Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

Rex Rogosch’s Take on the Future of Hospitality Design - Episode 195

The Coronavirus pandemic brought to light many things that were lacking in the hospitality industry that will need to change. Rex believes you’ll begin to see different rules and regulations—and hospitality designers will need to know these things. What are the easiest materials to keep clean? How will social distancing change design? What temporary changes will become permanent? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Darla, Natalie, and Rex take a deep-dive into the future of hospitality design. 
Rex Rogosch is an award-winning interior designer and the creative director at Darla Powell Interiors. Rex has over 20 years of experience in hospitality, including the architectural side of hospitality. He’s worked with commercial, restaurants, casinos, and hotels and is known for his eye for detail and completing design projects in an exquisite fashion. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:54] Rotten potatoes + the Mandalorian 
[2:27] Badges on TikTok
[5:41] All about Rex Rogosch
[9:27] Rex’s experience in hospitality design
[10:27] Why go into hospitality design?
[11:38] How the hospitality industry is changing
[13:07] Will hospitality move smaller?
[17:21] How to keep your design timeless
[21:25] Technology in the hospitality industry
[23:50] The impact of virtual events on the industry
[26:16] The psychology of the host + user
[30:20] What up Wingnut! Round
[38:23] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Rex Rogosch
R Squared Design
Connect on Facebook
Connect on LinkedIn
Resources & People Mentioned
AutoCAD
How the hospitality design industry is changing
Rex emphasizes that designers in the hospitality industry have to be at the forefront of change. Regulations are changing at the state and local levels. So designers need to stay up-to-date on local requirements and think creatively. They must engage with their clients and brainstorm unique ideas. 
Designers often rely on the architect to know these things, but Rex points out that you can‘t rely on someone else's knowledge. You need to know. Some clients will want to adhere to the bare minimum requirements and throw up a plastic sheet. Others will want to build plexiglass dividers. Rex emphasizes that you will see a multitude of extremes until things even out. 
Rex is a huge proponent of technology. He thinks it will play a huge role—and not just in the sense of doing things virtually on your computer. He thinks a step toward microband and antimicrobial materials will become more prominent in hospitality design. You’ll see fabrics that are bleach-resistant. 
Most people don’t know that porcelain tiles exist that have coatings on them so when water touches them it releases ozone into the air. Why? It blocks out the chlorine smell at pools. He believes these types of products will become more widely available in the market. That tech will show up on a more global scale at a better price. 
The psychology of the host + user
With hospitality design in general, you have to look at how people interact. Part of your job is to visualize how you want to move people through a space in your design. You have to look at how your design choices will impact people. Humans like to feel cozy and secure. How do you make them feel that when the closest person is 10 feet away? 
Rex points out that you should look at a building like it’s its own city. Look at the psychology of the host and the user: What is it that you want them to experience? Look at new ways of giving them experiences that are enjoyable—but safe. What about creating rooftop gardens? It’s good for the environment, it’s outdoors, and allows you to socially distance. What do you want your buildings to convey in a respectful and insightful way? Designers can help hotels and other venues reinvent their spaces. 
When the ADA first came out, people didn’t know what they were doing. Now it’s common knowledge and practice. This is our next ADA. Rex shares ‘I look at requirements that are happening now and am like, “Why weren’t we doing this in the beginning? Why weren’t we doing these things that seem like common sense?”’ Why did mass hysteria point out what we should’ve been doing in the first place? 
For the full discussion on the future of hospitality design in this post-COVID world, listen to the whole episode!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How to Rewire your Mindset [Jarrod Haning’s Nobel-Nominated Process] - Episode 194

What is mindset? Mindset is different from attitude, personality, and positive thinking. In Jarrod Haning’s world, mindset is a strategy. Mindset is a specific way of thinking that generates a specific result. If you can access different levels of your brain on-demand, it shifts levels of resourcefulness and innovation when it comes to solving problems. You think at a higher level and come up with more effective solutions. 
