Planning for an amazing 2015!

Social Media Marketing is much like taking a trip, if you don't have a map you have no idea where you will end up.  As business owners wearing many hats we really need to make our efforts count & use our time effectively when executing our action plan.




Here are a few tips when planning your social media weeks, months & year.

• Do have a vision-Having a vision for what problems you want to help your target audience to solve with your content.  Remember posting on the social media channels is not about "advertising" it's about developing relationships with your ideal client & treating them with respect. Posting spammy stuff never works. With that being said, once you have grown your audience & shared with them over time really great content you will have earned the right to present an offer from time to time. When you are launching a product or service offering delivery & method counts!  Remember if you are strategic in giving them what they want to see your audience will not feel like you are "crashing" their party on social.

• Do use an editorial content calendar-Editorial calendars help with organizing content and communicate a message that flows. There are plenty of examples out there, when I first started I just used my Gmail Calendar to keep track of where I was going. Then I moved on to an Excel spreadsheet that I keep in Google Docs.   Another good source for this is Hubspot here you will find a couple of examples.  http://offers.hubspot.com/blog-editorialcalendar                                                                                                                                       Use this template to:
  • Keep your content authors & topics organized
  • Track keyword & call-to-action use
  • Ensure that content is developed on time & on target 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   

Giving Is Not A One Way Street!

Yes it's crunch time for Non profit organizations!   The end of the year is the biggest time for giving approximately 30% of all giving happens in December with 10% of that occurring during the last 3 days of the year. Add to that the donation size at the end of the year Non Profits have the potential to see an increase of as much a 50%.

I love being able to serve organizations that are "mission" driven & my most favorite clients to work with are Non profits.   If you are a Non Profit story telling on social media should be very native for your organization.  Engaging with your current followers is key toward retention as well as drawing in new constituents. 

 Not only is it essential to provide great content, you also can not afford to ignore this number..."78% of social media being viewed on mobile devices"* it is key to make sure your using very visual messages that are eye catching for the channel you are posting on.  

• Work works on Facebook does not necessarily work on Twitter & so forth.  
• Know your ideal audience & speaking to them is super important!  Give them great relevant content they want to see.  
• Don't always have your hand out, show your followers the "good" your organization is doing through telling stories.   Humanizing your message helps them feel good when they see the difference their efforts are making in others lives. 

By give, give, giving them great content they will not stay engaged, they will also respond when you go for the ask. 


*http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/13/facebook-mobile-user-count/










image source: network for good

"Isn't Social Media for kids?"

I often get questions from business owners both online & off "Isn't Social Media for kids?"
Watch this & decide for yourself!

Surefire Ways to Double Your Workday Productivity

Every day I start with a plan,  my goal is to be the most productive I can be without feeling totally overwhelmed. These surefire ways can help double your productivity & keep you on track to getting the important things completed.

In sales, we learn to sell benefits rather than features. Keeping that in mind, the way to sell yourself on maximizing your productivity is to realize that with a super-dialed calendar and well thought-out workday strategy, you can perform at double your standard capacity. This is important because a key to fulfillment is living our ideal life into each day, not just every week or month.We want sufficient time to recharge, have fun and be excited about something each and every day.

The following five strategies will help you optimize your time so that you can be the best you with your work
.
1. Huddle and speak your intentions. Huddles aren’t just for sports teams! A morning huddle is your opportunity to verbalize your intentions for the day, reinforce team coheshion and hold yourself (and others) accountable for daily performance.
All it takes is three to six minutes to get together with your , team or leadership team and ensure everyone is aligned for that day. Every person in the huddle should state his/her crucial goals for the day and let others know if they are needed. If you don’t have a team, huddle with your coach, direct supervisor or accountability buddy for a quick check-in call. Standing in the huddle keeps everyone alert and efficient.

