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6 TikTok Marketing Tips For Small Businesses

Posted by rstapholz on
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Business
6 TikTok Marketing Tips For Small Businesses

There are many out there who don’t know TikTok well although it isn’t that complicated. Explaining TikTok is not that hard – it motivates users to get on the same page using hashtags and trends and provides instructions to create content. You are going to be rewarded for making it different.

This is different from Instagram because Instagram doesn’t reward users for copying and tweaking – you might end up getting shamed for doing this. TikTok embraces this.

When it comes to the algorithm, it is way easier to grow on TikTok compared to Instagram because TikTok has the “For You” page. This will serve content automatically and it is going to show content that it thinks you like, which means for small businesses, they have a chance because they don’t need to have a huge following before their content is seen by many people.

Below are some TikTok marketing tips for small businesses.

Creating your account 

The first step if you want to grow your business using TikTok is creating an account, which seems like an easy thing for most, but there are some who have a hard time doing it. Not everyone is a teen or young adult good with technology. 

Capturing video content 

You need to have video content you will share on TikTok. You don’t have to create expensive content, even a simple video of how you do business is enough. You can record as you package orders or even run errands. You need to record even the simple tasks because it is good content for your TikTok account.

Recording such things might seem mundane, but people love watching behind the scenes. People want to know more about how the business is run. You might not know what to do with the content, but it is going to come later on.

Curating a small business “for you” page 

Like content that you might want to attract on TikTok. The algorithm is going to look at the content you like, so you need to follow small businesses on TikTok and you are going to get on “Small Business TikTok”. You are going to attract the right audience based on who you follow and what you like. This is a good way of getting into small business TikTok.

When your ‘For You’ page has content from small businesses, it becomes easier to know what they are creating and can inspire you. You might find audio and trends that you can use to make your own TikToks.

Using hashtags and trending songs

When you are ready to create the first video, you need to make sure you are using hashtags and trending songs – you can find them on the discover page. When you use a trending song, you will get a bigger audience and also more followers. Buy TikTok likes to grow your audience further. Go through the discover page from time to time and see whether there is anything tending that you can use.

Before you understand TikTok, you should do a bit of research consuming TikTok. If you don’t know TikTok, the best solution is to get on it and you will get a hang of it in a short time. it is hard to explain everything to do with TikTok, but easy to learn as you go.

Make an effort of going on the explore page at least once a day, and then have a look at the newest one and see if it can work for you or your brand.

You should always be looking for something you can make your own. There are times when you come across content that is not going to apply to you or your business, which is okay. There are many trends at any time. going through your “For You” page is also going to help.

Editing your TikToks in Apps

You can choose to create your videos using editing apps like Prequel or Splice or TikTok. The editing apps will give you the chance of splicing multiple videos together and also adding filters. The prequel has become known for trendy video filters, like videotape nineties or two-tone color filters.

Splice is the same as TikTok in many aspects, but it gives you the option of splicing your videos together. The Splice app allows you to make a video even if it is just two seconds. It also has transitions and other features. This app can be likened to Adobe Premiere Rush.

Adding your hashtags

When you are don’t creating your content and want to upload them to TikTok, you need to use four to five hashtags. You shouldn’t use more than this because it overwhelms the algorithm and it won’t know where to place your content. You have a better chance of appearing on ‘For You’ pages if you use the right number of tags. TikTok sometimes doesn’t go viral immediately. 

You don’t have to delete a TikTok, you can put it on private so it doesn’t show, then you can choose to make it visible later and see if it does better.

There are times when content goes viral within hours, but there are times when it goes viral months after posting. Just trust that people are going to see your content eventually. The above tips will go a long way in helping you with your TikTok efforts. You are going to learn more as you use the platform.

7 Ways to Grow Your Brand On Instagram

Posted by rstapholz on
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Business
7 Ways to Grow Your Brand On Instagram

Are you looking to make the most of Instagram and want to use it to grow your business? Here are some clear tips you can engage with to do just that.