So how can you leverage your mindset to access different parts of your brain? How do you change the results you’re seeing in your every-day life? Jarrod is a performance coach that specializes in a Nobel-nominated process that allows you to access different parts of your brain on-demand. 
Jarrod is an award-winning speaker who’s been featured on ABC Nightline, spoken on stages all across the country, and has clients around the world. He’s also delivered 4 TEDx talks related to Mindset Performance. To get a glimpse into his process, listen to this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:02] A tribute to MacDuff
[4:12] TikTok Teams Up With Shopify
[6:40] All about Jarrod Haning
[8:31] Why Jarrod’s an expert about Mindset
[12:04] Why Jarrod hates “work smarter—not harder”
[25:20] Mind Pushups: an exercise to rewire your mind
[35:00] How is it different than looking outside of the box
[35:53] Why to-do lists are the enemy. 
[41:09] The What up Wingnut! Round
[44:38] How to connect with Jarrod
[51:51] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Jarrod Haning
The Mindset Performance Website
The Mindset Performance Podcast
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
Resources & People Mentioned
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Why Jarrod hates “work smarter—not harder”
Jarrod believes “work smarter—not harder” is deceptively dangerous and misleading advice. It’s like praising your kids for being smart or getting good grades. That is kneecapping your own children. Why? Being smart is something that you have no control over. It’s why kids who are praised for being smart grow up to be quitters. Why? Because the first time they try something that doesn’t come naturally, they give up. It’s why you should say, “I’m proud of you, I can tell you worked really hard.” Because you can always work harder at something. 
There are almost always 3 reasons that you’re stuck in the situation you are (that work smarter not harder is NOT the answer to):
You don’t have enough time.
You don’t have enough money.
You don’t have the support you need. 
You’re doing everything you know to do. Working harder wouldn’t make a difference or it would have by now. It’s likely that everything you’re doing is logical, rational, well thought out, etc. So working smarter won’t make a difference—or it would have by now. A breakthrough in your situation will not make sense to you. Because you’ve done everything that does make sense. You have to get out of your head. 
If something isn’t working, Jarrod notes that your gut reaction is to do more of it faster. But if you’re driving and get lost, driving faster doesn’t get you back on track. You have to stop and look at a map. Rather than run faster in a corn maze to get to the end faster, stand on a ladder, and look at the maze. In a split second, you have an “aha moment” and everything clicks. You need to change your altitude of perspective. 
In the work that Jarrod does, they map out your thinking patterns. Once they do that, it will get you out of your head and unto the paper. You can see your blind spots. A blind spot makes sense on the surface, but the fact that it makes sense is why you keep running into obstacles. Jarrod walks through his powerful mind pushups method that can rewire the way you think. To walk through the exercise with him, listen to the whole episode. 
Why to-do lists are the enemy
Why does Jarrod hate to-do lists? He believes that checking things off of your to-do list actually lowers your income. A to-do list builds on the belief that getting things done is what matters. It’s the belief that more action leads to more results and more success. But coal miners work hard and all they get in the end is emphysema! 
Working hard causes the brain to look for more work to do. It’s why you can make a to-do list in the morning and by afternoon it’s just as long. The brain gets a hit of dopamine and takes pleasure in getting things done—when your brain is wired that way. 
Here’s why Jarrod believes it doesn’t work: doing something doesn’t address the reason it needs to be done to start with. Returning emails today doesn’t prevent you from returning emails tomorrow. The dopamine hit you get from crossing something off your list is the distraction that keeps you stuck. On the surface it makes sense. The problem is that it doesn’t move the ball forward in a meaningful way. 
What should you do instead? Jarrod emphasizes “Instead of looking for more things to do, cause more things to be done. Consequently, when you are working you’re working on things that scale and produce free time as a byproduct.” It’s a totally different way of thinking. He shares a simple yet practical way to demonstrate his point in this episode. To learn more about Jarrod’s mind-boggling strategies, listen to the whole episode! 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Andrea Freeman’s Method: Shift Your Mindset to Scale Your Business - Episode 193

Everyone wants to show up as the best version of themselves, in life and in business. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. Andrea Freeman believes that everyone is on a journey to expand and learn more about themselves. She likes to say “Let your personal evolution fuel your business revolution.” She emphasizes that your business can only be as successful as you are. So how do you shift your mindset and realign with your purpose? How does doing that help you scale your business? Listen to this episode of Wingnut Social to learn more!
