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Celebrating Small Business Week: How to Use Social Media to Support Your Small Business

Celebrating Small Business Week: How to Use Social Media to Support Your Small Business

by | May 1, 2023 | Blog, Shop Local, social media marketing

One of my favorite weeks of the year is here — National Small Business Week!

It’s the perfect time to celebrate the contributions of small businesses to our economy and communities. As a small business owner, I know that marketing your business is critical for success, and social media marketing can be a powerful tool in your arsenal.

Social media is an ideal marketing channel for small businesses and, when done properly, social media marketing can make your business successful, whether you’re in the launch phase or a growth phase.

Here are some tips on how to use social media to support your small business:

1. Define your target audience: Before you start creating content, you need to know who you’re targeting. Defining your target audience by considering factors such as age, gender, interests, and location will help you create content that resonates with them.

2. Choose the right platforms: Not all social media platforms are created equal, and you don’t have to be in “all the places.” Pick the platform where your target audience spends time and focus your energy there.

3. Create a content strategy: Develop a content strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience. Create content that is relevant, engaging, and visually appealing. You can also use social media to share industry news, behind-the-scenes looks at your business, and special promotions.

4. Engage with your audience: Social media is a dialogue, not a monologue. Encourage your followers to engage with your content by asking questions, responding to comments, and running contests. Engaging with your audience can help build brand loyalty and create a sense of community.

5. Monitor your metrics: To ensure your social media efforts are paying off, track your metrics, such as likes, shares, comments, and followers. Use this information to optimize your strategy and makes changes as necessary. Remember: if you’re not measuring, you’re not marketing!

To wrap up, I want to share this quote from Amy Jo Martin, Founder of Digital Royalty: “Social media is the ultimate equalizer. It gives a voice and a platform to anyone willing to engage.” With that in mind, go forth and engage and watch your business grow!

Cheers!

~ Melanie

Your May 2023 Content Ideas Are Here!

Your May 2023 Content Ideas Are Here!

by | Apr 25, 2023 | Blog, content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing

Can you believe May is almost here?! 🌸 That means it’s time to get your social media content planned, and we’ve got you covered with some amazing content ideas for the upcoming month.

Monthly Themes

  • Small Business Month
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Skin Cancer Awareness Month
  • Global Employee Health & Fitness Month
  • Foster Care Awareness Month
  • National Strawberry Month
  • National Barbecue Month
  • International Business Image Improvement Month
  • National Revise Your Work Schedule Month

Find this information helpful? Please share this blog!

Weekly Themes

  • May 1-7: National Physical Education & Sports Week
  • May 2-6: National Building Safety Week
  • May 6-12: National Nurses Week
  • May 7-13: Teacher Appreciation Week
  • May 7-13: Public Service Recognition Week
  • May 7-13: National Pet Week
  • May 14-20: National Women’s Health Week
  • May 15-21: Bike to Work Week

Daily Themes

  • May 1: New Home Owners Day
  • May 2: National Foster Care Day
  • May 2: National Teacher Day
  • May 3: National Wordsmith Day
  • May 6 National Fitness Day
  • May 6: National Nurses Day
  • May 6: National Beverage Day
  • May 7: World Laughter Day
  • May 10: Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day
  • May 10: National Small Business Day
  • May 14: Mother’s Day
  • May 16: National BBQ Day
  • May 16: National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
  • May 17: National Employee Health & Fitness Day
  • May 19: National Bike to Work Day
  • May 20: Armed Forces Day
  • May 27: National Sunscreen Protection Day
  • May 29: Memorial Day

As a Constant Contact partner for nearly 10 years, we believe in the product and the results it provides to our clients. Get started with a free 60-day Constant Contact trial today. We know you’ll agree. Click here to get started.

Your March 2023 content planner is here

Your March 2023 content planner is here

by | Feb 16, 2023 | Blog, content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing

March 2023 is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about new and exciting content to engage your audience.  Use this infographic to help you get started!

 

March 2023 Content Infographic

As a Constant Contact partner for nearly 10 years, we believe in the product and the results it provides to our clients. Get started with a free 60-day Constant Contact trial today. We know you’ll agree. Click here to get started.

Summer Sea Glass Series

Summer Sea Glass Series

by | Feb 4, 2023 | Blog

September 3, 2021 Summer Sea Glass Series-Part 1

If you’ve ever heard me speak publicly, you’ve probably heard me mention my brand pillars. They are Gracie the Yorkie, my Family (because you can’t have your dog as a pillar and leave out everyone else you love), Sea Glass, and Red Shoes.

As summer comes to a close and we wrap up our beach vacations I wanted to share a series of stories about Sea Glass and how it became a pillar to my business.

It all started about 17 years ago. I was at Topsail Beach on a family vacation when I noticed bits of broken glass on the beach. It was various shades of green and brown and white. Some had a frosty appearance and softened edges, as if they’d tumbled around the ocean for weeks or months, perhaps years. Others had sharp edges and were quite clear, as if they had recently broken. They each had their own unique beauty and their own story.

Hunting for sea glass has become very fulfilling for me over the years. I might hit the beach for just an hour or two, and if I find even one piece, I consider it a victory. My husband and daughters who hunt with me often ask if the clear and sharp pieces need to be tossed back because they’re “not finished yet.” My answers vary.

Stay tuned each Friday in September as I share more about how I weave these natural treasures into my mindset, practices, and brand.

 

September 10, 2021 Summer Sea Glass Series-Post 2

Last month I spent a few days at Emerald Isle. My daughter found a few pieces of sea glass and handed them over to me. Some are clear and sharp and others are frosty and smooth. I kept all these pieces because they made me think about life and the people we meet.

