5 ways to de-stress at the end of the week
There’s nothing worse than finishing a stressful week of work and not being able to unwind during those two glorious days we call the weekend. Taking our work home with us is an easy thing to do, but it’s important we give ourselves time to switch off and rejuvenate before we start another crazy week.
If you can’t get work responsibilities off your mind and you’re struggling to de-stress, here are five things you should try to get the most out of your next weekend.
Get up early and exercise
It’s tempting to sleep in after a busy work week, but waking up early to fit some exercise into your day will help you clear your mind and use those precious work-free days to the best advantage.
Exercise is a tried and tested, scientifically proven form of stress relief and will help you focus on the day’s tasks while having some extra endorphins in your body. Plus, going for a walk or run is a great distraction no matter what’s on your mind, so you have nothing to lose except that lingering work stress.
Unplug and unwind
Technology is kind of like a new born baby. On the one hand we’re incredibly blessed it exists and without it our world would be entirely different. On the other, it constantly demands our attention, takes up all of our time and can, let’s face it, be extremely irritating.
Turning off your phone and computer will stop you from reading work-related emails, wasting time and energy mindlessly scrolling through your social media channels, and will give you the space you need to truly breathe after a chaotic week.
Grab coffee with a friend
Your friends can be the perfect distraction when you can’t seem to switch off, and even better sounding boards when you need to vent about work. Grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat with a friend will get you out of the house and talking to someone other than your work colleagues. Plus, focusing on someone else’s life is a great way to forget about all the things that are stressing you out.
Spend time on something completely unrelated to work
Finally start that veggie garden you keep putting off or try your hand at some DIY candle making. Whatever it is, spending time on a project outside of work will keep your mind busy and give you something completely unrelated to work to focus on. And, for those of us who aren’t very good at doing nothing, it’s also a great way to unwind while still staying productive on the weekends.
Treat yourself
It may sound shallow, but research has proven that occasionally treating yourself actually makes your brain happier. While you probably shouldn’t treat yourself all the time (even though you deserve it), mixing up your everyday life by doing something you usually wouldn’t is a legitimate way of relieving stress.
So, in case you needed an excuse to take a four-hour long bubble bath or buy those shoes you’ve been staring at through the shop window, now science has given you one.
What’s your favourite way to de-stress at the end of a busy week? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Penny Robinson-Brown
10 reasons why businesses need a Social Media Manager
We all know why social media is important for business. But do you think you need a social media manager for your business?
One thing we hear regularly from our clients is that while social media is a must-do and a huge part of their marketing strategy, it's more often than not the last thing on their daily to-do list. And we can understand why, when you're running a business you've got a million things on your mind, without even thinking about social media strategy, target audiences, analytics, content creation, community management - the list goes on. And yep, that all falls under the umbrella of the 'social media manager'.
But while you're ticking off your daily tasks to keep your business running, you may be neglecting the one thing that has the potential to take your business to the next level - social media.
Why is professional social media management important?
Firstly, the person managing your social media accounts is effectively the ‘voice’ of your business. If you wouldn’t put that person in front of 1000 people to promote your business on your behalf, you shouldn’t put them in charge of your social media voice - which potentially reaches a far greater audience on a daily basis.
Secondly, strategy, quality, consistency, engagement and innovation are the keys to social media success. Without these key points, your social media efforts will be in vain. By outsourcing the ongoing management of your social media channels to a dedicated strategist, you can ensure your business is not only utilising social media in a strategic manner designed to produce real results for your brand, but they're producing high quality content and distributing it a consistent, targeted manner, aimed at increasing engagement and reach for your business. (Or in other words, getting you 'seen and heard' online!)
Here are 10 reasons why businesses need a Social Media Manager:
- To develop a social media strategy. Without a great social media strategy in place, your efforts may be in vain. Your social media manager will set out a strategy for you that is geared towards achieving success online.
- To create amazing content. In 2017, your social media manager is no longer just that, (or at least at Melbourne Social Co they're not!) They are photographers, writers, stylists, publicists, community managers - you name it, the list goes on. And as part of our role, we will create and source amazing content for your brand. Because let's face it, in the crowded social media market place, you need amazing content to stand out from the crowd.