Andrea Freeman is a business coach who created the HOST Method. She’s on a mission to help service-based business owners realign with their purpose, create greater financial freedom, fulfillment, and make a difference in the world. She’s worked with clients to integrate mindset techniques, refine their business models, and scale quickly. Andrea’s clients experience more clarity in their purpose, they see their revenue stream increase and they achieve much more sustainable success.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:54] Knaus Berry Farm Shoutout
[3:08] Facebook’s guide to successful ad campaigns
[4:35] Andrea Freeman’s background
[5:55] Andrea has been a life-long entrepreneur
[7:06] What it’s like working with A-list celebrities
[9:35] The difference between a negative and positive mindset
[11:29] “Who should I be” versus “what should I do”
[15:34] Strategies to deal with an in-the-moment crisis
[19:48] What is the HOST method?
[22:34] Meditation + mindset
[26:45] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[28:22] How to connect with Andrea Freeman
[32:33] Blooper Reel! 
Connect with Andrea Freeman
Andrea’s Consulting Business
FREE 5-Minute Journal 
Follow Andrea on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: You are a Badass at Making Money
Facebook’s Guide to Ad Tactics
Knaus Berry Farm
Mydoma Studio
Transcendental Meditation 
Headspace
Calm
“Who should I be” versus “what should I do”
Andrea feels that in life there is a lot of emphasis on doing. Traditional business advice is all about doing. Instead of focusing on doing Andrea says your foundation should be built on who you’re being. Are you being magnetic? Are you being engaging? Are you a joy to be around? She believes you should be the kind of person you want to do business with.
One of the first questions she asks her clients is: “What’s your ‘why’ and how are you honoring it?” She often finds that people either have no idea what their why is OR they know what it is but aren't honoring it. Honoring it is just getting to the core of why things are important to you—and bringing it into your business. 
People can see through you if you’re putting on a veneer of how you think you should be. Andrea felt she was leaving herself out of her business. When she pivoted and only offered services that aligned with her purpose, her business began to thrive. Authenticity took her business to another level. 
Shift your mindset with meditation and affirmation 
Do you have moments when you need to shift your perspective? Andrea points out that you need to implement in the moment crisis strategies. After all, we can’t all go sit on a mountaintop and meditate when stuff happens in life. Andrea notes that you can take 5 minutes and use a simple affirmation to help you deal with what you're going through:
“Everything always works out for me.”
“I am divinely guided and protected.” 
“Peace begins with me.” 
You also want to remember that some business isn’t meant for you. She notes that entrepreneurs get sucked into feeling they have to win every piece of business. But Andrea firmly believes there is a reason some things don’t work out: “Getting the business is divine. Not getting the business is divine.”
There’s something else that Andrea recommends implementing to change the trajectory of your every day—listen to find out what it is. 
What is Andrea’s HOST method?
The HOST Method plays on Andrea’s background. It’s the concept of being able to be a host in your own life or a guest at someone else’s party. When you’re a guest you don’t get a say on the food or the music. When you’re the host, you have a say in everything. It’s also an acronym:
H = Honor your why
O = Own who you are
S = Shift your perspective
T = Take inspired action
When you find clarity on your why and own it fully, you’ll naturally start to take notice when limiting beliefs and self-doubt begin to creep in. That’s when you use techniques to shift your perspective (prayer, meditation, affirmations, visualizations, moving your body, spending time in nature, etc.). Do whatever you need to shift back into being who you are. Take inspired action from that place of clarity. 
