4 Tips to Increase Productivity
Productivity. A hot topic for many business owners and employees is how to manage time to get as much done as possible whilst still producing the best results. With an endless list of things happening throughout our day-to-day lives, it’s important we determine what is realistic, plan ahead, set time limits and minimise distractions so we can put our heads down and get the work done in the quickest and best way possible.
Unsure how? Read on below for our top 4 tips on how to manage your time and increase your productivity:
1. Plan your day:
This is a must! Spend the first 30 minutes of your day planning out what needs to be done for the day ahead. Put your toughest tasks at the top of the list and power through them first, so you leave more time at the end of the day for easier tasks or for tasks that you enjoy. Don’t forgot to plan time for your breaks, exercise and family time, as these are great incentives to help you keep working.
2. Set a time limit:
Once you’ve written your to-do list, it’s time to set a time limit to each task and be realistic! Allocate 90 minutes to work through a task (or a few if they are easier,) and then make sure you get up from your desk, walk away and recharge once the time is up. Allocating time slots and deadlines encourages you to work harder and faster with the reward of stopping for a break at the end.
3. Take a break:
Taking breaks throughout your working day is great for your mind and your body! Physically stepping away from your desk, heading outside for a walk or chatting to a friend helps to recharge your mind so you can focus thoroughly throughout your work time.
4. Switch off notifications:
In an age when our emails, phone and social media networks are constantly going off it’s no wonder we struggle to get our work done! Switch off notifications for all of the above, and put your head down and complete your tasks. The emails, phone calls and social media can wait – even if it’s just for 30 minutes or an hour.
Are you struggling to fit everything into your day including your business’ social media or digital marketing?
Get in touch with Melbourne Social Co today to find out how we can take care of your branding and strategy, content creation and content distribution, while you get back to business.
Send us an email today: info@staging.project-progress.net
Daily Habits of Successful People
If you are serious about getting ahead and taking your professional life to the next level, it’s time to take some cues from some of the world’s most successful people and implement their daily habits into your life now.
Wondering what they are? Read on for their key habits for success:
They get up early:
One of the most common habits of successful people is that they are early risers. They use this time before the craziness of the day begins to get a head start on work, or to do something positive for themselves like meditating, exercise and further education.
They plan their day:
Go-getters know the importance of planning ahead to maximise productivity and it’s time for you to as well! Planning your day is a great way to ensure you get things done and tick the most important tasks off. Start each day by creating a list of essential tasks including things for your own health and happiness like exercise and family time. Lists are such a great way to motivate yourself to work harder and there is nothing more satisfying than physically ticking things off from your to-do list!
They exercise and look after their health:
Successful people know that in order to do their best in the office, they need to look after their health and that includes exercising, resting and getting plenty of sleep. These things help to ensure you are functioning your best so you can continue to work hard without burning out.
They practice gratitude:
When working hard towards your goals it can be easy to forget about the amazing things you have in your life right now. That’s why in order to continue to progress, you have to take time to be in the present moment and to be grateful for everything you have today as motivation to move forward tomorrow.
While you focus on doing these key things to keep reaching your personal and professional goals, Melbourne Social Co can take care of the rest!
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you build your brand’s awareness, manage your social media content and distribution, create amazing PR campaigns and a whole lot more.
Send us an email today: info@staging.project-progress.net
Social Media Etiquette Basics
When using social media for your business there are some key rules to follow to ensure that you always represent your brand in the best way possible when interacting online.
Don't know your social media etiquette basics? Here are a few things to remember before you hit publish.
Fill out your online profiles completely:
There’s nothing worse than viewing a social media account with incomplete information about a business. Ensure you always include 'about us' info, a link to your website, contact information, and opening/closing hours if relevant.
Share information that is of value to your audience and always keep your target audience in mind:
When posting on social media, sometimes it can be easy to forget who you are actually talking to online. That’s why before you hit publish, it’s a good idea to ask yourself would my target audience be interested in this? Will this content be of value to them?
Don’t over share:
Finding time to post on social media when you don’t have a professional social media account manager can be hard and a lot of businesses fall into the trap of posting multiple things at once when they find a spare moment. This spams your audience, causing them to switch off from the content you are posting, or unfollow you. If you are having trouble finding time, or determining the perfect amount of posts to share on your social media accounts it’s best to chat to a professional social media manager who advise you on what might work best for your brand.
Check for spelling and grammatical errors:
It goes without saying! Plan your content in a word document or excel sheet beforehand to ensure you check for any mistakes.
