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6 Efficient Ways To Market Your Business On Instagram

There are more than 800 million active users on Instagram worldwide. This massive figure is generated per month. Imagine how many billion likes are collected per day? It is no wonder that Instagram’s international market can enable your brand to reach new heights.

For business purposes, carefully crafting your Instagram profile can lead to viral marketing success. On the other hand, your efforts may go to waste when you use the platform for the wrong reasons.

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY

Let us start with the basics! As you market your budding business, it is important to maintain consistency through your profile handle as well as your featured photo. Potential followers or clients can easily find you online if you use the same moniker across all platforms. Choose a name that best suits your brand. You may select a name as straightforward as @airbnb, @playdoh, or @adobe.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

All your interactions on Instagram are accompanied by a little round thumbnail of your account. Choose a featured photo that is both recognizable and professional. It is easier to display your brand if all these pieces fit coherently well.

MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE

One of my main goals when I set up a professional Instagram account is to sell convenience. You can turn Instagram users to your potential clients by providing significant company information such as your contact number and location. You can display these information through the Instagram Business Profile. This specialized profile allows you to gain access to the extensive analytics data as well. Use said data to tailor your posts among your targeted audience.

Another strategy that enables you to sell convenience is to post a picture of your product launch or your current promotion. Just take some notes from the trending Kylie Cosmetics.

BOOST TRAFFIC TO YOUR SITE

There is an element of truth to the age-old saying that “first impression lasts”. Send a potent message to your followers by creating an enticing Bio. Aside from your cheesy thumbnail, Instagram users focus on the contents of your Bio.

Directly under your name is a description box that can either make or break your brand. This is why you must carefully contemplate on its contents. Remember to include a link to your online shop or website to increase traffic.

INTEGRATE TESTIMONIALS

A surefire way to be as relatable as possible is to show your loyal clients’ great experiences. People are more likely to be patronizing a product if they heard about it from an existing satisfied client.

Integrate honest testimonials by using the Instagram stories and its multiple slides. There are many ways to showcase said testimonials. Firstly, you can stream the clients’ reviews on Instagram live. Secondly, you can post a 60-second testimonial video on your feed. Lastly, you can feature your clients’ tagged photos by posting multiple slides.

PICK A PROPER HASHTAG

Whenever I am given the opportunity to spearhead an event, I would suggest to designate a specific hashtag. Having an Instagram hashtag enables you to have a gold mine of photos – especially because you can follow #’s now. Apply the same tactic for your business.

Run an exciting campaign that includes a unique hashtag (e.g., #annagiveway2k18 or #ezrasugarcane). Doing this not only promotes your contest, but also allows the participants to connect with each other.

FOCUS ON THE SOLUTION

Put a spotlight on the solutions that your company can bring instead of solely showcasing items. Show the process behind your famous products and services by uploading behind-the-scenes videos. It is possible to do this by uploading short videos or creating interesting Boomerangs. People have always been fascinated by the “how-to videos” (as seen in the millions of Youtube views that this theme receives).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

On Instagram, you are expected to add value to your clients while looking aesthetically pleasing. Tailoring your visual content is vital to your social media presence.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

Are You Starting a Home-Based Business? Check Out These 4 Tips For Success

Starting a business can be a very scary and intimidating process. Each year, there are thousands of people who strike out on their own and start a new business. Some people think that they have to buy commercial property right away when starting a business but this is not the case. Due to the advancements in technology, people are able to work from their home with ease. Working from home may sound like a great thing, but there are a variety of challenges that you will face when trying to stay focused in this environment. Without a great deal of hard work and focus, a home-based business venture may fail. Read below to find out more about how to make a home-based business venture successful.

Setting Up a Workspace is Important

Some people think that they can sit down on their living room couch and get their work done with ease. Usually, there will be a variety of distractions in the common areas of a home, which is why you will need to find a space away from the monotony. If you have an extra bedroom that is not currently being occupied, then chances are you can turn it into your home office. You need to make sure the room in question will have access to internet and is big enough for any office furniture you may want to move in. By evaluating the various spaces available in your home, you will be able to figure out which one is the right fit for the particular needs you have.

Stocking Your New Office

Treating your home office like you would an actual commercial workspace is important. This means you will need to take stock of the supplies you need to get your work done. Investing in a powerful and high-quality computer is essential for any home business. While a new computer may be a bit costly, it is well worth the money that you pay for it. Doing some research on the various machines available to you is vital and will allow you to make the right decision with ease. Once you have a computer in place, you need to think about what office furniture you require. Getting things like a desk and comfortable chair is a great idea. These items will allow you to work comfortably all day long without feeling the need to get up and get away from your desk.

