Instagram for Business with The Social Focus

So long, farewell; we've come to say, Goodbye!The time has come to say farewell to The Social Focus. We want to take this opportunity to thank YOU for your loyalty and tuning in to our show every week for the past two and half years! We could have never imagined how two Canadian women stuck at home during the pandemic could reach a global audience that embraced and learned from what we had to share. We leave with gratitude to you and adoration and respect for eachother in our individual endeavours. We hope that you will continue to follow along with us on Instagram and TikTok from our accounts below:We are on TikTok & Instagram as:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoAnd as we mentioned, we are having one last HUGE retirement sale for all of our programs! We're talking over 80% our original prices but the deadline to purchase is June 30, 2022!Visit https://www.thesocialfocus.co/retirement-saleYou'll be able to snag The Product Focus for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course that walks you through how to maximize your efforts on Instagram for your Business. Four modules and 14 lessons with two bonus lessons! Instagram for Business for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course that walks you through how to maximize your efforts on Instagram for your Business.Instagram for Realtors for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course but tailored for the real estate industry! Master Instagram with more confidence and unique content creation to speak to your ideal audience!Our Styled Stock Photography Album  for only $57 USD (plus applicable taxes)Over 1700+ Styled Images Perfect to use in your marketing collateral, Instagram feed, stories and for cover photos! The opportunities are endless and they cover every holiday and all industries including health & wellness, food & beverage, home & design and so much more!Thank you again for your listenership! xoxoNat & Ang

Curious as to how to get started selling your products with Etsy and or Shopify? Maybe you're wondering, what's the difference between the two? Well, we have a special guest for this episode who has done both and very successfully (while also being a mom to four beautiful children). Lauren Keplinger started selling on Etsy in 2012, and has since built her monogrammed baby shop to over $800,000 in sales. In 2018 she started LaurenKeplinger.com and the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast, where she teaches other women entrepreneurs to build, grow, and scale their e-commerce businesses to a meaningful income for their family while not letting the business take over their whole life. You can find her at LaurenKeplinger.com and on Instagram @lauren.keplingerCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Stay with us today as we go on a bit of a tangent. We are still talking about strategy for selling your product, but we want you to take something (possibly new to you) into consideration.How are you marketing to men? Yes, while your ideal audience might be women it is still important to consider the other 50% of the population

If we could scream it from the rooftops we would. Community is everything when it comes to female entrepreneurship. That is why we are so excited to share Teri and Sarah with you today. These two epitomize what it means to build a community with the mission of shining a light on female businesses and business owners. There is still a lot that can be done, but they are a perfect example of what two badass women can do when they make the decision to start.Teri and Sarah met in their 9-5 jobs and formed a strong connection. And when they realized they both were seeking meaningful connections and open conversations about business and life, what started as a mentorship turned into a business. Females Who Side Hustle was born.Once it became clear that other like minded and motivated females were craving the same connection they started tossing around the idea of starting a podcast. They wanted to reach more people and it felt like the logical next step.Now in their third year of podcasting, Teri and Sarah are taking what they've learned and are helping other women start their own podcast. A logical expansion of the services they already offer.Terri and Sarah believe everyone has something to share no matter what business or industry they are in and that podcasts are the best way to tell your story. Either by starting your own podcast or being a guest on one. And since they have so much experience in the podcasting world we wanted to know their best advice when it comes to hosting and/or being a guest on a podcast. Here are out takeaways from the conversation:Sometimes the struggles are giftsPodcasting can be used in any industry, niche or businessBefore being a guest on a podcast make sure to do your do diligencePodcasting is an excellent way to grow your business or even build a business Make sure you connect with Teri & Sarah at both Females Who Side Hustle and Save Her Seat:Website: Females Who Side HustleApple Podcast: Save Her Seat@femaleswhosidehustle@saveherseatAnd they are generously offering our listeners 10% off all merch and services! Use code SOCIAL at checkout!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto We love and use Buzzsprout to host The Social Focus Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

We love a great entrepreneurial origin story. How the idea was sparked, what problem needed to be solved, and the process they took to get to where they are now.If you're like us, and love a great story, then today's episode is right up your alley!Mel McNamee is the founder of Lykke, Canada's first designer inflatable pool brand. But Lykke is about more than just gorgeous adult inflatable pools. The name comes from the Danish word meaning Pursuit of Happiness. Mel wants to help her customers elevate their backyard experience through Lykke pools. And have a rockin' summer!Prior to creating Lykke Mel worked as a project manager for 10 years. She had always wanted to start her own business, but never found the right idea. Then during the summer of 2020 the right idea presented itself.Like so many parents with young children, summer means spending time outside in the pool. When Mel went to buy one for her daughter she wanted something that wasn't an eyesore. But everything she found had cartoon characters on it and wasn't “on trend”. And in terms of function, she couldn't find anything that wouldn't collapse, or overflow, when she sat in it with her daughter.So Mel went to work developing the type of inflatable pool she would want to use and soon found others wanted as well. In the first season, Lykke sold out completely!These last couple of years have taught Mel a ton about entrepreneurship. And herself. The lessons she has learned include:It's okay to start smallEmbrace the support of your communityGet over the fear of startingListen to the feedback to help you validate new ideas for the futureThis season Lykke has unveiled new designs as well as launching a collection of hats. Make sure you check out all the beautiful designs at www.lykkeshop.com and follow along on Instagram for inspiration. ** Promocode for you! Use code: SOCIALFOCUS to get $10 off at checkout!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto We love and use Buzzsprout to host The Social Focus Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you've ever said the following: “I don't want to be too salesy”, “selling makes me feel uncomfortable”, or “I don't feel comfortable asking someone to buy from me” then listen up!One of your many jobs as a business owner is selling. But that doesn't mean it's something you love to do or even feel comfortable doing. Today we are talking about ways to feel confident, and proud, when asking for the sale. First off, focus on the solution that your product brings. Show your customers how you are helping solve their problem. Some examples are mentioning how your product makes for a great gift or is a unique gift you won't find anywhere else. Lean into your storytelling side.Let your customers do the talking for you by sharing a success story. You can do this through a post on Instagram with a photo of the product they purchased. Or read the review on a video with your product in the background. Sharing these stories shows gratitude to your customers and reinforces the good feedback customers are giving.Finally, educate and empower your audience. What is something they don't know, but should? Such as, how you got started in your business, the biggest mistakes you've made, or how you have failed and then succeeded. This is an amazing way to create connections with your audience and customers.Last note. If you're proud of what you create, this is your permission to show it off!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