Remember social media is public and permanent:
Before you post something for your business, remind yourself that there is the potential for everyone to see this content (including new clients or family members) so ensure it is respectful and professional and that it represents your business in the best way.
Communicate!
Social media is social after all right? Make sure you are active on social media throughout the day so you can respond to any messages or comments as they come. Fans (and potential customers) love it when you answer their questions or reply to their thoughts in a timely manner and it’s a great way to develop a two-way relationship with your customer.
Do you need help implementing the basic social media etiquette rules? Or are you struggling to find the time to manage your accounts professionally? Melbourne Social Co has an experienced team of digital marketers on hand to help your business stand out from the crowd online.
Get in touch today. info@staging.project-progress.net
Choosing The Right Social Media Platforms For Your Business
Most businesses today understand the importance of social media marketing, however determining which platforms are right for your business can be hard.
With everything from Twitter, Facebook to Snapchat and LinkedIn, each social media platform plays a different but integral part when it comes to your social media strategy.
So if you’re having trouble deciding on the right platforms to choose to grow your business and engage your audience, read on below for our top tips.
Determine your purpose and goals:
In order to figure out which are the best platforms to use, you have to determine what your purpose and goals on social media are. For example if your goal is to network and connect with potential clients or companies for business, then LinkedIn is great. If you would like to portray a creative and visual side of your business then Pinterest and Instagram are a must.
Identify your target audience:
The best part about social media is that you have the chance to engage one-on-one with your target audience through unique content and conversation. However, there’s no point posting content that your target audience won’t see because they don’t use that platform. That’s why it’s vital to determine who they are, what their interests are, and what platforms they use the most, so you know you will reach them.
Highlight the best parts of your business:
What is your business really about? Does it have a visual and creative product to sell, or it is more service driven? Keeping that in mind, think of the best platforms that will portray these key qualities and unique selling points of your business. By identifying your business’s strengths, you will be able to choose the best platform (as well as start to create a content strategy based on these key features.)
A few key questions to ask:
- What is the unique purpose of this social media platform?
- Will using it showcase the best parts of my business?
- Is my target audience on this platform?
Are you just getting started on social media and need some help choosing the right platforms? Or are you an established business needing to improve your current social media marketing strategy?
Melbourne Social Co has a team of experienced social media professionals ready to grow your business through digital marketing today.
Get in touch for more information: info@staging.project-progress.net
Using PR To Grow Your Business
Public Relations is a vital component of any business communications strategy, as it helps to build brand awareness, develop lasting relationships with media, customers and key influencers and showcase your product or service in a new way.
By using a range of PR strategies including pitching for editorial coverage, hosting influencer events, sampling campaigns and distributing media kits, you can get your business ‘out there’ and in the minds of your target audience - leading to increased awareness for your brand.
Read on for 3 ways PR can help grow your business today:
Generate media coverage:
PR is a really great way to generate media coverage about your business and share your story to your target audience through high quality content.
From blogs, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio, the options are endless with ways journalists, bloggers and key influencers can promote your business in an engaging, refreshing and interesting way.
Recent studies have shown that PR is almost 90% more effective than traditional paid advertising, as consumers trust this form of media coverage as it comes from a third party source rather than the business itself.
Showcase your product in a different way:
Whether you choose to host a fun event or simply want to send out beautiful media packages (featuring your product and marketing material) to bloggers, journalists and more, PR gives you the opportunity to showcase your product or service in a new and creative way that helps you stand out from the crowd.
By stepping out of the box and getting creative with your PR strategies, you can increase brand awareness and develop lasting relationship with people that will help to grow your business.
Share your own story:
Perhaps one of the most powerful things about PR is that it gives your business a voice. Through the above-mentioned strategies like media coverage, media packages, events and a whole lot more – you have the chance to share your business story in a positive and respected way that people want to listen to.
By working with PR professionals like us here at Melbourne Social Co, we can help share the great things about your business to your target audience so your business can keep on growing!
Are you ready to use PR to grow and build your business? Get in touch with Melbourne Social Co today!
e: info@staging.project-progress.net – m: 0439 856 522
Instagram Fast Facts
Are you thinking about using Instagram for your business? If not, you should be – as one of the most active and engaged social media platforms world-wide, Instagram could be your next great marketing tool.
By using Instagram, you can showcase your products/services in a visually appealing manner, take followers behind the scenes of your organisation, (making your business more personable) and you can take advantage of the huge audience looking for great images to like and share.
