media? Darla and Natalie share a few:

Check out the AR filters: It can enhance your brand, make you laugh, and connect with fans. AR filters increase and broaden your reach.
Create a challenge: Get your community involved and engaged. Darla and Natalie did an Instagram challenge that was a blast!
Jazz up your Insta stories: The create mode is where it’s at. It has interactive stickers, drawings, or text. You can use it in your stories. The dice button shares all the templates of the day as well. Polls, quizzes, countdowns? Give it a shot!
Contests and giveaways: Wingnut did a contest where the prize was a Wingnut Social t-shirt. All of the winners posted photos in their shirts and tagged Wingnut. Not only did it broaden their reach, but they had a blast doing it.

The bottom line is that people want to see the human side of your business. Give someone insight into what you’re like and your true, authentic self. You have a personality—show it! In the process, you may just realize how much FUN you’ve been missing out on.

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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Wingnut Social is Getting an UPGRADE - Episode 179 Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

If you haven’t noticed (where have you been?!) the Wingnut Social website has gotten an upgrade. Thanks to Nicole Heymer at Curio Electro, it’s got a stunning new look. But the ravishing new website isn’t the only thing getting upgraded. What’s happening next? Listen to this Minisode to find out!

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:33] In LOVE with the new website
[2:13] WHY the website upgrade?
[3:34] Upgrading the podcast
[4:34] What changes are coming?
[6:47] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

Curio Electro

Wingnut is expanding its horizons

Wingnut Social has been very niche-focused on the interior design industry, and rightfully so. Darla and Natalie own an interior design firm in Miami—Darla Powell Interiors. Social Media Marketing for the firm has been tremendously successful, so the vertical fit. But they started to ask: What does all of the marketing we do have in common with other sectors?

They realized that commercial & residential design, the hospitality industry, and travel & tourism have a whole lot in common when it comes to marketing. So they’ve decided to broaden their verticals to include these businesses. What do they have in common? A high-aesthetic value.

The Wingnut Social podcast upgrade to come

It’s no secret that Darla LOVES social media marketing and helping people. So now—In addition to serving interior design clients—Wingnut will offer services for:

Commercial Interior Design
Travel & Tourism
Hospitality
Restaurants
Luxury Automotive

So what does that mean for the podcast? Firstly, The Monday Marketing Minisodes are here to stay! Darla and Natalie will still deliver the latest buzz in the social media realm. The big change? The Wednesday episode will now feature a wider variety of industry experts in a few different sectors. Don’t worry, the experts will always focus on how to make your business the best it can be. You’ll get the same great content geared to a wider audience—so stick around!

Stay Tuned: In 6 months we have another HUGE announcement coming.

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 to Leverage Your Network the Right Way with Benjamin Shapiro - Episode 178 Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Do you know how to leverage your network? Do you know how to communicate with your personal and business connections in a way to foster relationships? And what’s the best communication medium to get the job done? Benjamin Shapiro joins Darla and Natalie in this episode of Wingnut Social to share his personal formula for success. Don’t miss it!

Benjamin Shapiro—not to be confused with the political commentator—is a Brand Development and Marketing Strategy Consultant. With 15+ years of experience in marketing, he honed his skills to find THE best method to leverage his network. His goal is to help companies grow and scale using effective marketing strategies. He is also the producer and host of the MarTech podcast.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:53] Twizzlers + Tequila
[2:19] All about Benjamin Shapiro
[6:29] How Benjamin got into marketing
[13:59] The ROI Benjamin sees from networking
[16:45] Should the approach be different for designers?
[18:07] How important are LinkedIn connections?
[19:04] Mixmax: the email software Benjamin embraces
[21:23] How to adopt this strategy to your own business
[22:42] GDPR/Privacy Policy implications
[27:02] How to stay in front of your prospect
[28:46] What up Wingnut! Round
[35:03] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Benjamin Shapiro

The MarTech Podcast
Benjamin’s Website
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter

Resources & People Mentioned

Leverage your network by being relationship-focused

When you market a new product or service, most people think they have to start by marketing to people they don’t know. Instead, Benjamin emphasizes that you need to be relationship-focused and start with the people you know. You can skip steps by working with the people you’ve already built trust and credibility with.