- To boost SEO (search engine optimisation): A Social Media Manager understands search engines (or knows someone who does!) and can create content that is optimised for this purpose.
- To communicate in a unified voice: A Social Media Manager will get to know your brand, define your audience and create a unified social media message to appeal to your target market.
- To manage the online community: The Social Media Manager acts as a 'brand ambassador' by listening to your customers on social media and responding in a timely manner. Social Media Managers can also be excellent PR agents, by reaching out to news outlets and bloggers who can help your business grow.
- To save time: Social Media Management takes time. Having people contribute to the process without a defined schedule or strategy won't help your marketing efforts and is often an afterthought. A Social Media Manager is dedicated to managing the digital marketing of your business - it's his/her job.
- To handle social media automation/scheduling: A Social Media Manager knows how to get the most out of social media by using a variety of tools and techniques. These methods can help grow the business and save money in the process. Do you know what is the best time of day to post particular content online? Your Social Media Manager does and can schedule posts accordingly.
- To have someone with business knowledge: Social Media Managers not only know social media, they also understand all facets of your business. They know what's important and which trends to follow because they interact with the various departments. They can confidently act as the 'voice' of your business as they are on top of what's going on.
- To track campaigns: A Social Media Manager can measure and track campaigns to see what works and what doesn't, and then adjust as necessary.
- To stay abreast of trends and technology: People who know the basics of social media may not be as informed as a person who works in social media marketing day in and day out. Just because you post on Instagram daily and love to use Pinterest doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to strategically manage your businesses online profiles.
So, now you know why a Social Media Manager is important, what should you do?
If you're looking to outsource your social media management, we can help.
We'd love to chat to you about your digital marketing needs, so that we can put together a custom full-service solution for you.
Please contact us for more information: [email protected]
2017's Social Media Trends
It's the beginning of a brand new year, which means it’s the perfect time to evaluate your current digital strategy and include new social media trends into your plan for 2017.
As the social media space is ever-changing and new trends are emerging every day, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest social media trends to leverage in 2017, so you can take your business’s social media marketing to the next level!
Read on below for the top trends:
Live video
There’s no denying that video played a vital role in marketing in 2016, from Facebook Live to Instagram Stories, Snapchat and the continued growth of YouTube and its ‘mega stars’.
In 2017, expect to see more brands tapping into the power of video, through live-streaming events and seminars on their social media networks as a way to boost their social media reach and consumer engagement.
This will be predominately posted through Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, which means if you haven’t started using these great features, now is the time to integrate them into your social media marketing strategy.
One stop shop:
As consumers are spending more and more time on social media, it’s no surprise the our favourite social media channels are slowly turning into a ‘one stop shop’ for everything from accessing great content to purchasing products or services.
This is signaled by Pinterest’s buyable pins and Instagram’s newly formed shopping platform which will soon give consumers the opportunity to view pricing information on products and click a link to purchase the items of interest.
The aim is to give consumers everything they want all on one site, so they don’t have to veer away from the platform for anything else.
Facebook isn’t going anywhere!
There has been increasing doubt over the past few years about the relevance of Facebook in the digital marketing space, especially thanks to the rise of platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. However, statistics are showing that Facebook is still the most used social media platform around the globe for both end users and B2B brands which means you shouldn’t discount it from your marketing strategy.
While it’s true that consumers are using new platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, they are not replacing Facebook, rather using it in conjunction with the other platforms.
The decline of organic reach:
In 2016 we saw the increasing decline of organic reach on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with greater preference given to accounts that use paid advertising along with producing great, authentic and quality social media posts.
This means in the New Year it’ll be even harder to get your content ‘out there’ without putting a bit of money behind your social media content. Your budget doesn’t have to be large, but any money you can put towards Facebook/Instagram advertising will really make a difference.
Do you need help tapping into these social media trends in 2017? Get in touch with your digital marketing experts Melbourne Social Co today!
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165.
New Year Business Resolutions You Need To Make Now
The start of a New Year is a good time to reflect on your businesses progress over the past year and plan for the future.