Not convinced? Here are some facts to consider:
- Instagram has 400 million active monthly users
- Instagram users have shared over 40 billion photos to date, and now share an average of 80 million photos per day
- 75 percent of Instagram users come from outside of the U.S, making it a truly global platform
- Instagram adoption is at 85 percent among top brands
- Top brands on Instagram are seeing a per-follower engagement rate of 4.21 percent
- Instagram’s per-follower engagement rate for top brands is 58 times higher than on Facebook and 120 times higher than on Twitter
Now that it’s permanently on your radar, why not start using Instagram for your business today!
Need help creating 'double tap' worthy imagery for your social media channels? Eye-catching images are key to engagement and success on Instagram, but do you have time to source and create beautiful images on a regular basis? Our creative team can take care of this for you!
Melbourne Social Co's Product Photography For Instagram Package:
As part of this service, your business will receive:
14 professionally styled product images per month. Our team will style, photograph and edit a series of product images for use on Instagram, (as well as Facebook, Pinterest and within blog posts.)
Together we will plan a look that will not only suit the aesthetic of your brand, but will push you in a new and exciting direction, showcasing your products in the best possible light.
Cost: $599 + GST per month
Want to get a feel for our style? Follow us on Instagram @melbournesocialco.
Need help managing your Instagram accounts on a daily basis? We can take care of that too.
Tailored specifically to your businesses needs and goals, our team are experts in social media strategy, content creation and audience engagement, and would be more than happy to discuss managing and building your Instagram profile on your behalf.
Contact us for more information – info@staging.project-progress.net
Product Photography For Instagram Package Terms and Conditions:
- These rates are only valid for clients who sign a 3 month booking with Melbourne Social Co. Month by month rates are available, please ask us about these
- Each booking will be specifically quoted after a consultation with the client
- The images created by our team will become the property of your business. We may share these on our website and social media channels from time to time, crediting your business. Please let us know if you don't want us to do so
Stats via: www.instagram.com/press/
Why Content Is King
You’d have to be living under a rock, or a very full shopping bag, to not have seen the rise of the art of content marketing.
Whether it be a blog, beautiful imagery for Instagram and Pinterest, or engaging copy for your social media channels – by now you’ve no doubt heard that content is king!
But why is creating good quality content important for your business? Here are our top three reasons why content creation is a vital part of your marketing strategy.
- It gives your brand personality and sets you apart from the crowd. If you want to create a point of difference for your business in a crowded market place, developing your brand’s personality is a great place to start and the best way to do this is through content marketing. Use blog posts, images, videos and social media interaction to connect with your customers and share your passion, knowledge and skills in a way that people want to connect with.
- It aids Search Engine Optimisation. Not only does great content give businesses a way to connect with consumers online and share information about the business and it’s services, it can also be a fantastic SEO tool and can work to improve your Google ranking.
- It provides you with engaging material to share on social media. For maximum reach on social media, we recommend businesses post online at least 2-3 times per day. This may seem like a lot of work, but when it comes to social media marketing, consistency is key. You can assume that each time you post online only 20-30% of your following will see your content – so now you see why it’s important to have a presence throughout the day to ensure visibility. By consistently creating quality content for your brand, you will have plenty of engaging material to share out to your audience online, putting your brand one step closer to social media success!
Here at Melbourne Social Co, we understand that when you’re running a business, finding time to create engaging content and consistently manage your social media presence can be stressful and time consuming.
That’s where we come in.
Melbourne Social Co has a team of highly experienced content creators at our fingertips. From bloggers, to photographers and stylists – we have the right content creator to suit your business.
We will customise a content creation package to suit your business. Contact us today to find out more!
How To Build A Following On Pinterest
One of the biggest social media platforms right now, Pinterest, is an essential digital marketing tool for many businesses.
However, building a following can be hard, so it’s important to build a strategy and to implement some great techniques to amp up your Pinterest profile and to develop an engaged online community.
Read on below for tips on how to grow your following on Pinterest.
Create niche boards:
In order to stand out from the crowd on Pinterest, a great tip is to create niche boards with titles and images that are very specific. This means you have a better chance to be found and can be followed by a specific and more engaged target audience.
Post to your most popular boards:
Regardless if you are new to the Pinterest world, or an expert, if you continue to pin most of your content to your most popular boards you know you will get a great response. There’s a reason people love those boards and chances are others will continue to discover your content!