You Have to Set a Schedule

The next thing you need to focus on when trying to make your home-based business venture a success is getting a schedule in place. If you are trying to get your work done without having a schedule in place, it will usually lead to a variety of disasters occurring. By writing out a schedule, you will have no problem seeing what times you need to work. Keeping this process organized can serve you well in the future and will make it much easier for you to stick to deadlines. Without a great deal of organization, it is easy to goof off all day without getting work done.

You Can’t Work All of the Time

Some people who operate a home-based business find it hard to disconnect and spend time with their friends and family. Trying to work all of the time will usually create a lot of stress, which can lead to health problems. Creating the right work life/home life balance will not be easy, but well worth the time and energy you invest. There is always plenty of time for work, which is why you need to focus on maintaining the important relationships you have in your life.

Running a home-based business is a great way for you to get your venture off of the ground without having to invest a lot of money.

5 Realistic Steps To Handle Customer Complaints

As a business owner there are some things that you can momentarily run away from, but never fully escape. You probably have an idea about what I am talking about! It does not matter whether your design is streamlined or whether you are the “top dog” in the field. Customer complaints are inevitable in the entrepreneurial sense. Not to mention, we live in a society where voicing out one’s concerns is an acceptable behavior.

Complaints must be acknowledged and dealt with in an efficient fashion. Dealing with complaints will help you identify business’ issues and improve its services. On that note, here are Realistic Steps To Handle Customer Complaints:

1. TAKE A DEEP BREATH

It is easy to let your emotions get in the way, when you are faced with a disgruntled customer whose sentiments imply how incompetent you are. I have been in this fueling position before! Let me paint the story for you.

As a frontliner of a contemporary fitness studio, I had the chance to interact with people from different walks of life (including international celebrities). I will never forget the first complaint that I received. With all her might, the customer shouted her concerns regarding her package. It was a humble misunderstanding regarding the promotional package that she bought. Despite my nerves, I took a deep breath and listened to what she had to say.

2. APPEAR INTERESTED

Keeping a straight-face when tackled with criticism is challenging, but it is something that you have to do. Take a step back and carefully listen to the customer’s concerns. Let the customer finish his or her sentiments before you respond.

When responding, it is best to bury your defensive and emotional tones. Responding in an insensitive manner may irritate the customer further. In most cases, the customer is not there to personally attack you. He or she is simply upset about a product or a service and wants an appropriate solution. So, appear interested and emphatic. Respond in a mirroring manner – rephrase his or her concerns to ensure that you understood the situation.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Put yourself in their shoes. If you had a problem with an establishment, at the very least, you would want your voice to be heard.

3. ADDRESS THE PROBLEM/S

The next step leans to the identification of the problem or problems at hand. In a polite and concerned manner, probe the customer to get more information about the seemingly unappealing situation. Does the problem involve certain members of the staff or does it focus on a feature of a particular product?

The more details that you can squeeze out from the customer, the better you can understand his or her perspective. You will begin to understand why the customer acts in this manner. Leveling to where the person is at can allow you to simmer down your emotions as well. Furthermore, it prevents you from jumping into conclusions.

4. APOLOGIZE IMMEDIATELY

A sincere apology acts a first aid to mend the situation. After hearing out his or her entire side of the story, apologize without blaming any employee or department. The heat of a situation is typically diffused when the customer senses that you are genuinely sorry for indirectly or directly causing the unpleasant experience.

For instance, you are a hostess at a large-chain restaurant. A hungry customer complains for waiting in line for more than an hour. You may say something along the lines of: “I apologize for the long queue. We are working as fast as possible to get you a table. We really appreciate your patience and willingness to wait. Until your table is perfectly ready, may I interest you to have a drink at the bar.” Saying this demonstrates that you understand the weight of the customer’s frustration and are working on a dedicated solution.

5. KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS

Every business establishment (regardless of its offline or online nature) should come up with a contingency plan for customer complaints. One of the simplest solutions is giving a sincere apology followed by a thank you note. What is the note for?

As the hit song from the American singer Selena Gomez goes: “kill ’em with kindness”. Rather than defending the operations side, turn the other cheek. Thank the customers for sharing their stories and raising their concerns. Declare your appreciation for their efforts in taking the time to talk or to write to you about it. Then, work on smoothly arriving at a solution with them. You may provide a form of compensation such as a discounted meal, a free dessert, or a gift certificate for the next visit.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Be creative without breaking the bank!

Sources: 1 & 2

Helpful Tips For Hiring Employees As A Startup

One of the most stressful tasks that business owners ought to face is the hiring process. In particular, each new hire for a startup causes a significant impact on the work culture. Why is this so? Cultivating a business from scratch entails that the stakes are high. The owner is diving into the market with an innovative business model. Thus, he or she needs to ensure that the recruits are creative, passionate, and committed.

Considering all these factors as well as the limited resources makes the hiring process more complicated. On that note, here are 5 helpful tips to ease the stress of recruitment.