1.  Finding the right time to post

The time you decide to post your content is going to have a big impact on how it performs. The decision of when to post becomes overwhelming for most because there are 24 hours in a day and seven days a week, which means they have a lot to choose from. If you want to avoid going through all that, it is a good idea to do a simple online search because it is going to help you in figuring out your content schedule.

Many social media management tools and social media blogs have already done the research and determined the best time to post on Instagram. This allows you to start posting on Instagram feeling confident without spending a lot of time and resources researching on your own. You shouldn’t depend on what they have recommended; it is a good idea to put in a little time because the audience is different. There are times when the time is opposite because of the nature of the audience. The data should become the foundation of the schedule, then you adjust the times you post then see which times work the best. Fine-tune your schedule until you end up with something that works well.

When you are starting out you can buy Instagram followers, be sure to take this into account with your analytics. Buying Instagram followers can be a great way to give your brand that initial push and really kick things off. Trusted sellers such as Social Plus are a great place to start.

2.  Being smart with hashtags

Hashtags are great when you want to reach new audiences on Instagram. But it is not enough to just choose random and popular hashtags. The hashtags are going to do so much; the good thing is there is a type of hashtag that is going to help you grow your followers on Instagram.

This type of hashtags is known as “niche hashtag”. This is a hashtag that focuses on a specific interest. A photographer in Los Angeles can use the hashtag #losangelesphotographer in addition to the popular #photographer (this has been used on more than 168 million posts). When you put niche hashtags on your posts, you are going to gain followers who are interested in your content and also increase awareness of your brand.

3.  Going beyond the typical post

Don’t limit yourself to photos, there are a lot of features on Instagram that will help you create a great experience for your audience. When you use features like IGTV and video, your followers are going to have more ways of interacting with your brand.

IGTV is great for trying out long-form content on Instagram and you will know how your audience prefers engaging with your brand. Don’t feel like you have to start by posting seven-minute-long videos. Start by posting a video a week, then seeing how followers interact with the video compared to your normal posts. The findings from this will help you update your strategy and make sure you are up to date.

4.  Make use of geotagging

Location is one of the most important things when it comes to real estate, but it is also important for your Instagram strategy. The geotagging feature is good because it allows users to store content at a specific location and tags. The coordinates are going to be linked with your content. This is going to make the posts more visible to users searching in that given location.

Geotagging features can be used beyond the standard posts. You are also given the option of geotagging through Stories or Stickers. Are you curious about where the brand is talked about the most? The Instagram explore feature to search your brand name or physical storefront if you have one. Go to the “place” option. Through this, you get to know more about the followers talking about you are from. You will know the reach of your brand geographically.

5.  Upgrading your photos

Instagram is mainly driven by visual appeal, which makes it important to ensure your photos are high quality especially when you are competing with other brands. You don’t have to have a professional camera to produce quality photos, your smartphone is good enough. Your phone can produce quality photos, provided you use it correctly. Most people on Instagram use their phones to take photos and videos, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to do it.

There are some tips you can find online that can help you improve the quality of your photos. The camera on the back is a good place to start because it is easier to steady your camera and the quality is also better. Lighting is also important, make sure it is not too bright or too dark. It is best to use natural lighting because it isn’t too overpowering.

Play with different angles to make the photos eye-catching to users as they scroll, and also balance your photos using gridlines. Don’t over-edit your photos before you post because people can easily tell that the photo isn’t real. You don’t need to do a lot of editing when it is a good photo.

6.  Partnering with other brands

It might seem counter-intuitive to work with those you consider your competition, but working with others can help you gain access to a different audience. When you partner with a brand on Instagram, you are introduced to a new audience through their followers, which is going to grow your reach.

If you have never partnered with another brand or are new to Instagram, don’t worry. It is not hard to reach out, and it is going to be the most important step. Start by identifying brands that your audience is most likely interested in. Make sure you double-check their brand value so you can be sure that their values align with yours. When you do this, you prevent issues coming up later that could harm the partnership.

Once you find a brand you think is a good fit, reach out to them and find out whether they might be interested in partnering. If you partner with another brand, take advantage of the new exposure by creating content that is going to showcase both of your brands. You can create a hashtag specific to the partnership, or a giveaway to get the interest of the followers. The goal of such a partnership is to promote both brands, which results in new followers that could be converted to customers.