Andrea notes that above all you should know that you deserve all the success in the world. There is a reason that you have a desire to do something. Give yourself the permission to go for it and shine your light. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Travel + Interior Design Photography Tips [Pro Ralph Velasco Shares] - Episode 192

How important is good photography for interior design marketing? How important is it for the travel and tourism industry? How do you craft the perfect image that portrays what you see? In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, professional photographer Ralph Velasco joins Natalie and Darla to share his expertise.
Ralph is a professional travel photographer who’s led over 100 international tours over the last 12 years. He is the founder and CEO of PhotoEnrichment Adventures and Alla Campagna. Ralph crafts tours that not only immerse you in another culture, but teaches you how to capture what you see in stunning images. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:04] The latest and greatest in social media marketing
[4:00] The importance of good imagery in marketing
[6:53] Ralph’s background in photography
[7:59] The importance of professional photography
[11:14] What works and what really doesn’t
[14:25] How to develop an eye for photography
[17:15] The impact of social media
[22:17] How Ralph navigated safe travel during COVID-19 
[23:56] Top mistakes people make with photography
[27:47] The What up Wingnut! Round!
[30:39] How to connect with Ralph Velasco
[37:28] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Ralph Velasco
PhotoEnrichment Adventures
Alla Campagna
Ralph’s blog: Continental Drifter
Ralph on Instagram
Ralph on Facebook
Ralph on Twitter
Ralphy’s YouTube Channel
Ralph’s book: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye and More
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Travel + Interior design photography: images sell
Images sell your home. Images sell the experience. People want to know what they will see and experience and great photography is the best way to convey that. Ralph scouts his trips at least a year in advance. He captures photographs, takes video, meets people, stays in the hotels, and eats at the restaurants. Then he picks and chooses the best for his tour groups.
Ralph emphasizes that “A travel photographer has to be a jack of all genres, master of some.” Photographers specialize in architecture, people, food, and much more. But a travel photographer has to be good at everything. Photographers are story-tellers. They have to tell the story of a place, a region, or a country. 
Perhaps you’re telling the story of the interior of a home. To do that, Ralph notes that you want to start with big wide establishing shots. Then take the medium shots that show a portion of the room. Then you dive into the detail shots. The way to differentiate your photography is always in the details. Everyone gets the “postcard” shot. But the people that capture the details in the photos differentiate themselves from everyone else.
How do you develop an eye for photography? How do you learn to drill down deeper into the scene and capture the soul of it? Listen to hear Ralph’s advice. 
Two tips that will transform your photography
Ralph jokes that “If you don’t like getting up early, be a writer.” But it’s actually true. Photography is all about taking advantage of the best possible light. In the morning, the sun is low in the sky and you experience golden hour with long soft shadows. Think about how the light impacts your subject and get proper exposure. 
When you’re photographing something or someone, Ralph advises looking beyond them. How does the background or the foreground impact the photograph? Is there something that will ruin the composition of the photo? Ralph will move around to see how the scene is changing in relation to his subject. He is in control of the scene. He recommends that you place your subject against a clear background whenever possible. 
People would get 10x better photographs if they cultivated an awareness of the light and the background. 
Listen to the whole episode for more of Ralph’s tips + tricks. He also shares how his business has transformed and how social media is his #1 marketing stream. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Can Writing a Book Catapult Your Career? LuAnn Nigara Shares Her Thoughts - Episode 191

Have you always wanted to write a book? Have you also wondered if it’s worth the investment? LuAnn Nigara has written two amazing books and is about to launch her third book, A Well-Designed Business - The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 (which Darla wrote a chapter in). In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, LuAnn talks about the process of writing and self-publishing a book—and whether or not it’s worth the ROI. 
