Our Favourite Workday Hacks

We all have days at work where we feel like it’s never going end, where we feel super unproductive, unmotivated and frankly, distracted.  Even if you love your job, work can be draining, but to avoid feeling down on your workday we’d like to offer you some of our wonderful workday hacks!

Organise your morning

Let’s start at the very beginning; give yourself as much time as possible in the morning to avoid bringing that rushed stress with you to work. Waking up late, skipping breakfast and other disorganised behaviours won’t benefit your workday, the stress of rushing around, being tired, will have a negative impact and set the tone for your entire day. Get organised and start your day stress free!

Go from worst to best

Starting off with your most dreaded task gets them out of the way and means your day can only go up from there. By doing the tasks you like the least you can look forward to the more rewarding work and know that you’ve got better things to come throughout the day!

Stay hydrated!

Now, not only is this a great life hack, but also it’s a really important workday hack as well. This may seem obvious, but it’s something many of us overlook and forget about throughout the workday. Staying hydrated helps eliminate the risk of headaches, fatigue and distraction throughout your workday, so bring a water bottle with you and keep your fluids up!

Don’t sweat the small stuff

We’re all perfectionist when it comes to our work, but it’s important not to dwell on the things we can’t control.  Keep things moving throughout your workday and remind yourself not to sweat the small stuff, this will ensure your work doesn’t come to a standstill and you’re being as productive as possible.

Love what you do!

Everyone has heard the saying ‘If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life’ and we couldn’t agree with that more. If you enjoy your work, have a passion for it and truly love what you do then that is the biggest workday hack of them all!


Do you agree with our workday hacks? Let us know on Facebook.

Want to find out more about working with our team? Visit our careers page!


The Latest Instagram Algorithm Changes

The Latest Instagram Algorithm Changes

Want to know how Instagram's latest algorithm will decide what photos and videos show up in your feed? We’ve got all the answers!

Done in an effort to refresh the app and improve chronology, Instagram is opening up about what’s new and why.

A personalised feed

The new algorithm places a focus on ensuring everyone’s feed is unique and relevant to the user. This personalisation is done through monitoring who you interact with and past behaviors. Basically, a users level of engagement with certain accounts will determine how much or how little they will see of that content.

A big part of this new and improved personalised feed is to prioritise posts from your ‘friends and family’. The updated algorithm claims that users will now see 90% of the posts from their ‘friends and family’ (as determined by Instagram), as opposed to 50%, which was the percentage prior to the algorithm change.

Breaking it down - interest, timeliness and relationship

To help us further understand the new algorithm, Instagram has broken it down into three important determining classifications: interest, timeliness and relationship.

Interest = how interested they think you’ll be in the post

If Instagram thinks you’ll be interested in a post, they will prioritise it and it will appear higher in your feed. How do they determine what they think you will like? Well, they base this on your past behavior and engagement with similar content.

Timeliness = relating to how recently a photo was posted

This new aspect of the algorithm intends to limit how often users are seeing ‘old’ posts from weeks ago and helps keep users feeds more recent and up to date.

Relationship = determining the ‘friends and family’ category

Instagram is taking more notice of users relationships with other users. For example, if you frequently comment or are tagged in a person’s photos instagram takes that to mean you have some sort of a relationship with them and they will be categorised as your ‘friends and family’.


So what can your business do to make sure your posts are being seen and heard in the Instagram feed? Why not pencil in a chat with our team to discuss your Instagram strategy.

Want to know how Instagram's latest algorithm will decide what photos and videos show up in your feed? We’ve got all the answers! Done in an effort to refresh the app and improve chronology, Instagram is opening up about what’s new and why.


Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Feeling like you need to boost your productivity? You know the feeling. It’s just after 2pm and you’re left staring into the abyss that is your iMac screen, wishing reports would magically write themselves and you had a time turner to push 5pm that little bit closer.

Don’t feel guilty, we’ve all been there- boredom and distraction happens to even the most dedicated employees. Luckily for you, we’ve popped together three of our favourite tips to increase office productivity and keep you occupied and focused all shift long!

