Show and Sell with Charlene

When you invest in doing a design festival, trade show or other event, being there in person is only part of it. If you're not posting on social media afterwards, you are missing out on a lot of the opportunity and potential exposure from doing it. In this episode, creative business coach Charlene C Lam shares her top tips for how creative entrepreneurs can leverage their investment in a design show or design fair.   In this episode: Why it’s important to tag showrunners on your posts How to think of your Instagram like a press release Why you shouldn’t neglect your captions “Show runners need quality content as well as journalists.”   Have your own question about social media or marketing for creative entrepreneurs? Send your question to ask@hicharlene.com   Curious about marketing and mindset coaching for your business? Book your free 30-minute call with me for a chat http://hicharlene.com/hello   Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

What’s the difference between sharing and oversharing on social media? How can you be truly authentic on Instagram without getting too personal? On this episode, we learn what shame and vulnerability expert Brené Brown said at a recent event about the difference between oversharing as a defense mechanism vs genuine sharing on social media. Creative business expert Charlene C Lam then gives her take on the question, as it applies to entrepreneurs and small businesses.   In this episode: The difference between sharing and oversharing on social media What questions to ask to determine what’s relevant for your business audience   Have your own question about social media or marketing for creative entrepreneurs? Send your question to ask@hicharlene.com Curious about marketing and mindset coaching for your business? Book your free 30-minute call with me for a chat http://hicharlene.com/hello Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Ever wondered how to get freelance clients and pitch your work? In this episode, I’m in conversation with New York City photographer Sammy Ruby. We go into how she gets freelance clients, how she uses social media, and answer her question about how to pitch to new clients.   In this episode: Why word of mouth and referrals are gold When it can make sense to have different Instagram accounts Questions to ask yourself when pitching for new projects   Have your own question about social media or marketing for creative entrepreneurs? Send your question to ask@hicharlene.com   Curious about marketing and mindset coaching for your business? Book your free 30-minute call with me for a chat http://hicharlene.com/hello   Links mentioned:   Samy Ruby’s Wedding and Couple’s photography website and Instagram http://www.rubyphotographynyc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/samantharubyphoto/   Samy Ruby’s brand and travel photography website and Instagram www.samyruby.com https://www.instagram.com/samyrubyphoto/   Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

When it comes to social media for business, it’s wise to question the conventional wisdom. In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, I introduce a new Ask Charlene feature, answer a listener question about Facebook and share the importance of questioning what everyone says when it comes to social media.   In this episode: Why one-size-fits-all social media advice should be questioned Examples of when the conventional wisdom is wrong Why Facebook is dead -- or is it?   Have your own question about social media for creative entrepreneurs? Send your question to hello@hicharlene.com Want help with applying social media effectively for your business? Book your free 30-minute call with me for a chat http://hicharlene.com/hello   Links mentioned: Social Media Examiner: Is Facebook Organic Marketing Dead? https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/is-facebook-organic-marketing-dead-mari-smith/ Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Do you have a podcast for your business -- should you? And do you have a content flow? In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, I share why I decided to have a podcast as my primary content platform, and why a content flow is so important for your creative business. In this episode: Why a podcast might be a good option for your business Why it’s important to have a content flow How a content flow helps you create social media content Bonus: Check out the Let a Podcast Out online course and use promo code CHARLENE for $25 off. Live round starts April 1st. http://letapodcastout.club   Links mentioned: Let a Podcast Out online course Use promo code CHARLENE for $25 off. Live round starts April 1st. http://letapodcastout.club   Podcasting That Pays online course https://smartleaderssell.com/podcasting-that-pays/   All About Agatha podcast https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-about-agatha   Alright Mary podcast about RuPaul’s Drag Race https://www.alrightmary.com/ Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/  

Are you using Instagram to sell products? Shoppable posts have been a feature for a while, but Instagram has now introduced a full in-app shopping checkout -- but only to limited retailers for now. In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, we look at this latest Instagram development as well as new Planoly’s new Insta Stories app. In this episode: Instagram’s new in-app shopping feature Planoly’s new app Stories Edit for Insta Stories My favorite sources for Instagram news Introducing the Social Media Help Desk for Creative Entrepreneurs “If you do sell products in your creative business and you don't have shoppable posts already, this is a good reason to look at setting up those posts up.”   “It’s really important to have trusted sources of information because otherwise you can waste a lot of time and energy just mindlessly googling or asking the wrong person for their opinion.”   Links mentioned:   Wired.com - Instagram’s New Shopping Feature Makes It a Digital Mall https://www.wired.com/story/instagram-in-app-shopping-feature/   Instagram website: Set Up Requirements for Shopping on Instagram https://help.instagram.com/1627591223954487   Planoly introduces the Stories Edit app https://www.planoly.com/blog/portfolio/introducing-storiesedit-a-stories-design-app-planoly/   Later, another popular Instagram planning app https://later.com/   Later blog: 14 Apps for Creating Gorgeous Instagram Stories https://later.com/blog/apps-for-instagram-stories/   Social Media Help Desk for Creative Entrepreneurs http://hicharlene.com/social-media-for-creative-entrepreneurs-help-desk   Website: www.hicharlene.com Email: hello@hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Feeling frustrated with Instagram? That’s not uncommon as we all adjust to frequent changes and the ever-shifting social media landscape. Feeling sad and depressed by Instagram though? That’s not healthy -- time to step away from the ‘gram and get some perspective. In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, we look at signs we’re taking social media too seriously, and the importance of distinguishing between what you can and cannot control. In this episode: Signs you’re taking social media too seriously The importance of distinguishing between what you can and cannot control “Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and all these platforms, they should only be part of our overall marketing strategy.” “Like many things in life, there are things we can control and things we can’t control about social media.” “If you think of magazines, we understand that the images are Photoshopped, airbrushed, and not representative of necessarily how people are in real life, as well as representing a very strict definition of what's attractive. It's the same with Instagram.”   Links mentioned: Instagram expert Sara Tasker of Me and Orla Sara Tasker's new book Hashtag Authentic #MarchMeettheMaker on Instagram #MarchMeettheMaker founder Joanne Hawker    Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Confused about how to use Pinterest for your creative business? Wondering how to get engagement? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, we answer a listener question, and take another look at Pinterest. For entrepreneurs, this “visual search engine” can be so much more than a virtual inspiration board.   In this episode: What kinds of entrepreneurs should especially look at Pinterest again Why Pinterest is not just another social media platform Examples of how independent brands and small businesses might use Pinterest Links mentioned: http://business.pinterest.com Melyssa Griffin’s 3 Essential Pinterest Strategies   Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/  

