Easy Ways to Leverage Your LinkedIn Account
One of the most popular social media platforms for business professionals is LinkedIn, as it’s a great way to showcase your experience and skills, search for jobs, seek new business opportunities and network with likeminded industry professionals.
If you have a LinkedIn account or are looking to create one, try these easy ways to leverage your profile now:
Raise your profile:
Your profile is at the centre of all the activity you do on LinkedIn so it’s vital to make sure it represents who you are and your experience in the best way possible. From using a professional photo, to creating an engaging and captivating summary and adding detailed experience sections, it’s important to dedicate some time to creating the best LinkedIn profile you possibly can.
Unsure how to raise your profile? Read our checklist for creating a standout LinkedIn profile.
Get recommendations:
A great way to make sure your LinkedIn profile stands out from the crowd is by utilising recommendations. These could be from customers, clients or past and current employers. Recommendations help to enhance your professional credibility and give your profile a point of difference.
Network!
LinkedIn is a social media platform after all, so make sure you network and connect with likeminded industry professionals that could even become potential clients or customers. You’ll be amazed at the people you’ll find on LinkedIn so don’t be afraid to connect with other industry professionals and join relevant industry groups.
Create a company page:
LinkedIn is one of the top social media marketing platforms for business to business marketing, so if you own a business you need to make sure your company has a page. Having a company page is a great way to share relevant news and updates on your business, provide useful information about your services or product and increase brand awareness through posting regular updates.
Post updates:
Regardless of your reason for being on LinkedIn, posting updates to your network helps to put your personal profile in front of the right people. By sharing relevant articles or even commenting on and liking other people’s updates, you can get your name out there, showcase your expertise in your field and be found by potential clients or customers (or employers!)
Do you need help leveraging your LinkedIn account to attract new clients or business? Here at Melbourne Social Co we are experts at creating and managing professional social media profiles.
Get in touch with us today to find out more:
e: info@melbournesocialco.com.au – P: 1300 386 165
Mastering the Flatlay For Instagram
Flatlays are all the rage on Instagram at the moment. You know, those carefully curated top view shots that are popping up all over your feed? (Think the contents of a handbag strewn across a white linen sheet, or a decadent brunch spread shot from above.)
But how can you master this social media trend? Follow our top tips and you'll be a flatlay pro in no time!
- A light background will make your items pop (think white marble, crisp linen or white washed wood.)
- Test your objects to see if they look good from a top view.
- Leave a little space between your objects to balance your composition.
- Pick a theme (make sure all of your items have a common thread tying them together.)
- Take your photo during the day (and if possible, near a natural light source.)
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: From $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@melbournesocialco.com.au
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
3 Steps To Facebook Success
3 things to do to make your Facebook posts visible to your audience
Thanks to Facebook’s regularly changing algorithms, reaching your customers organically on the social media platform has never been more difficult.
Recent studies have suggested that approximately only 3% - 6% of your total fans view your posts, which means it’s vital to start implementing some key tactics to increase your reach and to get your Facebook content in front of more people.
Wondering how? Here are three things to try today...
Boost your posts:
One of the best ways to increase your reach and make your content visible to more people is through boosting. A boosted post is a post from your business page that, for a fee, can appear higher up on your audience’s News Feeds. The amount of people who view and engage with your post depends on the budget you want to spend.
Boosting posts is a great way to ensure that the right audience can view your Facebook page content as you can utilise key demographic targeting options including age, location, gender and interests as well as tailored budget and scheduling functions.
Post content your audience wants to see:
Another great way to make your Facebook content visible to your audience is to post content your audience wants to see, not just what you want to show them! This is important as the more people engage with your content, the greater the reach. To do this, think about who your target audience is and post content that is a mix of business promotion and general interest content you know they will respond to and engage with.
Choose the right timing:
Choosing the right timing for your social media posts should be a vital part of your social media strategy! You’ll be amazed at the difference you get by posting content at optimal times. To do this, ensure you understand your demographic and their social media habits so you can post when they are active online in order to optimise engagement.