1. FAIR PAYMENT

Whether you are aware of it or not, many startup owners undermine the worth of a position. These owners offer salaries based on the company’s size instead of the market’s competitive rate. As a result, the recruitment efforts seem to be unsuccessful. Who can blame the candidates?

If the going rate for administrative officers or receptionists is S$12 per hour, why would you settle for S$7 per hour? You would receive better response by offering a salary that matches the market or at least a dollar off it.

2. NOWHERE BUT UP

Let’s face it! Millennials crave dynamism in all areas of life – including the workplace. Said generation has shifted away the traditional view of holding a position for 20 years and beyond. Millennials are looking for jobs that will fulfill their present purpose. So, consider luring them in by offering opportunities for advancement.

What can the position offer aside from monetary gains? Is this position a stepping stone for more responsibilities within the company? Highlight the skills and knowledge that they cannot learn elsewhere. Self-enhancement through experience is a priceless and valueable incentive.

3. EMBRACE CHANGE

Another way to attract the Millennial employees is to know where they lurk. Millennials frequent social media pages and popular recruitment sites. Advertise on these platforms to widen your search. For instance, you may set up a public Facebook page for your startup. Regularly post the vacancies on your feed (i.e., at different time-slots). You may also post a job advertisement on JobsCentral or Gumtree. You need the nationwide traffic that these online classifieds receive.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Aside from refining your job search, you may assess a potential employee by scanning his or her online profile. A standard background check may provide a supplement to your initial interview. The candidate’s social media profiles can give you a better picture of his or her personality and working experience. The latter can be achieved by examining one’s professional blog or online portfolio.

4. MORE BENEFITS

Given that you are nurturing the crucial years of your company, it may not be a wise idea to exhaust all your efforts and funding to the employees’ wages. It is acceptable if you are not able to shell out the monetary incentives right away. Consider adding the surrounding lifestyle as an incentive. Attract a potential quality employee by selling the non-monetary benefits of working in the startup.

If you are fortunate enough to be located in a place where there are various dining options, sell that too. If your business includes a health facility (e.g., a meditation spot) or is near the town park, sell that too. If there is a possibility to work from home, sell that too. Other enticing workplace features can play a part when the candidate decides to take your offer.

5. PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY

More and more employees in Singapore are opening up to the idea of deviating from the 9-to-5 jobs. Top talents desire to have the choice of accomplish their tasks at the coffee shops or at home (while in their pajamas). I, for one, am one of these people. I am certainly guilty of wearing my slippers and comfortable clothes as I wrote this. With its convenience, flexibility is a strong selling point.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As long as your humble team can meet the goals and collaborate well, you may consider putting the flexible schedules on the table. Think about the amount of electricity and water consumption you can save by minimizing the “office” costs. If it is doable, allow remote once in a while.

Sources: 1 & 2

Surefire Ways To Save Money On Your Next Event

For the past couple of months, I have been spearheading one of our company’s main events. This newfound responsibility made me realize why some institutions hire Event Managers and other professionals. Making sure everything runs smoothly within the tight budget was a burden that I had to carry on my shoulders. However, I kept thinking how this event will soon bring new contacts and exciting memories.

To deliver good results on a shoestring budget, consider these tips:

START PRIORITIZING THE VENUE

A huge chunk of your budget focuses on the event’s venue. Moving away from the CBD area and dwelling on the outskirts is a smart move for your wallet, but your attendees may be discouraged. You need to consider their travel time and parking fees.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Let us be honest! The venue that you will choose will never please everyone. This is why my boss highlights that conducting a “location survey” prior the event is a bad idea. If you cannot take their opinions into account then, you must depend on your negotiation skills. Find a person on the inside who can help you with the booking process or offer you discounted rates. Ask recommendations from your friends and family members.

WORK WITH SPECIALIZED STUDENTS

In a competitive job market such as ours, Polytechnic and University students are keen to secure working experience before they fully join the workforce. Make this your advantage by hiring interns or part-timers. I am not talking about hiring any student that is willing to offer their knowledge for a relatively cheap rate! Hire people who study graphic design, photography/film, management, and marketing.

If you are willing to spare some time to training, both of you can benefit from the experience. Think about it! You are giving a worthwhile experience and pleasant recommendation for the intern while the business is receiving low-cost (and sometimes free) services. Post job openings at www.freelancezone.com.sg and www.gumtree.sg for FREE!

SEEK A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP

My co-worker was approached by an agent from a prestigious insurance company. He was interested in setting up a booth at our event. This works favorably to both of us as our clients belong to his targeted age and socioeconomic group. This situation proves that sponsors can pay by providing products or services at reduced or no cost. Some institutions prefer exposure as their currency. Sponsors do not always have to provide cash!

Approach possible sponsors by privately messaging their social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As the head of the event, it is essential to go the extra mile. Do not settle for two or three options. Widen your options and shop around!

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