Fact Or Fiction: Can Holiday Cards Grow Your Brand?

Fact or fiction: can sending holiday cards can grow your brand?

The answer: Fact! Whether your business is B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to customer), holiday cards are great for nurturing current business relationships but they are also an easy and inexpensive way to break the ice and began the process of building new connections. 


Let's say for example, you are an emerging jewelry designer. You've just finished your first collection, your website is active and you're open for business. Now what? How can something as simple as sending a holiday card help your business grow?

Think of the holiday card as an introduction. In your industry, who do you want to build a relationship with? Going back to our example, as an emerging designer, I would send a card to retailers that I'd like to sell my jewelry, to apparel designers I'd like to collaborate with, potential investors, people in the media, bloggers. The list goes on and on.

Holiday cards are a great platform to draw attention to your business without coming off like a salesman (or woman). However, it's important to remember that it's not the holiday card itself that will open doors, but what you do with it. The trick is to stand out. But, with so many people sending holiday cards, how do you make your card stand out in the pile? 

Here are 4 steps to differentiate your business this holiday season.

Create a strategic list. Bloggers, press, store owners, investors. Who do you want to connect with? Make a list of 5-10 influential people that you’d like to do business with.

Make it personal. Personalized, handwritten cards are a great way to stand out and to show the recipient that they are important.  Tailor your message to the recipient. Comment on a recent event they participated in, a blog post or article they wrote or a garment you’re loving from their collection. It's okay to add more then the usual "happy holidays" hoopla to your card. 

Add something special. As an emerging designer or small business owner, you may not be able to afford to send an expensive bottle of wine or holiday basket with each card. You can however, add something small that will help you stand out. As a jewelry designer, perhaps you could send a ring to the top 3-5 people on your list. As a fashion designer, you could send a small tote or pouch made from the excess fabric you used to make your collection. It's all about being original and thinking outside the box.

Follow-up. Don't just send a card and expect an instant relationship. Follow-up with an email, a tweet, a comment, something to keep the conversation going.  

Bonus Tip: Stay Neutral. Not everyone celebrates the Christmas. Keep your card and your message neutral to avoid offending anyone. 

Sending a strategic holiday card to your potential business network is an inexpensive and sure way to break the ice and began the process of building new connections. It's not always about how big a gesture is, but that you make one. 

Looking for the perfect card, check out these selections from a local #portlandmade business, EggPress. 

Happy December! 

3 Tips + 4 Apps to Make Managing Your Social Media A Breeze

PLAN IT OUT  

I manage multiple social accounts for two major clients and let me tell you, having an editorial calendar and sticking to it has completely saved my life!

An editorial calendar is a map of content topics to be published on specific dates. Having this calendar creates accountability and ensures a regular appearance on your social channels. Of course we all know that things are constantly changing, so you'll want to be flexible to last minute additions and subtractions but, having an editorial calendar allows you to schedule posts in advance and takes away the question, "what should I post today."

Apps I Use: Evernote (for notes + things I want to remember) + Google Docs + Google Drive 

MAKE A DATE + FOLLOW UP
Once you've planned WHAT you want to post, allot a few hours each week (like Mondays 9-10:30am) to write a few posts based on your editorial calendar. Dedicating this time each week is another way to ensure that things getting published according to schedule and will make your life 10 times easier, trust me.

In addition, make sure to dedicate at least 10-20 minutes each day to responding to tweets, mentions + comments. It's called S O C I A L media for a reason, don't forget to be social!

IF YOU LIKE IT, PUT A SCHEDULE ON IT 
Okay let's be honest, who really has the time to run a business and worry about posting to social media on a daily basis? (Hmm…unless you're someone like me, and it's your job- ha!) For some, posting daily to social is second nature but for others, it's like pulling teeth.

After planning your topics ahead of time and writing copy in advance, scheduling your content to post on future dates would be the next step to make managing your social a breeze! 

BONUS TIP: Not every social platform is created the same. Be sure to adjust your content for each.

What are some apps + practices you follow when managing your social channels? Share in the comments below.

Apps I Use: Hoot Suite 


The cool thing about these tips is that they can also be applied for creating and publishing content for your blog! What are some apps + practices you follow when managing your social channels? Share in the comments below.

