I recently posted insightful tips I wish I’d known when I first started my business, and now I’m adding to that list by sharing valuable online tools that will save you tons of time and frustration. If you want to grow your business, have more time to focus on your clients, and show up in a more professional way, be sure to have a look at how these tools can help you!       In this podcast episode, I share:  The benefits of using online tools for your business  Favorite online tools for branding  Recommended online tools for project management  Which online tools are great for delivering your services      Memorable Quotes: “I found that over time, I was able to get ahead a lot faster by investing in some of these tools.” “Time equals money, so if I’m not spending time fiddling around with something, I’m spending time actually creating content for my clients or going out and finding new clients, which is the best way to grow your business.” “My clients love that I’m using these tools because they feel like they can trust me as a professional and they feel confident investing in me…I’m able to deliver a seamless product and a seamless client experience.”      Links Mentioned: Free Business Building Blueprint for Social Media Managers OnlineDrea YouTube Channel   Branding Tools: Bluehost  Web Host Face Bluchic    Project Management Tools:  Asana  Toggl  Paypal  Dubsado Zoom   GSuite  Slack    Service Delivery Tools:  Canva  AirTable  Google Docs / Google Spreadsheets  Traject Social  Facebook Creator Studio  Kapwing    This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media  

Can you believe we’re halfway through 2020? Is your business where you want it to be? Whether you’re just getting started or want to take your business to the next level, check out these 8 super helpful tips that I wish I’d followed when I began my own social media business!    In this podcast episode, I share:  1: Start with your WHY  2: Choose an angle: It doesn’t have to be a niche!  3: Dive in with both feet  4: Practice copywriting  5: Focus on reporting and strategy  6: Hire a mentor 7: Talk more about what you’re doing  8: Collaborate, connect, and partner with others      Memorable Quotes: “If I were to start today, I would choose an angle: niche, platform, or service.” “Sometimes you have to just DO in order to learn. There’s no greater tool than doing.”   “Become so valuable to your clients that they cannot imagine their business running without you. Become a habit in someone’s life. Become their go-to resource. Become embeddable.” “Having a mentor is like turning up the speed dial on your success.” “Get out there and talk about it: You never know who you know.”  “Connect with other people who have the same clients you have but are not your competitors.”     Links Mentioned: Free Business Building Blueprint for Social Media Managers Free Birds Podcast Buddy   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Systemic racism is real. Thankfully, there are daily actions we can all do with just a little more intention and practice to help create the change we need. Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick visits with me to discuss what diversity, equity, and inclusion means for digital businesses, why self-awareness is crucial to changing systemic racism, how to co-create space for your community to share experiences, the power of asking “tell me more” and how to have necessary conversations so we can keep moving forward together!            In this podcast episode, we share:  What diversity and inclusion means for digital business owners Recommendations for how to be more aware of the internal work we all need to do Advice for how to share with transparency and accountability  How to lower the cost for people in your community to speak up  The power of asking questions and the “tell me more” method    Memorable Quotes:  “When we’re talking about systems of oppression, we’re not just talking about what’s visible but about what’s invisible…” “Inclusion is really where everyone feels not just that they belong, but they really feel valued for the uniqueness they bring to the table.”   “I do believe the work has to start with ourselves and looking at what assumptions we’re making, about who we’re talking to, who’s even in our social networks, what voices we’re hearing, what perspectives we’re hearing, what media we are consuming…” “Speak from your own healing while also centering on the most impacted.” “It really centers on actually not trying to educate or convince someone but really speaking for yourself.”      About Alethea: Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick is Principal and Founder of Co-Creating Inclusion, a diversity, equity, and inclusion firm with a focus on shifting culture and driving equity through strategic consulting, leadership & team development, workshop facilitation, and business integration. Her mission is to help people, teams, and organizations create culture transformation through inclusion and belonging in order to co-create the conditions where all can thrive and do their best and most fulfilling work.   Alethea is in her element when she has the opportunity to impact all aspects of an organization through an integrated approach that leverages her ability to deal with ambiguity while driving the work forward. She holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University, and is an MBTI Certified Practitioner and certified leadership coach. Her clients include corporate as well as non-profit organizations and private clients across a variety of industries. Alethea started her career as an architect with a BArch from Pratt Institute, and she spent almost 20 years managing workplace strategy and corporate headquarters projects for major global brands. Born and brought up in the UK, Alethea lives in Brooklyn with her husband and her 8 and 11 year old boys. Connect with Alethea: LinkedIn Co-Creating Inclusion Website Request a Consult with Co-Creating Inclusion   Links Mentioned: Freebie: http://dismantlingwhitesupremacy.com  For my personal reflections on confronting the truth about white supremacy, sign up for 30 Days of Courage, a series of 30 daily emails followed by weekly reflections.     