For example, when Benjamin launched a website he started an email campaign. He broke his professional network into three segments:

The people ahead of him in his career
The people he considered his peers
The people already in the consulting space

He notes that the way you reach out to each of those groups is going to be different. So Benjamin formed a personalized formulaic email to start conversations with each category.

The moral of the story? The same way you think about targeting your customers is the same way you should target the people within your network. Take the credibility you’ve developed and leverage that. You can shift the focus to just your products and services and not have to worry about selling yourself.

Why Benjamin is an avid fan of email marketing

You have to think about: Who do you already have credibility with? What is the lowest-friction way to get in front of them?

How many people you need to connect with and convert depends on what your relationships are like, what your products are, what your price point is, etc. So how does Benjamin prefer to connect with his network? Email. Benjamin believes that a one-to-one email is the most personal and has the highest conversion rate.

When Benjamin emails somebody, he often sees an 85% open-rate and 25% meetings scheduled. The conversion rates for having email conversations with people you already know is astronomically higher than marketing to them through other means.

Benjamin prefers to use the MixMax platform (over services such as ConstantContact or Mailchimp). Why? MixMax allows you to create an email template that allows for different variables to be filled out by you (name, time period, project). Instead of writing a whole email, it’s filling in a few words.

What’s the best approach for a new or seasoned designer to take to leverage their network? How can you adapt this strategy to fit your business? Listen to the whole episode to find out!

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

Instagram’s Feed Refresh: Suggested Posts - Episode 177 Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that you CAN get to the end of your Instagram feed? Darla and Natalie have never scrolled to the end of their 48-hour Insta-recaps, but if you do, something new awaits: suggested posts.

This new phenomenon replaces the notice that you’d normally get that says “You’re all caught up!” So why did Instagram give their feed an update? How does it impact YOU? Find out in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:41] Hydrate hydrate hydrate
[1:41] Instagram feed: suggested posts
[3:23] The 48-hour marker
[4:08] Suggesting new content
[6:21] What posts will be suggested?
[6:49] You cannot escape
[7:32] Who will this impact?
[8:42] Keep your content varied
[10:58] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

Instagram’s before & after

The reigning theory is that Instagram originally implemented the “end of the feed” messages to help users improve their digital well-being and limit screen time. But their newest biggest competitor—*cough* TikTok *cough*—already uses a continuous feed and it’s part of what’s made them SO successful. So Instagram is implementing this new strategy to compete.

Instagram will now suggest new posts—based on what you already engage with—that will allow you to expand your horizons. They could be ads, photos, or videos—but they will NOT suggest IGTV teasers or Reels content.

How Instagram’s suggested posts feed feature can impact YOU

What stands out to Natalie? You cannot hide these posts. You cannot escape. But you’ll only see suggested posts if you’ve exhausted the content posted by everyone you follow. So if you follow thousands of people, you’ll likely never see the end of that yellow-brick road.

However, this will impact new users with relatively small feeds. It’s a great way to increase your discoverability. This allows Instagram to increase its ad space as well. So the chances of your ad showing up in someone’s feed is pretty good. If you’re boosting a post and targeting people—here comes Darla Powell Interiors!

So what content should you post? Will it positively impact analytics and increase your followers? Listen to this minisode for all the deets!

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

Genevieve Trousdale Shares WHY You Should Add Webinars to Your Portfolio - Episode 176 Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Why should you add webinars to your portfolio? Is the ROI worth the time and investment that you put into it? Darla is a huge fan of webinars—and so is today’s guest, Genevieve Trousdale. She launched a webinar series earlier this year and has seen nothing but positive results from her effort. To hear WHY it’s such a good move for your business, listen to this episode now!

Genevieve is the owner of Circa Genevieve, an interior design company that embraces southern tradition and french style. Each webinar Genevieve has hosted is a teaser for the launch of Circaphiles which is a members-only platform for professional designers to share resources set to launch October 2020.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:55] Webinars are extremely fruitful
[5:45] COVID catapulted webinars to the forefront
[8:50] How to make client-facing webinars work
[10:39] Set aside time to practice and prepare
[14:03] How did she market her webinars
[15:25] Genevieve shares all about Circaphiles
[18:18] The ROI from webinars
[22:26] What up Wingnut! Round
[25:03] How to connect with Genevieve
[25:48] Webinars are the way of the future
[28:13] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Genevieve Trousdale

Resources & People Mentioned

RESA Webinar on Sept. 2nd
BOOK: Thrive by Arianna Huffington

Webinars can be a game-changer

When the Coronavirus led to quarantines across the US, it led to sourcing challenges for designers. Vendors struggled because designers couldn’t see their product(s). So Genevieve launched a 1-hour webinar series geared toward sourcing during COVID-19.

