In June 2012, Instagram – the photo sharing app Facebook bought for $1 Billion (yep, you read that right...one billion dollars!) – introduced video functionality. This new function allows users to record up to 15 seconds of editable video. There are filters to give each video a different look, as you can for photos, and then voila! User cans instantly share their videos with their Instagram followers and on Facebook.

Instagram videos are the latest way for businesses to engage with fans, other than with posting static images. If your fans follow you on Facebook, they can see your Instagram feed via a tab on your Facebook business page (if you need help installing it, just holler!).

If you're thinking Instagram is a good fit for promoting your small business, here's my 3 top tips for making it worthwhile.

1. Showcase You Product. If you're a product based brand or retailer, use Instagram videos to feature your products in a unique way or even launch new product offerings or upcoming sales. People like to get information about the very latest products and trends and Instagram is an opportunity to put your products in front of them instantly.

2. Be Engaging. You only have 15 seconds so your video needs to pull people in! The visuals and music of your video should reflect your brand culture. If you're a surf brand retailer, use short sharp product snaps blended with a surfing action shot set to the kind of cult music popular on the surfing scene. If you're a beauty therapist, you could try a montage of wellness images or pics of your products and treatments with the soothing sounds of the ocean or rainforest. Always start and end your videos with a clear branding message including your company logo. Be creative! And if nothing else, be entertaining, like this cute video from US email marketing giant Mail Chimp.

3. Provide Value Through Instruction. Videos that show step-by-step "how to's" can motivate people in to action! When someone is motivated to try something because of your video – that's how your brand or small business gets remembered. And hopefully "shared".

Author: Jody Sharpe, Sharpe Design Solutions

There’s no denying “social media marketing” are the buzz words of twenty thirteen. Social media has changed the way small businesses communicate with customers and market their products and services – it allows businesses to interact with customers in a more personal way to build customer relationships.

Many small businesses think they can whip up a Facebook page and sales with soar. Unfortunately that's not quite true. Social media should be carefully planned with a focus on building relationships rather than blasting customers with marketing messages and sales pitches to build trust and customer loyalty.

You might also think your business needs to push every App button out there: Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr … the list goes on. Also not true. So what is the best way forward? Here are my top tips:

1. Plan Your Social Media Marketing Strategy
Create a clear plan and stick to it. Outline your goals and objectives. Of course you can use social media for ad-hoc promotion but real success comes when you have a clear plan and implement it consistently to build customer loyalty. Your strategy should be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.

2. Find Your Customers
Start with your existing customers. Find out what social sites they frequent and get value from and focus your energies there. You might think most interest will come from Facebook and Twitter, but your customers might favour forums and blogs.

3. Schedule Social Time
Small business owners need to understand that using social media for marketing is a time-consuming task due to the need for it to be consistent, frequent and monitored. Many small businesses are finding it more cost effective and productive to use a Social Media Marketing Agency [like Sharpe Design Solutions of course!] thus allowing them to focus on the day-to-day operation of their business.

4. Create Content
The kind of content you create is determined by the goals you determined in your strategy. If you’re looking to attract new customers, position yourself as an expert in your field. Find out what forums your customers are on and join – offer answers to questions and solutions to problems. Help your prospects solve their business problems by becoming a trusted resource by way of your own blog post, webinar or eBook.

Are you looking to streamline customer service and reduce costs? You can publish social FAQs as blog posts or post tutorial videos via a YouTube link.

5. Be Honest and Human
People are more likely to create relationships with other people more so than with businesses. So when creating content for your social media strategy, use a "human" voice -- not a corporate presence -- to connect in social spaces. 

6. Respond
Show customers that you are a "reliable friend" – stay active and participate in all conversations related to your company or area of expertise. If you see new questions or comments, be sure to answer immediately. A great way to "be social" is by asking questions back to the customers to keep the conversation going.

7. Add Value
People need to find value in their interactions to stay connected. Don’t make your social network just about sales and specials, but there’s nothing wrong with making your fans and friends feel special with a an offer just for them. Remember; promotions are an instant call-to-action, and while you may have short term success it doesn't mean you will attract quality social customers. Instead of one-off deals or coupons you can try a rewards program where only your best social customers qualify for the reward.

There are so many more tips and experiences for me to share, so stay posted! Until then, feel free to browse my website: www.sharpedesignsolutions.com.au and get social with me and "LIKE" my Facebook page. 


Author: Jody Sharpe, Sharpe Design Solutions

My clients often ask me about social media marketing. After all, that’s what I do and what I’m passionate about! Most of them want to know how to ‘get more’ from their Facebook page.  And I’m absolutely 100% on board. I think it’s pretty clear that I love Facebook and other social media platforms [more on this in a later blog]! But as an online marketing specialist I always ask my clients FIRST: “are you 100% happy with your website?” The answer is often “um, I think so”.

Well I think it’s important to “know so!” Your website is the heartbeat of your online marketing strategy. Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, can enhance your online presence – but it’s your website that is the centre of it all.

Having a beautiful looking website that is easy to navigate and that serves as a functional and effective portal for showcasing your product or service is imperative. A website is a digital advertisement and company portfolio that is available online anytime your existing or prospective customers want to know more about you and why they should do business with you.

And even though there are a lot of DIY website building sites out there that allow anyone with a smidge of “desktop publishing” skill to whip up something pretty… will anyone be able to find it online?

This is where I need to mention that phrase that is now a buzz word in it’s own right – SEO.

Anyone can whip up a website, but if you don’t understand Search Engine Optimisation, your website can get lost in the ether.

The moral to the story is this: don’t rush in to creating a website thinking you’re saving yourself money by taking the DIY option.

If you want to have a successful online marketing strategy, you need to start by ensuring your website is not only pretty, but also functional and has all that “back engine” stuff in place too.

“Plan first and implement second” has always been my motto. So when considering a website, consider consulting with Sharpe Design Solutions to map out your site, including structure, flow, content, keywords, page titles, meta tags, links, blogs, etc.

So, If you just read that last sentence and are thinking “um, I’ve made a pretty page but I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about [lol]” then maybe you should give me a call on 02 4333 6274 or email: jody@sharpedesignsolutions.com.au.


Author: Jody Sharpe, Sharpe Design Solutions

When I first started in the marketing & advertising industry and founded Sharpe Design Solutions back in 1997, the logo was King! “Graphic design” was all about creating a logo or icon to put on your business card.

Fast forward 16 years and the logo is still King, but we now know that it is so much more... it is a crucial part of a much bigger picture – “branding”.

Simply put: branding is the overall image of a company.  But what does it really mean? It means creating a look, feel and emotion for your company and using it consistently across all your marketing efforts. From the humble business card and letterhead, to all your online marketing channels including your website, Facebook business page, email campaign and so on.

In today’s time poor culture, we only have a few seconds to make a great impression. So it is essential to consistently promote your corporate image across all your marketing efforts … everything you do, everything you own and everything you produce should represent your businesses values and goals and over time, your business will become easily recognisable. 

Author: Jody Sharpe, Sharpe Design Solutions