Influencer Marketing: Finding the Best Influencer for Your Brand

You know what influencer marketing is and you’ve seen some great campaigns, but how do you get started? And how do you choose the right influencer not only for a campaign but for your brand as a whole? It’s not an easy task, but it certainly can be done using these tactics:

Influencer Demographic

Influencers can fall into different categories just like businesses do. Mavrck says there are four basic types of influencers: celebrities and YouTube stars, business executives and journalists, semi-professional bloggers, and everyday consumers. Each influencer demographic brings a different benefit to the table, whether it’s impressions, engagement, or conversions. Understand what each demographic brings to the table and define your goals. This will help you choose the type of influencer that will help you achieve those goals.

Set Goals For The Campaign

What do you want your influencer marketing to achieve? Are you looking to increase brand awareness? Or to reach a certain number of post views and other more qualitative benchmarks? Keep in mind that an influencer is going to be creating the content, so the qualitative measurements are going to be your goals, not theirs. Their goal is to create engaging content for their audience that is on brand and will bring them return as well.  

Relevance

Choose your influencer by how relevant their content is to the message or product you want to promote. Find influencers that match your brand and the products or services you provide. Form a relationship that is built to be mutually beneficial.

Check Post Frequency/Engagement

Once you’ve chosen some candidates, start seriously vetting them. Look at their follower counts, likes on posts, engagement from followers and engagement with their audience, as well as post frequency. Even if a page has a large amount of followers, if they only post once a month or less, they are not engaging their followers effectively, which will decrease your return. An influencer by definition should be posting frequently to prove their expertise. Generally across the board there are ideal frequencies to follow for peak social media success. Find an influencer that best fits your brand and is taking the right steps for success.

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2017 Tech Roundup

Nintendo Switch

Gaming giant Nintendo’s newest console the Nintendo Switch is a system that adapts to almost any type of play. Designed for both portable use and home use, the Switch was launched in March 2016, along with the highly anticipated game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. The Switch comes with what is called “Joy-Con” for flexible gameplay. See this adaptable console in action in this video. After the Switch’s launch, there have been 2.74 million units sold worldwide.

Samsung Galaxy S8 (and Galaxy S8+)

After the fiery demise of the Note 7, Samsung needed to release a phone that will make consumers forget the past and focus on the future. The Galaxy S8 does exactly that. With an aptly named “Infinity Screen” the display on these phones is huge, clear and refined. Available for around $750 for the S8 and $850 for the S8+, these phones are pricey, but there is enough excitement surrounding them, that many are calling it one of the best on the market. Boasting a great battery life, camera and build, it’s no wonder people are excited for this highly anticipated smartphone.

Microsoft Surface Laptop

Launched May 2, the Surface Laptop is the newest product in Microsoft’s Surface product line. However, rather than the past Surface devices, this is a laptop, pure and simple. No detachable keyboard and tablet construction. But the best parts of Surface devices past are still around. The responsive touchscreen, a fabric alcantara keyboard, and Surface Pen compatibility. Running on the all new Windows 10S operating system, this new laptop is a high powered and beautiful device.  

Apple Rumors

Apple will be releasing multiple new items this year, including new iMacs, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, Apple TV, and maybe most anticipated the iPhone 8. There are currently no set dates for release, but there is a great deal of speculation over what each of these products will do, look like, and even more. Check out Macworld’s full list of update speculations.

Keep checking in for more tech news and updates.

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5 Steps To Land Your Job Using Social Media

Social media is no longer the space of selfies and like counts. Social media has now infused itself into everyday life, even in the professional world. Today finding a job, changing careers or even starting a business can happen on social media. Here are 5 steps to getting hired via social media!

Your Social Brand
Just like prepping for an interview or sprucing up your resume, that same preparation needs to be placed in social branding. Find a clear, personable and professional voice. Create a presence that showcases your true self, but… in a light that is most appealing to potential employers.

Interact Online
After creating your persona it’s time to participate. Research your intended market and get involved in conversations that include the industry and those already working in it.

Job Search
After, and while continuing to participate in relevant conversations start your job search. Nearly all companies these days involve social media at least in some part in their hiring process. Be it via LinkedIn, Facebook’s new application portal, or even answering cold calls over Twitter start applying across the board.

Make Connections
Social media is also a quick and efficient way of networking. Reach out directly to those you’ve met in real life or via the internet in a personal yet professional way. Thanks to social media converting connections into relationships has become as simple as sliding into someone’s direct messages.

Real Life Transition
Lastly, all of the social media expertise won’t do any good if those skills don’t translate into real life. Be sure to continue honing skills such as well done resume and well prepared interviews.