LuAnn is the co-owner of Window Works in New Jersey and created an award-winning podcast for interior designers, A Well-Designed Business. She is a sought-after keynote speaker with over 30+ years of experience in the industry. LuAnn gave Darla the education, strength, and courage to start her design business. If you’ve had dreams of becoming an author, this is a can’t-miss episode. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:48] The GOAT: LuAnn Nigara
[5:55] LuAnn’s book coming out Nov. 12th
[7:51] Why LuAnn decided to write her first book
[11:10] The impact of the 1st book on LuAnn’s business
[13:49] The process of writing a book
[19:39] How to self-publish your own books
[22:06] The Power Talk Friday Book 
[24:20] What to budget for writing a book
[26:30] How LuAnn is marketing her book
[28:10] Don’t set unreasonable expectations
[31:47] What up Wingnut! Round
[32:27] How to connect with LuAnn Nigara
[33:51] Know what your end-game is
[37:35] Blooper Reel!
Connect with LuAnn Nigara
LuAnn’s Website
A Well-Designed Business podcast
Get on the email list for LuAnn Live!
The Power Talk Friday Experts (Book #1)
The Making of A Well-Designed Business
Resources & People Mentioned
Book Launchers
How writing a book impacted LuAnn’s business
According to LuAnn, “Writing your own book definitely is a game-changer. There’s no question.” LuAnn believes—4.5 years in—that the book has opened doors for her. Every single speaking engagement she’s had (50+) she has never had to pitch herself. LuAnn’s niche and credibility is business and she comes into the world as a business expert. The book solidified that credibility. It opened a door that she didn’t have to knock on.
LuAnn is a story-teller at heart. No matter the medium she is using, she emphasizes that she is going to tell a story. That’s the core of how she communicates information. She tells you what she wants you to know and drives the point home with a story. She’s a big-picture thinker. She wants the reader to know how marketing mattered for her business, what she did, and what her results were. 
Her book is the journey of an entrepreneur. When she wrote the book, she worked backward. She didn’t want to sit there and break down statistics and numbers associated with building a business. She made a list of two pages worth of funny and poignant stories and the hard lessons she’s learned. Then she said, “Can I put a business lesson around that story?” Listen to learn about her whole writing process—including self-publishing a book. 
Why you NEED to set realistic expectations
Writing a book is becoming a way to establish yourself as a thought leader in whatever space you’re in. But you can’t expect the book itself to be a money-maker. LuAnn wrote a book for the interior design industry. She has no illusion that this book will have a far and wide reach. She’s gone into it with open-eyes. 
You have to be open to the ROI being speaking engagements and other opportunities. If you’re thinking the ROI is the book, it’s an unrealistic expectation. Everything together creates the opportunity. But LuAnn points out that you want to know how you’ll convert the book into making money. 
How does she market her books? How do you build out a comprehensive plan for what your book will do for you? Listen to the whole episode to learn more!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Differentiate Yourself: Amanda Berlin Says to Tell Your Story - Episode 190

“There is something valuable about who you are and what you do. It warrants being told. It warrants being unearthed and it deserves to be out there...Your story may be the key that unlocks someone else's prison.” — Amanda Berlin
Do you know how to differentiate yourself in the design niche? How do you stand out from the crowd? According to Amanda Berlin, you have to connect with your clients. She believes that connection begins with telling your story. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Amanda shares tips, tricks, and tools to implement to differentiate yourself and tell your unique story.
Amanda is a visibility and business consultant for entrepreneurs. She is also the host of the Empowered Publicity Podcast, which arms soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skillsets they need to become recognizable and trusted experts. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:19] All about Amanda Berlin
[2:56] LuAnn Nigara’s upcoming book
[4:16] How important is it to differentiate your brand? 
[8:25] How to share your story authentically
[10:43] WHY can’t you craft a compelling narrative?
[13:47] How to connect with your audience
[17:52] What if you’re afraid to be visible?
[20:30] Finding tactics to bring in dollars
[29:00] What up Wingnut! Round
[35:02] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Amanda Berlin
The Empowered Publicity Podcast
Amanda’s Website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Facebook
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Know My Name
Being unique means telling your story
Amanda believes that one of the easiest ways to distinguish yourself is to lean into your story. You’re the only person who has done what you have done and had the experiences you’ve had that led you to where you are today. Your story will resonate with the right clients if you use it appropriately. 
