Every successful small business owner is busy. It comes with the job and passion of entrepreneurship. Because of this, we know you can never have too many tips of convenience – take a look at Audrey and Danielle’s favorites this week! In addition to making tasks easier and faster, Chase and Carrie have the perfect answer to finding the right inspiration anywhere. Be sure to take a look at their favorites. Convient tips and inspiration are as valuable as they are fast.
Audrey’s Favorite App
One of my favorite design tools to quickly create graphics for blogs and social media is Canva. It’s a user-friendly app that provides you with layouts, fonts, stock photos and designs that you can edit to create the perfect graphic for your project. Now, you can get Canva for your iPhone! All the convenience of this great program can now be at your fingertips wherever you are. This makes it easier to use images directly from your phone and upload your designs directly to social media. I’m so excited to utilize this app!
Chase’s Favorite Podcast
A few weeks ago, one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell, launched a new podcast call Revisionist History. In each episode, he reexamines something that has been lost or misunderstood from the past. One of my favorite – so far – is called “Big Man Can’t Shoot.” In this episode, he tried to understand why good ideas don’t catch on and become popular or mainstream. I think the lessons learned in this episode can be applicable to small businesses everywhere since one of the main goals of a small business is to become well known and that usually happens through word-of-mouth advertising.
If you’re interested in listening to this episode, you can find it here.
Carrie’s Local Favorite
The secret to effective branding lies in grabbing the attention of the audience while remaining consistent. This can be a challenge, especially when trying to brand a large organization with diverse opportunities and target markets, such as a city. Let’s take our home, McMinnville, Oregon, for example, which launched its first destination marketing agency this year. The agency is called Visit McMinnville. It has a done an excellent job highlighting all that McMinnville has to offer using strategies and content that are eye-catching and on brand.
If someone wants to travel to McMinnville, chances are they will land on the Visit McMinnville website. It is nicely designed and easy to navigate, which is greatly important because it will likely be the potential visitor’s first impression of Visit McMinnville and the town itself. Next, that potential tourist would probably check out Visit McMinnville’s social media profiles. If they wander to Instagram, they are in for a treat. From delicious farm-to-table cuisine, local wines and more, Visit McMinnville captures all of the town’s attractions.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next big branding project, visit Visit McMinnville’s website and social media accounts! For more branding advice, and to learn how to create a visual style guide, read my last blog!
Danielle’s Favorite Social Media Tool
Throughout the day, I consistently have my Buffer tab open. Buffer is my favorite way to stay organized as I manage social media posts for clients or Suite 4. This app allows you to stay engaged with your social media audiences on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest and now Instagram without the hassle of returning to post every hour on each profile. You schedule your social media posts into one
This app allows you to stay engaged with your social media audiences on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest and now Instagram without the hassle of returning to post every hour on each profile. You schedule your social media posts into one webpage under each different social media platform tab. These posts are set to post at specific set times of the day that have the most traffic.
This month, Buffer released Instagram reminders. Instagram currently does not allow third parties to post directly to the app itself, so Buffer came up with a way to make posting to Instagram easier with reminders! Here’s how it works: type up your post, add a picture, and include hashtags,
Here’s how it works: type up your post, add a picture, and include hashtags, emoji and tags. When the post comes up in the queue, you receive a reminder to post that picture to Instagram to via a direct link that opens directly to your Instagram account. It’s so much easier than having to wait to create and post daily Instagram updates. Don’t forget it is compatible with Instagram video posts as well!
Remember, the goal is to post consistent and visually enticing content your followers will eat up. Try Buffer reminders for Instagram to keep your Instagram profile as up-to-date as your Twitter!