Use keywords:
Pinterest images with keywords rank highly when they are searched for on Google, so ensure that you caption all your images with keywords that describe your board, theme and business. This will not only help people find you on Google, but it will attract the right target audience to respond to your boards, pins and profile.
Advertise:
Coming soon to Australia, Pinterest advertising is the next big thing to help you grow and expand your Pinterest community. You can selected two main campaign objectives, including boosting engagement with your pins, or increasing traffic to your website. All campaigns allow you to personalise your budget and target audience and track your campaign.
Promote!
Don’t just leave your pinning to Pinterest. Promote your pinnable images on your website by adding a button that allows readers to pin your content straight from your site. Also adding in a follow section on your website, blog, email marketing and even sharing content on other social media networks will help to spread the word.
Have you got a Pinterest account that needs a boost or simply need some help getting started? Contact our expert team for some advice today.
The Lowdown on Search Engine Optimisation
Chances are you’ve heard of the term Search Engine Optimisation (or as it’s commonly referred to – SEO) however you may be a little confused about what it actually is, why you need it and how to implement an SEO strategy for your business.
But never fear! If you are having some trouble understanding Search Engine Optimisation read on below as we break down some of the basics so you can improve your website or blog today.
SEO Basics:
What is it?
SEO refers to the process of implementing strategies to optimise your online content to make it easier for people to find your website when they search on Google. As there are many websites competing with yours to be ranked high on Google's pages, it’s vital to use key techniques to increase your visibility online and make your website stand out from the rest. These techniques focus on the concept of creating high quality and authentic online content, with the help of keywords, social media accounts, new and engaging content, original images and more.
Why do I need it?
SEO is vital for any business that wants to increase their visibility on Google, resulting in increased traffic and overall sales. Whether you are a new business or an established company, it’s essential to start implementing these strategies today.
How can I do it?
In order to increase your website visibility on search engines there are a variety of key tactics you can implement. However it’s important to know that Search Engine Optimisation takes time and your main goal should be to produce amazing and unique online content that consumers love and engage with, in conjunction with essential SEO techniques. If you combine these two concepts, not only will your ranking continue to grow, but you'll be engaging potential customers/fans as well, encouraging them to keep coming back to your site.
Here are some great SEO tips to get you started:
- Identify and use relative keywords throughout your website content
- Distribute your website content through a variety of online channels including social media, blogs and email marketing
- Create quality, authentic content that engages your fans and consumers
- Add a blog onto your website so you can integrate quality content, keywords and unique images
- Use unique and original images across all your online channels
- Ensure your site is mobile friendly
Do you need some help implementing the above strategies and more to increase your website’s Search Engine Optimisation? Melbourne Social Co can help you! Contact us today.
The Power of Bloggers
One of the most powerful ways to get your brand or business noticed is to work with digital influencers (or bloggers.) Their reviews or shout-outs promoting your product and services will not only work to build trust and your reputation amongst consumers, it will also work to increase brand awareness and enhance your marketing strategy in a way you’ve never experienced before.
Thanks to their huge followings, devoted fans and worldwide reach, the opportunity to speak to new markets and spread the word about your business has never been easier.
Need more convincing? Here are a few more reasons to work with bloggers today!
They have a diverse following:
Thanks to the virtual world of social media, the boundaries of location and other demographic variables are no longer barriers to who you can and can’t connect with or market your brand to. Bloggers now have huge followings across the globe, which means they can spread the word about your brand to a far great audience than traditional advertising ever could.
People want to listen:
Blogs are in the top 3 most influential forms of marketing, which means that people look to bloggers and online influencers to authentically review brands and products. Consumers are keen to know what products their favourite bloggers love and are 32% more likely to buy that product or service over traditional marketing or advertising from a brand themselves.
They market your brand in a refreshing and creative way:
While you may have a certain style to your marketing promotions, have you ever thought about presenting your product or service in a different way? This could allow you to potentially reach a new audience or captivate an existing customer database with a refreshing new marketing message. Bloggers are great at doing this, as they use their talent and creativity to showcase, review and present your product or service in new ways you’ve never even thought of!
They build your online community:
By promoting your business to their diverse followers in an engaging and refreshing way, bloggers ultimately help you grow your online social media following and send traffic to your website by tagging your social media handles and linking to your site. That means a more active online community, increased brand awareness and sales! What more could you want?
Are you ready to increase your brand awareness, build your online community and reach new customers? It’s time to start working with bloggers.
Melbourne Social Co can help you get started. Get in touch today: info@staging.project-progress.net for more information.