Your cart is currently empty!
Category: Business Consulting
Video Content Creation Using the 9 Essential Posts
Creating Video Content Stresses You Out, Doesn’t It
When you hear the words “video content” do you scream a little bit? Are you stressing out because you don’t know what to create? Or is it more stressful thinking about going in front of the camera, recording something, and then putting a video out there for all the world to see? Well, the good news is I can help you because I am going to provide you a framework that will help you decide what kind of videos to create. I can also tell you as somebody who hates being in front of the camera, that it gets a bit easier each time. You just need to get in front of that camera and go for it. Remember it is your business, you are the one with the experience and you are the Subject Matter Expert.
Video Content Challenge for June
Leading into the Video Content Challenge for June I discussed different ways you could incorporate video into your social media. This was based loosely on the 9 Essential Posts Framework that we use at JRH Graphics to help make sure that each of our clients is posting a variety of “Edutaining” Content. The major benefits of following this framework for your video content as well as all your other content is it ensures that all of your posts are working towards telling the same story and the content remains varied. well, for July we are digging into video a little bit deeper and you will be asked to create video content for 7 of these 9 Essential Post Categories.
I recommend you take into account your June results when deciding what to post for this challenge. What worked in June for you? Which videos did your followers engage with? What platforms worked the best for you? Which platform do you want to add next? Answer these questions as you prepare for the July Video Content Challenge (VCC) so you are making the best use of your time when creating content.
Video Content Created for These 9 Categories
Since I am such a nice guy and I want to help you all succeed in the July VCC I am going to review the 9 Essentials Posts below and provide you with some ideas on how you could create video content for each of them. Want a little behind the scenes here, when I thought of this blog post I already had content in mind for 8 of the 9 essential post categories, know which one I forgot? Yup, you guessed it the motivational quotes argh!
Product Posts
Product Posts may seem easy but be sure to not constantly post or repost the same content about your product. Keep it fresh. Get ideas from your customers how are they using your products or “product in the wild” posts. Make sure to highlight what features and benefits users will get from your product that differentiates it from the products of your competitors.
Video Content Ideas
Tutorials on how to use the product. Features and Benefits Demo- think simple but impactful and easy to digest here like Bounty Commercials. Go live for new product releases or possibly show your product being used in an unexpected way. Showcase how the product is made. You have lots of options with this one, just make sure you are highlighting what makes you special.
Customer-centric Posts
Customer-centric posts focus not only on the overall customer experience (which is a good focus) but this is also where a lot of your user-generated content comes from. User-generated content is huge for a business because when you share that content the creator is much more likely to also share the content with followers. And beyond that it shows followers you care about how you engage with your customers and encourages them to share without even asking.
Video Content Ideas
Yup, if one of your customers creates a video post and puts in on their social media, you can share that! You got a freebee but that is great. User-generated content is a huge win for any business. If you are that good then who am I to deny you a freebie. If you were not that lucky it is okay, think about ways that you currently interact with your clients and customers, do you have a regular that is hilarious and would love to be a ham and drum up some attention for you? The person who is always raving about you? An organization that meets in your space that would love to cross-promote or drum up some new members. Yeah, you guys have this one.
In The Hood Video Posts
I call these the “In the Hood” posts and they really touch on the things happening in the community around you. They can be lighthearted and silly or seriously important things that are happening in the hood. What is important is that you are engaging the potential clients that are immediately in your area that are customers of the other businesses. You are also providing those in your neighborhood beneficial information and helping build trust. These posts allow you to partner with other businesses in your neighborhood magnifying your reach.
Video Content Ideas
Partner with another business and feature them and have them feature you. Cover a local neighborhood event. Check out the newest restaurant in town and live post about it. Video how you interact with your neighborhood every day as a business owner. Feature some new people in town or do you always have that one dog in the neighborhood who is your best client, go get him on video.
A Day In the Life Posts
Highlight things that usually happen at your company a pre-opening chat, lunchtime discussion, shared news about employees. Remember Instagram is very visual so make sure you have a good brand-appropriate visual if you are sharing on Insta. Think of these as a quick filtered peek into the back of the house. People love to get a peek behind the curtain, and you want to give that to them. Be real but brand appropriate.
Video Content Ideas
This type of post is awesome for video content and stories. Feature a day in the life from a specific perspective and make sure the day is entertaining and informative for your followers. No further tips needed this is gold!
Giveaways and Contest Posts
Product launch, new item, a special time of the year… make it super special with a giveaway or contest. It’s a great way to gain followers by encouraging them to follow you on social media as a way to be eligible for a prize. Keep in mind that you should always post appropriate disclaimers and follow all posted social media platform rules! This could also include tools and freebies that you can offer up to those who follow you. Maybe a free 30-minute consultation etc.
Video Content Ideas
Video reminding them of a contest. How about a video of you picking the contest winner. Or a video of the contest or giveaway winner picking up prize and being super excited. You could create some video content around you free tool you are offering for people who sign up for your email list. Or highlight how they can use that freebie.
Food, Babies, and Dogs on Video
Want some more social media gold? Then post about food, babies or dogs! Posts like this help you keep your content varied and make sure that you are not talking too much about yourself! Remember that just because the post is not directly related to you does not mean that it shouldn’t add value to your followers. These are not throw-away posts they are still an opportunity to get followers to like, know, and trust you. Think about favorite lunch places around your business, a new bar for after-dinner drinks, or your favorite quick and easy meal you love to make. Keep it light and brand appropriate.
Video Content Ideas
Ok so here the dogs and the babies might be more entertaining on video, but if it is not your dog or your baby make sure to get permission. But seriously, you could do a post around food on video. Like your morning trip to the coffee place. Better yet if you are promoting your restaurant, or you are a lover of chocolate, wine, scotch, pizza whatever, share your love with your followers. Make sure you aren’t throwing these posts away- they should add value.