No one will see the world the way you do. Your upbringing, relationships, experiences, etc. inspire your life and how you view the world. They are relevant to the people who will be the best fit to work with you.
When you’re developing your brand story, you don’t share things you haven’t processed yet. You want the energy of your story to be clean, inspiring, and connective. This is a carefully curated version of your story that doesn’t white-wash everything but DOES present a version of your story that’s relevant. 
WHY can’t you craft a compelling narrative? Why are you hitting roadblocks? Listen to hear Amanda’s thoughts! 
Amanda’s three circles of visibility
Amanda teaches a strategy that uses three circles of visibility. But before you focus on the three circles, you need to determine what your goals are. It’s challenging to put yourself out there if you don’t know what result you’re going for. So you need to nail down what you want to get out of this. It drives your tactics. So what are Amanda’s three circles?
The innermost circle represents collaborations and alliances: your strategic partners who will refer clients or become clients themselves. They generate word of mouth for your business. When people feel connected to you, they invest in working with you.
The middle circle is speaking and events: conferences, virtual presentations, speaking to associations, etc. You are creating your own stage. 
The outermost circle is media: The traditional media relations such as getting featured in a magazine, interviewed on tv, or speaking on a podcast. 
As you move away from the innermost circle the connection to the audience becomes looser. But which circle you choose to leverage depends on your individual goals. Amanda also points out that you must find visibility tactics that resonate with you—but also embrace things that challenge you. 
What if you’re afraid to be visible? Which tactics can bring in more clients? When do you hire a publicist or a coach? How are relationships so important to growing your business? Amanda shares her thoughts on ALL of these questions and so much more. Don’t miss this episode! 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Market Your Brand to Land a Licensing Deal [Victoria Larson's Strategy] - Episode 189

How do you market your brand for maximum visibility? How do you land a licensing deal when you’re not a celebrity designer? What does it take to make the collaborations successful? Victoria Larson stumbled into her first licensing deal but has since perfected her strategy. What does she recommend? How does she land licensing deals? Listen to this episode to learn more!
Victoria is a textile and wallcovering designer. She launched her collection of printed fabric, printed grasscloth, wallpaper and wovens in 2010. She often collaborates with brands and is on her second licensing deal with Stout Brothers. All of her work is crafted in the US and is perfect for classic or modern interiors. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:50] Natalie’s medical scare [She’s OK!]
[6:05] Marketing yourself to get a licensing deal 
[7:22] Victoria’s background in design 
[10:04] Was getting a licensing deal a strategy?
[14:42] Marketing your brand for visibility
[16:05] Victoria’s social media strategy
[18:32] How she’s getting licensing deals
[21:52] What are licensing deal-breakers?
[23:11] Does the type of product matter?
[26:28] Don’t cannibalize your own brand
[27:07] What up Wingnut! Round
[29:10] How to connect with Victoria
[32:05] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Victoria Larson
Victoria’s Website
Connect on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
Stout Brothers Co.
AutoCAD
Adobe Illustrator
BOOK: Home: A Short History of an Idea
From architectural interior design to textile design
In the beginning, Victoria dabbled in production and began creating a lot of test prints. She made pillows for her friends and caftans for her daughters—which is how she stumbled into her first licensing deal. She was introduced to a friend of a friend who loved her daughter's caftans. This person happened to run the US side of a children's swimwear company. She asked Victoria to create their custom designs. She said yes because it sounded like fun. 
So Victoria grabbed books and learned what she could. She reached out to as many people as she could who knew anything. She learned Adobe illustrator. She ended up working with that swimwear company for 8 years doing one big launch—and one mini launch—a year. It was fun for her and grew her creativity. Because it was so easy, successful, and fun, it became part of her plan moving forward. She decided she’d always do licensing in addition to her brand. 
Marketing your brand to land a licensing deal 
Victoria believes that it’s become far easier for smaller boutique brands to get a licensing agreement. You don’t have to be a celebrity designer anymore. She states that “There’s more emphasis on the process, on the craft, and on the story.” Brands are seeing the value of partnerships.
