The SmallBizLady Buzz - Issue 35

Wanna boost your followers on Instagram?

If your Instagram presence isn’t popping like you might like, it's time to learn how to leverage a more effective strategy for getting real, organic followers. The organic distinction is important. Buying fake followers on IG is futile. The Instagram algorithm gets updated regularly, so you will be found out. The platform often weeds out low quality accounts with little interactions, so do not get your account banned for being a bad actor. Numbers mean nothing if people are buying. Start building your presence up the right way with these tips on getting a more engaged fan following on Instagram.

1. Update Your IG Profile

Make sure people understand what you do and that your account is fully optimized. Think of your brand’s Instagram bio as how to tell people to hire you. Be brief, but specific, use keywords if you can. Add a linktree, so people know where to get further information about your products and your brand.

2. Keep Your Content Consistent

You want to keep your content consistent for your Instagram followers. Post 1-3 times a day - studies show the most active time to post is 11am on Wednesdays and Fridays. Best type of content is inspirational or funny quotes, amazing pictures, lifestyle photos showing good experiences, behind-the-scenes content, testimonials and video of course.

3. Post Content Followers Want

You must give the people what they want. Pay attention to what content your followers respond the best to. You’ll notice on Instagram that some content performs better than others. For example, my social media team and I post a graphic weekly featuring my podcast interview, we also share graphics of major blog posts and promos of events I am speaking at or hosting for corporate brands, but the content that performs best is when I post personal pictures of my son, things I cook, or pictures when my make-up is especially cute. So be sure to mix it up. The most insignificant piece of content or video could perform the best.

When it comes to paid social media ads, Facebook and Instagram are the two popular social networking sites, and if you want to learn more about using FB Ads or IG Ads check out this week’s featured article: How Small Businesses Can Sell More Using Facebook and Instagram Ads.

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How Small Businesses Can Sell More Using Facebook and Instagram Ads

When it comes to paid social media ads, where should you invest your resources? The answer is where your target audience is hanging out!

Facebook and Instagram are the two popular social networking sites and are used by 69% and 37% of the US adult population respectively. This means that odds are a good portion of your target audience may be hanging out here and why you shouldn’t exclude these two channels from your paid social media marketing strategy. Continue reading...

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Track your time and watch your productivity soar!

Time Doctor is a great tool to have if you want to eliminate distractions on the web. It helps you stay focused with its time-block feature that warns you when you spend more time than necessary on distracting sites, such as Facebook. It works with Mac or PC devices. It can also provide you with handy information about your usage of time. It will enable you to identify how you allocate your time and how you can make improvements.

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Podcast: Making Your Side Hustle Your Main Business with John Clidy

Check out this week’s Podcast: Making Your Side Hustle Your Main Business with John Clidy

John Clidy joins me to discuss how he went from a career in law enforcement to a highly successful real estate career. John is a retired State Trooper and began selling real estate on the side while pursuing his career with the New Jersey State Police.

In 2014, he gave up his six-figure salary and pension to pursue his dream of being a full-time real estate professional. He has gone on to operate a Keller Williams Agency and become a KW Regional Director of the Greater PA Region. He is also an investor in 5 market centers. He believes you need to go after your dreams if you want to be successful and 100% happy with your life.

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Today is the day that we're live on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube at 8pm ET!

Tonight, we'll do #SmallBizChat LIVE with three guests! You can see it live on my SmallBizLady Facebook Page, Twitter, or Youtube at 8pm ET sharp. We'll discuss How to Have Balance as a Women Business Owner with Elayne Fluker, @elaynefluker, Building a Business Strategy for 2021 with Martin Harshberger, @harshberger.martin on Facebook, and How to Build a Memorable Brand with Ross Kimbarovsky, @rosskimbarovsky.

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Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, marketing and social selling. Melinda is also the president of the Quintessence Group, an award-winning marketing consulting firm based in Philadelphia, PA, serving Fortune 500 brands who target small business market. LinkedIn named her a Top Voice for 2019 in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition to being a former NY Times columnist, she is frequently quoted by media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox News. She is the host of #Smallbizchat LIVE and The SmallBizChat Podcast. A prolific writer, Melinda has published more than 5000 articles on her blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Her small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, 2nd Edition. Her latest book is Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.