Local Biz Talk

I’ve been experimenting with Instagram Business Tools since they were introduced last summer and I shared what I've learned on the podcast this week.  The goal is for you to be able to make an informed decision to switch to a business account or stay with a personal account. Since Instagram currently lets you change from personal to business and back again, this episode will be helpful whether you've already switched or not! After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: How to boost your posts on Instagram How to make it easier for your customers to connect with your business How to learn more about your followers What you should be ready for if you make the decision to switch to a business account Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Cons Declining organic reach Pros Boost post Contact Analytics How to Switch to an Instagram Business Account Constant Contact Tutorial If you want to talk more about it, I’m offering a free 30 minute coaching call to set you up for success. But there are just a few spots available, so sign up ASAP! And if you're a local business owner, don’t forget to connect with us over in the Facebook Group!

In this episode, I talk with Lauren Herpich, owner of Local Food Adventures about how she's been able to turn one sale into two or three by offering gift cards.  We recorded this conversation during the holidays, but it’s still relevant today, so I had to share! After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should offer gift cards (if you’re not already) How to make it easy for customers to buy and redeem Why it’s a great way to expand your customer base How to make sure your customers know that you offer gift cards Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Outline Ask customers to buy a gift card for someone else. Spread the word using social media, email and postcards. Share pictures on social media of people enjoying your product and mention that you offer gift cards. Have gift cards near the cash register. Make sure it’s on your website Links Mentioned Fare Harbor Don’t forget to connect with us over in the Facebook Group!

If you're looking for another way to bring in customers, here's another idea. You should plan a celebration around a National Food Holiday! There are lots of days to celebrate every month and great opportunities to bring in customers and I’m going to help you come up with a plan. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should think about celebrating national food holidays Where to find holidays that will work for your business How to add national food holidays to your Google Calendar How to create an event around the holiday How to create a marketing plan to promote your event Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Timeline for Celebrating National Food Holidays 5 weeks in advance Go through list of holidays, Add national food holidays to your calendar 4 weeks in advance Plan an event, Offer special dishes, Come up with fun names 3 weeks in advance Create Images, Take photos, record videos of your dishes, Use Canva.com 2 weeks in advance Post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Create a Facebook Event and invite everyone Day of event Post photo the morning of the event to remind and invite people to the celebration, Post photo during event to thank everyone and show people that they’re missing out   I’m offering a free 30 minute coaching call to set you up for success, but there are just a few spots available, so sign up ASAP! And I created a Free Google Calendar of National Food Holidays so we can all stay organized. Sign up below for access!   And don’t forget to connect with us over in the Facebook Group!  

When I was a judge for the Good Food Awards Blind Tasting last fall, I ran into Gina Conedera, another judge who owns Chunky Pig, and she asked me to do a post about the process.  She said this info would’ve been useful when she was an applicant, so I decided to record a podcast episode for anyone else who might want to know more about the process. Thanks for the idea, Gina! In this episode, I interviewed Alli Ball from Allison Ball Consulting, who organized the Pantry category and also invited me to be a judge.  She’s fabulous and really knows her stuff!  We talked about the timeline for the Good Food Awards from entering, to the blind tasting to the gala - and shared tips for success along the way. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: The number 1 reason why a producer should enter the Good Food Awards Why it's useful, even if you don’t end up winning an award How the blind tasting works How you can set yourself up for success   Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Good Food Awards Timeline July - Enter up to three products and send samples September - Blind tasting November - Semi-finalists announced January - Good Food Awards & Marketplace   And if you're a local business owner, connect with us in the Facebook Group!

Happy New Year ? As far as I'm concerned, 2017 couldn't come fast enough.  Let's start the new year on the right foot and refresh our accounts!  I can show you how to do that and help you use social media efficiently and effectively so you can do MORE in LESS time. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should update your social media accounts Where to get useful examples How to find and engage potential customers in your city How to create a sustainable social media plan you can accomplish in 5-10 minutes a day! Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. 7 Day Social Media Refresh Update your background pictures Update your bio Choose a social media platform to prioritize Find potential customers Get customers to respond Find out which social media posts work best for your customers Create a sustainable social media plan   And don’t forget to connect with us in the Facebook Group!