This may make you uncomfortable. Please know you are not alone as it's definitely a hot topic in our community. Today we are diving into why imagery of yourself as a business owner is so important and needs to be incorporated into your strategy.The number one reason we want you to show your face is because people buy from people. They buy into you first before they buy your product. And that's the end goal. To sell your product. It's amazing how these small connections make a big difference in someone wanting to support you and your business. Your people want to see you!Showing your face is a way to connect with your audience on a more personal level instead of only showing imagery of your product. And connection is a differentiator when a customer is deciding between two products they are looking to purchase. If they feel a connection with you they are more likely to purchase your product compared to the other one.If you are struggling with creating connections with your customers and audience try introducing yourself every once in a while. You can do this through an intro post on social media. Give your audience a peak behind the scenes as to who you are and why you started your business. You could incorporate an intro post every other month or when you reach a certain milestone like a certain number of followers. Lastly, please don't forget to include imagery of yourself on your website, and more specifically your about you page. Imagine going on a blind date or to a meeting if you have no idea what someone looks like. It would be a little strange. Your website should be an introduction to not just your product, but the face behind the product. And back to our first couple of points, it creates connection and recognition for your customers.We know including imagery of yourself can feel uncomfortable, but you are amazing and your customers need to know it!Cheering you on!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Buckle up for this one!We were seriously blown away (and maybe just a little bit star struck) by today's guest, Christina Flach.Christina is a mother of five, celebrity makeup artist, and the CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup. And as we found out, an amazing story teller. Probably from her many years chatting with her clients in the makeup chair.Her journey in the makeup industry started with her mother. We fought back tears as she explained how her mom, who was diagnosed with cancer, asked Christina to do her makeup one night. She wanted to feel her best for a date with her husband. That experience sparked Christina's love for doing others' makeup and helping them be the best version of themselves. And is still what drives her in everything she does. She is a true entrepreneur at heart.Christina has worked with a long list of celebrities such as Tyler Florence, Metallica, Journey, and Rita Moreno to name a few. But she was quick to say she didn't find success right away. Just like so many entrepreneurs, and small business owners, it takes time to see your hard work pay off.Honestly, we were speechless at the end of the interview. Christina's experience, down to earth perspective, and clear heartfelt love for what she does, had us walking away with so many lessons. Here are just a few:Know the problem in your industry and find a solutionPeople are willing to help you so don't be afraid to ask for helpFill yourself up first in order to create more balance in your lifeLife is short, find what you love and lead with passionChristina is generously offering 25% off at www.prettygirlmakeup.com to all of our listeners! Promo Code: PRETTY GIRLAnd please make sure to connect with Christina on her website, www.christinaflach.com, and Instagram @christinaflachmakeupFinally, during today's episode, Christina shares with us the story about losing her husband four years ago to Sepsis. From her experience, she has become an advocate for spreading the word about this life threatening response to infection. You can learn more at www.sepsis.org.Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Developing your marketing strategy to sell your product can sometimes feel like a shot in the dark. But using a keyword strategy can actually help boost the engagement between your ideal customer and your business. Between Google, Etsy, Shopify, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram understanding keywords are key

Pardon us for shouting this from the rooftops but after almost two years of running our online course and community we have officially launched our newest offering. It is for you, the product maker, seller, artisan, digital product seller and entrepreneur who is looking for a streamlined and tactful program to get you results and more sales online. Introducing, The Product FocusImagine how it would feel to be excited about creating content that actually gets you sales…And in a way that doesn't feel like icky-sales pitches or having to dance like a monkey and point to text (makes you cringe, right?)

If you are thinking about, or in the process of, launching a new product this episode is for you! We are discussing 4 Things To Nail Down Before Launching A Product. And this does not just apply to physical products. These tips are for digital products as well.And, even if you are not in launch mode, these are good ways to check-in as your business grows and changes. So you can make sure your messaging is on point.Here are 4 Things To Nail Down Before Launching A Product:Define your target market, dream client or customer. You want to know who this product is for so you can better develop copy in your content, sales pages, and website.Understand the problem your product will solve. When you truly understand the problem your ideal customer is struggling with you can show them exactly how your product will improve their lives. You won't be guessing.Get validation for your product. This step often gets missed because we don't ask questions. Getting customer feedback allows you to understand how you can improve your product to better serve your customers.Tell your story and understand your why. People want to support, and connect with, other people. When they get to know why you decided to start your business they will want to help spread the word about your product.If you found these tips helpful we would love for you to leave us a review. We love five stars!Did you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today we chatted about all things Facebook ads with advertising strategist & marketing consultant, Luan Jardine. She helps changemakers reach their dream audience while saving time and energy with steller ads that run on autopilot.Luan began her marketing career back in University. From there she took the leap to build her business with the idea of offering all marketing services. But quickly realized she wanted to narrow down to Facebook ads so she could become known as an expert in one area.Thank goodness she did because diving into the world of Facebook ads can be overwhelming and confusing. We hope her insights can help alleviate some of that anxiety for you.Here are our takeaways from our chat with Luan:Before you start with Facebook ads you should know your target audience. This will be a huge help when it comes to the type of ads you run.Facebook Ads are great for growing your email list. Especially for your cold audience who still needs to get to know you. Give them an easy offer like 15% off. Everyone loves a discount!If your business is newer, avoid Black Friday and Christmas when scheduling ads. Holidays are way more expensive than if you just wait a few weeks and run your ads in January.Avoid the mistake of thinking boosting a post is considered an ad. It is not. Don't delete your Facebook ads manager or previous campaigns before you have really combed through all of the data.Luan is a wealth of information and is kindly offering our audience $50 off her DIY Facebook Ads Course when you use the code IGBIZ.Connect with Luan Jardine & Check out her Facebook ADs Course:Code for $50 off: IGBIZLink for the course: https://luanjardine.com/diy-facebook-ads-courseOnlineOn Instagram @luanjardineDid you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