Motivational Quotes on Video
Motivational quotes on #motivationalmonday or any other days of the week when a little pick me up are in order. Keep the quotes brand appropriate. Try to share quotes that you find meaningful in general or on a specific day. Generally, I recommend posting 1-2 quotes a month. Also, please do not just find one on an ugly background and slap it up on your feed, pay attention to the look of it and when possible add your branding.
Video Content Ideas
Yeah, this is the one I sorta didn’t have figured out but… How funny would it be to have the grumpiest guy on your staff read motivational quotes on the video to cheer people up on a Monday! Or do you have a yoga fanatic that can offer some Monday Motivation and a tree pose? Tell a motivational story that helped you, or one about how you achieved your goals to give followers a different perspective on you. All possible ideas and I will keep thinking!
EDUTAINING Video Posts
Remember you are the expert in your field you should be EDUTAINING your followers. That means the information you are sharing is EDUCATIONAL, USEFUL & ENTERTAINING. People love little tidbits of knowledge especially if its something cool that they can use to impress somebody at a bar or a party. Share fun little bits of knowledge or inside info on what you do. Ask them what they want to know and then educate them on that.
Video Content Ideas
Ask your followers what they want to know or what questions they want to be answered and then go live and answer them. It’s fairly easy, it encourages engagement and you know all the answers! Plus it fills you in on areas that you can improve messaging or provides you other ideas for videos you could create to help educate followers. Also in this category, product demos, useful tips, unknown facts about your business.
Employee-centric Posts
Employee Takeover: Have a trusted employee who has been briefed take over your business account for the day. A few video posts in the story and a post for the feed that is on brand. The story can be less refined it is set up to be snapchatty for a reason!
Employee Profiles These are a bit harder but they are great for morale and a great way to feature specific employee on social media. Ask a set of questions to an employee and take some cool fun photos and viola.
No Employees- No Problem: Do you work with another company in a partnership for an event? Or are you welcoming a new vendor, artist, or chef into your location for a limited time? Do you sell products from local artisans? These all provide an opportunity to do a profile of sorts or even have the partnering brand take over your social media for the day.
Video Content Ideas
Do all those things mentioned above in a video. Employee profile on video (interview style). Employee takeover with video. Brand takeover with video. New vendor or partner, feature them on video. Prep all parties in advance of the video and have fun.
A Final Thought
Before you post content think about what value it will add for your followers. Is it something that will solve a problem that they have or help them in their daily lives? Is it introducing them to something new or highlighting an unknown feature of a much-utilized tool. Helping your followers manage pain points and excel where they struggled before is a surefire way to build trust. Try to not post content that does not add some value to your fans, they won’t stay fans for long if you post too much useless content.
Are you ready for Video Now?
Start by going live and work your way into creating other video content. Video content in stories such as on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook can be a little rough around the edges, that is expected. However, video content in your feed should be more polished and professional.
Keep in mind with all your video content that it should be short, concise and beneficial to the person watching. Break the videos down into easily digestible segments to increase retention. Plan your videos in advance and make sure to follow an outline so you present a well-organized idea.
Now get out and start making some videos, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
What is Social Media Management?
What is Social Media Management?
Social Media Management is a foreign concept to many people. The list of questions I am tired of answering probably goes on for days but here are a few #epic ones.
- What does a Social Media Manager even do?
- Does Social Media really need to be managed?
- You just sit on Instagram all day and take selfies, right?
- And, my favorite… Do you know Kim Kardashian?
There is a deep misunderstanding behind what social media managers actually do, especially in the business realm. No, it does not take me an entire 8-hour shift to create an Instagram post that says, It’s Friyaaaay where is the Partaaaayyy! First of all. I own my own business. I wish I worked shifts, especially one as short as 8 hours. Secondly, this is not what you hire a social media manager to do. A social media manager is charged with creating and posting engaging content that advances the goals of the business.
So, now that we have gone over some of the things that we do not do; we can review why your business will benefit from having a dedicated social media manager.
The Role of A Social Media Manager
Each business decides what the role of the social media manager will be in an organization. However, these following tasks generally fall under the roles and responsibilities of a social media manager. We also provide some needed skills for each task. As social media becomes more ingrained in all we do the tasks will continue to become larger and more complex.
- Represents your brand online
- Manage all of your social profiles
- Create custom content for your business
- Engage followers and build up a new following
- Balances informative content with promotional content
- Monitors and responds to comments and questions
- Tracks and analyzes the results of social media campaigns
- Ensures that the voice used to post is consistent
Social Media Managers Roles and Responsibilities
Jonathan Howard, lead content creator and business consultant at JRH Graphics defines the role of a social media manager and discusses what makes JRH Graphics unique.
Manage Your Brand & Maintain Your Brand Identity
Your brand and your story are essential ways you connect with followers. Your social media manager is the promoter and protector of your brand. They ensure profile images are all recognizable and follow branding guidelines. Create posts that are branded and use the brand story appropriately. They are the first contact point with new customers and customers looking for support and service via Twitter. Some are even tasked with maintaining your shop presence on Facebook and Instagram and promoting new items via product posts.
Communication, Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills Are Required
A social media manager controls the conversation on your social media platforms. They accomplish this with a well-planned content calendar complete with key promotions, events, and new product releases. As well and educational and behind the scenes content that is EDUTAINING – Educational -Useful- Entertaining. Your brand and story are powerful connections. With social media becoming integrated into so many facets of your business, your social media manager has the power to shape your story and brand in all that they do. They must possess strong communication skills and be well organized to manage this aspect of the job.