This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Have you noticed Facebook’s latest updates? While some of the changes are for the better, how Facebook is adapting its approach to group content comes with legit challenges.  For this episode, I’m sharing Lesson 1 from Module 8 of the Savvy Social School’s new Facebook Savvy Course. I discuss important questions that’ll help you determine if you’re truly ready to create your own free Facebook Group, the pros and cons of free Facebook Groups, and why it’s okay to think twice before you become the admin of a new Facebook Group community!    In this podcast episode, I share:  Questions to consider before you start a free Facebook Group  My advice if you need to rethink your Facebook strategy  The pros and cons of starting a free Facebook Group  Details about the Facebook Savvy Course and Savvy Social School    Memorable Quotes: “I know some of you want to keep your business and your personal life separate but that can be a challenge with Facebook Groups.” “Ask yourself this question: If I started a Facebook Group today, do I have enough influence to get 100 members?”  “It does take time and energy to nurture a free community.”   “Facebook is prioritizing Group content right now...they’re going to show that post in the feed more so than a Facebook Page post…”     Links Mentioned: OnlineDrea YouTube Channel Social Media Success Framework—Free Course   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

We’ve all seen social media feeds with a clear color theme and aesthetic. However, just because a post is attractive doesn’t mean it has a clear message.   Christi Cooper explains what to think about when creating your social media designs, the 4 principles of a design that sells, what to look for when hiring a designer, and how design can inspire your audience to action instead of just making your posts look pretty!   In this podcast episode, we share:  What inspired Christi to shift her social media strategy to include more participation in groups Christi’s process for creating connections on social media  How design and social media work together  What to consider when creating your social media designs  4 Principles of a design that sells: attractive, compelling, clear, easy Suggestions for hiring your own designer   Details about Christi’s free assessment for your sales page    Memorable Quotes:  “I always think of those social media posts as something that is often like that first impression you’re making to people.”    “A lot of people think consistent means it has to look the same. And it doesn’t have to look the same, it just has to have the same vibe of your brand throughout all of your touchpoints with your target audience.”   “If someone’s looking at your post for the very first time and has never seen any of your content before, they should get it.”  “You definitely want to err on the side of clear vs. cute. People have short attention spans and if they don’t understand something, they’ll just move on.”    About Christi: Christi Cooper is the designer and creative strategist behind Cooper & Heart Creative where she works with service and education focused businesses to help them up-level their brands by creating sales pages, websites & branding they LOVE so they can feel confident, connect with their people, and make more sales.   Connect with Christi: Website Instagram Facebook   Links Mentioned: Free Sales Page Assessment Tool to Maximize Your Conversions Onlinedrea.com/102    This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Whether you’re an experienced coach or just jumped into the online coaching world, how you show up and connect with others on social media can create the foundation you need to reach the audience you want to serve most. Lee Chaix McDonough explains how she used Facebook Groups to build her business, how she launched her podcast on social media, her approach to social media and how that difference helps her stand out, and why service and empathy always come first!            In this podcast episode, we share:  How Lee’s Facebook Group helped build her business and connection to her audience  The challenges and successes Lee has experienced using a Facebook Group  How Lee used an email opt-in to grow her initial Facebook Group Advice for growing your online presence and credibility by using Facebook Groups  How Lee planned the launch for her podcast and what happened post launch  Lee’s social media strategy and what tools she uses to plan her posts  How Lee nurtures her online community  Advice for navigating clients who need 1:1 work vs. direct messages  Details about Lee’s Coaching Superpower Quiz    Memorable Quotes:  “What really made a difference for me is when I decided it’s time for me to use social media as a way to connect...and not just find clients but actually connect with people.”  “Show up and serve. Be generous with your knowledge. People will trust you and they’ll follow up for more.”   “I find Instagram Stories is a great way to share in-the-moment-things so you can keep your posts a little more curated, a little more planned.” “Once you’ve served first and then you go towards the sale, for me it’s an aligned approach to it.”        About Lee: Lee Chaix McDonough is the CEO and Founder of Coach With Clarity, a membership site for intuitive, heart-centered coaches. She is also the host of the Coach with Clarity podcast and author of the #1 Amazon book, ACT On Your Business. After over a decade as a clinical social worker and public health professional, Lee became credentialed as a coach through the International Coach Federation and now provides ICF-accredited continuing coach education for intuitive, heart-centered coaches. Her Coach with Clarity® framework fuses meaning, mindset, and mindfulness with grounded intuition and solid business strategy to help coaches and clients excel at entrepreneurship and transform their lives. Lee lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and her pug Phineas. Connect with Lee: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Links Mentioned: Discover Your Coaching Superpower Quiz Onlinedrea.com/101   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