From launching a venture you’ve been dying to get off the ground to having more ‘me’ time, read on for our top New Year’s business resolutions that you need to make now!
Plan for your business:
Too often we make business development the last thing on our to-do list when really it should be at the top! Rather than just focusing on the day-to-day running of the business, this year allocate time for yourself/and your team to put the development of your business first. Use that time to plan for new ventures, events or marketing strategies, or to tackle a business problem you’ve been putting off.
You’ll be amazed and how spending a little time each week can really help your business grow and develop.
Take time out for you:
In order to run your business in the most effective way possible, you need to be inspired and motivated! This is hard to achieve when you’re constantly on the go, so it’s important to allocate a few hours to take time out for yourself throughout the week. If you struggle to find the time, make sure you schedule it into your calendar like you would any other meeting. Trust us! The world can wait for a few hours.
Use your ‘me’ time to switch off, relax, play a sport, spend time with family and friends – whatever it is that makes you feel great!
Let go of what isn’t working and try something new:
The New Year is a great time to evaluate where your business is at, what’s working and what isn’t. Be brave enough to let go of things that aren’t doing your business any good, and take the leap to try something new.
New things you could try in 2017 could be kick-starting a great marketing campaign, launching an online store or running an event. Let go of what’s holding you back and give something new a go.
Choose your priorities:
Every day we wake up to a long to-do list and unfortunately we can’t do it all! So instead of trying to tackle everything, learn to focus on your business’s priorities, delegate the non-essentials and be content to not always complete everything on your list. This will help you be less-stressed and more focused on the business tasks that really matter.
What are your business resolutions for the New Year? Comment and share with us below!
If embarking on a digital marketing campaign is one of your business goals for 2017, get in touch with our team of experts today.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165.
How to unwind at the end of a busy year
As 2016 is drawing to a close it’s a great opportunity to take some time out during the Christmas and New Year period to unwind and recharge.
Unsure where to start? Check out our top tips below!
Switch off:
While there’s no doubt that we love social media here at Melbourne Social Co, sometimes even we need a little time out from the online world. Taking a few hours (or days!) to switch off will help your feel more inspired and motivated.
Just ensure you continue to schedule your businesses social media content while you switch off – better yet, engage a social media manager to create, distribute and monitor your social media activity for your business while you're offline.
Spend time with your family:
There’s nothing quite like spending quality time with your loved ones, so make sure you lock in some time for a little family fun! Whether you choose to relax on the couch with a movie, or head away for a mini vacation, taking time out with the people who matter in your life will lift your spirits and recharge your energy.
Have a change of scenery:
Throughout the year, sometimes we get so caught up in our routines that we forget to experience the amazing world around us! It may be a cliche, but sometimes we really do need to stop and smell the roses! This holiday season, try to take a few days to jet off to a different location or head somewhere you’ve never been before – even if it’s a great local beach, or walking track that you’ve been dying to go to.
Get inspired:
In order to begin the New Year in the right frame of mind, it’s important to take some time to get inspired! Attend a seminar, organise a coffee catch up with a person you admire or read a great book from an inspiring author– the options are endless!
Make sure you write down what it is about these things that inspire you so you can aim to action them in your 2017 goals!
Relax:
Seems simple doesn’t it? But see if you can spend some time doing absolutely nothing! Watch a movie, go for a walk or just have a sleep-in. All of these non-work related activities are vital to help you begin a new year with a fresh and recharged mind.
How are you unwinding at the end of this year? Comment and share with us below!
If you need help taking your social media marketing to the next level in 2017 make sure you get in touch with our expert team here at Melbourne Social Co.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
Running an effective social media competition
Running social media competitions are a great way to increase engagement on your channels and get your consumers actively involved in your business!
By asking your audience to participate in a contest or competition, you help to drive brand awareness and grow your followers while providing a little something extra for your fans that we know they will love!
Are you wondering where to start? Here are our top tops for running an effective social media competition:
Know your objectives:
In order to determine the success of your competition, it’s important to know what your objectives are in the first place. Common objectives could be to increase your followers, grow your email marketing database or increase brand awareness.
These objectives will help you to determine the right call-to-action to include in your competition so you can get the results you’re after!