You may not be at a point in your business where you can hire out product photography. But that doesn't mean you can't showcase your products with great photos. All it takes are a few tips and tricks!As a photographer and stylist this is our jam! Yes we have access to a studio and professional equipment, but there are many times when we shoot products at home. And the end product is just as good! And we know you can get the same results!Here are 5 tips for taking better product shots at home without lots of expensive equipment:Find a backdrop that works well for you and your brand. The options are endless, but our advice is to keep it simple. Create the vibe that fits your brand and stick with three backgrounds at most to keep your social media feed consistent.Find a space in your home that can offer natural light. Lighting is everything! You don't need a bunch of fancy lights to make your product stand out. Find accentuating everyday items around your house to use as props. Such as plants, florals, books, fruit, and ribbons. Just make sure they are appropriate for the set up.Shoot with a camera you feel comfortable with. Keep it simple and just use your phone.Take the time to edit your photosDid you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.Click HERE to register for our Free Trainig: 4 Ways to Get Your Products Sold

Here on The Social Focus we're all about helping you get your products out in front of your customers. That's why today we're talking about email marketing. Another way for you to connect with your customers.Did you know that in 2022 there are 4.3 billion email users!!! And 333.2 billion emails sent per day! Yes our mind was blown as well.Oftentimes we get caught up in the number of Instagram or Facebook users and forget to focus on email marketing. Which is the only list YOU actually own. Instagram and Facebook own your audiences. You don't.If you haven't dove into email marketing because you feel it's too pushy, keep this in mind. Your audience wants to be the first to know about your sales, promos, and upcoming announcements. In fact, 49% of consumers say they would like to receive weekly emails from brands they love. That could be you!Think about the last time you got a 50% off promo from your favourite local shop. Maybe you weren't looking to buy, but the promo put them top of mind and got you to press the purchase button.Email marketing is on the rise and we want you to reap the benefits from this powerful tool. Here are three things to keep in mind when implementing email marketing into your business:Choose an email marketing platform that best suits your business. The best platform is the one you actually use and reflects your brand.Create a lead magnet your audience will love. New customers are picky about handing out their email address. Make sure what they are getting in return is of value.Keep your audience engaged and nurture them with consistent emails. Find a cadence that works for you. Maybe it's once a week or once a month. But the key is to stay consistent so you can gain the trust of your audience.We would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you have a product you're selling and are not yet using Instagram reels this is for you! Your product, and bank account, will thank you for it.  Reels lifespan can last up to 4 weeks compared to only 24 hours for a post. So even if your reel doesn't get a ton of views within the first day it could pick up momentum a week, 2 weeks or even 4 weeks later. Getting your product in front of hundreds more potential customers.  We know the power of reels and hope you take the plunge so your business and products can get the exposure they deserve.  Here are 5 Reels Ideas For Your Product:1. Show your audience how your product is made. This gives them an inside look into your process and the heart that it takes to make it. Not everyone can do what you do and that's what's so fascinating!  2. Share the ingredients, textiles, or items that go into making your product. Maybe they have healing powers or are sustainable. Knowing the why behind your product gives your customers the full story and showcases your values. When a customer is connected to the why behind a product they will share it with others who have similar values.  3. Record yourself packaging up your product and writing a handwritten note. When someone can see the care that goes into the packaging they will connect more with you and your product.  4. Show your face. Customers want to know the person behind the business. People love to connect with other people. Try answering a question that keeps popping up. It shows you're listening to your customers and will give more insight into your product.  5.Show them how to style your product. This gets your customers excited to incorporate your product into their lifestyle. Show how they can use your product in their own environment and how it will make their life easier.  Bonus Tip: Add this call to action at the end of your reel. “Show me if you've styled it this way. ” This gets your customers engaged with you and your product.  We would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Let's be honest, you need visuals for your business. You audience needs to see your products in the best possible way. Whether you're about to book in a session with a professional photographer or you'll be taking your own imagery, I want you to consider these three things that will save you time, be prepared and maximize your efforts. Here are three ways to prepare for your next product photoshoot, from the lens of a product stylist. First, be very mindful of your brand. Knowing and understanding your brand colours and tones is incredibly important but also understanding the vibe of this specific photoshoot. What is the vibe and energy you'd like to convey for your products? It's also helpful to look for inspiration and even look at imagery that you know does not represent your brand well. Secondly, have a clear list of all products that you need photograph. But more importantly have them listed in order of importance and priority. Sometimes time can run very tight and you don't want to put yourself in a position where the items you needed don't get photographed. And lastly, gather and or provide accentuating props. For example, if you're a candle company, it would be valuable to include ingredients you use to make them. If it's scented with lavender, then including fresh lavender sprigs would be valuable. Right away, your customers can visually understand what this candle would smell like. Otherwise, you could also include the tools you use to make your items, or additional props that flow well with the vibe. Another example would be if you apparel with fun sayings on them about wine; then a bottle of wine or corkscrew would be an example of accentuating props. If you're looking for more styling tips, techniques and inspiration, I would love to connect with you on Instagram @angela.s.doyonWe would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