Are you struggling to engage and reach your audience on Facebook? Do you need help creating amazing content that your audience can connect with? Get in touch with your digital marketing experts here at Melbourne Social Co today.
e: info@melbournesocialco.com.au – p: 1300 386 165
Introducing Instagram's New Business Tools
Great news for businesses! Instagram, one of the world's most popular social media platforms, will start to roll out their new business account profiles in the coming months. These new profiles will make it easier for businesses to be contacted, view insights about their content and audience and reach new customers with accessible promotion and advertising tools.
Here at Melbourne Social Co we’ve rounded up some of the biggest changes:
Contact button:
One of the most practical changes of the new business profiles is the addition of a contact button, where consumers can directly call or email a business straight from the app.
This contact functionality also has a map, where consumers can get directions to store or office locations, eliminating the need to leave the app to search for directions. The new contact button will be clearly visible and placed next to the ‘follow’ button at the top of the account page.
Insights:
For the very first time, the new business accounts will give businesses access to vital insights about their followers, including who they are (gender, age, location) popular posts, impressions, reach and even website clicks. These insights are all accessible right from your mobile phone, which makes tracking statistics easy and simple to do.
Promote:
Not only can you view these insights straight from your phone, now you can promote your most popular posts to reach even more people! This is done directly from the app simply by picking a top performing post, choosing a 'call-to-action' button, selecting your audience, budget and duration.
Another great feature of the new Instagram business accounts is that you can also continue to monitor and view the insights of your promotions in an easy and straightforward way. To do this, click on your Instagram post, click the View Insights link and all the stats are ready for you to see and use.
Stories:
New to all Instagram users (not just businesses) is the 'Stories' feature. No need to worry about oversharing, with Instagram Stories, you can share as much as you want throughout the day. Instagram has also introduced new text and drawing tools, so it's time to get creative with your stories. The photos and videos will disappear after 24 hours and won’t appear on your profile grid or in feed.
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@melbournesocialco.com.au
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
The Lowdown on Snapchat for Business
Ever since its launch in 2011, Snapchat has become a seriously popular social media platform for both businesses and individuals thanks to its instant, creative and interactive features.
While it’s most commonly used by the millennial generation, many Australian businesses are embracing the Snapchat revolution thanks to its potential to reach - well over 3 million Australians use the social media platform on a daily basis.
Ready to start using Snapchat for your business? Read on below for more information on this trendy social media platform and why you should use it now!
What is Snapchat:
Snapchat is a social media platform where you can send pictures or videos with a 10-second time limit to your choice of followers. You can also send “stories” which are 10-second media items that all of your followers can view for the next 24 hours. Snapchat also has a variety of fun features, including animated filters, instant messaging, voice/video calling and replay options.
Why should businesses use it?
Many businesses are tapping into Snapchat’s popularity to run marketing campaigns including ads, sponsoring interactive features, as well as using it on a day-to-day basis as a way to connect with their audiences. Businesses including Samsung, McDonalds, MTV and Cosmopolitan along with well-known personalities like Ashy Bines, Lara Bingle and Kim Kardashian use Snapchat as a vital marketing tool for their businesses or personal brands by posting multiple daily “stories” to keep their consumers engaged and connected.
How can businesses use it?
For businesses, the main aim of communication on Snapchat is to engage your audience in your business by posting short “stories” to all your followers. You can use these stories to promote sales, updates on the business, share behind the scenes footage, run influencer takeovers, post instructive or informative videos and a whole lot more! The options on ways to market your brand are endless.
A few examples of how Australian businesses have used Snapchat include Myer, who used Snapchat to live stream their fashion parade for Spring Fashion Week, along with Cricket Australia who shared highlights of the Ashes series. Other examples include retail brands like Showpo and Frank Body who use Snapchat to take fans behind the scenes of their photoshoots, share tips, run influencer takeovers and more.