7.  Gathering feedback using Stories

Most people love feeling the brand cares about their opinion, and this same can be said about Instagram users. Instagram has made it easier for users to easily get feedback, and one of the tools is Stories. Polls are great when gauging interest or the question sticker when you want suggestions from your audience. You get to learn more about your audience. The engagement is going to improve when you give your audience the content they asked for.

When you get feedback from your audience, use it to improve your Instagram content and engagement. This will help you gain more followers on your account. Consistently ask for feedback. Instagram changes fast, and it is important to stay relevant by asking for feedback from your audience.

Top Tips For Using Instagram For Business Success

Posted by rstapholz on
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Business
Top Tips For Using Instagram For Business Success

Instagram is one of the most powerful and underutilized marketing tools available in the marketplace. It happens to be one of the most popular social media platforms that’s out there. Because of this, it should hold a prominent place in your comprehensive marketing strategy. However, despite it being extremely user-friendly and innovative, there are certain things that you will need to know to get the best results from it. Here are some of the tips you should be using.

Post Regular Content

You will find that people begin to follow your account when they enjoy your content. Because of this, you want to post it more often. When you stop posting content, they are likely to un-follow you. After all, they are following you for the content you publish. Thus, you want to try to streamline content in a way that meets their expectations. Try to produce sufficient amounts of quality content to keep them entertained and engaged.

As someone who is an expert in your relative field, you should be able to craft quality content by leveraging your experience. However, you also want to ensure that you are making everything count. Instead of constantly posting captivating content or your best quality content, you can mix in photos of quotes, and other things. That way, you don’t find yourself running out of content and the content you do publish can hit harder. While you don’t necessarily need to post every day, you do want to try to post a minimum of every 4 days to ensure you are regularly engaging with your audience. You can buy Instagram followers to really help pump things up.

Posting any less than this is likely going to result in you losing followers. Keep in mind, you don’t want to post sporadically. People like to know they can count on you posting content regularly and on schedule.

Don’t Stick To The Same Content

You will find the Instagram platform is full of beautiful imagery. Because of this, you can try to get creative with your content. Ideally, you want someone that has a good camera eye. That way, they can examine it to ensure that it is of the best quality before publishing.

While you should be able to effectively reuse content if you are spacing it right, you don’t want to post the same thing over and over. However, you could potentially make subtle changes that will enable you to use the same subject in various contexts for the same result. You can alter things by posting a quote one day and then posting a video the next.

Your followers are looking for something with your content. They are either following you for interesting topics, entertainment, or educational content. Try to post a variety of different types of content to maximize creativity. However, Hootsuite suggests you don’t forget that you are posting on a business account. Therefore, you shouldn’t be using the platform to engage in topics of opinion. Keep everything related to your business or the industry you are operating in.

Reward Your Loyal Followers

It can be extremely difficult to keep your audience engaged in your content. Along with focusing on posting high-quality content, you should be looking to find ways to incentivize anyone that is following you. You can do this by offering special Instagram-only deals, promotional codes, or even competitions to keep them regularly tuned in and engaged with your account. This can help to ensure that you get regular eyes on your account and it will give everyone that follows your account good reason to consider sticking around. However, don’t turn your entire account into a freebie giveaway account. This will only draw those seeking freebies to your account. Instead, use this periodically for the best results.

Include The Right Hashtags On Every Post

You want to try to be certain that you are using the right hashtags on every post. Much like Twitter, Instagram uses hashtags to categorize the content. That way, people can find things and topics they are interested in. This can make your content much easier to find for others. For instance, if you are looking to showcase your cooking experience, you might want to include hashtags for your #bestrecipes according to Web Design Meath.

If you aren’t using the right hashtags or if you aren’t using hashtags at all, you will make it increasingly difficult for people to find your content. You want to ensure that you are using hyper-relevant hashtags, as well.

Be Extremely Social

Social media has its name for a reason. Being social is one of the most important parts of the process. You want to do more than regularly post content without following up. You need to be engaging with your audience and interacting with them routinely to grow.

