The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Dedicated Social Media Team

The popularization of social media may be less than twenty years old, but it’s not going away any time soon, if anything, it’s only ramping up. Regardless of whether you personally use (or like) social media, the reality is that a good majority of people visit a company’s social media before they visit their website. That being the case, it’s hard to be seen as a credible business without a social media presence.

The decision then becomes whether you want to take full ownership of your social media, hire a consulting strategist, or hire a team that covers content creation, posting, engagement, and analysis. 

Anyone can post to social media, but as a business you want it to work for you.  Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if a designated social media team is right for you.

PRO: Content Creation

Sharing other people’s posts (while easy) is not enhancing your brand. To take full advantage of social media, you need original images, videos, reels, and more.  Creating that content takes time. If you’re managing all your own social media that’s a lot of time that could be spent growing your business using your area of expertise. Plus, if you’re not a visual graphics person, the content that a designated team creates is nearly always more pleasing to the eye.

CON: Losing Your Voice

Some people are passionate about engaging with customers directly in their own style and voice. You can certainly coach your social media team on this, but it’s not always the same.  If engaging directly is a major priority for you and you have the bandwidth to keep up with all your platforms (with the optimum frequency), then managing on your own may be the best choice. Just remember, you should be posting a minimum of 4-7 times a week on all your platforms. 

PRO: Analysis

What is working? What isn’t? When should I be posting? When should I be posting on each platform? What is my reach? What are my impressions?  What even are impressions? Why am I doing so well on Facebook and not on Twitter? Am I going crazy, or did I wake up and Instagram changed its whole darn set up??? ALL these questions come off your shoulders and move to your social media team.  When you’re managing your own social media, you have access to metrics, but are you looking at them and understanding them?  If so, are you changing your social media tactics to set you up for success? All of this is one of the biggest reasons to hire a team.  They spend every day creating content, studying metrics, and strategically planning so you don’t have to. 

PRO: Keeping on Trend

Social Media trends come in waves, and as Briana said at 2021 ICON in August, it’s about riding the wave until you can catch the next one at just the right moment.  When you’re not a social media devotee, it’s hard to truly understand the trends, their mechanics, and create the appropriate strategy on the fly.  If social media doesn’t feel inherent to you, it’s likely that by the time you get a grip on the new hot trend, a newer and hotter one will have already come along.

CON: It costs money.

An automated system can only get you so far.  Having custom content and a creative mind behind your strategy is a skill that social media professionals have carefully honed. These are the people who get up early and go to bed late to ensure they’ve made the most of the day’s opportunities for you.  And yes, that is not always cheap. 

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Give your business some love, and it will return the favour

The New Year always has a lot of energy, but it usually wears off quickly. So, let's keep the ball rolling. We'll look at personal resolutions and goals that you want to achieve. But what about your company's New Year's resolutions/goals? Are you providing your business with the care and attention it requires to thrive?

You will receive out of business, as with anything else in life, what you put into it. When you show your business that you care, it will reciprocate. Here are eight suggestions for showing your small business some much-needed love in 2020...and for many years to come!

1. Make Connections:

As a business owner, you must understand that cultivating the appropriate relationships is crucial to your company's success. You never know what a chance encounter could lead to for your business. Make new relationships by speaking with one new person each day and remembering to hand out your business card!

2. Have a daily to-do list:

Having a daily plan of action is essential to nurturing your business. What's on your to-do list, and how do you prepare yourself for the day? Keeping a physical list with items you can readily check off will help you stay on top of your duties and progress toward your long-term goals.

3. Think bigger picture:

In ten years, where do you want to be? When things go wrong in the short term, having a firm long-term goal might help decrease everyday anxiety. Remember that solving short-term challenges will assist you in piecing together the larger picture.

4. Try new initiatives:

Experiment with new concepts that you're not sure will work. Don't be scared to make mistakes, whether it's with a new marketing investment or a sales approach. Even if it's a far shot, go for it! Failing is a part of learning, and you won't learn unless you try. All successful people take risks...be brave!

5. Set short-term targets:

You may have a vision of being a $1 million firm in the future, but what are the measures you can take now to get there? What strategy will you use to reach your first million? How will you deal with day-to-day challenges or present staff issues? I recommend keeping a notebook to keep track of your daily, weekly, and monthly goals in order to stay on track with your long-term goals.

6. Find a mentor:

Keep in mind that you are not required to do this on your own. Find a mentor or coach who has walked in your footsteps and can offer you advice and direction. What other business leaders do you admire? If you don't know anyone, contact your local small business bureau; they almost usually have volunteer mentors who can help. Coaching resources can be available right here on www.ewomennetwork.com as well!