2. Do the toughest and most important thing on your to-do list first. You heard the phrase "Eat the frog first"?  We typically don’t want to do our toughest tasks first but it is to our advantage to accomplish what I call the "main crucial” while our ego/willpower depletion is at a minimum. When thinking about the most important task for the day, ask yourself what you can do today that will provide the most value to your your business. List these tasks at the start of the week and revise the list nightly for the next day. Only after we’ve taken care of our most important work should we begin tasks that require less energy, like checking our email (but don’t do that without having a strategy first!).

3. Have a clearly defined email strategy. It’s easy to get lost in email. For better or worse (I believe worse), we live in an email and smartphone-saturated culture but not every email that comes in requires an immediate response. A firm email policy will save you time and help you to be much, much more productive.
Only check your email inbox during the time you’ve set aside in your calendar. First, scan your subject lines and senders to determine which emails are time sensitive or urgent. Answer those emails first. Remember, you’ve only allotted a certain amount of time for email and need to stick to plan.
Next, process those emails that take two minutes or less to respond to. Plan to deal with email requiring action or a response that takes more than two minutes during your “flex time” later in the day. Schedule less-urgent items for the near future instead of cluttering your “flex time,” which you set aside for things that come up unexpectedly.
Don’t spend any more time in your inbox than you allotted. If there are emergencies, pick up the phone or meet in person. Don't rely on faceless email to solve problems or deal with emotionally-charged situations.

4. Have a meeting strategy with yourself. A meeting without an agenda is likely a waste of time. Think advace for an agenda and the objective(s) of every meeting you attend. Push meetings that will not require difficult decision-making to the second half of your day so that you have sufficient time to complete your crucial tasks for the day.

5. Do things in blocks of time.  Doing tasks in blocks of time like 30 minutes helps you be more focused & efficient.  Make sure to stand up and walk away from you computer for a minute or two. Try a standing desk this will also help you health wise if you work on a computer for more than 8 hours.

6. Eat alone sometimes. Keith Ferrazzi’s book Never Eat Alone has been a staple for business leaders and entrepreneurs for nearly a decade. It espouses the idea that businesspeople should use lunches as a time to network.
It's good advice but you don’t have to network in person. Use your lunchtime to ping your peers via email, Facebook,Twitter LinkedIn or the phone. The goal is to connect regularly and build reciprocity with those in your network, not just ping them when you need something.
That said, sometimes the most important thing to do on your lunch is to simply recharge for the second half of your day. Your choice, as long as you’re following your plan.

The glue binding these strategies is best conveyed by one word: planning. We all have 24 hours in each day. Treat each day as a gift by planning and leveraging your time.

Go out and make today a productive & rewarding one!

How to get people to (actually) read your content!

        source:coschedule.com

One of the first few things I teach when training on social media content creation is to always keep in mind what type of devices your audience is using to view your content. Even though it may be easy to create your images on your desktop & they may look beautiful you may find they didn't quite turn out the way you had hoped.....

"How many people read your blog on their phone or tablet? I bet it’s more that you think. Research frequently shows that consuming email, searching the internet, and using social networks are some of the most popular activities done on a handheld device.  Many of these activities are resulting in click-throughs that are coming to your site on a mobile device. Do you like what they are finding?" ~ http://coschedule.com/blog/read-your-content/

We all have such busy lives and often times a smartphone or tablet is the only way they will even see what you are posting on social media. In a recent article Techcrunch stated that Facebook revealed that those viewer numbers have risen to 78% on Facebook & with over 1 Billion users that fact should not be ignored.

When creating images or images with text you always want to check out how things are going to look on mobile or even better use your mobile device to create some of your content.  There are so many FREE apps for devices these days, my favorite right now is Pixlr Desktop & Pixlr Express for mobile.

If you are going to do the work posting on social media make sure it counts!

"Ugly behind the scene"

"Never compare your business to someone else, you never really see the "Ugly" that's behind the scenes" - Jeff Walker business man & author of "Launch"

Do you have the blues?

source:FastCompany

I am always testing, my social media strategies to make sure I am posting what gets seen the most on social media things change so quickly.  Creating your own branded images for your social media color matters. With so many folks scrolling on their media devices you have to make your posts stand out try add a bit of color on instagram and see if you get more likes.

