If you have been cooped up inside for a while, it’s likely you are really starting to get serious about what you can do to keep your business humming. So, grab your coffee, wine, beer, whiskey, or whatever else you need right now and let’s get down to business!
This is the second of my 2 part series (part 1 is here) with branding tips on how to boost your business, right now!
Create a “lead magnet” to grow your email list!
No matter how many followers you may have online, having a robust email list will give you the power to pivot your business in times like these. You’ll have a base of people who already know, like and trust you and when you have a NEW offer that will help people during difficult times, guess who will want to take you up on it?
Remember that while social media is an amazing way to connect with your target audience, you should never use it exclusively with no way to connect to your audience outside of those platforms. So many people have been affected by Facebook shutting their accounts down, often with no explanation.
So, what should you do to get started with a lead magnet? Think first about your ideal client and what they MOST want to know about FROM you RIGHT now? Let’s say you are a nutritionist or a health coach. Maybe a great lead magnet could be “5 Delicious Recipes To Boost Your Immune System.”
You can use Canva (with a simple template design) and just get it done! Progress over perfection, right?
When you are ready, set up an opt-in page on your favorite email marketing provider (like Mail Chimp or Active Campaign) and then you will be all set to send EVERYONE to that link to grab your thoughtful and helpful content – AND, you’ll be able to keep in touch with them outside of social media. WIN!
Create more content!
Whenever you change the type of service you are offering, like many of us are doing right now, you really have to tweak a few other things too. Namely, your messaging!
For example, what I do for my clients is help them dig down deep into their brand and stories and come up with creative ways to photograph them. But now? Well, the photo session part will be postponed for a little while.
So, what I can do to help my clients now is to give them guidance on how to use images they already have in the most effective ways possible. Also, I can help them get some key images on their own with whatever equipment they have.
This is a completely different message, so my content has to change too!
If you are pivoting your business, you will need to think about what your target audience really needs from you right now. Then, work on that message.
If you have a hard time writing, I’ve got you covered!! My friend and client, Laura Di Franco is a MASTER at content writing. She will help you learn how to write with more emotion and power. Plus, she will do it FOR you if you would really rather do what you do best and leave the writing to a pro. Contact Laura here: www.bravehealer.com
Apply for public speaking opportunities!
Yes, events and conferences have been canceled recently BUT, some of these events are getting moved to online venues. Seriously, there are speaking opportunities RIGHT NOW and more will be going online soon. So, here’s a few things you should do now so you can be ready to land some of these opportunities.
- Finish that signature speech.
- Talk to event organizers and find out what you can do to help them pivot to an online event
- Put together a “speaker one sheet” page on your website or create a lead page for this
- Google phrases like “online summit”, “virtual summit”, “virtual events”, “online event”
- Check-in with associations in your niche, your local Chamber of Commerce, networking groups and meetup groups and ASK if they are planning or would be interested in planning an online event.
- Check out these online resources too: https://thespeakerlab.com/, https://agent.growthtools.com/, and https://www.nsaspeaker.org/
Oh, and don’t forget to keep networking with other speakers too!
Write your book!
If you’ve been wanting to write a book that will further define you as the expert in your industry, carve out some time NOW to get to work on it. Maybe you need to get up an hour earlier each day just to write a page or two. Whatever it takes to get the ball rolling, right?
Full transparency…I am not a book author (yet) but many of my clients are! I also know experts in the worlds of writing, publishing, and promotion for authors so I can confidently refer you to the right resources for wherever you are in your book writing journey.
If you are finding it hard to get motivated to write or are just confused about the process and need a roadmap, my pal Cathy Fyock is so good at helping authors get past blocks and FINISH their books! You can find Cathy here http://CathyFyock.com AND grab a discovery call with her here: Click to schedule a 30-minute call
Last but not least, update your website!
Take a 30,000 ft view of your website and ask yourself objectively, if your ideal client came to your website, would they take you seriously and see you as the expert in your space?
What I mean is that when your target audience lands on your website, does your site truly reflect your brand? Does your site clearly convey the problem you solve and why you are the perfect solution for your target audience in a polished and professional manner?
What about the images on your website? Do you have any of your business? If so, are YOU in any of those images? Do your images tell a story? Is it the RIGHT story?
Obviously, this type of objective evaluation can be difficult to do on your own so if you are struggling with this, my friend Jenny Le, an expert at web design and digital marketing can get you clear on what your website MUST communicate. Check out her website and contact Jenny to learn more here: https://www.websubstance.com/
No matter which branding tips you might pick from this list to help boost your business right now, the fact remains that you will need polished branded visuals to use with all of them. If you REALLY want to attract your ideal clients right now, using low-quality images will not make you look like an expert. It just doesn’t. Period.
Let’s get connected and plan the possibilities!
If you are tired of using stock images or ones you have taken with your cell phone, consider planning your brand photo shoot right now. It may be a couple of months before you can have your photo session BUT, really the planning can be done NOW!
The cool thing is that not only will you be ready to go when things ease up, you’ll ALSO have so much clarity on the stories and images that will help you reach your target audience both NOW and when you start using your new brand photos.
That’s so priceless, isn’t it?
Worried about investing in a photoshoot right now? Let’s talk about the possibilities! I can work with you on an easy payment plan.
Grab a call time and let’s talk! https://calendly.com/melissademplephotography/personal-brand-30-mins