Over the course of 8–10 episodes suppliers in lighting, fabric, hardware, paint, and other specialties could connect with designers. Suppliers could put together lookbooks or PowerPoint presentations to showcase their work and explain product costs.

Providing webinars for the design community positioned Genevieve as a source of strength and trust in the industry. It gave everyone a feeling of comfort when they were scrambling to find their way. Genevieve was overwhelmed and humbled by the response from the design community.

While Genevieve was laying a foundation for a larger venture, there are plenty of opportunities for designers to position themselves as an expert in the field or hone in on one niche of the industry. Webinars can be one advantageous way to bridge the gap.

So how much time should you set aside to create a webinar? How did Genevieve market them? Listen to find out!

How webinars promoted Genevieve’s new venture: Circaphiles

Genevieve’s webinars allowed her to build a more connected network and she realized they’d be a wonderful segue into the launch of her newest venture—Circaphiles. She reached far more people with her webinars than she could have flying around the world. She also points out that a webinar is an efficient way to provide value for your customers.

Genevieve has amassed a large network of resources—and unconsciously been creating Circaphiles—over the 15+ years of her career. So what is Circaphiles? It will be a platform for professional designers to share resources. It is an invitation-only network for designers and design students to access a directory of resources on a global scale. You’ll be able to chat with design peers around the world and collaborate on projects.

The site will be packed with how-to guides, webinars, master-classes, and downloadable workflow templates. It’s giving the emerging designer a leg up. It helps you understand the practical day-to-day logistics of running a design business. Genevieve notes that it’s more important than ever for the community to lean into each other. Learn all about it in 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

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

Facebook Partner Monetization for Designers - Episode 175 Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

Facebook is launching partner monetization for events in 20+ countries around the globe. What does that mean? Facebook will allow businesses and creators to charge on Facebook for access to live events. Boom.

But what does that mean for designers? What hoops do you have to jump through? Does Facebook get a cut of the income? Darla and Natalie answer these questions—and much, much more—in this week’s Monday Marketing Minisode. Don’t miss it.

Bonus Features: How to treat Gingervitis.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[0:37] PSA: How to treat Gingervitis
[2:00] Why you should hand Facebook tax information
[2:42] What the event setup process looks like
[4:02] Facebook partner monetization policies
[5:11] But wait—there’s a catch (thanks to Apple)
[6:23] Why designers should take advantage
[7:40] How to find out if you’re eligible for monetization
[9:29] Blooper Reel!

Resources & People Mentioned

Facebook Partner Monetization: 100% of the proceeds go to YOU

Facebook is now offering a paid online events option as their way of providing small business owners another way to bring in income during the Coronavirus Pandemic. But there’s just ONE catch…

While Facebook is allowing small business owners to keep 100% of the money they make, Apple isn’t giving up their cut. There will be a 30% Apple Store tax if an attendee signs up through an app purchased in the Apple Store or on IOS platforms.

The only way to avoid paying that tax is for attendees to sign up via the web or on an Android device. Darla predicts that the 100% of proceeds going to small businesses will only last through the Coronavirus pandemic—so take advantage of it now.

WHY designers should give it a try

Other than getting to keep 100%* of the profit, what are the benefits? Page owners can create an online event, set the price, promote the event, collect the payment, AND host the event—all on Facebook. You can also promote your paid online event through event ads or boosting on your FB page.

Through the testing phase, small businesses are hosting: expert talks, trivia events, podcasts, cooking classes, meet and greets, and even fitness classes. Designers can throw up their own mini webinar—and keep 100% of the revenue. It’s a great opportunity to broaden your reach and diversify your income stream!

How do you find out if you’re eligible? How do you set it up? What hoops do you have to jump through? Listen to find out!