10 TIPS TO CREATING AN AWESOME SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

1. Have Realistic Goals. What do you want to achieve? How are you going to do it?

2. Know Who Your Target Market Is. Who is your customer? What do they like? What do they dislike?

3. Know Where Your Target Market Is. Is your customer on Instagram? Facebook? Don't create a   social account because you think you have to. If it doesn't make sense for your business- don't make an account.

4. Decide On Your Brand Voice + Stick to It. Is the voice of your business funny? Serious? Sarcastic? Don't confuse your audience by changing your voice. Pick one and stick with it.

5. Create + Share Relevant Content. Distinguish your business as an expert by creating and sharing content relevant to your audience.

6. Use Visually Appealing Graphics. Never use blurry or grainy pictures. Always cite photos that aren't yours. Here are some awesome resources for free pictures.

7. Engage, Don't Sell. Don't make everything you do about sales. Interact With Your Followers.   

8. Stand Out. What makes your business different from your competition? Show your followers.

9. Stay Consistent. Post regularly. Brands who do not maintain a consistent presence on their media channels struggle to create and build communities around their brand. 

10. Schedule It, Give It Away Or Reconsider. Can't post regularly? Schedule future posts with programs like Hootsuite. No time to schedule, it may be time to think about hiring help or reconsidering your presence on social media.

What are some of your tips to creating an awesome social media campaign? Comment below to share. 

Image Credit

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT

Let's get real. The business world is super competitive. Businesses are clawing for the attention of potential customers while trying to retain their current clients. Regardless of your industry or company size, I'm sure, right now you can think of about 5 competitors (maybe more), who offer the same services or products as you. Why should someone choose your business over another? In your industry, are you standing out or are you no different than your competitors?

Here are a few ways to stand out from the crowd and distinguish your business from your competition:

The Cool Factor. What's your company's cool factor? Are you an ice cream shop that makes handmade ice cream and cones or a fitness studio that focuses on uplifting clients, both emotionally and spiritually while giving a great workout? Tell us! If there's something unique about your company, a cool factor, share it with your audience. Make it apart of your company story!

Be Creative In Your Social Marketing. Social media is an amazing tool for helping businesses stand out however, business can fall short when they fail to be creative. When it comes to promoting your business on social platforms think outside the box. Green Leaf Juicing Company is an excellent example of creative social marketing. Green Leaf Juicing co uses their Instagram and Facebook accounts to promote their product in a creative and interesting way. They've also found a way to promote their cool factor (that their product is made with organic ingredients.) Awesome!

Take It Back....Old School. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and special. These days, with the expansion of technology, the art of personalized messages are quickly disappearing. Instead of sending a client a thank you email, send them a handwritten thank you note. Instead of sending a "checking up on you" email to previous client, send them a card. Personalized, handwritten note/cards are a great way to stand out and to show your potential and current clients that they are important.

What’s your best business advice for standing out of the crowd? Share with us in the comments!

WHAT TO WEAR TO THE SEMPDX ROOFTOP MIXER + 5 TIPS TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF NETWORKING

A few months ago I attended #PDXChat, a quarterly event series put on by the Social Media Club PDX. I had such a great time learning and meeting my peers in the marketing community that ever since then, I’ve been on the lookout for local PR and marketing events to attend. So, when I heard about the SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party I just had to get tickets! Good people, cool drinks and a rooftop? Definitely sounds like my kind of party!

With a background in fashion, naturally my first thought after purchasing tickets was, what am I going to wear?

Floral and leaf print patterns are right on trend this summer. This TOPSHOP crop overlay dress is the perfect way to stay cool, cute and professional during an evening of networking. 

Wedges are definitely my go to shoe when I know I'm going to be standing for a long time. It's hard to make genuine conversation and build relationships when your feet hurt...trust me. Ha! 

A light, neutral lip is great for adding a little color without going overboard and simple accessories nicely complement the busy print of the dress.

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So now that you've picked out your outfit and you're looking fab, here are 5 tips to help you get the most out of networking:

Have a killer Elevator Pitch. An elevator pitch is a brief, yet precise introduction of who you are and what you do. A creative and informative elevator pitch is a great way to open the door for people to want to know more about you. 

Go with the flow. It's okay to memorize your elevator pitch and to practice conversating but don't get so stuck in playing it by the book that you sound rehearsed. You don't want to seem robotic or calculated. Relax and go with the flow. 

Show genuine interest. Don't focus the conversation all about you, or make finding people who can help you your main goal. Find value in other people. Listen to what they say and ask questions. "Networking is not about collecting contacts, it's about planting relationships." Unknown. 

