Tricks for later

Seasons pass so fast and often we want to create something for a special occasion but we have nothing to go on. So why not start a seasons photo library. 
Every couple of weeks simply take a snap or two of things like a newly opened flower or snowy view, things that are special to that time of year. 
Download the photo's on to the computer give each a meaningful name starting with the date so you can sort should you wish. Then when in the snowy depths of winter you decide you want to make something to give later in the year, you can seasonalise it by referring to your photo record. 

You could even make your own wonderful cards from your pictures.

Easy to do, takes very little time and will hold 1000 memories.

10 Tips for Best Practice on your Facebook page: Part 1

We’re very excited to have a sneak preview of Red Kite Communications’ upcoming e-Book Facebook course, which will be launching in April 2013.  Our guest blogger, Catherine, has dug out some excerpts from her course – which goes on to give you loads more advice on how to get the best out of your Facebook page.  And she’s promised us a discount especially for you guys when it goes on sale.

10 Tips for Best Practice on your Facebook page: Part 1

Before you even start worrying about what to post, and how to create engaging content for your audience, you need to learn a few simple, but important rules – these will set you up with best practice techniques so you look professional before you’ve even posted a thing.  Get these right and you’re well on your way to a good-looking Facebook page.

1 Maximum 3 statuses a day

Research shows that too many status updates will irritate the people whose feeds you appear in. 

When should you post, then? Research shows between 1-4pm.  How about one early, after 9am, for Facebook users who wake up and check their feed, or do so on arriving at work, or having got the kids off to school.  Then one between 1-4pm.  And if you really need to, one at 5ish, or an evening one at 9pm for sofa-slugs.  But make that a fun one!

2 Always Respond

Try and ‘like’ at least one comment from each individual (don’t ‘like’ every single one or that looks a bit automated.) - you don’t need to respond to every single point, but stay in the conversation or those fans may not bother responding to you next time. 

Get to know them...social media is for being sociable, for engaging, for sharing, for chatting, for getting in on the conversation. 

3 No Swearing

I decided on a strict no swearing policy for Red Kite, and I adhere to it for my clients – do find your natural ‘voice’ but steer clear of swearing  I explore all the issues in a blog post on minding your language, so I’d love to know your thoughts over there.

But the key thing is this - your Facebook page should always be a reflection of your professional values. 

4 No competitions directly on Facebook

Seriously?!  Seriously. Facebook are pretty strict about you using your Facebook page to do promotions for your company.  Ultimately, if they think you are not abiding by their terms and conditions they can terminate your page.  The chances of that happening are slim – but why risk it?

Don’t worry – you can still talk about your competitions and promotions on Facebook – but host them and get people to enter elsewhere - your blog is the perfect place. 

You can read the full Ts & Cs here: Facebook Promotions Guidelines

5 Remove the link from your text before you post your status.

When you add a link to your Status box, and press return, Facebook will generate an image from that link for you to edit before you post.  Write your accompanying status if you want to add something, but delete the messy URL before you post. 

It doesn’t look good, so get rid of it!

Stay tuned for the next 5 tips next week, and why not come and tell me your Facebook page, at my Facebook page? I look forward to meeting you there

Facebook: www.facebook.com/redkitecommunications
Twitter: www.twitter.com/redkitesocial
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/redkitesocial
Website: www.redkitecommunications.com

Craft Tips No. 17

Old jumpers make fab cushion covers, remember to overlock or hem the edges well to stop fraying



SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Marketing what is it?

Selling on-line only, selling through small local craft fairs or a retail giant, marketing is vital for all.  We cannot buy something if we do not know it exists, your potential clients have to first discover your products exists, find a desire or reason to have and finally decide to buy.  A lot of steps to the point of sale, get it wrong and you will simply not sell.

Marketing is…..

• Marketing is powerful
• Marketing is cost effective
• Marketing is essential for growth
• Marketing is achievable by all

MARKETING IS A MINDSET – YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN

What is marketing? Simple answer everything…….

Marketing takes many forms and can cost from nothing to millions, but it is a vital for every business. Marketing is a journey, with an end, many possible routes and often to be repeated in differing forms. It is many things brought together to achieve one goal.

What is the purpose of marketing? Marketing is all about building…..