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20 Inspiring Quotes For Entrepreneurs

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” Teddy Roosevelt

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Vince Lombardi

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” Mark Twain

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”  Walt Disney

“For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Waiting for a good time to quit your job? The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you, but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.” Tim Ferriss

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” Jerry Rice

“Everyone has ideas. They may be too busy or lack the confidence or technical ability to carry them out. But I want to carry them out. It is a matter of getting up and doing it.” James Dyson

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you’ll do things differently.” Warren Buffett

“Do or do not. There is no try.” Yoda [Star Wars]

“Done is better than perfect.” Sheryl Sandberg

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Chinese proverb

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Henry Ford

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” Mark Zuckerberg

“When you first start off trying to solve a problem, the first solutions you come up with are very complex, and most people stop there. But if you keep going, and live with the problem and peel more layers of the onion off, you can often times arrive at some very elegant and simple solutions. Most people just don’t put in the time or energy to get there.” Steve Jobs

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

“What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.” Bob Dylan

“If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.” Zig Ziglar

“Whatever you do, be different—that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” Anita Roddick

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The Best Conferences to Attend in 2017: Tech, Marketing and Business

TechCrunch Disrupt NYC May 15th to 18th

Ideal for startups, TechCrunch Disrupt is for innovators, investors, tech fans and everyone in between, unveiling the latest in technology and key industry innovations. The Startup Battlefield puts early stage startups together to compete for the Disrupt Cup, cash prizes and the attention of investors.

World Business Forum May 31st to June 1st

Held in Sydney, Australia, the World Business Forum will host speakers including Arianna Huffington and promotes a “state of permanent beta”. Introducing new technologies and strategies is key to living in this state, and this conference empowers entrepreneurs, business owners and more to learn how to see new opportunities, use new tools and strategies and thrive with these changes.

Next Gen Summit June 2nd to June 4th

Specifically for the younger crowd of entrepreneurs, influencers and more, the Next Gen Summit was built for young minds by young minds in the entrepreneurial world. If you fit the bill for this niche opportunity, this conference in  New York City will be the place to be.

Confab Central June 7th to 9th

Minneapolis will hold the Confab conference for content strategy this June. Workshops, higher ed programming and great networking events for teams or individuals. With a focus on content strategy there are talks centered on UX, marketing, communications and more.

BlogHer June 22nd to June 24th

A conference specifically  for female content creators (bloggers, marketers, social media influencers etc.) this event is being held in Orlando, and  invites the fans, brands and other content creators to meet, collaborate and get inspired through networking with other attendees, workshops, and keynote speakers.

Summit November 3rd to November 6th

This invite only event in Los Angeles connects leaders in nearly every space, from technology to arts and culture, hosting thoughtful, well-rounded and meaningful discussion about the world we are living in. Keynote speakers at Summit 2017 include Kobe Bryant, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, CNN’s Van Jones, Jane Fonda, Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings and more. This impressive lineup of great minds will replace the Summit-at-Sea conference cruise.

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7 Tips For Time Management

Time management: The ability to use one’s time effectively or productively, especially at work.
We might all know what time management means by definition, but still can’t seem to implement it in our day to day lives. These seven tips give you concrete advice on how to manage your time like a pro!

Declutter
Make a plan. Start small. Take breaks. Decluttering doesn’t have to be done all at once. Feel free to take your time and work your way up. Take it a desk drawer, or shoebox at a time.

Stay Organized
This is a two-pronged approach. Getting organized and then staying organized. Always easier said than done, but it can be done. Recognize that it’s an ongoing continuum and keep at it.

Prioritize
List out all tasks and obligations and rank them. Be it by time restrictions, career demands, or personal goals, knowing what and when things need to be done is key. Create a calendar and work your way through tasks in order of priority.

Plan
Plan. Plan. Stick with the plan. Having a plan doesn’t mean you have to stick to it on every detail. Having a plan gives you the ability to break down your time in segments, allowing you to track the things that are done, in progress and yet to be completed. It gives you to opportunity properly prepare for things down the pipeline and gives the small victory of being able to check things off as they are completed.

Be Effective
Life and work aren’t a race. Being the most efficient is overrated, strive for being the most effective. It’s not about how many singular tasks get finished, although that is important, it’s about how much progress has been made to meet goals you’ve set for yourself. Quality over quantity, but quantity is still important.

Stop Procrastinating
We have all fallen victim to putting things off, especially those things we deem difficult or time-consuming. Avoid this trap at all costs. Start tasks as soon as you need to. Consult your plan, make sure to stick with it, taking breaks if you need to. Just start!

Finish The Job
Starting and never finishing tasks is a killer of great time management. Unfinished tasks can quickly pile up, and sometimes even impede the process of other tasks and projects. All started tasks need to be completed unless canceled altogether.

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5 Rules of Social Media

Every marketer has their own set of rules they live by for managing their social media presence. Maintaining strong and relevant social media can be difficult, but keeping these rules in mind as you move forward and develop your social strategy will ensure that you continue to grow your audience and influence.

1. Create Meaningful Content

Your content will be what engages and draws in your audience, so make sure that it is not only relevant but impressive as well. Using multiple types of content has proven to be the most effective strategy for many. Video, text, photos and infographics are all going to diversify what your profile looks like to your audience. In fact, posting different types of content can even grow your online reach and audience engagement.