Victoria’s goal is to create relationships—not just sell a product. She doesn’t have a giant Instagram following. But social media isn’t just about likes and followers. It’s about creating relationships and engagement. Engagement is feedback for a smaller brand. If you use it the right way, you get instant feedback. 
It’s also about being clear about your intentions. Make sure that you’re using Instagram for your brand story—not your dog photos and vacation pictures. 
Choose your collaborations carefully
Where do you look for brand collaborations? Victoria points out that you can start with your existing relationships. Do you do a lot of custom work with a vendor? Who are like-minded brands? What are their brand values? Will they be a good fit? 
Victoria is very careful about who she collaborates with. She’s had successful collaborations and some that haven’t done well. She notes that you have to know what your goals are going into the agreement. You have to understand the time-commitment and marketing commitment that’s necessary to make it a valuable and successful venture. 
Victoria believes it’s important to lay out both parties' expectations to find out the commitment level on each side. It will take more time than you think it will. She likes to lay out a timeline for marketing: When do sneak peeks start? When do we put it on Instagram? Who posts what? What additional marketing will there be? Who does what and when? When expectations are out on the table there are no surprises. 
But Victoria emphasizes that you shouldn't cannibalize your own brand. You can’t go all-in on someone else's brand and forget about your own. Make sure the offerings are different so you’re not directly competing. You don’t want to confuse your customers or upset your sales channel.
Who handles the marketing expenses? How do you get clear on unified goals? Does the product you choose matter for landing a deal? Victoria shares so much valuable insight into marketing and licensing in this episode. Don’t miss it!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

WHY the New Facebook Business Suite is Sweet - Episode 188

The Facebook Business Suite may just make apps like Hootsuite and Later obsolete. How? Facebook’s new “Business Suite” allows you to manage Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger from one app. Learn ALL about it in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:36] Guava Jelly + Weddings
[1:35] Facebook Business Suite
[2:08] How it helps small business owners
[2:51] The functionality + options
[3:48] Things to keep in mind
[5:07] How is it different?
[7:21] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Facebook Business Suite
Sprout Social
Hootsuite
Later
Facebook Business Suite Deets
The Facebook Business Suite is a hub that you can utilize via mobile and desktop. How does this help you? It will save you time. It saves you from having to log in and log out of multiple profiles. The inbox feature will also organize your messages, comments, alerts, and notifications in the same place. 
You can manage ads, feed posts, appointments, events, jobs, settings, etc. You can edit page info or ban users. If you can control everything from one place you’ll miss less and be more productive. You can see ALL the activity that you select to see. You can choose a different business simply by tapping the icon in the top left corner. 
What sets the Facebook Business Suite apart
There are TWO reasons why this app will be a gamechanger. First, small businesses get first dibs. They're only allowing this feature to be used by small businesses until 2021. It’s Facebook’s way of helping small businesses first. 
How is it different from the Pages Manager app or Creator Studio? You get a more comprehensive view of activity from both Facebook and Instagram + you can do a lot more. If you’re looking for a free app, this is the way to go.
How else can it help you? What doesn’t it do? Find out by listening to the whole minisode!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How to Collaborate with Nano-Influencers [Neal Schaffer’s Take] - Episode 187

How do you use macro, micro, or nano-influencers to grow your reach on social media? How do you partner with them in a way that’s collaborative and benefits both parties? Is it worth the time, money, and effort? According to Neal Schaffer, Becoming an influencer—or working with them—can be SO impactful on your business. If you’re ready to embrace the age of influencer marketing, give this episode a listen! 
Neal Schaffer is the founder of PDCA Social. He also teaches digital marketing at Rutgers, Guinness, and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. He’s spoken about digital marketing in four continents and over a dozen countries. He’s written FOUR books on Social Media, including his most recent, “The Age of Influence.” He’s also the host of the Maximize Your Social Influence Podcast. Don’t miss his expert advice. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[3:34] Neal Schaffer’s background
[5:08] What led Neal to write his book?