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Seven Ways an Unhealed Betrayal is Impacting Your Business

 While it’s common to think that the betrayal of a family member, partner, friend or coworker impacts us personally, here are seven ways an unhealed betrayal is impacting your business:   

1. Confidence- A betrayal shatters our confidence. One minute we can feel safe and secure, then a painful discovery of betrayal can shatter that sense of safety in an instant. Think about how that impacts your business. If confidence is shattered, how comfortable are you asking for the sale, asking for the raise, introducing yourself at a networking event, or making that call to someone you’re hoping to collaborate with? Confidence is crucial in business and without it, it’s extremely challenging to convey your message in the way you want it to come across.

2. Health- An unhealed betrayal dramatically impacts your health and level of energy. Once the stress response is ignited from this type of pain, you’re headed for just about every stress-related symptom, condition, illness, even disease. Some of the most common symptoms left in the wake of a betrayal? Digestive issues, extreme exhaustion, brain fog, mental confusion, insomnia, anxiety, sadness, anger, and depression…to name a few. Managing these symptoms, while managing your business (in addition to other responsibilities you may have such as raising children, running a household, taking care of elderly parents, etc.) can make running a thriving business near impossible.

3. Body- One of the most common physical symptoms of an unhealed betrayal is weight changes. Immediately after the painful discovery of betrayal from a family member, partner, friend, or coworker, for example, it may be impossible to keep food down. Soon after, it’s extremely common to use food as a way to soothe, calm, numb, and relax as a way to self-medicate from the pain betrayal can cause. The stress alone can drive fat storage-particularly around your mid-section. So, think about doing videos, speaking, networking, or any other aspect of your business that requires you to be seen. Not feeling comfortable in your own skin means you’re not putting yourself out there the way you need to and is affecting the number of people who know about you and what you do.

4. Self-esteem- A betrayal shatters our self-esteem along with our sense of worthiness. Because betrayal feels so intentional, we take it so personally, so this direct hit has us questioning our very worth. Now imagine how that impacts your business. If you don’t feel a profound sense of worthiness; it shows in the way you speak and communicate who you are and what you do. And, if you don’t believe in yourself, how can anyone else? This directly impacts how many people are convinced that who you are and what you do will help them in the way they need. Without your own conviction, how can anyone else feel convinced you can help them?

5. Ability to trust- One of the most profound implications of a betrayal is the shattering of trust. After we’ve been betrayed, we don’t trust in others and we hardly trust ourselves. We question ourselves asking: “How did I not know this?” “How could I be so blind?” “How did I not see this coming?” When we don’t trust ourselves, we don’t trust our decisions or our own judgment. This makes it challenging to know if we’re making healthy or unhealthy business decisions. We also lose our trust in others so we’re afraid to be a team player, do joint venture and collaborative projects as we question: “If the person I trusted the most proved untrustworthy, how can I trust someone I don’t know nearly as well?”

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7 Wonder Woman Lessons Every Business Woman Should Know

 Are you planning on making 2020 the year to beat the odds and unveil the strength you didn’t know you had within you? Now that you’ve taken the leap to start your own business, start working on building the confidence you need to become much more than a business woman. 

Even if you’re not a comic enthusiast, chances are you at least have an idea of who Wonder Woman is. In case you’ve managed to somehow not see, hear or read anything about this fictional character created by William Moulton Marston back in the 1940s, here are a few lines inspired by the adventures of Diana Prince –Princess Diana’s human alter-ego–. Once you’re done reading them, you’ll see it’s not that hard for you to turn into a real-life Wonder Woman. 

Do you intend to make 2020 the year you defy the odds and discover the strength you didn't know you possessed? Start working on developing the confidence you'll need to become much more than a businesswoman now that you've taken the jump to start your own company.

Even if you're not a comic book fan, you've probably heard of Wonder Woman. Here are a few lines inspired by the exploits of Diana Prince –Princess Diana's human alter-ego– in case you haven't seen, heard, or read anything about this fictional character developed by William Moulton Marston back in the 1940s. After you've finished reading them, you'll discover that being a real-life Wonder Woman isn't that difficult.

A world of wonder is waiting… 

1. Cultivate Your Talent:

Diana didn't realize her full potential as a child, but she had an intuitive sense that she was powerful. She diligently trained with the Amazons, intelligent, strong women who taught her art, martial skills, and history year after year. It's fantastic if your firm is already up and running; keep moving forward with constant knowledge on your side. Smart people understand that in the business world, there is always something new to learn, especially in these fast-paced times.

If you're launching a business, on the other hand, focus on both your craft or product and your brand to achieve the best outcomes.