Ditch your nervousness at the door. This is the absolute number one, most important piece of networking advice I could ever give you. Don't miss out on an opportunity. Leave your nerves at the door and remember that everyone is in the same boat.

Follow up. Stay connected to the new people you met by following up within 24 hours with an email, an invitation to get coffee or even a tweet. This is essential to keeping the relationship fresh.

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Do you have any networking tips? Share them below. Will you be attending the SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party? Make sure you say hi!

5 KEYS TO EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTIONS

Happy Monday! Can you believe it's already June 30th?! Crazy!

To start the week, here are 5 key essentials to having effective social media interactions.

Be Interesting. Find fun creative ways to present your content to your audience.

Be Personable. Nobody wants to follow a robot. Find your brand voice and have human-to-human conversations with your audience. Here's a great article on the benefits of making your business human on social media.

Be Informative. Establish your company as an expert by sharing and creating content relevant to your market.

Be Present. Communicate with your audience. Respond, retweet and engage often.  Brands who do not maintain a consistent presence on their media channels struggle to create and build community around their brand.

Be True To Your Company Voice. Is your company's voice funny, sarcastic or serious? Don't confuse your audience with multiple personalities on social. Develop a brand voice and stick to it with everything you post, link, etc.

Throughout the week I challenge you you to apply some of these key essentials to your social media campaign and notice the difference these changes can make.

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY BRAND YOUR BUSINESS

It's always really interesting to see the number of people who start businesses without first creating a Branding Blueprint. Yes, branding is your logo, your color palette and your business cards but it's also so much more. BRAND is the identity + personality of your business. It's what people say about your company when you aren't around and it's rooted in other people's perception. BRANDING is what you do or don't do to give people that perception. 

Whether visual or written, branding gives the public its first impression of your business - it has the power to set your company's professional standards, separate you from your competition and build trust and familiarity with your audience. Super important.

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When thinking about your company brand here are some tips for creating a successful Branding Blueprint:

THINK.  Before you start working on logos and colors schemes, it's important to first think about the  kind of message you want to give your audience with the content and images you share. Here are a few questions to think about:

•     What is your market?

•     Who is your audience?

•     How do you want people to perceive your business? What feelings do you want to evoke?

•      What are your company's core values?

CREATE. Once you've defined your brand you can begin to create branding materials such as:

•     A company voice + tone that reflects your brand

•     Website, color palette, fonts

•     Logo

•     Tagline

•     Marketing materials

•     Social media bios

CONTINUE. After creating your brand voice and materials, it's important to be consistent and stick to them. Branding can only build trust and familiarity with your audience if you are consistent and stay true to the brand you developed. As a company, it's important to evolve and get better with time but it's a whole different story to continuously change the overall image and feel of your business.

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Whether you are an established business or just starting out, having a cohesive Branding Blueprint is an essential part of a business’s success. Branding isn't just about creating an image or perception in people's minds, it's about understanding and defining your brand and making sure that everything you do aligns with that message.

Do you have any helpful branding tips? Feel free to comment below.

MARKETING | 4 WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA #PDXCHAT

I attended #PDXChat, a quarterly event series put on by the Social Media Club PDX. The event was hosted by eROI, a digital marking agency here in Portland and consisted of a panel of industry experts sharing insight on the theme, "Engaging Oregon's Sports Fans in Social Media." The panel consisted of Hillsboro Hops Vice President and General Manager, K.L Wombacher. Portland Trail Blazer Managing Editor of Digital, Dustin Hawes and Portland Timbers Director of Marketing and Business Operations, Emily Lamunyan.

It was really cool to get the opportunity to meet and network with the social media community here in PDX. It was also really cool to see the people behind Portland's largest sports brands and to get insider information from them. There was a lot of really great knowledge shared at the event. Here are 4 highlights I took away from the experience:


1. Know Your Audience. Content matters. Before posting ask yourself, "would my audience be interested in this?"

2. Be Social. Use your platforms to connect with your customers/audience and create community. Retweet, repost and respond. Keep the conversation going- it's called 'social' media for a reason.

3. Do Your Research. Not all social media platforms will be beneficial to your business. Pay attention to where your target market is spending their time and create a presence on those platforms.

4. Have Personality. People don't want to follow a robot. Social media is the perfect platform to develop your brand by showing personality. Joking with your audience and being personable will help your followers relate to your brand as well as build customer trust and brand loyalty.