Back to school back to the basics of  Facebook! Our Friday screen share training this week will be about....

1.What & why use social media & branding for your business
2.How to get started creating a Facebook page for your business

(I am also recording it)

Her first day of 1st grade

Today is Delaney's first day in a public school she is starting 1st grade.  She was a bit anxious & so was I letting go is tough.  Watching our children struggle with something is even harder....Even when we know it will be good for them all we want to do is "make things better".  I am thankful to be able to pick her up from school & talk with her about her day.

Now it's time for me to re-focus on my business & why I work from home in the first place. 

My goal is to be able to walk her home from school every day this year!

What is your why?

Yes, if you have not guessed my girls are my reasons "why" I choose this work at home lifestyle.   Not only so I can be here now in the moment with them...... the other reason is so I can leave some kind of legacy. 

Legacy does not always mean money in my case to me it means showing my girls to value relationships in each other and others in their life, to give back &  to value the gifts/talents they have been given.  Learning to do good help others with those gifts.

Knowing & having a compelling "why" is so valuable on those days when you need some gas to get going with your day.  Yes, it happens......Surprised?  Even if you are doing what you love like I am there are days just like when you work outside them home that the tank is a bit empty......for me just not as many.  I love helping others build something of their own or get the health care the so deserve.  My true passion helping others I'm just wired that way.

My WHYs remind me that it is not about me at ALL!

          Bottom to top: Lynnette, Delaney & Milan

I look forward to Sundays....

On Sundays I really try not to work.....I like growing my relationship with God reading his Word and/or going to service. The other thing I find pleasurable is spending time on Sundays learning something new. Personal growth is a huge key to growing your at home business....I fought the idea for a long time didn't think I needed it, I was so wrong. If you are in that mindset I want to encourage you to reconsider....maybe not on Sundays but take action for yourself & your business read one blog post, article or video from someone who inspires you weather it is business related or just something that makes you reflect and helps you grow. 

Have a blessed day!

Teresa Ann Duran

Our youngest National Vice President!

One of the reason I love our amazing group of Moms here on the Freedom At Home Team they are dedicated to offering so much the support, encouragement & training. Kristie has that as a leader along with a personal spirit of overcoming the hurdles. I have learned from her this is really what it takes to have success in this business. I love "paying it forward" to my team!

Please to announce  & congratulate my friend Kristie DeGraw in reaching National  Vice President!  Way to go!!!

 

A note from our fearless team founder Janie...

"Oh my! We are literally jumping up and down this morning! Kristie D.  is officially an Ameriplan National Vice President! It's been a joy to see her rise up to the top. It was certainly not an easy climb but she did it. Kristie is a true champion and we are so blessed to have her with us. Can't wait to see her walk down the stage at convention as the newest and youngest NVP in Ameriplan! We love you Kristie!"

Thanks to all the Freedom At Home Team...

Thanks to all the Freedom At Home Team folks who attended the #socialmediamarketing training call today. I love being able to "Pay it forward" sharing what I've learned from the other leaders! #freedomathome

List building from your Facebook page with Mail Chimp
(Call recorded on http://www.freeconferencecalling.com/
code is the same as the dial in code inbox me if you need it.)

Mail Chimp is a free contact management program you can use to manage your newest contacts that you’ve generated via social media. Or if you do not yet have a Focal Point account. These leads in this list are handled differently than the leads you generate via ads or the co-op. DO NOT place them into Focal Point until they ask for an interview (or they have given you permission to email them) then you can add them to Focal Point. Place them in a mail chimp folder within focal point so that you are not always sending them promotional emails but relevant content to work at home tips, tools etc…

Create a FREE account

Create a list

Create a Landing/capture page

Share your landing page link in the first part of the about section on you Facebook page. Add it in any of your social media profiles. Here is my link http://eepurl.com/I6cmv

Keep your list organized-once you move the lead into Focal Point remove them from Mail Chimp. Delete your unsubscribes.