As business owners, and creatives, we know first hand the importance of legally protecting yourself. Having gone through the experience of someone blatantly stealing photographs, and then passing them off as their own, having a written contract in place meant they couldn't get away with it.But what if we hadn't had a contract in place? That's what today's guest Jamie Bell, owner of @contractsmarket, is chatting about. Jamie runs her own law firm in British Columbia as well as providing legal contract templates for entrepreneurs.Jamie is quick to point out that the reasons you should have a written contract are not just about being able to go after someone if they've stolen your photographs.Having a contract in place will also help ensure you get paid, save you time, and allow you to be proactive vs. reactive.So who needs a contract? Everyone. If you have a website it's a requirement that you have a privacy policy. If you're collecting data from your website visitors it's the law to provide information as to how that data will be used and stored. And though it may not seem obvious, even product based businesses need a contract. This can be shared on your website in the form of your refund and chargeback policies. Having this information available on your FAQ page will save you time answering repeat questions. All you have to do is refer your customers to the page.At what stage in your business should you implement contracts? ASAP. Having a contract, or policy, in place sets the boundaries in your business. When you are clear (no vagueness here) It makes communicating with customers so much easier. And sets the tone that: “If you don't get paid, you don't start work.”What does she recommend not doing? She is not a fan of using emails as a makeshift contract. So much can get lost in a backlog of emails and what is agreed upon can be hard to decipher. Not to mention, if a situation needed to go to litigation it would take lawyers a lot longer to sift through emails than a contract. With that being said, drafting a contract in language that is completely out of character is not necessary. Write in your own words so your customers can understand what they are agreeing to.Make sure to connect with Jamie!OnlineOr on Instagram @contractsmarketWe would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today is our two year anniversary of starting this podcast.Many of you have been with us since the beginning and we can't thank you enough. It means the world that what started out as an idea, back in December 2019, has grown into a resource you find valuable. It's always been our mission to help business owners efficiently and effectively sell their product through social media. Not just Instagram. And by following our own advice, to “niche down”, we are leaning into our expertise as a photographer and social stylist to help you feel empowered to create content on your own.And while we're shifting our focus to more strategy, and less tech talk, this podcast is still going to provide a ton of education. With a side of fun and quirkiness!If you haven't been formerly introduced to us, here's a little more details on who we are:Nat Caron - Brand PhotographerNat started her career in Photography June of 1999, and has been running her photography business and studio since September 2002. After 10 years of solely working in the wedding and portrait industry, she began to work more and more with commercial clients…… in hopes of getting her weekends, and truthfully, her life back.After her 3rd son was born in December of 2015 she knew weddings and portraits would have to take a back seat to her new passion of commercial and business clients. It was a tough decision, because Nat loves Love! And those wedding couples became very special to her. But she truly loved seeing businesses grow. A business growing meant also watching those individuals grow in their  life. It TRULY changed peoples lives as she saw them embrace pride and joy. They learned that they had control of their time and life. And lastly, their wealth grew. Which meant watching them give back to their community. It was beautiful to watch this cycle. And knowing she could help more people by helping them with Social Media Workshops, teaching photography, and how to grow their audience and clientele, she also knew being a part of an online community and podcast meant spreading that education even farther. Follow along @natcaronphoto Angela Swann-Doyon - Product Photography Stylist & Content CreatorAng's start in business began like many others… First, a twenty-five cent lemonade stand and eventually upgrading to handmade bracelets for a dollar. At one point, there were homemade cakes for sale, but ‘Angie Baby Cakes' never quite took off (and it made one hell of a mess in her kitchen). But one thing was clear, Ang had a keen business sense, a creative marketing talent and passion for people. With over 13 years of combined marketing, social media and event & wedding planning experience, she realized that she could merge her marketing talents with her creative eye for style and design a business that helps others with their visual marketing strategy. She loves prop sourcing and developing set designs and mood boards and has a keen eye for detail.In her spare time, she loves to travel, sip good wine, watch old Oscar acceptance speeches and spend time with her beautiful son and husband.Follow along @angela.s.doyonPlease head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and online at www.thesocialfocus.co 

You've heard us talk about the importance of storytelling and we were thrilled that our guest on today's episode includes the work storytelling right in her bio! Today we are chatting with Maria Hyde, Owner of @essentialcopy - which helps modern lifestyle brands tell their story through meaningful copy. She shares some amazing techniques to attract the right audience and speak directly to them and to their needs. After having children (two little sweethearts) Maria felt that the corporate lifestyle wasn't quite working for her and decided to pursue her passion for writing and enter the entrepreneurial world. She started as a freelancer and soon realized that the larger corporation already had in-house writers so she saw an opportunity to assist smaller businesses and brands with their copy needs. So how much time should you invest in crafting your captions for social media? Maria is completely candid and admits that she is guilty of overthinking it and taking too much time. She does however mention that it is important to create thoughtful content with intention and to write when you feel inspired.What is the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your captions? Know. Your. Audience. You want to know your audience and you want to be relevant and relatable. Where do people struggle the most for writing? Maria shares that she finds that people struggle the most with their caption writing for Instagram which is really attributed back to knowing your audience. She also notices that entrepreneurs tend to have difficulty talking about themselves. What are three things you feel people should be mindful of when sitting down to write their captions? Know your audience and do your research! Maria even revealed that you should be stalking your ideal audience. What are they saying? Where do thy shop? What are they sharing? It's a strategy that big marketing agencies use and you can too. What's an example of good storytelling? Maria was sweet enough to share that we are good storytellers and uses an example of a post that Nat shared. It was a very personal post that created a feeling that people could resonate with. When you can create an experience for your audience they will feel more connected to you. And to round up the interview, we ask, what is the biggest failure you've ever had? Maria's answer will amaze you! She responds by saying that she hasn't had that many failures and within that, not having that many failures has kept her stuck. Connect with Maria Hyde!Online On Instagram @essentialcopy Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto

In Nat's solo episode, she dives into something she feels is one of the best ways to create ongoing sales without spending a dollar.It's simple. Raving fans are those customers who not only purchase from you ongoing, but also tell everyone, from their sister, their neighbour, even to complete strangers, all about you and your brand. They brag about it, because it's almost a piece of them.And essentially, they become your best sales force. So here are the 5 Ways to create raving fans:1. Get to know your customer. Follow them on social. Connect with them. Find out their likes and dislikes2. Deliver more then you promise. This is your chance to wow them. And their connection to your brand comes from excitement they have for your products. And this is typically because they have received something they didn't expect. 3. Get customer feedback. The good, the bad, all of it. Without this feedback, you'll stay stagnant and stuck. Growth happens after you make changes to meet your customers needs. 4. Give Back! Pick a charity, offer proceeds from your sales, offer items to auction off. But start today. If you haven't had a chance to give back to your community, today is the day.5. Be Real! Your authentic self will offer more then just moments of connection, and reliability. But will also change their opinion of your brand. Show your personality, be vulnerable, and get real with your audience.Start making connections with your customers today, and you'll start seeing more and more raving fans appear. Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWant an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

A new year is an opportunity to start fresh and hit the ground running. What's your digital marketing plan look like? Is it all ready to go or are you still tweaking it?We're chatting with Toccara Karizma, digital marketing consultant, data lover, and dream setter. As a single mom she has grown a thriving eCommerce brand across 15 countries and scaled marketing clients to reach over 30 million customers. With a name like Karizma you already know this is going to be an unforgettable episode!Tocarra specializes in showing you how to multiply sales through social media, SEO and digital marketing campaigns - to bring in more revenue and create your dream lifestyle.We took pages of notes, but distilled our takeaways down to these 6 things:Don't forget to grab your Facebook PixelCompete against yourselfIt might a good idea to go omnichannel (multiple platforms) Make sure you are making data driven decisionsDo a full audit of your website before starting Facebook adsWhen you are starting your ads split testing is goldTo connect with Toccara check her out on:Instagram + www.toccarakarizma.comPlease head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWant an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