Unsure how to get started using Snapchat for your business? Or, would you like to know more about this popular social media platform?
Get in touch with Melbourne Social Co today.
e: info@melbournesocialco.com.au
P: 1300 386 165
The anatomy of a great website
Whether you are a startup company or are in need of a business refresh, an important component of any digital marketing strategy is a great website.
Why? Essentially, all content marketing strategies begin with a website. This is where you host important info about your brand, and create content to share across your social media channels.
Having a great website will not only optimise leads and increase enquiries for your brand, it will also engage your potential consumers and encourage them to revisit your site time and time again.
Unsure what your website needs? Read on below for the anatomy of a great website.
It’s easy to navigate:
Approximately 55% of consumers spend around 15 seconds on a website which means you need to be able to captivate them instantly and not lose them amongst menus that are difficult to navigate, unnecessary visuals or information. The key to a great website is to have a straightforward and succinct menu, so when your consumer lands on your website they know exactly what to click on to find what they are after.
It’s responsive:
If there’s one thing that you must do when fixing up your existing website or creating a new design it’s to ensure your website is responsive and mobile friendly! More than 60% of people browse the internet on their mobiles and tablets now, so it’s vital to ensure your mobile site looks great and works well. That includes ensuring it fits nicely on the screen, is engaging, captivating, has social sharing buttons, easy navigation and everything else required for a great website.
Great content:
So you’ve got people to your website (congrats!) now you have to keep them there! That’s where great content is invaluable as it helps to keep people on your site longer as you have something engaging and useful for them to read, watch or connect with. Great content includes about pages, information on landing pages including product and service descriptions and of course a great blog. A blog is one of the most powerful ways to captivate your consumer, generate sales and increase SEO.
Social Networks:
Now that you’ve got all of the above essentials it’s time to make sure your website and its content can be shared easily on social media networks and that visitors know where to find you on social media so that they can follow along. Why not put sharing buttons above all images and include visible social media icons on your website so consumers can join your online community.
Is your business in need of a new website? Whether you are starting from scratch or are wanting to update your current site, get in touch with Melbourne Social Co today and we can create the perfect website and content to suit your business.
e: info@melbournesocialco.com.au
Content Marketing For Business
Here at Melbourne Social Co, we are big believers in the importance of content marketing for businesses. Why? It helps to increase SEO, it builds brand awareness and provides extra value to your consumer.
Are you ready to start using content marketing for your business? We've listed the key reasons why you should…
It increases SEO:
If you want to increase your website’s SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) then high-quality and search-friendly content is a must. This content should be unique and original and should include relevant keywords which will boost your ranking on Google, so you can continue to attract more visitors.
It provides value to your audience:
As consumers become more and more savvy, it’s important that you give your brand a point of difference, and offer something via your digital strategy that will add value to your consumers' daily life, encouraging them to keep coming back for more. This is where content marketing comes into play. Think of engaging blogs, eye-catching imagery and emails filled with tips and tricks as ways to entice your consumer to stay engaged with your business.
It helps to build brand awareness:
Content marketing is all about creating and distributing relevant content to attract and increase your consumer engagement. This increase in consumer engagement means more people are listening and connecting with your business and in turn are more likely to buy your product or your service. Types of content marketing you could use to increase your brand awareness include blogs and email marketing, which help to capture the attention of your consumer, increase brand awareness, provide value, generate sales and increase SEO! Sounds perfect right?!
Are you ready to take the next step and build your business’s content marketing? From website content, to blogs, engaging imagery, email marketing and creative copy for your social media channels, Melbourne Social Co does it all.
Get in touch with us to find out how we can help your business today.
e: info@melbournesocialco.com.au
Want to learn how to get that great content of yours 'out there'?
Take our Social Co Academy short online course.
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@melbournesocialco.com.au
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@melbournesocialco.com.au
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@melbournesocialco.com.au