Often I hear from business owners that the struggle is real when it comes to showing up on social media. Some of the concerns that have been shared:⠀

• struggling with topics to post⠀
• their followers are not clear on what their business is about⠀
• they struggle being present on their platforms⠀

One of the best ways to overcome these challenges is to use a scheduling tool to plan your content ahead of time. There are some great scheduling tools that begin with a free plan or very low costs.

• ​If you are on more than one platform, some of them allow you to plan and schedule on all.⠀
• ⠀Some help you to choose the right hashtags
• They share with you important data... How many likes, clicks to your website, you can link it to your Google Analytics. ⠀

Tips to schedule:⠀

• ⠀List out your business goals, dates and your client avatar ⠀
• ⠀Pick a couple of hours once per week or bi-weekly⠀
• ⠀Decide how often you want to show up online per week (I like to shoot for a minimum of 5x per week per platform)⠀
• ⠀Write down your reasons why you want to use social media. Carry that paper around. Memorize it. This will keep you in check so you keep your eyes on the prize. ⠀
• ⠀Have a strategy. What will you share about your business. Will there be some behind the scenes content? Video? Education?⠀
• ⠀Decide which posts will include call to actions ⠀

Using scheduling tools and taking the time to schedule to post will enable you to be intentional. This leads to the right people following you. More visitors to your website and more leads! ⠀
Remove the overwhelm of getting in front of your prospects online!

Are you scheduling your social media? Have a question? Share in the comments!

Are you a service-based business looking to use social media to promote what you do? Instagram is a platform that helps you to create connections by delivering your brand story and providing value. What is even more awesome about Instagram is that you can easily find your audience. The one who will trust you and relate to you and of course do business with you.

As a service-based business, it does take creativity to relay your message to your ideal client. Here are some tips to help you connect with your audience on Instagram:

Content Mix
To provide value, share your brand story and promote your service, you want to have good mix of content. This allows you to develop a good relationship with your followers and allows them to get to know you. It creates trust rather than pushing your services at them.

Normal Business Produces Normal Results

What challenges do you face as you promote your company online?

• Are you unsure of how to reach your audience?
• Do you find growing your list a complicated task?
• Do you find it difficult to obtain leads?
• Are you maintaining your business as normal? You know... Following the rules, always using "best practices", or reaching back to the experiences that were learned in your past 9 to 5?

Sadly, there is no room for small business owners wishing to be normal. Business as usual leads to mediocre results. So I ask you. What can you do to make your brand more distinct? Here are 3 tips to help your brand stand out:

1. Network
Typically, we turn to others in our industry to find out what has worked for them. Financial professionals visiting an event regarding finances or photographers visiting an event for photography. And that is OK. Just not all the time. Being new to the world of networking, I have discovered the benefits of visiting events that involve small businesses professionals of various fields.

A room of like minds with many ideas as well as the opportunity to make many connections.

I have really been able to expand my own business while networking with individuals with unique businesses. As I learned more about my ideal customer's struggles, I have been able to tailor and expand my services.

​2. Be Like The Big Companies
Another way to step out of the norm is to watch what the big companies are doing. Have you shopped the Dollar store or the Bulk Barn? Notice that they are always prepared for national celebrations months in advance? In August a very small section will be dedicated to Halloween. By September, it's an entire row! December 24th, you will find a small section for Valentine's Day. Three weeks later it's Valentine's in 2 rows.

What if you were that strategic in your planning? When I create online strategies for entrepreneurs, they are built around upcoming goals that allow a business to grow and see measurable results. For example, I am working with a professional DJ who would like to be booked for the spring. It's December and we are connecting his social media platforms to event planners while using hashtags such as #torontobride and #torontoweddings.

3. Find Out What Your Customers Want
​Be a step ahead by asking questions. Conduct surveys and find out from your current customers what their struggles are. What type of service would they like to see?

My husband was shopping for a gift card for his neice. She LOVES Bubble Tea. He visited 5 different Bubble Tea franchises and asked if they carried gift cards. The answer was no, but they all totally thought that it would be an amazing idea. I wonder who will be the first to implement this service.

Normal business produces normal results.

This is your time to be creative and think outside of the box.
​
The fact that you are an entrepreneur who runs their own business makes you awesome!