February…The month of LOVE (insert heart emoji). But it's not just a time for us to show our love for family and friends, it's a great time to show your customers and clients the LOVE as well.If you're going to be amping up your social media strategy it's important to have a plan in place. When you take some time to do it right you should see a spike in sales.Here are 4 ways to increase sales over Valentine's Day:Run a special promotion for your best products or services. The ones that are tried and true because these are the offers your customers/clients are going to take advantage of.Consider doing a collaboration which can extend your reach to potential new customers/clients. Check out the previous episode which was all about collaborations.Don't forget about your hashtag strategy since this is another way to extend your reach. But make sure to watch out for banned hashtags. Do hashtag research before posting.Consider boosting or paying for adsBonus Tip! Be in love with your clients. Spread the love by sharing their promos and content. A strong community supports one another.To help us spread the love, please share this episode and tag @thesocial.focus.Want an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

With the addition of Instagram post collaborations, collaborating with another like minded business owner is definitely a strategy you should consider for 2022. Especially if you haven't given it a try already.Some of the benefits of collaborating are: The opportunity to reach new audiences, boost engagement, and a potential increase in sales or bookings.But before you start DMing anyone and everyone about partnering up, here are 5 things to put into place before you get the wheels rolling:When creating a list of who you want to collaborate with, ask yourself these important questions: Do your values align with the other person and their business? Do you have similar audiences? Do you both have great engagement in your community?Set clear and realistic goals/objectivesDecide on how you will collaborate. Will it be a give away, connecting content together, an educational IG LIVE, or a sale or promo?Set tasks, deadlines and responsibilities for each of you so you are on the same page. These questions will help get you started: How often will you post? Where will you post? What type of content? When will the collaboration start and end?Measure the results and do a debrief. Reviewing the goals you set at the beginning of the collaboration and then reviewing the results will show you what worked, what could have been done differently, and what you ended up getting from the collaboration. This will benefit you greatly for your next one.Happy Instagram collaborating!Send us a DM and let us know who you're partnering up with.Want an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Ang is solo on the mic this week and is getting real when it comes to talking about your rates. Does this make you feel uncomfortable? GOOD! What better time to have this conversation than to kick off 2022. Firstly, when was the last time your increased your pricing? Do you have any angst when it comes to making adjustments? Are you not sure if you should? That is what Ang dives into and she's sharing three signs it is time to increase your rates (with confidence)!_____________________________________________Looking for done for you imagery that is on brand, beautiful and perfect to fill in for the days when you can't find the right image? Download our Styled Stock Photography Bundle! CLICK HERE_____________________________________________Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Does selling make you cringe? Make your palms sweat? How do you feel when you hear the word “no” after the first conversation with a potential customer?Today, we're chatting with Laura Skjelmose - outdoors enthusiast, work at home mom + wife, and lover of all things natural. She is a born problem solver who loves helping others, specifically with... sales! Laura believes in creating meaningful connections and providing value through every step of the sales process. One way she recommends fostering these relationships is through your Instagram DMs. Specifically using a voice note, or even more personal, a video to create a better connection. We chat about how powerful DMs can be when you take the time to personalize your message. Taking the time to check out their feed and pull out one thing to use as a conversation starter will go a long way. This makes the exchange about them, not about you.“Talk about them, not you” led into the heart of the conversation: The “ABCs” or ALWAYS BE CURIOUS. This applies to your interactions with new followers on Instagram in terms of asking them questions. Get curious about who they are, what they're passionate about, and what products or services they sell. Showing your interest in them builds a report which makes selling more natural.And take your curiosity a step further. Once you're in the sales conversation you may hear “no” or “not now”. This is where you need to flex your curiosity muscle. When someone tells you now is not the right time, go the next step and ask permission to find out when would be a good time. This helps you pinpoint potential changes you can make to the timing of your offer while continuing to nurture therelationship. If you want to feel more confident in selling your product or service, while creating meaningful relationships, this episode is for you! Laura is also offering a discount for all listeners who send her a DM on Instagram. Her next Sell More, Make More workshop is going live in January., 2022.To connect with Laura check her out on:Instagram+ www.lauraskjelmose.comCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoJOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!(the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today we are chatting all things goals because: “A dream without a goal is a wish. A goal without a plan is just a dream.” - UnknownAnd we want big things for you in the New Year. But we know setting goals can sometimes feel like another task added to your long list of things to do. Or that you need to have them perfectly thought out, they all need to be big, and perfectly written out in your journal or posted on your wall.Goal setting is for you and you alone. No one else can set them or want them more than you. Otherwise, they are not your goals and you will feel no connection to them.We love setting goals because without them we can't monitor progress or hold ourselves accountable to what we say we want to do. Goals give us something tangible to show if we are growing and fulfilling our purpose.So, our bit of advice: Take action. Even if it's imperfect action.And following these 4 simple steps are a great way to get going:Determine what you want your new goals to beBe specific with your goalsCommit and be accountable to yourselfCelebrate the winsWe'll be cheering you on!Want an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

We're taking ten month of December off! But figured we' share some of our favourite interviews from this past year again!! We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to leave your rating and review for a chance to win FIVE MONTH'S ACCESS to our online course and community, Instagram for Business!Leave your review here for a chance to win!Wait, what? 