You must provide your company a solid image in addition to having something amazing to offer and the desire to succeed. To establish a brand that people can recognize and remember, you must take yourself seriously as an entrepreneur. To begin, you should design a logo that is appealing, memorable, and meaningful.

2. Master Self-Discipline:

Diana Prince is trained to get up early and practice for battle from a very young age. Women entrepreneurs need discipline to expand their businesses and keep their wits sharp. Make an attempt to set particular schedules if you aren't extremely organized.

3. Explore the Unknown:

Despite the fact that the picturesque island of Themys cira had been her entire life, Diana was never afraid to embark on an adventure for the greater good. It's the same when it comes to building a successful business; there's no room for fear! Step outside your comfort zone and try new things; after all, it's your business, and you have complete control over the route it takes, for better or worse.

Believe me when I say that becoming your own boss is not the time to be bashful about it, to play it safe, and to ponder about all the what-ifs. Attend networking events, meet new people, sit and converse with a random stranger (in a safe environment, of course) and hand out your business card.

If you don’t have one already, use a business card mockup to see how it would look like before printing it out. Try different colors and designs to get a business card you feel proud of. 

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The Best Soft Perks to Attract & Retain Your Dream Team

Every entrepreneur is different. Some have staffs of twenty, others have a staff of two.  Some work exclusively with contractors, others have a mix of dedicated employees. 

How you create your team is all about what works for your specific needs and goals. But whether it be an assistant, graphic designer, or CPA, you want the right people on your team. And furthermore, you want them to stay on your team. High turnover and re-training are expensive time wasters.  If you want to grow your business, you need to focus on what only you can do and consider outsourcing the tasks that eat up your valuable time. 

So how do you attract and retain the right team?  The obvious answer is higher pay and great benefits. But what happens when the job you need to fill is essential, but not so essential that it’s worth tacking on extra zeros?  Or what if the position does call for an extra zero, but they’re so in demand that you must compete with more established businesses when bringing in quality talent? 

You don’t have to break the bank to be a desirable place to work.  As many employees begin to poke their heads out of their home offices in a (somewhat) post-pandemic world, studies are showing that soft perks are a deciding factor for many people. 

Here are some soft perks to keep in mind when looking to enhance the workplace for your current team or searching for new talent to bring in:  

Flexible Schedules

I know some people cringe when they see this but hear me out: not all jobs make sense to have a Monday-Friday/9-5 schedule.  Some do, but many don’t. If you’re clear on due dates and recurring required meetings, there are plenty of positions that can give you exactly what you need, while the employee reaps the benefits of a flexible schedule. 

Work From Home Options

If there’s anything that the last (nearly) two years have taught us, it’s that being in the office doesn’t always equate to productivity.  If you’re hesitant about going entirely remote, work from home Fridays are gaining popularity and are a nice break from commuting for employees, however infrequent.

Pet-Friendly Environments

Pet adoption went way up at the height of the pandemic and many people are searching exclusively for work from home gigs so their new fur babies won’t be alone.  When I was job hunting, that was one of the soft perks I was not only looking for, but would have been willing to take a pay cut for. Not everyone has the capability, but if you do, consider it (with the appropriate disclaimer about training/temperament, of course). 

PTO for Volunteering

Paid Time Off can be an expensive thing to offer, especially when businesses are just starting out.  But if you have a passion for giving back, or if you partner with any local non-profits that align with your mission, offering PTO for volunteer hours is a great way to give back to the community and break up the monotony of the work week for your team!

Work Within the Local School Schedule

Childcare is pricey, and even when the school year begins, afterschool programs eat up a big chunk of parent paychecks.  If most of your clientele is local, consider adjusting select employee work hours to match the local school schedule. And if you want to go further, look at those teacher workdays when children have off, and see if there’s any wiggle room for employees to take those days off and reallocate the hours to your busiest time of the year when you need extra help. 

Know Their Availability and Respect It

Work-life balance comes up a lot in conversation. We all seem to agree it’s important, but often forget about that when we need something in the moment.  Of course, there are jobs and entire industries where it’s expected to be on-call at all hours, but when trying to retain and attract quality people, it’s worth mulling over whether you’re honestly paying enough to warrant staff answering your calls at 11pm on a Saturday.  You might say “they’re a hard worker and never complain, so I’m sure it’s fine”, but let’s remind ourselves that not everyone feels comfortable setting boundaries with their boss. Even if you think you’re the coolest boss ever, you might be more intimidating than you realize.  We work to live, not live to work.  eWN is a great example.  We’re told up front that two times a year, it’s all hands on deck.  Long hours, weekend work, etc. Aside from those two times of year however, we don’t get calls or texts outside of business hours.  We’re very rarely asked to stay late or come in on a day off.  Our time is respected and leaving on time for the day is not frowned upon, it’s expected.