Be aware of the rules:
Facebook in particular has some strict rules when it comes to hosting a competition on its social media platform, so it’s vital to know the guidelines before starting.
Rules to note include ensuring you don’t ask people to “share” the competition on their timeline, citing T&Cs in the post and acknowledging that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
You can view the full list of rules here.
Create engaging artwork:
There’s no denying that all our favourite social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram are crowded with competitions and posts from many other brands and businesses, so to really make your competition stand out from the crowd, you need some engaging and creative artwork. Bold text and an enticing image will go a long way in encouraging people to participate!
Keep it simple:
People are busy and time poor, so it’s best to make the entry requirements for your competition as easy as possible. Simple things like asking them to “like” the post and comment why they want to win are easy ways to increase the number of entrants.
Add an advertising budget:
Now that you’ve put in all the hard work in creating a great competition concept and accompanying artwork – it’s time to make sure people see it! Boosting your competition post with a Facebook and Instagram advertising budget can significantly grow the post’s reach so more people can enter!
Do you need help coming up with engaging content on your social media channels? Here at Melbourne Social Co we are the experts! Call us today to find out more about our services or visit our website.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
4 Ways To Build Your Personal Brand
Regardless of whether you’re a business owner, employee or on the hunt for new work, developing a professional personal brand on and offline is a great way to establish authority and credibility within your industry.
So how can you build your personal brand, in order to showcase the best 'you' possible? Here are 4 places to start.
1. Audit your online presence:
Do a quick google search on your name. Are you happy for a potential client or employer to see those search results?
One of the simplest and easiest ways to start creating a professional personal brand is to audit your online presence. That means going through all your social media channels and removing any unprofessional images or content so you can put your best foot forward! Yes - that means deleting those party pics from your high school days. Make sure you use a professional profile picture and only post content you’d be happy for a client or potential employer to view.
(If you're not quite ready to remove your historical happy snaps, you can always set these particular social media profiles to private. Just be careful when accepting friend requests from co-workers or industry peers.)
2. Create a LinkedIn profile:
After you’ve audited your existing online presence, the next step is to create a LinkedIn profile - if you don’t already have one. LinkedIn is a great way to showcase your experience and skills, search for jobs, seek new business opportunities and network with likeminded industry professionals.
It’s important that you create a standout profile that will draw the attention of potential clients, customers or employers. Here’s how!
3. Secure a personal website:
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, why not create your very own personal website? Having a personal website is one of the best ways to increase your name ranking on Google and provide a professional hub where you can present your experience, skills and expertise in your field. Don't worry, your website doesn’t have to be extensive, it just needs to showcase your resume, some great blog posts, an 'about' section and contact information.
4. Add some value:
In order to separate yourself from your competitors and present yourself as an authority in your industry, it’s always important to provide value to those you connect with. A good way to do this could be by writing a blog on your personal website, adding some great tips and tricks to your social media posts, or offering to help out a new connection to make a lasting impression.
Do you need help showcasing your personal brand online? Here at Melbourne Social Co we are experts at getting your brand “out there!”
Contact us now for more information.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
Which Instagram Archetype Are You?
We are slightly obsessed with Instagram here at Melbourne Social Co and considering we spend a bit too much time scrolling through our feeds, we’ve noticed a few different user trends emerging.
From the foodie, to the hashtagger, to the selfie queen… Read on below to find out which archetype category you fall into!
The Foodie:
The name says it all doesn’t it? This Instagram user loves to snap every meal they have, and every coffee they drink. So don’t you dare touch your food before they photograph it! They are commonly found at all of the cool cafes and restaurants... especially those known to have great lighting and stunning interiors!
The Hashtagger:
Perhaps they’re on the hunt for more followers or maybe they need a lesson or two in hashtagging etiquette, either way we see this Instagram type pop up on our feeds all too often! You know you’re a hashtager if you post at least 15 – 20 hashtags per post, and sometimes even comment on your own posts multiple times with the tags!
The Selfie Queen:
This Instagram user has a good chance at becoming the next Kim Kardashian with the number of selfies they take! It doesn’t matter where they are or what they’re doing, it’s always a great time for a #selfie!