• BUILDING YOUR BRAND (every business has a brand without fail)
• Building market share
• Building profits
• Building product range
• Building relationships
• Building reputation

It is not needed for my business, what can I use for a fast track approach, it is only advertising so not right for me, all things I hear and all are wrong, there are no miracle cures and no one can be let off the hook as marketing touches every business from UK PLC to charity, one man bands to multinationals.  The difference is found in the mix of methods, the spend and the repetition but again this varies even with like for like businesses.

Each business uses different techniques in varying ways there is no ‘one fits all’ solution is out there but one thing is proven you MUST use multiple methods of marketing.  Times and economies change fast these days, new likes and dislikes happen overnight, so even if not trend setters we must have our finger on the pulse to some degree.  This is not about fashion trends it is about the trends your clients are following, potential or current.  Lose sight of that and you will soon lose customers to someone who is paying attention not assuming they know or basing ideas on old information.

Step one, work out what you do in the way of marketing.  Traditional methods like adverts, be it in a magazine or Google Ads, or less obvious such as business networking, blogging, presenting a pretty show stand or shop window, even telling the girl on the check out at the supermarket what you do.  Sit, think and list all you do may take a while but you will be amazed. 

Next you must learn how to evaluate these methods, often people put too much emphasis on the one method that drives immediate sales, but are there secondary methods driving brand awareness so that your name sticks in the mind of consumers and helps drive sales but in a less obvious way.  Also important, are these methods portraying your business in the correct way and following the ethos of your business or could you make them better, are they good for your business?  Be tough, be honest and be realistic and never decide on a snap decision or head for comfort zone options, as you do not buy from yourself so it is your clients likes, needs, wants, hates etc. you must understand or pander to.

Have you ever heard of Marks and Spencer or M&S?  Stupid question I hear you say, well no it is not, they are a massive high street brand but yet every day they reduce their profits but adding to their costs, why?  Brand awareness, consumers have short memories and soon find alternatives so that is why M & S put the branding on everything from their sandwiches to their knickers as it reinforces the message that they are there, come and buy.  The message is thought through and brand images are tightly controlled to ensure continuity and appropriateness.  So even tiny weeny businesses should look at marketing as something that is intertwined in every aspect of their business every hour of the day, not just a costly or detached segment of running their business.  

Brought to you by the Seek It Out team

 Seek It Out: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Being social is not always so wise

 

Welcome to our guest blogger Janie, who is going to be a regular part of the SIO blog team.  Janie is a specialist in small business support and advice.

 

Firstly, thanks to Seek It Out for inviting me to add to the SIO blogs, quite an honour I can say.  Hello to you all, especially the small business owners amongst you or those longing to escape the hamster wheel of employment for the, tough but worthwhile, world of self-employment.  When invited, I will be adding blog posts on running a business, ideas on how you can avoid pitfalls, ways to market and other similar topics.

Being social is not always so wise! 

 

Strange heading you might think but social networking does not always pay dividends.  Sometimes as small business owners we muddy the waters between personal and business, this can apply in social networking. Doing this we act from the heart not our business head.

The other day I saw some comments by few disgruntled stall holders at an event, cross because the venue was cold and draughty.  This was a two day event and these comments appeared on Twitter at the end of day one.  Fine to let off steam but why do it where potential attendees might see.  Those potential attendees may take one look and decide to spend the next day elsewhere.  That hurts your bottom line, your secondary marketing (raising brand awareness), and makes you publically the cause.  So not only might you annoy the event organiser, fair you may say, but you will possibly annoy other stall holders who also lose out if folks stay away.  Those stall holders could be ambassadors for your business long after the event, but not if they feel you have spoilt their take or reputation.  Tell the event organiser, constructive feedback good or bad is vital in business, but do it directly not from a soap box or your business might be the real loser.

 

Keep your personal views where only those close to you can see them. How would you feel if that was one of your products or services someone was publically decrying from a social media soap box, you would be devastated. Do not kick your business it has done nothing wrong, instead help it to thrive & survive by avoiding pitfalls like these!

Thanks for letting me ramble, hope it was informative and look forward to the next episode. Janie

Seek It Out: changing the world a stitch at a time.

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