We're taking ten month of December off! But figured we' share some of our favourite interviews from this past year again!! We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to leave your rating and review for a chance to win FIVE MONTH'S ACCESS to our online course and community, Instagram for Business!Leave your review here for a chance to win!It's the holiday season and we wanted to share a gift to all of our incredible listeners. Today's episode, we welcome back Natalie Scott, The Heart Inspired Entrepreneur. And she shared her wisdom and inspiration to lead a more heart inspired life and just before the 15 minute mark - she has a treat for all of us. Her Inspired Door Visualization. Natalie is an inspirational Business & Life Coach, Speaker and Entrepreneur who is empowering women to find balance between abundant success and fulfillment. Through her latest subscription, The Heart Inspired Lifestyle, a uniquely illuminating digital bundle of luxuriously inspired things that she loves; she delivers inspiration, empowerment and a few of her 'favourite things' to members monthly. Of the many inclusions in her monthly subscription, there is often a visualization. Natalie gifted us with a sample of the guided visualization and we hope that you tune in (especially overt holidays) when you feel you need a little refresh and a spark. Before we are treated with the visualization, we ask Natalie to explain to us what Heart Inspired Living is all about and how can we implement more of it into our lives?As an active user on Instagram, Natalie shares which features are her favourite not only to inspire and empower women but also as a business tool to authentically reach and connect to her ideal audience. And spoiler alert - it is one of the easiest Instagram features to use and you can start implementing these strategies right away!Lastly, if her guided visualization wasn't enough of a gift, she also shares her best practices for self-care. In her three steps, she explains that implementing three levels of self-care practice into your life can have massive benefits and reward. And it's not just hot bubble baths (although Ang will tend to differ).For more information on living and leading a Heart Inspired Life, follow Natalie Scott, The Heart Inspired Entrepreneur on Instagram @theheartinspiredentrepreneur or to Jon her monthly subscription to The Heart Inspired Lifestyle, click HERE.Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto and send us a DM! On Pinterest we are: @thesocialfocus2020 www.thesocialfocus.co 

We're taking ten month of December off! But figured we' share some of our favourite interviews from this past year again!! We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to leave your rating and review for a chance to win FIVE MONTH'S ACCESS to our online course and community, Instagram for Business!Leave your review here for a chance to win!We are thrilled to introduce you to Jordan Gill, head Honcho of Systems Saved Me, and creator of Done in a Day ™ and your new (very organized) new best friend.Over the past four years she has built a multi-six figure business helping doers, service providers and CEOs (just like you) get clear and organized in their business to scale their income, take back their time, and create the services, sales, and lives they want. We start chatting about VIP DAYS. What is a VIP Day? It's a four-figure offering that last anywhere from three to eight hours that lead a client through a transformation. It is not a strategy session. Not a Q&A. And not a “pink my brain” kind of session. This is all about transformation. Jordan shares what this looks like and the value in hosting a VIP Day for your clients and audience.Of course, Jordan offers her VIP Days and offers this opportunity to her audience. So how does one “pitch” an offering? Jordan offers some great advice to help you craft a great pitch that connects and resonates with the ideal customer. Hint? It's about getting the vibe of that person. It helps with connection and understanding. What often comes after you pitch? Well, rejection and or opposition. And Jordan was right on the mark as she mentions her strategy that she keeps an objection response handy to take the reins to any objections when speaking with potential customers. To connect with Jordan Gill:On Instagram @systemssavedmeOnline https://www.systemssavedme.comFor details on our membership course and community, Instagram for Business, click below:JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW! Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto and send us a DM! We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

We're taking ten month of December off! But figured we' share some of our favourite interviews from this past year again!! We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to leave your rating and review for a chance to win FIVE MONTH'S ACCESS to our online course and community, Instagram for Business!Leave your review here for a chance to win!Located close to the shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada,: Backwood Design Co. is a female owned and run business that specializes in handcrafting unique, live edge furniture and epoxy art charcuterie boards from salvaged, local wood. Self-taught woodworker, epoxy artist and business owner, Lindsay Russell sits down with Nat and Ang to chat about how she has utilized the power of Instagram to grow her following, create unique collaborations and as the number one tool to sell her handmade products. Instagram for Business. Ang asks if Lindsay intentionally started her Instagram account to sell her products or if that organically transpired. Lindsay notes that 3/4 of her sales come directly from Instagram. Her Instagram account was created in response to her audience and fans asking if she were on the platform. Instagram Growth. Having just reached 15k on Instagram, Nat asks Lindsay about her tips for growing on Instagram? She candidly mentions that she is still learning on Instagram and through trial and error and testing new techniques has been helpful to find what works best for her business. But her top techniques that have helped her grow can be related to collaborations, giveaways and consistency. Collaboration through Instagram. Lindsay shares her collaboration strategy and it's twofold. One strategy she shares is she sends free or discounted products to certain accounts that they can utilize in their own Instagram photography. Before this was an informal process but she has since implemented a mutually beneficial agreement. Some of her collaborations include work with @chefdevan and @chefsomm  Her other type of collaboration is with other makers which has created opportunities to co-create art together. Instagram Success Story. Lindsay shares one of her recent successes on Instagram where one of her charcuterie boards was shared by Canadian businesswoman, investor, author, television personality and self-made millionaire, Arlene Dickinson. And recently had her boards featured on HGTV's, Scott Mcgillivray's  Vacation House Rules.It's not your audiences job to find you. It's your job to find your audience. Instagram Features. Lindsay shares that of all of the tools and features on Instagram, she really enjoys utilizing Instagram Stories. She previews her upcoming pieces as well as behind the scenes.Instagram Hashtags. Lindsay uses different groups of hashtags and keeps them relevant to what she is posted. Part of her strategy is segmenting hashtags by the numbers. 75% of the hashtags she uses could have less than 10K posts. And another percentage allocated to hashtags used 25K-50k, etc. Tune in at 28:00 for her detailed breakdown. A lot of her strategy is trial and error. Connect with Lindsay at Backwood Design Co.https://www.backwooddesignco.com On Instagram @backwooddesigncowww.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon

Wow! Can you believe it is almost 2022! We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who has been tuning into Instagram for Business - with The Social Focus!Like you, we're managing our businesses, life, family and #allthethings and decided that we're going to take the month of December off to enjoy a well needed break and to enjoy the holiday season with our families and friends!Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the podcast! We cannot wait to be back in January 2022 with more education and entertainment!As we mentioned in this episode, if you'd like a chance to win FIVE MONTH ACCESS to our online course and community, Instagram for Business this is what you gotta do:From now until December 31, 2021 - any ratings and reviews left on apple podcasts from you will be entered into a draw to WIN! Tell us what you think of the show and we hope to see YOU inside our community!Happy Holidays! Thank you all for an incredible 2021. Bring on 2022!!xoxoNat & AngCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Now is your chance to join Instagram for Business - the online course and community in one that will help you scroll less and sell more your products and services on Instagram!Take advantage of this amazing deal to join for $37 USD for your first month! OR... join us for six months for only $282 USD! This is the best pricing we have ever offered!Click here for details!Follow @thesocial.focus on Instagram for more tips for using Instagram for your business!