Welcome back to my series of 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Local Businesses. If you’ve missed any of the other episodes, click here and be sure to get the checklist below. In this episode, I just wanted to remind you about your Cover Photo.  It's the perfect place to show off the your business, so it's a good idea to update it regularly. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: How to make a good first impression on your customers Why you should update your cover photos How often you should change them What to include in your cover photos How to design a new cover photo in about 5 minutes (for free!) Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Why you should update your cover photos Make a good first impression with new customers Change with the seasons (or when you have a new menu, product, campaign) How to change your cover photos Use templates, collages and/or photos Make sure it’s the right size Use Canva I recorded this quick tutorial to show you how easy it is to design a new cover photo: This was only one of the 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas we’re going to talk about this season.   If you want the FREE checklist and the rest of the ideas, sign up below!

Welcome back to my series of 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Local Businesses. If you’ve missed any of the other episodes, click here and be sure to get the checklist below. Working with another local business is a great way to find new customers and a themed gift basket makes it easy for shoppers to cross people off their list. So I had to get Maricela Yee of Little Shop Artisan Box on the podcast to share some of the tricks she’s learned through 5 years of creating gift baskets for her business.    After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should work with another local business Why you should think about collaborating on a gift basket How to introduce your business to new customers How to put a gift basket together Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Things to think about when putting a gift basket together Work with another local business Ask them to help promote Stay on the same theme Start with small sizes What goes into a gift basket Container   Right size Reusable Products   Complementary, non-perishable items Example: A tea kettle with local tea, honey, crackers and cookies inside Another example: A kit with all the pieces you need to make a recipe Decoration Crinkle wrap as inside stuffing, Outside wrapper Links mentioned Episode 26 with Ari about pop-ups Episode 17 with Oaktown Spice Shop Stroopie Gourmet Little Shop Artisan Blog This was only one of the 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas we’re going to talk about this season.   If you want the FREE checklist and the rest of the ideas, sign up below!

Welcome back to my series of 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Local Businesses. If you’ve missed any of the other episodes, click here and be sure to get the checklist below. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should send a holiday card to your customers How you can quickly design them for free How you can send holiday cards for free How to use them as an effective marketing strategy to encourage repeat business Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Here are the 5 tips: Be inclusive Don’t sell Send them early Choose Snail Mail or Email Use Canva I also recorded a video tutorial to show you how to quickly design your own holiday card - for free! This was only one of the 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas we’re going to talk about this season.   If you want the FREE checklist and the rest of the ideas, sign up below!

I’m excited for you to hear my conversation with Kerry Johnson of Marion & Rose’s Workshop and Kira Pascoe of Townsquared.  We talked about Plaid Friday, the alternative to Black Friday that’s designed to promote shopping locally during the holidays.  The last day for local businesses to sign up is Thursday, November 3 at 12pm, so be sure to email kira@townsquared.com for more information! After listening to this episode, you’ll learn: How Plaid Friday got started Why local businesses should participate How to have a successful event for Plaid Friday And more! Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Why local businesses should participate in Plaid Friday Work with other local businesses Take advantage of the free exposure (press, maps, social media, information booths) Bring in more customers How to have a successful Plaid Weekend Introduce the idea to customers Use social media, email and posters to get the word out Offer refreshments and samples Bring in food carts Have music playing or a invite a live band Offer a discount for customers that wear plaid The last day for local businesses to sign up is Thursday, November 3 at 12pm. To get more information, email kira@townsquared.com. Links Mentioned Plaid Friday East Bay Express This was only one of the 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas we’re going to talk about this season.   If you want the FREE checklist and the rest of the ideas, sign up below!

Did you hear the last podcast episode?  It was an overview of all 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas and this episode is going more in depth on the first idea: Partner With Another Local Business. Ari Takata-Vasquez, owner of Viscera is always she’s always doing something interesting with her business, so I had to have her on the podcast to share her newest project.  She’s hosting a series of pop-ups in her store and shared some tips that will help you out, if you're thinking of doing something similar.  After listening to this podcast, you’ll learn: Why you should think about partnering with another local business How she found businesses that were a good fit Why pop-ups bring in new customers How she set up successful partnerships And more! Scroll down to listen online or download the episode from iTunes. Outline Advantages You can test a new idea Cross-marketing Challenges Organizing can be tricky Transformation of the space Suggestions for the host business Form to apply Be ready to be hands on Set up terms early Suggestions for the pop-up business Have a custom audience and price point in mind Be flexible Set up realistic expectations Be ready to promote Links Mentioned Esperanza workshop Oaktown Blooms Saison Beauty Viscera pop-up interest form Basecamp This was only one of the 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas we're going to talk about this season.   If you want the rest of the ideas, sign up below! And don’t forget to connect with us in the Facebook Group!