Create Customized and Engaging Content
A social media manager brainstorms, researches, creates copy and visual for all your social media posts. In many cases even today, a social media manager is the sole creative for social media posts. They are also the one who actually does the posting. A social media manager is charged with creating engaging content for followers to consume from start to finish. They must be aware of trends and know what types of content is engaging followers. A plan to eliminate the content that is no longer essential is key. They function as brand ambassadors, storytellers and must be able to create an emotional connection between customers/followers and the brand.
A Social Media Manager Must Be Creative and Flexible
Flexibility and creativity are essential. The demands of the users and the lightning-fast pace of technology is changing every platform at a record pace. It is certainly feasible for you to develop content at the start of a month only to find that the platform you were going to post it on has changed the format or size. Or in the case of Google+, it is gone! They should be early adopters of new technology but still, be willing to work to get results on existing technology and platforms. Create Great Content Often, Adjust for Algorithm, Repeat should be their motto.
Manages Your Profiles & Engage Followers
Your social media manager is the sole person responsible for managing the day to day of your social profiles. Is the person running your social media the first person that you want your customers to see when they enter your business? Your social media manager needs to be able to communicate and personify all your business stands for. Charged with engaging existing and new followers every day on your platforms, the social media manager holds a great deal of power. They define the message that helps define your audience. They are building your future customer base.
Must Be A People Person and Problem Solver
Responsive, tactful and eloquent. Three keywords to look for when hiring a social media manager. In addition to the story and branding, a social media manager must also be intimately aware of all company policies and procedures so they can provide the right information to customers when asked questions. A social media manager must be a problem solver. They are going to be asked to solve problems that your customers and followers are facing each day.
Track the results of campaigns and Adjust Accordingly
Your social media manager not only puts the content into play but they also have to measure for the ROI (Return on Investment). Using the many different measures of engagement, social listening and much more they need to rank the success or failure of posts (and aspects of posts). This allows them to see which pieces of content measure up to expectations and which fell short. They also need to react to the results quickly. If it failed once it will fail again. They need to know not to put content that will certainly fail into play when they could replace it will other content that a higher chance of success. Finally, they must also measure what types of content are engaging at what levels and if they need to restructure the content calendar to accommodate for the changes.
A Social Media Manager Must be Analytical and Proactive
Social media is bound to change. A social media manager needs to adapt. They need to analyze the results of their campaigns. They must double down on successes and eliminate content that fails. New ways to engage will always be emerging and some trends may be the perfect opportunity for your business to stand out. However, without an adaptable member running your social media team you may end up always arriving late to the party. Especially, if they aren’t even measuring the success of the posts they are posting.
Keeping the Brand and Voice Consistent
Want to confuse your followers? Have a different aspect of your brand identity as part of your profile photo on every platform. Change the order of the words in your tagline. Select a different color for your logo. Inconsistency confuses customers. And once a customer is confused they leave. What is worse they are not likely to come back. Equally confusing is when your brand changes the voice it speaks in on social media from post to post, I am guilty of this on my own brand and it is confusing to followers. Define the voice as part of your brand identity and stick to it.
Your employees can speak directly to followers but as brand ambassadors and that voice can be unique to that post once it is defined. I encourage you to use that type of post wherever possible as well as social proof posts (reviews from clients) as a happy employee and a happy customer both send a powerful and emotion-filled message.
A Deep Knowledge of Branding and Emotional Storytelling
A social media manager needs to understand branding and emotional storytelling and connect those skills to the product or service they are selling. They need to be aware of what the differentiators are that strengthen the brand as well as how the company is positioning itself in the marketplace. Finally, they also need to be aware of the known competition and stay ahead of any new competition. Many times the first place you can identify some new players in the game is on social media.
Does a Social Media Manager Just Take Selfies for Instagram?
I hope at this point, we all know that this is not the case. A social media manager holds an ever-increasing role in your business. They are an integral part of marketing and branding strategies. They are content creators that must create engaging content that will grow an audience and create followers for life. A social media manager must create and deliver a great deal of content each week as well as to measure the impact of that content. And if that is not enough, the entire job can change at the drop of a hat. Once again, a great motto for any social media manager should be…
Create Great Content Often, Adjust for Algorithm, Repeat!
Oh, you guys did get one question right… Of course, I know Kim Kardashian, totally bestiesWhat Does JRH Graphics Provide that is Unique?
Social Media Managers are a dime a dozen. There are many solutions available to create content for social media. Hundreds of people create logos and more people are entering the brand storytelling arena. Many of these people have little to no business experience. They went to school and studied advertising or social media marketing and know how to do that.
That is not JRH Graphics. We understand the day to day of business because before we started our own we spent 20 years in business. We learned the ins and outs of social media before it was commonplace among businesses because we worked on college campuses and “grew up” on the cutting edge of it. We have faced hundreds of challenges and created hundreds of solutions. With each new company we work with we have added to our toolbelt and made these tools available to other small businesses because when one of us succeeds we all succeed. A listing of the available tools can be seen here.
We Know Business
Running a business and promoting a business are two full-time jobs, each with different skill sets. The more time you take to promote your business the less time you have to run it and the time you take running your business impacts your ability to expand your network of followers, nurture leads and discover new revenue feeds. Having a social media manager with 20 years of business experience allows you to grow your business while not losing sight of the day to day because the team at JRH Graphics identifies opportunities to grow and nurtures those opportunities in conjunction with your team.
JRH Graphics helps you build your business via social media. We help you define a story that will engage by highlighting this story and your differentiators on social media. This establishes you and your business as a leader in your field. This works to activate your social media networks and local business networks. Once your network has been activated you begin establishing a collaborative relationship with them, allowing you to both grow your businesses and networks.