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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Laura Wright Shares How to Sell Effectively in EVERY Market - Episode 174 Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

How do you sell effectively during a pandemic? How do you remain sensitive—but also keep your business afloat? How do you sell effectively in any differing market conditions? If you want to become EPIC at sales, Laura Wright shares some actionable tips and strategies to improve your effectiveness in this episode of Wingnut Social.

Laura Wright is a master coach and the founder of EPIC At Sales. She helps her clients increase close rates—and their incomes. She has made a name for herself as the go-to ‘Sales Ninja’ for women in service-based businesses. Laura is also the author of No Woman Down: 51 Laws to Create Your EPIC Income Riseto teach women how to master the art of selling.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social

[3:22] Laura Wright’s background in the industry
[4:15] Why Laura is qualified to talk on sales
[6:36] Why nothing should change in your sales process
[9:22] Learn to be like toilet paper
[14:00] How to make your close rate 90% or higher
[18:12] It’s time to properly price your services
[21:13] How do you close a sale with love?
[22:40] How to pursue leads you haven’t closed
[25:46] Laura’s book: No Woman Down
[28:15] People will pay what you charge
[29:26] What up Wingnut! Round
[32:03] How to connect with Laura
[25:23] Blooper Reel!

Connect with Laura Wright

Laura’s Coaching Website
Laura’s book: No Woman Down
Connect on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
BOOK: Leveraging the Universe by Mike Dooley
BOOK: You2 by Price Pritchett

Sell effectively by making your business like toilet paper

Laura has done next to nothing different with her business since the Coronavirus pandemic hit. Her business has been thriving. Her client’s businesses are thriving. While everyone else felt the ripple of the pandemic and started pivoting, she maintained and stayed strong. She notes that “When you understand your core values, you don’t actually change with the wind.” The only thing she did differently? She gave extra love and support to her clients.

How do you build a business model where you don’t have to pivot when the economy shifts? Laura says you need to learn to be like toilet paper. Yes, that’s right—toilet paper. Why? The moment the Coronavirus became widespread and quarantines were mandated, everyone ran out and bought toilet paper. You need to describe your services so that they’re so clear. People need to know where to find you and understand what your purpose is. You need to make yourself a critical service—just like toilet paper. When you effectively do that, people can’t help but purchase your work in good AND bad times.

How do you explain and portray your services as a critical need? How do you show up so that people can see you, find you, and understand how to work with you? There is always a way to adapt to sell services virtually in every industry. How can you repurpose and repackage your knowledge so that consumers can use it? The ladies discuss how interior designers can do this in detail—so keep listening.

Make your close rate 90%—or higher

Darla was once told that she should raise her rates because her close rate was 55%. That she should shoot for a higher rate at a lower close %. But Laura recommends the opposite. In fact, her close rate is pretty close to 100%. How? Simple: Don’t look for sales calls that won’t close. You want to get fewer calls at a HIGH close rate—like 90%. How do you make that happen? Laura shares the TWO things she recommends:

Know your ideal client. When you know your ideal client, it becomes a gut feeling and split-second realization that they will either buy or pass.
Prepare and pre-qualify. By the time you speak to someone, they should be ready to buy.

So you need to begin to ask yourself some questions: How are you pre-qualifying and preparing your customers to be ready to purchase before a consultation or sales call? What do you need to know about a buyer to pre-qualify them before you talk to them? What do you need to tell them to prepare them to be qualified to buy?

Laura walks through some examples, shares how she would implement pricing, and talks about how to help a buyer understand the value proposition. Better follow along!

Close a sale with LOVE

Laura likes to say “You need to close a sall with love.” What in the world does that mean? Laura believes in creating a win-win-win scenario. Working with someone should feel amazing. If you sell something to someone and you know a couple doesn’t agree on the sale, but you push it anyways—it’s going to hurt their marriage. That’s not selling with love. That is conversion and persuasion.

Laura emphasizes the necessity that the other party should benefit as much as you do and together, everyone wins. You’re helping people feel fully empowered with self-expression. You’re helping people feel lifted up by their environment. When they feel fantastic, they’re going to go into the world and do good things. You’re selling the feeling people get from the service.

Listen to the rest of the episode to hear how Laura follows-up with potential leads and shares about her new book. Don’t miss this one!

Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social