So you're getting your ideal audience to click on your content, but are they engaging? Have you given them any direction on how you would like them to engage with you? The point of using CTAs (Call To Action) is to get more people to engage with you and your content. Here are four ways to maximize the use of CTAs and increase your engagement on Instagram.To start, take note of how you engage with other people's content on Instagram. What type of CTAs do you engage with? If they work for you, they will most likely work for your audience as well. A Call To Action is a gentle reminder to your audience. We are all busy, distracted people so adding those extra words for your Call To Action will remind your audience to take ACTION. Some good CTAs are: “Save this for later” (*then add a reason why they should save it)“Share with your audience”“Click the link in bio”On the flip side, we recommend avoiding asking an open ended or heavy question as a Call To Action (such as “what is your why?”). This will discourage engagement since it requires a longer response time. Make it easy for your audience to engage with you by using quick actionable CTAs.CTAs are not  just for your feed post. Use them in stories, IG LIVE, and reels.IG LIVEs are a great way to engage with your audience in a new way. Leading up to your LIVE, create a post and story with the details. It's important you let your audience know what they will be getting. What information they will walk away with. Let them know you'll be asking questions so submit questions via the questions sticker ahead of time. Another great way to engage prior to your IG LIVE is with the countdown sticker. Encourage your audience to turn on the notification so they can be reminded when you go LIVE.Then, when you go LIVE recap why your audience is there and what they will be getting out of the conversation. To keep engagement high, remind them to drop questions in the question box and tap the heart to show some LOVE. Finally, before you wrap up, let your audience know you will be saving the replay to your feed so they can rewatch it and let you know what they think. All these actions show Instagram your audience is engaging with you and show your content to more people.For reels, try adding a CTA as the last thing your audience sees before the reel ends. One idea is: “Click the caption for tip number three”. This gets them to stay with your content longer. Then give them another clear Call To Action in the caption so they know what to do next. Like “DM me for one more tip”.If these four tips on “Maximizing Your CTAs” were helpful please leave a five star review! See what we did there:) Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoJOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!(the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram. And the question was, “can you use Instagram stories to sell?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

In this episode, @natcaronphoto is on the mic solo and sharing how to give yourself permission. Reflecting on a conversation with an Instagram for Business client, Nat gives a real life example of how giving yourself permission to let go of “what you think” you should be doing, frees you up to do what you want to be doing. And giving yourself permission is how you're going to love being on Instagram again.Giving yourself permission for more, especially when it comes to creating content, means you can show up for yourself, your clients, and your family. When you are creating loads of content on a consistent basis that's when burnout happens. Being proactive, and intentional, starts with giving yourself permission to: hire out, take a break, walk away from Instagram for a day or two, do what lights you up & outsource what doesn't, and make things easier by creating systems.Some simple strategies you can start to implement are outsourcing tasks that are taking up your time and energy. Some examples being a photographer for stock photos, VA, OBM, copywriter, or an assistant. Take a break from social media. Take two or three days away so you can come back refreshed and excited to engage. Make things easier on yourself by putting systems in place. Such as using an online platform to create better social media captions, using stock images, scheduling content, and creating saved replies in your Instagram DMs. Systems give you a sense of calm that you have things covered and will make your day easier.Check out episode 83 with Jordan Gill from @systemssavedme The conversation opened up a whole thought process for @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto and how they should be putting more systems in place. In fact, Ang & Nat batched out content for the entire summer, saving a ton of time and energy. What do you think? What systems can implement that would give you a sense of calm and focus?Snap a pic while you're tuning in and tag us @thesocial.focus on Instagram and let us know what you think!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoJOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!(the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram, @theyellowlamb.  And the question was, “how do I have an employee work on my social media without allowing them to have full access to my Instagram account?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

How's your energy? More importantly, how often are you checking in with your energy? Are you self-aware or are you ignoring warning signs that could be triggering lack of creativity, low motivation and low energy? Is it time for a break?We're chatting with Emily K. Thomas - girl mama, world traveler, Business Energetics Advisor (Aligned Energetics), lifestyle blogger, self-care activist, and owner and designer of Sundari Swim...to name a few!Emily specialized in reading energy and one of the first things she dives into is taking inventory on how we're feeling and what vibration we're operating at. Some of the questions and things we discuss are her suggestions to stepping into our own originality (without competing, comparing and copying others), is social media a platform to be unique and why do many businesses try to emulate others instead of owning their truth?Emily is also offering a discount for all listeners who send her a dm on Instagram to receive 30% off for a reading. Just mention Nat & Ang of The Social Focus!To connect with Emily check her out on:Instagram + www.emilykthomas.comCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “should I add text to my reels?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Bells will be ringing! The most wonderful time of year is around the corner (OK OK... by the date of this episode we are still weeks and weeks away) but this is the crucial time to start planning in order to sell out your products and services during the busiest shopping season of the year. From planning your posts, creating templates, updating your bio and crafting content pieces for your email newsletter, we chat about all of our favourite tips and suggestions to maximize our time and effort so that by the time the holidays are in full swing, we can sit back and relax over a cup of eggnog. Love the episode? We'd love for you to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Click HERE to leave your and we may just give you a shout out on an upcoming episode!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “Why is the Music on my Reels Gone?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

We've heard it over and over again recently... that Instagram has been frustrating, overwhelming and less exciting. Our hope is that this episode will rejuvenate your love for the app and feel inspired to make it work for you business again. Meet Sophie Rennie. Seventeen year-old High School Student turned entrepreneur and business owner of Sweet &  Sassie Bakeshop in Ontario, Canada. After be unable to complete her co-op during the pandemic, this smart and resilient student decided to utilize that time to complete her co-op hours while working on growing her business. And boy did she grow!We chat about how she took her love of baking as a hobby and making it a full blown business with raving fans and very loyal & satisfied customers. One of her favourite tools to grow her business? Instagram! Sophie shares that she's been able to grow her following, sell more of her delicious sweets and goodies and build a solid reputation in her hometown all while using the features of Instagram. If this young woman doesn't leave you feeling inspired, youthful *and yes, hungry) we don't know what will! Check out Sophie on Instagram at @sweetandsassiebakeshop and say hello!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “can you schedule your Instagram LIVE?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