Keep Things Tidy

We know the last thing you feel like doing is giving your desk a once over with the Windex when you have piles of work to be and major writer’s block. But, trust us, this little tip could make all the difference!

Recent studies have confirmed the correlation between increased anxiety levels and a messy environment (at home or in the workspace). Clutter and untidiness can subconsciously affect mental clarity, making it all the more difficult to focus on an urgent task at hand.

We recommend keeping a small dustbin close by so you can manage your disposable mess, whilst adhering to a clear and simple organisational structure for files and documents. Even if this means spending an extra 5 -10 minutes at the end of the day tidying and putting things back into place, you and the quality of your work will be so much better for it!

Stay Nourished and Hydrated

Hitting the snooze button on a chilly winter’s morning instead of getting up 15 minutes early to grab something quick to eat is a common occurrence for many of us. Whilst you may run out the door feeling full, once you’ve properly awoken and arrived at work, hunger will soon rear its ugly head.

Hunger can drastically affect mood and concentration, so instead of you (and your work) suffering until lunchtime, be sure to leave some healthy snacks in your handbag or office drawer to snack on and keep your energy levels on track.

Eating small amounts regularly fuels our metabolism and largely contributes to our blood sugar and energy levels, equalling increased concentration and motivation.

We recommend foods high in ‘good’ fats such as almonds and avocados and berries and green vegetables rich in vitamins K & C. These kinds of Superfoods promote healthy brain function and minimise bodily stress through the benefits of antioxidants.

Stretch Your Legs

Although the thought of an afternoon stroll sounds entirely counterproductive when you have serious deadlines looming, taking a quick break can actually improve concentration. Even if it’s just five minutes around the block, up and down the stairs, or to the local coffee shop and back, moving around every few hours is very important for those with a desk job and sedentary lifestyle.

Studies have found that those who take short, regular breaks in the workspace maintain a more constant level of performance than those who don’t. Plus, moving around increases blood flow, which promotes good cardiovascular health, and all in all increases cognitive awareness and mental clarity. Plus, who would say no to an extra coffee break?!


So there you have them, our tried and tested, simple yet sure-fire ways to increase productivity, stay focused and motivated during your daily grind, courtesy of the team at Melbourne Social Co.

Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Want to know more about our strategy or content creation services? Send us an email today to [email protected]


How to create an engaging Instagram feed

How to create an engaging Instagram feed

Is your brand's Instagram account flatlining? It's no secret that Instagram is one of the hardest platforms to manage and grow at the moment, but there are a few things you can do to get your brand back on track.

Let's get back to basics

Upload an eye-catching profile pic

The profile pic real estate is limited, so use it well! Generally a logo, or an abbreviated version of your logo using block colour works well here

Write a catchy bio

A great Instagram bio should:

  • Explain a bit about you / your brand and what you do
  • Appeal to your target audience
  • Showcase your tone of voice and brand personality to give fans a taste of what to expect

Make sure your contact details are correctly listed

Is your account set to business, and have you linked it with your Facebook page for seamless advertising campaigns?

Now that you've got the basics covered, it's time to develop your Instagram style guide.

Pay attention to your colour palette

Some of the most successful Instagram accounts tend to use a select colour palette for their photos, helping them to create a distinct style.

Keep your fonts consistent

Aspirational/quirky quotes and text overlays are all the rage on Instagram. To create a cohesive aesthetic, make sure you keep your fonts are consistent throughout your feed.

Now that you have your basic design guidelines, you can start creating some content. At this point, we suggest thinking about your feed as a whole, rather than working image by image

First impressions count, and when someone is checking your brand out on Instagram, they’ll most likely look at the first three rows of your grid first. Do your images all work well together? In today’s world, your feed is essentially your business card, so we  suggest taking some time to make sure it’s the right representation of your brand.

Filters

If you’re using a filter, trying picking one, and sticking with it throughout the feed.

Using Apps to plan your content

What can you use?