The Baby (or pet) Lover:
The baby (or pet) lover has a feed filled with pictures of their children or their fur-babies. They are their pride and joy and they love to capture all the cute and quirky things that they get up to.
The Fitness Guru:
The fitness guru loves to post snaps of their meal preparation, gym workouts and amazing bodies. They are experts in their field and their feeds are positive and inspiring!
Do you fit in any of these Instagram archetypes or have we left any out? Comment and share which one you are below.
If you need help using Instagram for your business, then get in touch with our team of digital marketing experts at Melbourne Social Co today.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
Working with Digital Influencers
If you're working in marketing or PR in 2016, you've no doubt heard of influencer marketing. For those of you that haven't - influencer marketing is essentially collaborating or partnering with digital influencers (or social media celebrities) to assist in the promotion of your brand.
Influencer marketing is one of the most powerful ways to increase brand awareness and build trust in your brand in an authentic and engaging way.
By tapping into the large following of likeminded influencers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, you can put your product or service in front on your consumer in a way that really makes a difference for your business.
So if you’re looking to begin working with digital influencers, here are some great ways to get started!
Social media takeovers and collaborations:
One of the best ways to grow your brand awareness and to develop trust with your consumers is by getting a key digital influencer to create co-branded content or even 'take over' your social media channels. An influencer could share a “day in their life”, create a series of images that showcase your products, write a blog filled with their top tips and tricks (tying back to your product or service) or take their fans on a 'behind the scenes' tour of your brand.
Consumers love to engage in content created by their favourite online personalities and by tapping into their fan-base, your collaboration is likely to attract more followers for your business accounts as well.
Giveaways:
There’s no better way to get people engaged in your brand than by doing giveaways! Everyone loves a free product or service and consumers are more likely to engage and interact with your promotion if you tap into digital influencers to share and promote the giveaway to their followers.
Product reviews:
While you may know that your product or service is great, one of the most challenging aspects of being a business owner is convincing your consumers. Using digital influencers to recommend your brand is a great way to do this, as they have a huge loyal and trusting fan base that are eager to hear more about their reviews and recommendations. A recent study has shown that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from peers or trusted authorities and likewise, a massive 72% of people rely on social media to inform their purchasing decisions. So what are you waiting for?
Are you looking to tap into the power of digital influencers to grow your business? Here at Melbourne Social Co we specialise in working with social media celebrities to take your marketing strategy to the next level!
Get in touch with us today to find out more!
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
How To Stay Motivated As A Business Owner
There’s no denying that being a business owner is hard - if it wasn't, everyone would be doing it! And sometimes, staying motivated can be a challenge, especially when you have to deal with the day-to-day ups and downs of running a business.
However, staying motivated, positive and inspired is a must - both for yourself, your employees and ultimately your business!
Unsure how? We've put together our top tips for staying motivated as a business owner to try now.
Remember why you started:
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day running of your business and the stresses that come with it, and sometimes we forget why we even started our business in the first place! Maybe you started your business because you were really passionate about an idea, a product or a service. Maybe you wanted to help people? Maybe you wanted to be your own boss. Regardless of the reasons, it’s important to take some time to reflect on this drive you had when you started, why you wanted to create your brand and channel that through everything you do!
Set goals:
For those occasions when feel like your business is at a standstill and you're stuck in a rut, it’s a good idea to set some realistic goals and work towards them! Start with something small like improving your brand's social media presence or writing a blog. If you're feeling ambitious, plan towards something larger like opening a new bricks and mortar location or running a big marketing campaign.
Each time you achieve a goal, make sure you stop and reflect on how far you’ve come.
Look after yourself:
Sometimes a weekend away, or a big sleep in can do wonders for your physical and mental health and not to mention how you run your business! By looking after yourself, you give yourself the energy and the resources to do the best job you can.
Make sure you make yourself a priority and schedule in some much needed ‘me’ time, whether that’s to hit the gym, curl up on the couch with your pooch or family, or watch trashy TV (Keeping Up With The Kardashians anyone?!)
Do you need some help setting or achieving some of your business’ goals? We're here to help!
Contact us now for more information on how we can work together to continue to grow your business.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165