Marketing and mindset - they need to be aligned for you to get the results you want in business. But often, with designers, makers and creatives, there’s a disconnect! In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, creative business expert shares why she’s passionate about both.   In this episode: Why marketing AND mindset matter for your business Common examples of creative entrepreneurs’ marketing and mindset mismatches   “Marketing is what you tell other people. Marketing is what you tell yourself. And they need work together.”   Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

What inspiration can entrepreneurs take from celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo? On this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, we go on an art field trip from Mexico City to London to the Brooklyn Museum, drawing personal branding insights from the life and work of Frida Kahlo.   In this episode: The Frida Formula for owning your story and creating a self-image Why Frida Kahlo is particularly relevant now How solopreneurs and small businesses can take inspiration from Frida   Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Which social media platforms should you be on? And how do you know what to do or say when you’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn? For a lot of entrepreneurs getting started with social media, it can be helpful to use the Party Analogy to get a handle on which platforms are right for them!   In this episode: Why you don’t need to be on all the platforms The importance of starting with your Purpose Why you might want to just be “in the room”   "Let's think of it this way: The platforms are parties where a lot of people have gotten together, and there are lots of different conversations happening at these parties." “If you're at a party and there is no one you want to talk to, then guess what you're probably at the wrong party.” “Use the social media platforms to create that human connection, and to stay connected and have conversations. And be clear about how using social media relates to your business.” Want help with social media for your creative business? Visit hicharlene.com and book a free call with me. We can chat about your social media challenges and how I might be able to help. Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

“It’s too expensive” -- if you make high end products and have done retail shows or markets, you’ve likely heard this! How should you react? What should you do? In this episode of Show and Sell with Charlene, I'll share my take on how to handle this situation. Even if you’re an entrepreneur who sells services and not products, it’s important to anticipate how you’ll react if someone says your prices are too expensive. In this episode: Why you shouldn’t take it personally The importance of Value and Values How to evaluate if they’re your customer   Ask yourself two questions: Am I conveying the Value and Values of my products? Is this my customer?   Website: www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

The algorithm gets all the attention, but did you know it’s actually a great time to be a human being on social media? In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, I share my Social Media Best Practices in 2019, including an overview of what changed and what’s new on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more.   In this episode: Social media trends and developments over the past year Why the key to social media success in 2019 is being human What’s currently working and what's no longer working on social media   "Real connections and conversations are being encouraged across the different social media platforms. Outdated practices like bots and auto replies are being looked down on."   “I don't think that you need to know all the nitty gritty of what all the different platforms are doing and the changes in their algorithms. What's more important is knowing which platforms are right for you and who you're talking to, and who you want to talk to, and creating content for that platform and for those people.”   “Posting like a human is actually what the experts advise.”   "The platform have matured and evolved, and the social media users have also matured and evolved."   "People are being more aware of how they're using social media. They're pickier about who they follow and how they spend their time on their devices and on the different platforms."   Mentioned in the podcast episode: Social Media Marketing Talk Show, hosted by Social Media Examiner (available as a podcast or video) www.socialmediaexaminer.com/morning-social-media-marketing-talk-show/ UK marketing expert Janet Murray www.janetmurray.co.uk/ TheInstaChat - Monthly Twitter chat on all things Instagram with Sara Tasker twitter.com/theinstachat   LINKS www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Do you have a plan for how you’re showing and selling your work this year? In this episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, I share an easy and creative way to plan your coming year: the Garden Analogy. In this episode: Why my new year doesn’t start on January 1st How to review the previous year easily and effectively How to use the Garden analogy to plan your year   “I don't know about you, but I don't want to approach my life and business like I'm in a war” “What do you want more of? What do you want less of?” “You can't plant all the seeds.”   Links Worksheets: www.hicharlene.com/newyear twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/

Dear creative entrepreneur, do you make beautiful work? Great! Now, are you doing enough to show and sell it? In this pilot episode of the Show and Sell with Charlene podcast, I share why I’m so passionate about helping entrepreneurs show and sell their work. From social media to customer experience to experiential retail, it’s a bold and beautiful new business world out there!   In this episode: Why making beautiful work isn’t enough How I started working with designers, makers and creative entrepreneurs Some favorite words that start with M: Marketing, Metaphor, Mindset Why you should imagine that your business is a restaurant Why googling for social media advice doesn’t work Why Mindset matters   “I'm passionate about figuring out how to live a creative life and make a creative living.” “Beautiful work is not enough.” “Selling … is showing your work to the right people at the right time in the right way.” “We have to learn how to manage our minds and manage our thoughts to figure out how to get ourselves to do the things that we want to do and need to do.”   Where to find Charlene:   www.hicharlene.com twitter.com/charclam/ instagram.com/charclam/ linkedin.com/in/charclam/   Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Charlene Lam disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.