You should be commenting, liking, and interacting with every visitor that finds your account. You could potentially hire a company to assist in integrating your social media accounts to ensure you can manage the accounts as efficiently as possible. You also want to be directing traffic from your social media to your website and vice versa.

How to Follow Up with Customer Leads

Posted by Editor on
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Variety
How to Follow Up with Customer Leads

You’ve received the name and contact information of someone who could be a potential customer. Now, how do you begin to convert that lead into a sale? Some of the traditional processes of converting leads into customers might feel out of alignment with your values. This week we’re exploring how to follow up with a customer lead in a way that begins to create a relationship and not just a transaction.

Start with Your Mindset

As we think about following up with customer leads, we can slip into a couple of negative mindsets. We might be paralyzed at the prospect of reaching out because we’re afraid of what they might say in response. Or, we might fall into scarcity mode and try too hard to sell them. Neither of these mindsets help us nurture relationships with potential customers. In the first scenario, we never follow up. In the second scenario, we are more likely to chase new business and treat the other people like transactions. Remember that we are humans who need connection to each other. And to achieve connection, we need to focus on creating relationships. This is a process that starts with our own mindset and attitudes toward others.

Determine if it Makes Sense to Follow Up

First, determine where the lead come from – networking, your online form, a walk-in. There are many ways you can receive a lead, and knowing where they came from can help you understand how much they might already know about your business and what their level of interest is in working with you. Also, evaluate if they fit your customer profile. Think back to what you know about your ideal customer from customer research and past customer experiences. If possible, check them out by reviewing their website, bio, LinkedIn profile, or other online information. For walk-ins, strike up a conversation with them. Learn a little bit about them and their needs. And lastly, look for their intent. Does it feel like they are just being polite? Or, do they genuinely seem interested in learning more about what you do?

Start a Conversation

If it makes sense to follow up, there are different ways you can start a conversation depending on their level of interest in working with you. If they are interested in your business but not quite ready to work with you, ask permission to add them to your newsletter list so they can stay up to date on your business activities. If they seem to have a high interest in working with you in the near term, follow-up with a personal email or phone call. Refer to how you know them and any conversation you’ve had with them, and ask for a phone call or meeting. In whichever way you start the conversation, make it convenient for them, listen for their needs and how you can help them, and stay true to your values.

Rani Langer-Croager is co-host of Envision radio show on the VoiceAmerica Variety channel and co-founder of Uptima Business Bootcamp, a network of member-owned business accelerators dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with greater access to hands-on education, mentorship, resources, and community to create thriving businesses.

This article is republished from the Uptima Business Bootcamp Blog. Please subscribe to our blog and newsletter to get these posts delivered to your inbox.

Author, Technology Executive & Speaker, David Giannetto By Tony DUrso

Posted by Editor on
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Influencers
Author, Technology Executive & Speaker, David Giannetto By Tony DUrso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews Author, Technology Executive & Speaker, David Giannetto

David Giannetto is the author of three books, including his latest Big Social Mobile. He is named as a thought-leader by the American Management Association, Business Finance Magazine and Consumer Goods Technology Magazine.

A frequent speaker, former MBA professor and USBusiness Review columnist, he writes for the Huffington Post and Strictly Marketing Magazine.

He is a former US Army Officer and currently the COO of Astea International.

Joining Tony as Special VIP Co-Host is Former Broadcast Journalist & Current Personal Development Trainer, Michael Benner.

Join us on The Spotlight with Tony DUrso on the Voice America Influencers Platform!

More Here!

New York Times Bestselling Author, Steve Berry By Tony DUrso

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Empowerment
New York Times Bestselling Author, Steve Berry By Tony DUrso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews New York Times Bestselling Author, Steve Berry.

Steve is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of 12 Cotton Malone adventures and four stand-alone thrillers. His books are translated into 40 languages with more than 21,000,000 copies in 51 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists.

Joining Tony as Special VIP Guest Co-Host is the Ambassador of Happiness ®, Maura Sweeney.

Join us on The Spotlight with Tony DUrso on the Voice America Influencers Platform!

More Here!