Our Clients are Proof
Jonathan has been a huge support for our small business. When we brought him on as our PR guy we also got a business consultant that truly cares about the success of our business. He is smart, savvy, innovative, and a risk taker that we trust completely. He has helped grow our business and introduced us to new revenue streams that have proved lucrative.
-Cody Alexander, Urban Jungle DC
JRH Graphics will help you become the smart, savvy, innovative business that takes the right risks and see the benefits.
Jonathan is fantastic support for my small business – he’s helped me scale quickly and helped me achieve so much through social media and engaging with a broader audience.
-Lea Berry, Berry Coaching and Consulting
We will help you scale quickly and reach your goals via the power of social media.
Choose JRH Graphics and grow your business.
Social Media Management Plus with JRH Graphics
With JRH Graphics you get a social media manager and much more. The knowledge and experience. The drive to push to be better. A stubborn man who refuses to take no for an answer. Creative line pusher. Dedicated partner. JRH Graphics is part of your team!
Brand Storytelling Matters: Tips for A Powerful Story
Brand Storytelling Creates Connections
Stories create connections, which an essential part of doing business today. Businesses can no longer remain faceless entities and be successful. In order to survive a business needs to find a way to connect with its audience, in order to thrive they need to pull on heartstrings and engage at a much deeper level than ever before. If a business isn’t making an emotional connection between its brand and its audience then they risk failure.
This is where your brand story comes in. It gives your business a human touch. Your brand story should weave together facts and feelings. It should include your why. Why you do what you do and why you believe it matters. It should also tell your audience why they should care about what you do.
Selling the Universal Emotion Not the Product
I remember when I first started doing marketing work a mentor saying to me, you aren’t selling a mattress you are selling a good night’s sleep. I was very confused as he dropped this piece of wisdom on my head and walked away because I wasn’t selling mattresses I was selling books. But the more I did social media and marketing the more I understood you are not selling products you are selling the emotional connections and the universal feelings. Nobody knows how your mattress feels, but everyone knows the amazing feeling of waking up feeling revived after a good nights sleep.
Be Heard in the Crowded Marketplace
Great brand storytelling allows you to be heard in a crowded marketplace. Now more than ever there are more people making things, and offering services. The marketplace is overcrowded. Some products and services are even great. So what makes you different? Why do I choose you and not your competition? How do you stand out? Your brand story is how you stand out.
Brand Storytelling is Powerful
When crafting your brand story think about what you want your business to be known for. When everything else is said and done what do you want people to say when they think about your business? What is the single most important message you want to deliver? Once you have that message in mind figure out a way to wrap that message into a story that your audience will connect with and you are now on the road to having a brand story that will connect.
Your story is the most powerful and flexible tool in your toolbelt. It should act as a compass that guides your business in all that you do.
Aspects of a Powerful Brand Story
So what are some things necessary to have a powerful brand story? That’s the thing with storytelling, it is not an exact science and there is not an exact formula. But we all know a good story when we hear a good story. So in my effort to figure out some things needed for a good story, I watched a lot of Ted Talks and searched around the internet for great sites on storytelling like echostories.com. I discovered great nuggets of wisdom, things that many of us already believe to be true. Unfortunately, I did not discover the silver bullet… the surefire way to have a story that connects with your audience. So since I can’t give you that yet here are a few tips.
Get Emotional
Inject emotion into your presentation with stories. The objective of a story is to make your audience feel something. Happy, Sad, distraught, hopeful. It doesn’t matter what emotion the story brings about per se as the emotion creates a connection. Tell the story of how your product saved a life, the story of how your business gave you a purpose, that great story about how you helped a mother connect with an estranged child. Take this commercial for example…
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
Did You Feel Something?
No matter how you feel on the issue, I guarantee that ad for Verizon (btw) made you feel something. It injected emotion into its advertisement and that emotion made for a powerful commercial and made you feel some kind of way. Verizon is saying in this commercial that part of its brand story is the power of communication to bring people together. That love can always call back using Verizon phone service. The beauty of this for Verizon, is they didn’t even have to spell out the connection. By simply having the Verizon logo at the end of that spot creates the connection the emotions you felt there are tied to Verizon, and you want to go connect or reconnect with somebody using a Verizon phone! Yes, it just as easily could have been Sprint or Metro PCS but it wasn’t.
Make A Connection with Your Audience
The other thing that made the Verizon advertisement so powerful is the connection that they made with the audience. The story they are telling is aimed at those celebrating Pride in the month of June. It was created in partnership with PFLAG, a National organization that unities families and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. They knew their audience. They knew that many people who identify as LGBTQ have struggled with coming out in their lives. This struggle is universal in the community so they were able to connect with the audience by being aware of, and sensitive to this universal truth. As a business, be aware of your audience and your followers. Is your brand story or aspect of a brand story something that they will connect with? If it is not, should it be part of your story?
At First This Then That
Change is a fundamental portion of a story including your brand story. At first, this was the truth, that is why our founder created (brand name) and now this is the truth. Apple is famous for using this in its story and in presentations. This is computing now, but with this brand new Mac we have challenged the status quo and this is what computing will look like! And those of you who are like me and want things to be easier, newer, better, and not the status quo eat it up. This then that creates suspense and excitement, both emotions and emotions create connections. And if you watch a lot of Apple product reveals you notice that they draw out the suspense to the point where your body is physically reacting to it. Ah the beauty of storytelling… when listening to a good story your body reacts like it is there and it releases hormones and endorphins. You are literally feeling the emotions and it does not matter that it is a new computer that has nothing to do with it, the feeling is what matters.