In celebration of the 100th episode and 2 year anniversary of the Savvy Social Podcast, I’m excited to answer questions from my different social media platforms and members of the Savvy Social School. Even better, this episode is a video podcast and has a worksheet that follows all the questions about pivoting your business, marketing, how to show up on social media, and lots more. Cheers!     In this podcast episode, I share:  What challenges my business has overcome during COVID-19 Advice and recommendations for scheduling and posting Instagram Stories   Where to focus marketing efforts when you have fewer resources What social media platform works best for service based companies  Suggestions for how to advertising your podcast as entertainment vs. education  Tips for making your social media content workflow more efficient  What’s up with Facebook Business Page algorithms and advice about boosting ads  Advice for showing up fully present and letting go of FOMO    Memorable Quotes: “The work I’ve been doing for the past 6 years has been laying the foundation for this moment.” “Your audience will come to you and will find your posts as long as you are consistent.”   “Make sure your current connections are nurtured...ask a lot of questions and don’t just ask one time.”  “Show up with humanity instead of focusing on being perfect.”  “When thinking about your workflow, start with one piece at a time.”  “Focus on who’s in front of you and what’s in front of you.”    Links Mentioned: OnlineDrea YouTube Mindfulness: The Marketing Tip Nobody Talks About Is Video Really All That Powerful in 2020? Planning Your Social Media Strategy A Quick Formula for Writing a Promotional Social Media Caption The Social Media Sales Funnel 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose LinkedIn Marketing in 2020 How to Pivot Your Social Media Messaging  How to Organize Your Social Media Content Using AirTable   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social: The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

People say having an online business allows you the freedom to do what you love, but does it really? No one seems to talk about how it also requires great sales copy and landing pages, a solid social media strategy, a launch strategy, and so much more. Thankfully, companies like The Launching Guild exist and can help you focus on doing what you love most.   Tasha Booth joins me and shares why she decided to separate her brands, how she plans and executes launches for herself and her clients, tips for showing up on social media during and after a launch, and the power of planning ahead so you don’t feel overwhelmed by doing all the things for your online business!   In this podcast episode, we share:  What it means to be an online business manager and why you need one   Why Tasha finally separated her coaching business from her agency business Tasha’s process for moving her social media from shared to separate accounts   How Tasha’s team plans posts for multiple social accounts  The different growth strategies used for each of Tasha’s brands  What metrics Tasha considers when analyzing a post’s performance   What steps help prepare for a launch so you can show up 100% present  Recommended time frame for planning your launch Tips for using your social media stories to increase excitement during your launch Advice for anyone struggling to show up on Instagram Stories     How Tasha uses social media after the launch wraps to stay connected to her audience    Key roles needed to help streamline your online business needs so you can have a successful launch  Details about “How She Did That” podcast and how Tasha uses social media to promote each episode and follow up with her audience        Memorable Quotes:  “The key to success with any campaign...you want to make sure you’re touching on key events, key dates, key launch elements...you have to plan ahead a little bit.”   “We like to keep it super simple...nobody likes complicated.” “I want them to do something with the post and not just be like ‘Oh, that was nice’.”  “I like to ask ‘What are the things people need to know or learn before they’re ready to say yes to my offer?’ and I backtrack from the date of the launch.”  “Don’t disappear on your audience. Keep showing up.”  “As creators, we put so much energy into creating the thing that we forget sometimes WE NEED TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT…”   About Tasha: Tasha Booth began her journey in the online business space five years ago as a virtual assistant when she decided she was tired of living an ‘ordinary’ life on someone else’s terms. As her business grew, so did her commitment to helping others figure out how to make the life they craved a reality. Now, whether she’s leading her team of 18 to support established coaches and course creators as the Founder and CEO of The Launch Guild agency, coaching virtual support professionals as they start and scale their own business, or hosting the ‘How She Did That’ podcast for VAs, OBMs, and project managers, Tasha is always helping other entrepreneurs live more fully in their zone of genius. When she’s not supporting her team of 18, she proudly spends her time as an Air Force wife to her husband Scott, stepmom to Grace and Meredith, and work from home dog mom to Stanley and Boomer. Connect with Tasha: Website Instagram Facebook The Launch Guild Website The Launch Guild Instagram The Launch Guild Facebook   Links Mentioned: OnlineDrea YouTube Channel Social Media Success Framework—Free Course   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social (formerly Social Report): The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