Do email blasts (not promo’s until they have been on you list for at least 2-3 months your follower from social media did not sign up to be spammed. They will unsubscribe if you don’t respect this fact. Email blast one time per month with good work at home content (or content that fits your social media business page) example: my work at home moms talk I share work at home content and mommy content. www.facebook.com/workathomemomstalk and on my blog www.workathomemomstalk.blogspot.com

Summer Time with Your Family

Summer is such a great time to focus on your family. Here are some fun ideas you can try to create some memories and traditions:

1. Pirate Booty! Beach weather, or lake weather, is upon us. Mom and dad need to build or buy a box of some sort and fill it with goodies. Create a treasure map with dashes and a big red X. Make it look authentic by burning the edges. Go to your local beach or lake and bury your box of goodies. The kids can spend the day searching for the buried treasure. My mom and dad did this for us when we were kids. I have never forgotten how much fun we had!

2. Outdoor night adventure! Kids love to explore. How about a flashlight scavenger hunt? Create a list of items for the kids to find and set out on a night time walk. The warm evenings are my favorite part of summer. Why not get out and enjoy them!

3. Backyard movie night! Stay close to home and keep costs down. Lay out the blankets and get out the lawn chairs. Set up your TV and VCR in the backyard and put on a movie. Don’t forget the s’mores over the bbq!
What does your family do during the summer months? We would love to hear your family fun ideas!!

20 productivity tips for work at home Moms

My girls keep me pretty busy..... The number one question I get from Moms on my team & Moms thinking about work from home is how do I do it? Being a WAHM isn't easy but it's so worth it!


 I think back to when I went full time in my home business that was in early 2012.  I had been working out side the home part time & from home part time before that. What I learned first was that doing the things that mattered was super important! Just like when I was working outside my home.  

Carving out blocks of committed time for one task at a time.  I like to work in 30 minute blocks.....This was like a game of "bet the clock" for me.  Laser focused time I found was more productive time. Plus I get bored easily......

Here is an article I came across with some ideas I've tried and some that may work for you if you have very little ones at home.   

20 productivity tips for work at 

home Moms of young children...

 

http://bit.ly/1drzyJo

Photo source:LapGP & SigOther

Awesome idea for marketing your work at home business!

Hey work from home Moms!  I love this idea for my work at home business to personalize mugs for my team & to use when doing local marketing!!! I was able to use a lot of the scrap-booking materials I already have on hand. ;-)

How many of you have seen those Sharpie DIY mugs all over Pinterest? They say just write on your mugs with your regular Sharpie, bake and you're done. It's the ideal way to get a personalized gift without spending a ton.

How many of you know that the Sharpie will actually wash off in the dishwasher? Yup. Unless you are hand washing those mugs - your masterpiece will probably go down the drain. Even hand washing will probably make the design go away after time. It's actually a very flawed concept.

So after doing some research, I have discovered what does work. Oil based paint pens! Sharpie happens to make these type of pens too and your local craft store will probably have them in stock. I happen to pick up mine in The Home Depot paint aisle, a few months back. They are a bit more pricey than a regular Sharpie, but if you weigh the pros {the whole not wasting your time for it to go down the drain} than it's probably worth it. Invest in the right pens and grab your mugs from Dollar Tree ;) Plus I'm sharing a really cute way to monogram those boring mugs.

Here are the instructions thanks gluedtomycraftsblog.com !

http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2013/12/diy-painted-mugs-that-wont-wash-away.html

Great Article! 6 Ways to Preserve Your Priceless Pregnancy Memories

Great Article!  #popsugar

6 Ways to Preserve Your Priceless Pregnancy Memories

For the lucky ones, pregnancy is a nine-month journey filled with milestone moments, a radiant glow, and lots of excitement about the little one on the way. For others....
http://bit.ly/1jwqzoR

I Love To Share!

I Love To Share Resources! Personal growth is key in running your own business here is a .99cent offer from our friends at iBloom