Don’t Forget Your Why
A key aspect of your brand story is your why. Why is it that you do what you do and why should your audience care? You need to wrap these into that emotional story to create the connection between the product/service, the emotions, and your overall brand. The why is not to make a profit, as Simon Sinek says that is just a result. The why is… why do you get out of the bed in the morning? What is it about your business or work that gets you excited? Why is your business special? That is what will connect with people and make your brand story special. I can’t tell you what your why is… you need to dig deep for that. Just remember that your story is the most amazing thing about you and your business so don’t be afraid to say what you believe. Highlight your values. And create a brand story that is awesome and will connect with your audience and beyond.[
Simon Sinek Start With The Why
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I hope these tips help as you begin to work on your story and make brand storytelling a hard skill in your business. If you need help with any of this check out some of our other resources or contact Jonathan at jhoward@jrhgraphics.com.
May we also recommend taking a look at this blog post.
Your Brand Is Not This… Discover the Key to Branding
Brand is Not
… your colors, it is not your logo. The business does not control it. These things are all part of your identity, and while they may speak to your brand, they are not your brand. Your audience defines your brand. It is an emotional response to your business that includes sights, sounds, tastes, and past experiences.
In the following video, Jonathan Howard, the owner of JRH Graphics, discusses how a company can impact its brand, how every single interaction with a sales associate, or operator, or online service bot can influence the customer’s perception of your company. He also reminds people that it is incredibly important to believe in your brand. Make sure that everything you put out to your audience is representative of the values you think are essential. Be unabashedly true to your beliefs; don’t water them down to appeal to the masses. A company that aims to please all people ends up pleasing nobody.
Differentiators
The idea behind differentiators is also discussed in this video. A brand is what makes someone choose you over another company. So what is it that makes you different? Why would somebody decide to use you instead of another company? Branding is the art of differentiation, and if you don’t stand out, you aren’t going to win. For more on differentiation and how to win with your unique values, check out this blog post.
What is the Key?
The key is to find out what makes you different and find an audience that values those differences. Once you have discovered that audience, begin engaging them and providing solutions to the problems that they are facing. Keep your audience in mind whenever you are launching a program, product, or service offering.JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGWW5CcXd1UDlhTkUlMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvdyUzRCUyMmFjY2VsZXJvbWV0ZXIlM0IlMjBhdXRvcGxheSUzQiUyMGVuY3J5cHRlZC1tZWRpYSUzQiUyMGd5cm9zY29wZSUzQiUyMHBpY3R1cmUtaW4tcGljdHVyZSUyMiUyMGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRQ==
Your Weird: 3 Steps to Help You Win With A Unique Brand
If You Are Not Weird You FailDid you know that 50% of businesses started do not make it to celebrate the fifth year in business? One of the largest contributing factors of failure for these businesses is an inability to differentiate from the pack.
Many businesses feel that in order to be successful you need to be everything to everybody. However, the exact opposite is true. To see success in today’s business environment you need to tell people why you are different and align yourself with those that appreciate those differences. Or as I like to say, “what is your weird?” If you embrace your weird and showcase your weird, you will be able to win with your weird. It is really just remembering a few of the basics or branding and marketing.
Believe me, I am weird I should know
Embracing Your Weird
The first step of differentiation is figuring out what makes you different than all the other companies out in the marketplace and embracing those differences. Did you create this business to fill a void? Do you serve a specific section of the marketplace? The answers to questions like this are all essential parts of your company story and can be a differentiator. A differentiator can be anything that you think is important to your company, that other companies in your realm do not offer or deliver. A differentiator is what will make someone choose you over another company, it is what makes you stand out. I call this part of the process, “embracing your weird!”
Some Ways Businesses are Weird
Below is a list of some differentiators, do one or more of them apply to your business? This list is not complete, a differentiator is whatever you honestly believe you do differently that impacts your customers or clients.
- Deliver exceptional customer service, every single day by exceeding customer expectations
- Make solving customer problems a keystone of your business
- Focus on a very narrow part of the customer base
- Do business differently i.e. always accept returns or charge a flat rate for services
- Offer something up for free or a low price that makes a huge difference
- Focus on your culture and what makes it different i.e. at JRH Graphics we like it if you are a bit weird but love it when you are completely off-the-wall weird
- Focus on social media and make it so good people can’t forget you (think Warby Parker)
- Surprise and delight your customers
- Be Weird. Be So Weird People Notice You. Don’t Be Too Weird that they only remember the weirdness
Don’t Hide Your Weird
Whatever it is that makes you unique is your weird. Don’t shy away from your weirdness or try to hide it because you are afraid that these differences are weaknesses. These differences are the key to making connections with potential customers, they are essential for standing out in a crowded marketplace, and they could be a reason you make it to year six in business when half of your fellow business owners will not.
So you have embraced a few things that are weird and you have integrated them into your company story. You even discuss them as part of the unique culture of your company… now what?
Showcasing Your Weird
The next step is to showcase your weirdness. This is probably the trickiest of the steps when you begin because it is easy to confuse people if you are not sending a consistent message or bouncing around in how you are telling your story. The best way to properly showcase your weird is to tie your differentiators into what you are doing every day and what you are posting every day. And the best way to do this is by planning what you will be doing and posting well in advance. Make sure that what you are doing and posting ties into your goals and brand story.
Tips for Showcasing Your Weird
- Make sure every single person that represents your business inside and outside the company understands and represents the company story and company culture.
- Tell the same story but don’t use the same examples. People will get tired of them and it shows that maybe what you are doing every day does not align with the story you are telling. If it did new examples would be easy to find.
- Make sure that you are showing your brand in a similar and recognizable way across all of your social media profiles for your business. If I stumble upon your social media presence on Twitter and want to find you on Facebook I should be able to tell instantly what profile is yours when I search.
- A key to showcasing your weird is making sure that people know who you are and are engaging with you. In order to accomplish this on social media, you need to be creating engaging content and posting regularly. If you need help deciding on some things to post please check out my 9 Types of Posts Every Business Should Try blog post.