COVID19 has created a lot of uncertainty for small business owners. However, it’s very possible to find strategies that boost your brand’s social media presence even as you navigate the constant changes each day seems to bring.  Garrett Woods from Fullscreen explains the different trends we’re seeing in social media growth, some predictions for how platforms like TikTok will develop, how users are turning to private messaging on social media, the power of organic connections, and more!          In this podcast episode, we share:  How COVID19 has changed how people consume media Current social media trends and long term implications  Whether TikTok is here to stay or just having a moment The growth of private messaging apps on social media  How marketers and small business owners can approach data sensitivity issues Recommendations for information sources to understand how the social media space is changing        Details about Fullscreen’s Free Social Media Playbook    Memorable Quotes:  “You always see these platforms steal from the playbooks of other platforms in terms of what’s working…” “Data privacy needs to be front and center...it’s here to stay.”  “Lead with your organic strategies and it will help inform your paid strategies without the need for deeper level data tactics.” “Organically, what are people watching right now that you’ve posted? What are they engaging with from your catalogue? How can that inform your ‘go forward’ strategy?”     About Garrett: Understanding the zeitgeist and shifting purposes of social platforms takes an understanding of how our culture is shifting, knowing why that is, and what that means for how we connect with one another in new, but oftentimes fun and entertaining ways. As the Associate Director of Platforms at Fullscreen -- one of LA's largest and well known social-first agencies -- Garret Woods is tasked with just that, while also identifying ways that brands fit into the narrative. With a background in production and film, he now manages Fullscreen's Brand Group social platform relationships and works to unlock all that is possible on social for our brand clients, in this ever changing -- but exciting space. Connect with Garrett: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Links Mentioned: Savvy Social Free Resource: Crisis Captions  eMarketer Online Digital Information Source Article   Behind the Numbers: eMarketer Podcast  Fullscreen Freebie: Small Business Social Media Playbook    This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social (formerly Social Report): The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

As our dependency on the digital world increases, it’s important to remember that now more than ever, people are actively searching for value-packed products and services. But how can your business provide true value when so many other businesses are trying to do the same thing?  Dr. Saksham Sharda from Outgrow.co joins me to shed light on some of the best ways to collect data from your social media followers and how to use that data to create more interactive content, like quizzes and polls, that’ll make your people want to stick around and recognize what you have to offer!   In this podcast episode, we share:  How Outgrow supports social media content and marketing  Why user engagement is so important      How to integrate widgets, apps, etc. to your marketing strategy  Benefits of using interactive content for small business owners How to protect users’ privacy and data Common misconceptions about social media  Example of how to use a widget to get email addresses or other valuable data      Memorable Quotes:  “That's the counterbalance to being so digital and tech-focused...we don't want to feel like a number, we don't want to feel like people don't get us and don't understand our needs.”  “Keep your customers engaged with your content by providing a personalized value like yourself…”  “I would rather you spend all your research for 2 weeks producing something of real value than actually trying to post something every day or once a week.” “There’s a lot of social noise because of social media...everyone just wants to be noticed and that makes it hard to be noticed.”   “There’s so much clutter online and what’s going to catch the user’s eye is info-graphically presented data...”    About Saksham: Dr. Saksham Sharda specialises in data collection, analysis, filtering, and transfer by the means of interactive, cultural, and trending widgets. Interactive experiences designed by him have been featured on ProductHunt, TrendHunter, TechCrunch, NetVibes, FactoryBerlin, Digimarcon World Silicon Valley, and at The European Affiliate Summit. Connect with Saksham: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter   Links Mentioned: Example of Widget for Lead Generation Social Media Success Framework — Free Course   This Episode Is Made Possible By: Traject Social (formerly Social Report): The world’s most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Agency Vista: Your work and experience will take centerstage. And we're proud of the work we do.  Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media