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Growth strategies for successful business owners | Ewomen Network

As our businesses expand, we receive a lot of noise, and our days fill up with increasing "busyness" rather than growing our enterprises. We may use the last few days/weeks of any month, season, or year to plan out how we want to show up next in our businesses and in our lives. Our future business growth will be delayed if we do not begin to rid the business of "busyness." We have junk in our email, voicemail, calendar, files, and eventually our bank accounts, just like we have clutter in our closets and on our desks. For the sake of this debate, clutter is defined as anything that causes information overload and hidden recurring drains on our time and money, such as time-sucking distractions, cash withdrawals from bank accounts, or automatic credit card purchases.

My advice is to take tiny, manageable efforts to lessen "busyness."

The Rule of 30 in 3 Schedule 30-minute time blocks on your calendar for checking email and unsubscribing from superfluous newsletters at least three times a week to clean your inbox and quiet your mind. According to studies, having a clear email inbox reduces stress, allows for more creative thinking, and boosts overall productivity. Another rule for this duration is to set your phone and computer notifications to "do not disturb" during this 30-minute period.

Make a list or spreadsheet of all the services, subscriptions and networking groups you use, how much they cost and the renewal dates. Use one of your 30-minute time blocks to assess the impact of each of your businesses and/or your life. Focus on quality versus quantity – declutter your resources and increase your cash balances. This can also become a practice in how to say “NO” to friends and family who may be selling subscription-style services, you know the ones that become those monthly annoyances that you are afraid to stop for fear of offending the salesperson? Yes, those. Chances are they have already forgotten about the sale and won’t notice you’ve stopped the automatic renewals. One client who implemented this tool saved $20,000 in a twelve-month period. You will be surprised at how many little purchases add up to a significant impact on your business. You can make this a game to see how much you can save and perhaps use that money to fund your next vacation or business investment.

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Does Content-Based Web Design Leads to Better SEO for Business?

If you are a business owner, then one of the most important things for you to do would be to have a utility-based business website, but, it also needs to have a great design. Your business website is going to be the leading platform in the digital space. All your customers, along with random visitors, will learn about the business through the website. As a business owner, it is very important for you to create a strong online presence for your company. In addition to creating the website, it is also crucial for you to optimize the website for various search engines. Content-based web design can help you achieve this. In this article, you will learn more about creating a content-focused web design for a more effective search engine optimization.

What is the relationship between web design and SEO processes

Search engines are constantly changing their algorithms and evolving depending upon new technological developments. When you want to design a new website for your business, you would have to recognize how much impact a good web design can have on your SEO. The web design will, of course, have to be more function with a beautiful user interface as it will help in getting your web pages more organic traffic. This is also one of the most crucial aspects of the search engine optimization process.

Essential questions you should ask yourself as you start to design a business website: 

What would you like your business website to function as?

How can more people locate the business website you have set up?

Once you have decided on the main purpose of the business website, then you would need to try and find ways of drawing new customers. This would mean, of course, that you would be dependent on the search engines more than ever because that is the only way new people will locate your website. Hence it is important for you to utilize all available options to improve the search engine optimization process. The SEO tactics which you are using would be a vital part of your overall business tactics. 

The procedures of web design

There is a large group of companies who excel in SEO based services who can assist you in making a web design that is SEO friendly and can drive your organic traffic up. 

When you look to get increased success from the website, it is important that you ensure that the web pages are able to get more visibility from the search engines. The web designs will need to be more search engine friendly. There are also several qualified professionals who work as freelancers who can do this job for you. IF you base your web design primarily on more content, then the chances are that the business website can get more visibility on the search engines.

Managing content with web designing elements in websites

Try and design your website with the help of a dedicated CMS or more commonly referred to as the Content Management System. This can help in allowing your website to get more easily developed. There are a number of specialized platforms that you can find over the internet that would let you build the website with a CMS. Earlier a lot of studies had revealed that the CMS would go on to negatively affect the search engine results of the web pages. However, this has changed considerably in the recent past. With the development of new systems and the evolution of technology, this is now no longer a threat to SEO. You can also find a number of software-based programs and plenty of plug-ins that can help you. Also, web developers have the option of using extensions in order to make more customizations on the web pages. There are other on-page SEO factors that need to be looked into when you are designing your website like your URL, the meta tags, and so on. You should pay attention to all the structural aspects of the web designing process. Also, it is important to make the web pages appear cleaner. Do not overdo with your graphics, your fonts and color combinations must be concise and brief.

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