- Make sure that who you are online matches who you are/what your business is in real life.
- Begin looking for and working with other businesses that share your weird. Collaboration is Key afterall!
Sharing the Weird
So number 6 above is kind of a “pro tip” but here is an example of how it would work.
Say you are a career specialist who helps people discover what the next step in their career should be. You believe that having a complete online profile such as LinkedIn with a fresh headshot that captures their true essence and a winning story that showcases accomplishments helps them stand out in the crowded job market. In order to help your clients accomplish this, you begin working with a headshot photographer who is amazing at letting a person’s personality shine through the photo. You later discover a social media specialist who helps your clients craft winning stories to include on LinkedIn. As you continue to work together the three of you are all showcasing your business strengths to multiple clients and your ability to work closely with other businesses in your field becomes another one of your differentiators.
Winning With Your Weird
You have embraced your weird. You are showcasing your weird. So how do you know when you are winning with your weird? Don’t we all wish that there was a clear and concise answer to this! I can’t provide one but I can say that when you start to embrace your weird and showcase your weird and it is connecting with others you will notice some things like more meaningful comments on your social media. More people writing reviews of your business because your business fills a specific need in the marketplace. You will see additional referrals from other businesses you have worked with in the past. More of your ideal clients and customers will be seeking you out. Overall, you should see an increase in your sales and a decrease in the money that you need to put in to close each sale.Signs that A Company is Winning With Their Weird
- They have a powerful and defined identity. They boldly proclaim what they believe and they stand by those beliefs even when tested.
- Winning companies have identified an audience or audiences that will engage with their weird. They are targeting this specific audience where they live, with content that has proven to engage them.
- Winning companies are passionate about what they do and they let it show in everything.
- Honest with what they can and can not deliver for a client. They know their limits and are not afraid of losing some business because a client wants something that is outside of their wheelhouse.
- Backs up claims with tangible actions and results.
- Put their clients/customers interest ahead of revenue.
- Accessible and real. They demonstrate the true meaning of authenticity.
- Understand the value of consistency. Always live up to clear expectations.
- Collaborate with other brands that share their values, potentially multiplying the customer base they have access to with the collaboration
A Weird Conclusion
Keep in mind that a winning brand has a proven track record and is a trusted member of the marketplace. They embrace the winning characteristics listed above in all that they do and they showcase them throughout their company. A new company cannot be winning until they have proven itself. However, it is important for a new company to make sure that they are embracing their weird and showcasing their weirdness right out of the gate. They should include the key aspects of their weird in their brand story to put them on the fast track to winning with their weird!
Create Engaging Content With Quality Photos
A Different Kind of Photo Shoot
At JRH Graphics we tend to do things a little bit differently, so it should not really surprise anyone that we approach photo shoots differently as well. We don’t like to shoot in the studio. Whenever practical, we like to shoot in your neighborhood, where you live and where your business is located. Our photo shoots are “in the wild” as we say. This type of shoot encourages real-life engagement which leads to greater engagement online. So what does a photo shoot in the wild look like? How do we decide what photos to take? What do you wear?
Well, aren’t you lucky… we are going to answer all your questions in this post!
Before The Photo Shoot Begins
Before each shoot begins we will discuss what types of images you wish to get from the shoot. We will also review key aspects like how we will be portraying the brand in the images. Are the shots a part of a planned campaign? We can also review what the overall feel you want from the photos. We will review the specific photos we wish to capture for posts we have planned as well as ways to get some more versatile images that can be used in multiple situations. We always try to capture as many shots as possible at every shoot.
Some Important Pre-Photo Shoot Questions
What to Wear
We have discussed the intent of the shoot and the message you wish to convey in the photos we will be capturing. So now, what about the styling? We may tell you what we envision for a specific shot or the overall feel but it is up to you and what you have in your closet. No matter what, make sure that whatever you decide on, matches your brand. That is the most important recommendation we can make. Other than that we recommend bringing a few versatile options with a variety of complementing accessories! Mixing and matching is the name of the game to get the most looks out of one shoot. Blazers, jackets scarves and statement jewelry help transform a look in seconds. Always bring great shoes, but wear sneakers as we will be walking a lot.
Where are we going:
Once the location has been picked we will scout it out and set up a plan of attack based on what shots you are looking for. We are flexible and can make changes on the fly so if you spot a shot you want while taking another one just let us know. We also may need to change a shot because of crowds or lighting etc. We roll with the punches and we will get the shots. Again, bring a pair of comfortable shoes. We will be moving and heels are not running shoes!
So What Else
We will take as many shots as possible from a variety of angles, sometimes the photos you don’t expect to look great look awesome. During the shoot I will be talking to you, working with you, and trying to keep you relaxed but we will also be capturing candid shots. Move around, play with the way your body bends, pose, then act naturally and sometimes be goofy. The more relaxed you are in front of the camera the easier it will be to get the shots we want.
Oh yeah… How long and how many shots?
On average a shoot will consist of 3-5 shots will take about 90 minutes depending on the distance between location, the number of people, and outfit changes, etc. The result is generally 150-200+ unedited images. Which converts to about 10-12 Awesome shots and 20-25 good shots if we vary outfits, angles, and even props. This is enough images to get you through a month of social media posts. Which is exactly why each monthly social media client above self-managed gets one shoot a month with their package.
It’s Photo Shoot Day
On photo shoot day we will meet at the specified location and review the purpose of the days’ shoot. Like a broken record, I will remind you that each photo should have a relatable story and every client and product should be approachable and have a personality. Once we begin the pace usually goes something like this… Uncomfortable photo, I try to make you laugh, we chat, I shoot, you laugh I continue shooting, you pose, I shoot, pose again, and then on to the next shot. The idea is to shoot candidly and comfortably. We move, we chat, we shoot, we look for a different backdrop, we move again, we shoot again. The same applies to the products- we just have to help them move!