2. Reach Out To Influencers

If traditional marketing efforts are not working as well as you may hope, or if things are working well but you’d like to continue to modify your strategy to be the most effective it can be, influencer marketing may be the next step. Influencers can validate your content, add their insights and grow your audience by exposing their own followers to your content and directing them back to your pages.

3. Build Relationships With Followers

If you have followers that leave you messages or comments, engage with them to get to the bottom of what you are doing right or what you can be doing better. From these relationships you can garner a better idea of who your followers are, what they want to see and how you can make the experience of your content more attractive to viewers. Companies that engage with their customer base have improved customer loyalty, simply because they are viewed as being more customer focused.

4. Post Consistently

You will notice that on pages with high engagement, reach and popularity, posts happen on a consistent basis. This is especially important when you are first starting out, as people that are finding your pages will expect there to be content, and for the content to appear on at least a semi-regular basis. If you are only posting once a quarter you are not allowing social to be used to it’s full potential. Ideal post frequencies can be found here.

5. Double Check Before Posting

Make sure that your content is accurate, doesn’t represent false facts and doesn’t act against the stance that you are trying to present. Double checking this is as important as double checking your spelling and grammar. One misstep can land you in the news and not for the reasons you would like. Besides maintaining professionalism, making sure your content won’t hurt you rather than help you is very important.

Social media is a great tool for your business, but there are absolutely right and wrong ways to go about how you use social platforms to grow and communicate. Use it the right way and you increase influence, grow your business, and have better and more personal customer/client relationships. Use it the wrong way and you can end up with a profile that gets no engagement, reaches none of your customers, and doesn’t move your business forward.

What social media rules do you and your business follow to reach optimum success levels?

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7 Hacks To Becoming Instagram Famous

Instagram is undeniably one of the largest social media platforms in the world. With some of the highest returns on engagement and reach,  having a strong Instagram page can be a game changer for brands and businesses. Here are a few hacks on how to get an influential account.

Develop A Unique Instagram Style

One of the biggest difficulties is being to find your specific niche. Standing out on in a sea of Starbucks unicorn frappuccinos and scenic sunsets isn’t the easiest, but try. Be fresh, be fun, be you!

Descriptive Captions

Long detailed and well written captions highly increase engagement. Storytelling is an art, and coupled with great photos it has given brands like @NatGeo and @HumansOfNY a cutting edge. This won’t work for all brands but for those with a strong and definitive voice this could be the added boost.

Creative Hashtagging

Twitter might have popularized hashtags but Instagram has taken it to the next level. Each picture should have a mix of both broad and specific hashtags to generate the most reach. Take those specific hashtags created for you or your business and promote them as you would your tagline. Have hashtags on your website, social media bio etc, make them a part of your brand.

Bio URL

Instagram has only ONE coveted direct link on its entire page and it can be found in the bio. Where do you want your followers and potential customers to go? What do you want them to do? Feel free to change the link often to see what works best and to add variety.

Participate in Relevant Conversations

You don’t have to keep up with all the new dance moves and new unicorn trends, but keeping up with industry specific news is important. Keeping up with trends can get a bit exhausting, but a little extra snooping can lead to free PR by riding the coattails of a viral new trend!

Get Local

Making a big splash is easiest in small ponds. Reach out to local businesses, creatives, and markets. Networking with local industry professionals is great for marketing, making connections and gaining clout!

Influencer Marketing

Last but not least let’s not forget the latest and biggest marketing trend, influencer marketing. It’s one of the easiest and most targeted ways to reach your audience. Find Instagramers that have influence in specific demographics you’re looking to reach and let them do the work for you!

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How To Make Money Using Social Media

Having a social media presence is no longer something used just to connect with friends and family. In fact, many people are using social media to make money, both as individuals and for business purposes. This post contains ideas that can help you get started making the most of your social media profiles.

Sponsorships

A sponsorship is when a brand pays you for the association of their product or service with you. Generally sponsored posts will be coming from social media influencers, so seeing the Kardashians posting on Instagram about beauty products, or golfer Jordan Spieth posting about products from Under Armour (Spieth has a 10-year long contract with the brand) is not uncommon, nor is it an out of reach goal for other influencers.

Advertisements

Different from a sponsorship, advertisements are a similar promotion of a product or service on your profile, but are generally not a main focus for your post. These appear as either video ads or as banner ads, on YouTube and other video platforms, and can even be embedded into your website. There are rarely long term relationships between where the ads come from and the influencer.

Product Promotions

If you’re a business you can use social media as a platform to sell your products or to garner interest and grow a following that will reroute traffic to your website or store  to purchase your products. This can also work for promoting services, a useful tactic for hair stylists, makeup artists, interior designers and more. Show your chops to your followers and start to see appointment times fill up.

YouTube Partner Program

The YouTube Partner Program pairs channels with advertisers to put video and banner ads on the video. All content creators can apply to join the program, but in order to qualify for review your channel must reach 10,000 public views. See more guidelines here.

Amazon Affiliate Program

Partner for free with giant online retailer Amazon and advertise products on your website without needing third party approvals. You can then earn up to 10%in advertising fees on qualifying purchases. Learn more here.

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