People are like sea glass: all similar, yet all uniquely different: colors, shapes, sizes, ages, history; some decorative and others not. Some fresh and clear and sharp. Some experienced and soft and polished.

 

September 17, 2021 Summer Sea Glass Series-Part 3

Collecting sea glass has been a hobby of mine for many years. I spend time both alone and with my family combing the beach looking for these hidden gems.  As I sort through my treasures I can’t help but reflect on how the highly unique pieces of glass are a metaphor for the various people in our lives.

I’m blessed to have all manner of sea glass present in my life. My grandparents and parents are the polished, frosty sea glass, full of wisdom they’ve imparted to me over my lifetime. My daughters are the bright, shiny new bits of glass in my life: showing me new ways of thinking and seeing things differently. And my friends and colleagues are an incredibly beautiful mix of all the sea glass: offering inspiration, guidance, beauty, and motivation.

 

September 24, 2021 Summer Sea Glass Series- Part 4

My hobby of collecting sea glass throughout the years has allowed me to see a relationship between the various types of glass that washes up on shore and the parallel of the different types of people I have come across in life. 

This journey called life has many paths and lessons, and results too. Some of us have weathered the tumultuous waves of life and our edges have softened as we’ve tumbled about the sea. Some of us are in the early stages of our lives and careers, and the future looks so incredibly bright and exciting.

You will come across so many people in your personal and business life. Thinking about what they have weathered and been through in life will help bring perspective.

Better Business Resource Fair

Better Business Resource Fair

by | Nov 28, 2022 | Blog

The Better Business Resource Fair is bringing you the business resources you need to start or scale your business. It’s like a job fair, but for businesses. In a few hours, you can meet numerous business service providers, the majority of which provide no cost assistance. These organizations can help you with obtaining finances, managing and analyzing finances, business planning, digital marketing, industry analysis and so much more!

Mingle with like-minded entrepreneurs. Meet the business professionals that can assist your business. Get motivated and inspired to start or grow your business during this exciting 2-hour information and networking event.

This year’s Better Business Resource Fair will offer unique door prizes. Your event registration will automatically enter you in the door prize drawing. You must be present to win.

Door Prizes

$500 Cash Prize – Must be an operating business* Provided by NC IDEA *Proof of in-business status required

Business Legal Consultations (2) 60 Minutes Courtesy of Batts, Batts & Bell, LLP Voted Best Law Firms 2022 by U.S. News

ProfitCents Financial Analysis Provided by the SBTDC – Providing confidential management counseling since 1984

Chamber Membership (2) – Six Months or 50% Off for Existing Members Courtesy of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce

Accounting Consultation – 60 Minutes Provided by Overman & Parks, CPAs, PA

Private Marketing Consultations (3) 60 Minutes Each Courtesy of Clicksuasion Labs a Full Service Marketing Agency

Constant Contact Subscription, Full Access to Email Marketing Academy, and a Private Consultation Provided by Melanie & Co. Marketing Collective

One Year Chamber Membership Courtesy of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce

Industry Market Research Reports Provided by the SBTDC – Providing confidential management counseling since 1984

The Better Business Resource Fair was made possible through the support of NC IDEA and the participating business service providers.

Speaker(s): Exhibitors include: • Thread Capital • Institute Capital • Clicksuasion Labs • Small Business Center • Overman & Parks, CPAs • Partner Community Capital • NC Military Business Center • NC DOT Office of Civil Rights • Nashville Chamber of Commerce • Nash County Economic Development • Carolina Community Impact – kiva US • Melanie Diehl & Co. Marketing Collective • Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce • Carolina Small Business Development Fund • Purchasing Department, City of Rocky Mount • Small Business Administration, NC Triangle Office • Small Business & Technology Development Center • National Institute of Minority Economic Development • Small Business Advisors, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

Co-Sponsor(s): NC IDEA, Nash County Economic Development, and the Small Business & Technology Development Center. The Better Business Resource Fair is part of the Scale-Up Nash County! project that received support from NC IDEA. This event is open to the business community.

The Better Business Resource Fair will be held in Nash Community College’s Brown Auditorium Building (the main building facing Old Carriage Rd.). Room 4 is located to the left of the receptionist desk. Check out their website for more information. 

Social Media Marketing Tips July 2022

Social Media Marketing Tips July 2022

by | Jul 19, 2022 | Blog

Tip #1: 4 Ways to Educate Your Social Media Audience

Blogs; Podcasts; Live Videos, Quick Pre-Recorded Videos – Do you use any of these methods to educate your social media audience about yourself and/or your brand?

Tip #2: On Social Media Authenticity is Key

Being authentic will set you and your brand apart in this extremely competitive market.  Your followers want to see the real you!

Tip #3: Visit Other Blogs in Your Niche

One of the easiest ways to find new ideas is to look at other blogs that address similar subjects in your same area of expertise. What kinds of topics do they write about? Which ones get a lot of traffic? Do they all have something in common? If one post does really well, how can you spin it in a different direction?

Tip #4: Ask for Feedback and Share Customer Testimonials on Social Media

If you don’t already do so, it’s a good idea to ask your customers for their feedback or a review on your services/products. This will help you build up an understanding of how customers view your product and your business. Using this information, you can strive to make your customers even happier. Plus, you can share positive testimonials on your social pages!

Tip #5: Diversify Your Social Media Feeds

One of the ways to diversify is by sharing some behind the scenes content. Whether that’s what you did over the weekend, a family activity, or a community event you’re participating in, your followers will appreciate a mix of promotional and more down-to-earth content. Including a mix of personal content, promotional content, and inspirational content on your social channels can keep followers engaged, humanize your social pages, and make you more relatable.