Getting the Shots In
We work to finish our shot outline but sometimes we don’t so we try to stack the front end of the shoot with the necessary pictures and the back end gets the supplemental images. Expect about 50 varying angles, poses and/or positions per shot. Feel free to change up accessories during a shot but save outfit changes for between shots.
Remember we are shooting in public so sometimes we may need to wait for another group to vacate an area. Conversely, when we are shooting many people tend to steer clear of an area, if it is an essential area for a business or building we will need to act fast so we aren’t negatively impacting a fellow business.
So That Is It!
We hope this post helps you understand what to expect. Our number 1 objective is to get the shots we need to build engaging content for your website, social media, and other campaigns. But almost as important is having fun. These shoots are meant to be laid back and enjoyable so don’t worry you will look great so have fun!
Want to know more?
If you are interested in learning more about any of the services we have to offer or want to schedule a free 30-minute consultation call? Just fill out the form below and we will happily answer all the questions you have or set up your consultation call. We can’t wait to help you tell your winning story!
Leadership: Practical Tips for Small Business Owners
Leadership for the Small Business Owner
Leadership is a choice, it is not a position that you hold. Leaders have chosen to lead, inspire, and look after those around them. Leaders are courageous. Those who lead are risk takers. Leadership requires a willingness to collaborate and bring out the best in others. Leaders lead every single day.
Many small business owners struggle with the concept of leadership. They watch videos, read books, take classes and try to understand and mimic the characteristics of great leaders that are being held up as examples. Many believe that being a great leader is an unattainable goal. I personally think that is rubbish. I think leadership is easily attainable if you understand some basic concepts and characteristics of great leaders.
Even better, you do not need to impersonate anyone to be a great leader. You can have your own style, quirks, and beliefs and still be a great leader.
Take a few minutes now to watch this TED Talks with Drew Dudley about Everyday Leadership! One of my favorite TED Talks!
Everyday Leadership
You are powerful, you can be a leader every day. I think the most important point in Dudely’s talk is that you can change the world by changing one person’s understanding of the world. I venture to say that small business owners have likely already impacted a life, changed a trajectory, or shown someone a new way of looking at the world. Small business owners in many cases are already leaders!
So repeat after me,
“I AM a leader! I have chosen to lead, inspire and look after those around me”
Okay, now that we are all in agreement. Let’s look at some of the characteristics of great leaders.
Great leaders:
- Inspire
- Focus on the why
- Anticipate change
- Have the courage needed to try new things
- Surround themselves with a diverse group of people with varying opinions
- Take risks
- Collaborate
- Listen
- Are empathic
- Accept vulnerability as a strength
- Encourage openness and candor
- Are passionate
That List is Daunting
We have all seen this list or a similar list before, and it may only be 12 things but it starts with Inspire and includes things like taking risks and anticipating change. How is it possible for a mere mortal to be a leader every day? After all, we have businesses to run! That is why I am providing you with some of these practical tips for leaders of small businesses! Small things that you can do every single day to be a great leaders.
Make decisions based on your “why”
This means that you should make decisions based on your beliefs. Not only should you make decisions on your beliefs but you should share your “why” with those around you. Talking about your beliefs will attract others who share those same beliefs and build up the story of your brand. Effectively telling your brands story and why you/your brand do certain things is not only an effective way to build your brand but it’s an effective way to build and inspire your team and followers.
Take walks with team members.
When I was a retail manager I would regularly take my team members outside of the store and go for a walk. These were always the most honest and productive conversations I had with team members. It evened the playing field and allowed for a more open flow of ideas. These walks also allowed me to discuss my beliefs with team members (again reinforcing the “why”)
Encourage input from all.
I painted an entire wall in my office with black chalkboard paint and the only permanent words on that board were “What’s Next.” Every member of the team was presented with a piece of chalk at employee orientation and encouraged to contribute to that wall from day 1. Some of the best ideas we had came from suggestions scribbled down on that chalkboard. It encouraged everyone to openly share ideas and be a part of the big picture. It also allowed the management team to anticipate and plan for changes sooner and not just react to things when it was too late.
Never Ask Anyone to Do Something That You Would Never Do
Mop the floors, do data entry, clean the bathroom… whatever it is, never ask someone to do something that you would never do yourself. This little tip has amazing power in my experience, in ways you can’t even imagine. It builds loyalty, it creates an environment of cooperation and collaboration, and it elevates morale among other things.
Try Something Crazy
You or a team member has a crazy idea, but it could work! Take a risk. This is where innovation occurs. And why not give it a try. Many times the only risk is failing. And failure isn’t really failing it is just a stepping stone towards success. Let people watch you fall, it happens, and then let them watch you get back up and try again!
Not All “Wins” Will be Able to Be Measured Formally
This is a hard one to put into words, and I don’t mean you should abandon all metrics, however, there are times when you should “trust your gut.” In my past life, I know a turning point of my communication strategy with the faculty and staff at the University I was working at was when I launched a series of breakfast meetings celebrating our relationship called “Books & Bagels.”
After the first one, I felt like I had made a huge breakthrough, gained some allies, and opened up lines of communication that were going to be huge going forward. My numbers, however, didn’t show that. It actually took almost 6 months and two more “Books & Bagels” events until I started to see major increases. I knew in my gut that these meetings were going to pay off so I didn’t abandon the strategy based on the lack of success according to the metrics. If I had abandoned the strategy I may not have seen the long-term success and may have continued having an issue reaching an essential group of people. Wins may not be able to be immediately measured but if it feels like a win, roll with it for a bit. Adapt and edit as you see necessary but don’t abandon good ideas.