International Empowerment Speaker, Cynthia Mazzaferro By Tony DUrso

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Empowerment
International Empowerment Speaker, Cynthia Mazzaferro By Tony DUrso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews
International Empowerment Speaker, Cynthia Mazzaferro.

Cynthia Mazzaferro is a Motivational Empowerment Speaker, international award winner and #1 Best-Selling Author, Energy and Medical, Intuitive, Reiki Master, and Powerful Beyond Measure Life Coach.

Cindy is a recognized expert on bridging the connection between spirit and our limitless human potential. She is a master energy practitioner and a leading authority on releasing the emotional and energetic debris that holds us back and addresses negative subconscious imprinting and protective mechanism that continue to negatively impact our happiness, health, and success both personally and professionally.

Joining Tony as Special VIP Co-Host is the Ambassador of Happiness ®, Maura Sweeney.

Join us on The Spotlight with Tony DUrso on the Voice America Influencers Platform!

More Here!

AI Driverless Cars, With Mike Nelson By Tony DUrso

Posted by Editor on
0
Empowerment
AI Driverless Cars, With Mike Nelson By Tony DUrso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews Mike Nelson on Artificial Intelligence & Driverless Cars on 28 July at 1pm Pacific.

As the insurance and automotive industries begin to embrace automated technology, Mike Nelson became involved in artificial intelligence and its impact on risk transfer and emerging legal concepts related to automotive products, insurance practices, auto repair processes, data accumulation, storage and transfer and the impact of the internet’s interaction with the future of transportation. Mike’s approach to law has always focused on a practical application of law to complex issues. Towards that end Mike recently purchased a 2016 Tesla Model S and drove it from California to New York City to gain a better understanding of the evolving automated driving technology.

Joining Tony as Special VIP Co-Host is Former Broadcast Journalist & Current Personal Development Trainer, Michael Benner.

More Here!

Shark Tank Legend, Kevin Harrington By Tony Durso

Posted by Editor on
0
Empowerment
Shark Tank Legend, Kevin Harrington By Tony Durso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews
Shark Tank Legend, Kevin Harrington.

If you’re a fan of TV’s Shark Tank or ever bought a Ginsu Knife or anything through a TV infomercial, then you’re in for quite a treat.

Kevin Harrington is a successful entrepreneur over the last 40 years. He is an Original Shark on the ABC hit, Emmy winning TV show, “Shark Tank.” He is also the Inventor of the Infomercial, As Seen On TV Pioneer, Co-Founder of the Electronic Retailers Association (ERA) Co-Founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and the list goes on!

Kevin launched over 20 businesses that grew to over $100 million in sales each! He helped generate over $5 billion in sales worldwide with iconic brands and celebrities such as Jack Lalanne, Tony Little, George Foreman, and the new I-Grow hair restoration product on QVC!

Joining Tony as Special VIP Co-Host is the Ambassador of Happiness ®, Maura Sweeney.

Join us on The Spotlight with Tony DUrso on the Voice America Influencers Platform!

More Here!

AI Driverless Cars, With Mike Nelson By Tony DUrso

Posted by Editor on
0
Empowerment
AI Driverless Cars, With Mike Nelson By Tony DUrso

Join Tony DUrso, Host of The Spotlight as he interviews
Mike Nelson on Artificial Intelligence & Driverless Cars on 28 July at 1pm Pacific.

As the insurance and automotive industries begin to embrace automated technology, Mike Nelson became involved in artificial intelligence and its impact on risk transfer and emerging legal concepts related to automotive products, insurance practices, auto repair processes, data accumulation, storage and transfer and the impact of the internet’s interaction with the future of transportation. Mike’s approach to law has always focused on a practical application of law to complex issues. Towards that end Mike recently purchased a 2016 Tesla Model S and drove it from California to New York City to gain a better understanding of the evolving automated driving technology.

Joining Tony as Special VIP Co-Host is Legendary Radio Personality, Michael Benner.

Also, presenting this week’s TKO Tip of the Week is Acrobat & Film Star, Brian E Neal.

Join us! LIVE on 28 July 1pm Pacific on The Spotlight with Tony DUrso on the Voice America Influencers Platform!

More Here!

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