In this episode, @angela.s.doyon is on the mic solo and sharing how her feelings of overwhelm and anxiety were beginning to catch up to her. She realized that she needed to make some changes in order to continue to utilize social apps and manage her business but alleviate some of the overwhelm. Five ways to help alleviate some of this overwhelm and anxiety begin with setting timers, boundaries, managing notifications, being proactive and implementing strategy and techniques that can help save time. Some simple strategies you can start to implement are setting timers for social apps, or not checking your phone first thing in the morning. Ang has even turned off all notifications for social apps and email because they were starting to feel like triggers for more work. By setting up systems and being proactive with saved replies, out-of-office notifications and expectations, has helped minimize the feelings of overwhelm. But one of her biggest suggestions is removing any app off of your phone. In fact, Ang removed email from her phone in order to better manage her time and anxiety. What do you think? Could you remove apps or email from your phone?Snap a pic while you're tuning in and tag us @thesocial.focus on Instagram and let us know what you think!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “Should I always include a Caption on an Instagram Post?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

How Rest, new experiences, and travel stimulate creativity.In this episode we had the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Zeller. Mike is a leading expert at helping high achievers find their deepest zone of genius. He's mentored  hundreds of entrepreneurs on 6 continents now of all age ranges and experience.  From beginners to 9 figure entrepreneurs.  He has also mentored some of Hollywood's top voice over actresses, NFL athletes, and other peak performing executives.  He's author of TwiceBorn: How a Crisis Can Remake You and forthcoming book The Genius Within: Finding Your Business and Personal Zone of Genius for Maximum Success.If you're looking for more freedom and flexibility in your life and business without implementing a “hustle”mentality, then this is the episode for you. Mike walks us through his creative flow of honing in on your genius, passions and attuning yourself to reality. He led our conversation with an early realization that the world was, “his playground” and how that has led him down a career of creating impact for others. We hope this episode inspires your to delegate, eliminate and detox anything that doesn't serve your genius within. To connect with Mike Zeller:Instagram instagram.com/themikezeller Twitter twitter.com/themikezeller Facebook facebook.com/themikezeller Youtube youtube.com/themikezeller LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/themikezeller  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're addressing the recent Facebook and Instagram Outage.  Inside our private community, we share our thoughts and suggestions on why having a backup plan is so important and what to do next time there's an outage... because it will happen again.  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  for more Instagram for Business tips and education!@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “how do I show more of my personality on Instagram?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

OK, be honest… have you ever said this to yourself…Who am I to run this race?Who am I to start this business?Who am I to wear this fancy dress?Who am I to say I'm an expert?Imposter Syndrome friends. It's real. And it can creep in when you least expect it!For many of us entrepreneurs, sometimes at the beginning, or when we make massive changes in our business, Imposter syndrome nestles in. But good news! There is science behind this.Have you heard of the Dunning-Kruger Effect?If you look it up, you'll see a chart that looks like a half pipe. At the beginning there's confidence, very little competency and we're thinking, “damn, I'm awesome!”In the middle we have average competence, but we feel like we don't know anything. But by the time we're an expert it swoops back to feeling pretty good, but you know your limitations.The basis around this is that people with LOW ability of a task actually overestimate their own ability. And people that have high ability of a task underestimate their own ability.We don't know what we don't know.So when does imposter syndrome show up? Does it show up when we're a newbie?Nope. Imposter syndrome doesn't show up until you have a certain level of competence. Which means that the only people with imposter syndrome are people who actually do have a certain level of expertise! Mic Drop!But so many people consider Imposter Syndrome the moment that they should give up, and the moment they should pivot in a whole new direction.Rather than realize that when imposter syndrome creeps up, it's only here because they are actually on the path of becoming an expert, and literally half way there!You literally can't have imposter syndrome unless you do have an expertise. And it's a sign that you are well on your way!So how do you cope with it?- Know the signs- Let go of perfectionism- Be kind to yourself- Realize this is a view no one else shares about us- Remember all of your strengths- Read a note from a happy customer- We're all a work in progressStop comparingCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW! (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today we're answering one of the questions that was asked from one of our followers on Instagram.  And the question was, “how do I craft better education posts on Instagram?”  Do you have a question you'd like us to answer in an upcoming episode? Submit yours to hello@thesocialfocus.co and include your Name, Instagram Handle and your Question!  Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus  @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto   JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)   We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 

On today's episode of Instagram for Business Nat goes solo. And Is speaking about community and the importance behind it. Nat recites a statement she heard recently“We don't need a lot of information. We need a lot of connection, which comes from community. It gives us courage to do the things.”The absolute best way that you can get people to feel connected to your business, to make them feel heard, to make them feel like they're part of something, is to create a community around it.Where can you find communities? This is the question that most of you are probably. Where do I find this community? We have a community and course. Which is a group of likeminded businesses who cheer each other on. They are lifting each other up. They are commenting on each other's posts. They are sharing each other's posts and, you know, within the Facebook group as well, they're cheering each other on when they have what we call a Wednesday win.Community is a place where it unites us. It makes us feel we are part of something big and it can give us confidence. Confidence comes from so many aspects, like skills we have, what we've learned through our life, what we're good at, or how we've been raised. But it also comes from being in a group of people that think the world of you that think you are pretty incredible as well.And then we leave that world. And how do we find this community? Well, you might find it through something you're interested in. So whether it be sports or another particular activity, whether it be book club, but it also can happen through business. Networking events can be great.You may find a club, whether it be, you know, rotary or BNI, that is an opportunity to have a community of business like-minded individuals. You've got this road and you're paving your way, but the truth is, is that many people have paved the way for you, whether it be your parents, whether it be your friends, whether it be a boss. And creating a community around referring to one another helps everyone involved. Including the customer. They already trust you. They're already coming to you to hire you for your skills and your services.Don't take on everything. Don't be a Jack of all trades. Don't do the things that you don't feel comfortable with. Send them to somebody you feel connected to. And that's another way to create a community. So it's sending referrals to other people it's sending more business and obviously more opportunities. And others will do the same for you. That community that you're building are not going to necessarily just be customers. If you're interested in joining our community, we would love to connect.https://the-social-focus.mykajabi.com/instagram-for-business-salespageJOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW!  You can find us @thesocial.focus on Instagram@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto  Or send us an email at hello@thesocialfocus.co  We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)