Don’t be afraid to show your passion
Your passion is not something that you should hide from others. If you are truly passionate about something then let others see that passion. The passion that you have for what you do reinforces what you are telling people. As they say, actions speak louder than words, so show the world that you really believe what you are saying.
Collaborate
Work with the community, work with your team, work with other businesses. Bring out the best in others and find the best in yourself!
Celebrate Wins, Learn from Your Losses
Celebrate your wins with your team. Show them that you appreciate the work they have done. Highlight individual winners through recognition and creating a program that will allow other teammates to model winning behavior. Learn from your losses and share the lessons across your organization. These practices will help build a team that understands the impact of all actions on the big picture and will work to help reach the winning outcomes.
Learn and Teach
Learn something every day.
Teach every single day.
Every single person in the world knows at least one thing that you don’t know. A great leader is someone who learns from others. Listens to others ideas and learns from what they hear. Being a leader involves constant learning and constant evolution.
The flip side of learning is teaching. Share your lessons, share what you know, help make people stronger by teaching them knowledge and skills you have gained over the course of your career.
Learning and teaching are essential aspects of all great leaders and something that we can all do every day!
Now Take these Tips and Apply Them (in your own way)
All of the practical tips I provided can be implemented in your own way. Those who know me or have worked with me may hate that I am a blunt, sarcastic and hard working manager who expects a lot from his team. Others may love it. But even if I was a soft-spoken and laid back manager who developed my team in a different way I could still take the practical tips I have suggested and apply them differently to meet my style. Many leaders are quirky and have there own ways of doing things but when you break it down, the aforementioned principles will be there in some way, I promise you!
Now, get out there, don’t worry about others and LEAD EVERY DAY!If you want to learn more about Leadership or any of the Three Essential Tools needed for Absolute Career Mastery grab your ticket today for this great event being put together by Berry Coaching & Consulting on June 20, 2018 at MakeOffices K Street in Washington DC
Defining a Roadmap for Your Business: Creating a Plan That Works for You
Defining a Roadmap for Your Business
Are you in the process of defining a Roadmap for your business. Are you hoping to create a plan that works for you? First things first… Quick, name a benefit of owning your own business…
- Getting to be your own boss
- Working from home on your schedule
- You pick the projects you want to work on
- Deciding who you want to work with
Are these at the top of your list? They are at the top of mine and many other entrepreneurs. It is why we have decided to go into business for ourselves. The independence is wonderful, we get to decide on the path we take and we can define the values of our company.
Creating A Plan that Works for You
However, when I talk with other business owners or some of my clients that are starting out they are always (many times inadvertently) trying to force their business to fit into the plans of another business. Or trying to follow the roadmap that their friend followed when starting their successful business. Why?
Create a plan that works for you! Decide on what is most important to you, what you want to be known for. Imagine what your ideal day would look like and build a plan that takes these things into account. Map out a plan that accounts for your passions. The plan should highlight your strengths and minimize the impact of your weaknesses. When I am working with clients to begin creating a roadmap for their business I have a series of questions I ask them, like the ones below. They are aimed at helping the client figure out what the right direction is for them as they begin their business endeavor. If you are at this stage or even revisiting your roadmap take a look at some of the questions below and answer them honestly.
Defining The Mission of Your Business
For what do you want to be known?
What types of projects do you wish to work on?
Which aspect of your business inspires you the most?
What is your bread and butter service/item?
How will you bring clients and customers in the door?
Once you get them in the door how do you plan on selling them the bread and butter item/service?
Defining Your Clients
Who is your ideal client?
What makes them your ideal client?
Do you know where your ideal client works?
This ideal client currently purchases goods and services from what business?
Where are you likely to meet your ideal client/customer?
Setting Priorities and Defining Goals
What is your number one priority?
What do you wish to accomplish in 3 months? 6 months? 9 months?
Define your key differentiators… What sets you apart from others in your field?
Define a win in your own words. What does a win look like for you ?
How much time do you think it will take to reach your goals?
Can you dedicate an appropriate amount of time to reaching your goals every week?
What limits do you have on your time?
Do you think you are working on things now that are not helping you reach your goals? Can these be eliminated?
Past Experiences and Lessons Learned
What are some of the experiences you have had in the past that you can draw on to build your success?
What mistakes have you made in the past?
Think about the lessons you have you learned from these mistakes?
What is something you have told to past employees/coworkers that you can use yourself now?
Think back to the interview question…
Talk about a time when you had to overcome diversity in the workplace, what was the situation and what did you learn in the end? Answer this honestly.
What is one of the hardest lessons you have had to learn in business?
Strengths and Weaknesses
Describe your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
The thing that excites you about your business most?
What terrifies you?
The tasks in your business play to your strengths?
Do you have a plan to minimize the impact of your weaknesses?
Obstacles
The obstacles do you foresee?
What plans can you make now to help you overcome these obstacles?
When obstacles present themselves how will you react?
How will you prevent obstacles from throwing you off course?
Can you take these obstacles into account as you build your roadmap?
Building and Activating your Network
Who in your area would you most like to work?
What do they bring to your business?
Who do you already know that could help you build a successful business?
How often do you talk with those already in your network?
How are you planning to expand your network?
What connections do you hope to make?
Name some ideal jobs the people you want to meet will hold?
Are you willing to network with others who do not possess these job titles?
What activities will you engage in to maintain your network?
Are networking events part of your strategy?
After you have reviewed these questions and answered them honestly you will have a better idea of the specific needs you have for your business. Then you can begin to plan what your specific roadmap looks like. If you still need help putting it together, please reach out to us here at JRH Graphics.
If you would like this blog in the form of a worksheet to work on, grab your free copy of it in the store under social media tools.