There are heaps of programs on the market that you can use to schedule and plan your Instagram posts. Just make sure you aren’t using one which navigates around Instagram’s API.

Here’s a few programs you can use to plan your Instagram posts:

Later (previously Latergram)

  • Re-directs posts through their app, at time you’ve scheduled
  • Provides a series of tiered plans to choose from depending on the size of your business, and how many posts you plan to schedule
  • Allows you to edit photos from inside the app
  • Provides a grid view so you can preview your page before you post
  • The media library allows you to store as many photos as you need to help make scheduling even easier

Plann

  • Aimed at creatives, Plann is all about creating an aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed
  • Grid view allows you to add multiple photos at a time and drag and drop them until they’re in the right place
  • Add captions and store hashtags that will be copied to your dashboard when its time to post
  • A push notification will alert you when it’s ready to go

So you've got a beautiful feed, but how can you make it engaging? 

Only post high quality photos

It may seem like a no brainer, but as Instagram is such a visual platform, it’s important to make sure your image is high quality, and not blurry.

Post a variety of shots and content types

Variety creates interest, and interest translates to followers, and followers become customers. So before you post two coffee shots in a row, stop and think about how you can mix things up. And – avoid duplicating your content within your feed!

Create space within your feed

Creating space in your grid is important to helping the eye move freely throughout your feed. We’re not talking about old fashioned borders, but rather mixing up busy images with more minimal posts.

Pay attention to your captions!

Captions can sometimes be an afterthought on Instagram, but we’re here to tell you they’re still important! Keep them short, sharp and include your call to action within the first sentence.

Avoid overly promotional content

While you can still use Instagram to promote your brand and products, keep your sales content subtle, avoiding posting plain product shots or logos. Break up your branded content with aspirational imagery.

Mentioning an influencer or brand in your post? Tag them!

By sharing the love and tagging those influencers, you’re starting a conversation, which hopefully will lead to them supporting you right back!


What are you favourite Instagram tips and tricks? Share them with us @MelbourneSocialCo


5 ways to de-stress at the end of the week

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


Why you need a social media manager

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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]


Content Distribution & Community Mangement

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

 


Easy Ways to Leverage Your LinkedIn Account

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: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165


4 Tips to Increase Productivity

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: [email protected]


4 Reasons Your Business Should Be On Pinterest

4 Reasons Your Business Should Be On Pinterest

One of the fastest growing platforms, Pinterest, has become an essential part of any digital marketing strategy, with its powerful Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) benefits, ability to increase traffic to your business website and an opportunity for pinners to become creatively interactive with your business.

Not convinced? Here are 4 reasons why your business should be on Pinterest.

Your target market is using it:

A recent survey announced that more than 100 million people are on Pinterest, which means there is a large consumer base just waiting for you to connect with. The target market is typically females under 40-years-old, who have broad interests in a range of topics including pets, fashion, food, travel, fitness, creative DIY, business and more.

Pinners want to engage with businesses:

According to Pinterest, a recent study has shown that when pinners were asked if they’d rather follow a celebrity or business, 83% said they would rather follow a business. This means Pinterest encourages active audiences who are keen to know about your product or service and engage in your business inspirations and interests. 

Your pins last forever:

There’s no secret that social media and content marketing is gold for Search Engine Optimisation and Pinterest is no exception. Unlike other forms of SEO strategies, your pins on Pinterest last forever. That means that as search and discovery are at the forefront of what makes pinners engaged, your content will always be there, available and searchable so they can be pinned, clicked on, liked and shared for many years to come.

Pinterest drives traffic:

If one of your main social media objectives is to get people to click through to your website, then Pinterest is the place to be. When you pin an image from your website, it allows pinners to then save that image onto their own boards, or simply click on that image to be taken to your business’s website for more information or to purchase your products or services.

Do you know how to strategically use Pinterest to boost SEO, increase website traffic and create an active online following for your business?

If not - Melbourne Social Co has a range of social media account management and training packages available for your business now.

Contact us for more information: [email protected]