When You Need to Take a Break From Business

Today's blog is a lot different from the usual topics on business insights and practices that I typically share. Instead, I am going to be a bit vulnerable and share with you why I have not blogged for quite some time. With that being said, let's get into this week's blog topic on knowing when you need to take a break from your business and focus on self investment. 

We've all heard the age-old ideology on never allowing your personal life affect your business, but let's be honest - that is almost impossible. In March, I went through a life changing event and the thought of blogging, posting to social media, creating beautiful brands and offering business advice seemed completely out of the question. While I wanted to persevere and throw myself into the day-to-day operations of my business, something always pulled me away. 

What I soon realized was that the sensation of being pulled away from my business was a calling to focus inwardly and allow myself to self invest. I accepted that I could not wholeheartedly benefit my clients or create great work for my business during those moments. Taking a barre class, saying "no" to things that I did not truly want to do, finally listening to that podcast I've been dying to hear, and just enjoying my personal time are just a few ways that I self invested. This new found investment granted me the time and space I greatly needed to focus internally and re-establish a passion for my business. Sure, I was criticized for my lack of social media and blog posts - but I knew that I could not contribute creatively with my clients and taking a break from business was best. 

“The magic is in the mess”
— Brene Brown

Taking this break from my business was not easy, and quite frankly it was scary. However, I knew that it was something that I had to do. I know I am now a much better business owner and consultant for it today! Setting such strict boundaries was the best practice I could have done. I can honestly say that after this brief hiatus from my business, I have become more inspired, motivated and driven than when I first launched Magnolia Media.  

If you are not feeling inspired or had a life changing event happen and need a break, know that it is okay to step back. You will not help anyone, if you don't help yourself first. Self investment is not for every person and requires it a lot of strength to step away from day-to-day tasks of your business. If you are interested in taking a break from you business and would like to know more on my self investment journey, please contact me! 

Avoiding Oversimplification of Content

This week's blog title may be a mouth full, but trust me when I say that this topic is an important one! There is a common assumption among business owners that customers cannot understand the complexity of a product or service, therefore they "dumb down" the context of their content. While their will always be a learning curve for customers to understand your company's unique jargon, oversimplifying the content on your website, social media posts, blog, and anything else you publish to the masses is a poor reflection on your business and you.  

Before we go any further, I do want to make note that there is a big difference in oversimplifying content to your customers and being detailed in your communication. Yes, this mean that there is a disconnect between the everyday person and the misunderstood customer, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of divulging statistics and pushing articles that could be deemed as condescending, smarten your content! This will lead to an appreciation from the qualified, current and prospective customers you want to reach!   

The millennial generation has grown up with more choices (oppose to ultimatums) than previous generations. This generation is educating themselves on products and services they desire or need before spending their hard-earned paycheck. Your goal should be to target your explanations to the right audience and begin treating your customers as business partners! 

Now that you've gotten a hang on this concept of avoiding oversimplified content, you have no accustomed yourself to one of the best, modern marketing tactics: content marketing. 

“Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.”
— Content Marketing Institue

For more information on content marketing practices or to have a review of your current marketing campaign, please use the contact form below chat with us today! 

Stop Ignoring Twitter Marketing!

With 3.7 million active users (via Statista), I'm sure you are questioning the title of this week's blog based on this bite-sized social media platform. Trust me when I say that have two very big reasons that are causing my concern of business owners ignoring Twitter: a phenomenal amount of professionals that cross my path do not want to incorporate Twitter into their social media marketing campaign and the alarming number of business owners who do not have an account at all even though they may have a personal, private account. 

In hopes of changing some opinions, I am offering four reasons on how incorporating Twitter into your social media work flow is important for modern marketing and your business. 

1 | Gain New Leads and Customers

Once you have created a solid foundation of substantial, creative tweets, relative to your business on Twitter, you are at the point of gaining new leads and customers. You can start doing this by using the search feature on Twitter to research phrases and hashtags that relate to your industry, business and products/services. Interact with fellow Twitter users who have tweeted those phrases and hashtags to generate more followers and engage by tweeting a personalized 'thank you.'

Remember: When someone follows you it is because they want to hear and learn more about your company. 

2 | Get Customer Feedback

Once your current customers begin to realize that you either joined Twitter or have become more active, the door for feedback and constructive criticism will open. By responding promptly and effectively you are showing your company's strength and confidence. Always remember that all feedback, good or bad, should be handled with grace and with careful consideration of a response.

Tip: Avoid Twitter trolls by sending a practical response that is effective and then private message that user to turn a negative situation into a positive one. 

3 | Spy on Your Competition

Research all of your competition by determining their Twitter handle and take note of their language, hashtags, followers and page descriptions. Pull inspiration from those aspects of their account for your content, but make it ten times stronger! It is important to continuously monitor your competition, including learning from their successful and unsuccessful marketing strategies and engagement.  

4 | Develop Brand Ambassadors 

By enlisting your employees and interns involved in your new Twitter marketing campaign you are creating brand ambassadors. Teasing new product/service launches, using your company's unique hashtag(s) and tweeting company news are just a few ways you can encourage your employees and interns start a conversation. In addition, you can also have loyal customers tweet in your favor as well. While it would be ideal for those customers to tweet organically, you can offer incentives (discounts, coupons, free product/service, etc.) to customers if they tweet a review or use your hashtag! 

TIP: Post pictures with all of your tweets as users are more likely to read content with imagery. 

See where your social media marketing strategies stand by requesting a Social Media Analysis today! 

Preparing for 2016: Reviewing Your Campaign

Do you want to give your campaign a makeover? Is it time to access your current strategies to determine if it is working? If your fiscal budget begins in the New Year than it is high-time to review your current marketing and advertising campaign. Today on the blog, I am giving you a guideline for reviewing your campaign to help answer the above questions and place your company on the right path toward success for 2016. 

1 | Define Your Goal

Surprisingly, many companies dive into a marketing and advertising campaign blind. By defining your goal for 2016 you should know the following: where your want your company to be present in the media, who you want to reach, where you want to focus and why. This will enable you to define your goal and create a start line for your campaign. 

2 | Determine Your Budget

Determining your budget is one of the most important things to consider in reviewing your campaign! Did your company suffer losses in 2015 and cutting back is necessary? Did your revenue increase to allow you to market in new areas? Whatever your situation maybe, your company's funds will weigh heavily in your marketing and advertising decisions for 2016.

3 | Audience

Consider who you want to sell your services and/or products to and how you will grab their attention. By deciding strategies that reach your intended audience you will have a successful campaign. The flip side of this is pushing marketing and advertising through random channels without a strategic action plan - a strategy I strongly discourage! Lastly, audiences are constantly changing the media they use and it is important to stay on top of marketing trends to keep afloat. 

4 | Communication Media 

Communication media refers to channels you send your message: billboards, radio, magazines, etc. The means by which you send your message to your target audience will make or break your campaign. If you do not chose the correct media to relay your message than it will be lost in translation. By reviewing your budget and audience, you are able to determine which media you can effectively reach your consumers and stay within your finical means. 

If you believe that your current campaign strategy needs to be revamped, contact me via the form below to decide the best ways to reach your key audience.