[7:22] Have influencers fallen out of favor?
[10:48] How influencers can help start-ups
[11:38] The miseducation about influencer marketing
[13:46] Instagram takeovers in interior design
[16:08] Paying for an influencer: What is the going rate?
[18:03] Leveraging user-generated content
[20:01] The power of a collaborative relationship
[23:49] The ROI of Influencer Marketing
[25:45] The two sides of influence 
[27:11] What up Wingnut! Round
[29:12] How to connect with Neal
[32:03] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Neal Schaffer
Neal’s Website
PDCA Social
Follow on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
BOOK: The Age of Influence
Maximize Your Social Influence Podcast
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: The 4-Hour Workweek
WEBINAR: How to Become a Social Media Influencer in 2020
The influencer industry is shifting to nano-influencers
When most people think about influencers, they think about people like the Kardashians. That’s a problem. The world wants reality—so there’s been a shift in the industry. Things are becoming less staged. We’ve moved from macro-influencers (like the Kardashians) being important to micro-influencers (10,000+ followers) and have landed on nano-influencers (1,000+ followers). 
Neal points out that instead of paying big bucks to work with a macro-influencer, consider this: Who do you know that has 1,000+ followers? Maybe employees, partners, or customers? Can you tap into people that already know, like, and trust you to be influencers for you? 
Neal emphasizes that you should tap your sphere of nano-influencers before external people. If these people are already bought-in to who you are, they’ll talk about your company in an authentic way. It’s a quicker way to incite word-of-mouth and will be a lot more successful and long-term than a single transaction with a macro influencer. 
Per Neal, ”When we redefine influencers as 1,000 followers as a minimal threshold, there are just more chances with every day that we can work with more of the people in our sphere of influence through online collaborations.” 
WHY work with nano-influencers?
An influencer is most likely a content creator at heart. So if you’re not a content creator, why not tap into those that are? You can look at influencers for content amplification AND content creation for you to leverage on your website, social media, and ads. Why outsource to irrelevant companies when you can preview an influencers’ style just by looking at their feed?
For some influencers, working with you (or anyone else) isn’t always about the money. It might be about the prestige. Or you have a product or service they really like. People will do things for product-service experience—NOT always money. It’s a win-win situation. It’s negotiation. It’s a sale.
If you work successfully with an influencer or creator, what they create can live on for years. Blogs, Pinterest, YouTube videos, podcasts—all have a long lifespan. It all depends on the life cycle of the social media platform(s) you use. 
What’s the going rate for a nano-influencer? How do you measure the ROI? What’s the benefit of a collaborative relationship? Do you want to work with influencers—or become one? Neal Schaffer packs SO MUCH amazing content into this episode. Listen for the whole conversation.
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The Ins and Outs of Instagram Alt Text - Episode 186

Do you know what alt text is? Most website-savvy people have some familiarity with how it works with images on your website. You add a short-but-sweet description and it helps your images get discovered in a Google Search. But Instagram alt text is NOT the same. How is it different? What is it for? Darla and Natalie demystify Instagram's alt text in this Wingnut Social. Monday Marketing Minisode. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:38] Natalie: tuning in from an undisclosed remote location
[1:17] Instagram alt text: What is it?
[2:44] What Instagram alt text doesn't do
[3:33] How to craft Instagram alt text
[4:45] How to edit Instagram alt text
[5:57] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Instagram alt text
Instagram alt text 101
Alt text—the commonly used shorthand for alternative text—is a description you can add to your photographs on Instagram (similar to your website) that is meant to describe exactly what’s in the photo. It allows people with visual impairments to get a description of what it is they’re unable to see. 
Instagram will add alt text for you if you don’t add it yourself. But if you do want it to be 100% accurate, you can edit yourself. Your latest kitchen makeover? Your favorite tile backsplash? Describe them the way YOU want to.
If your clientele includes visually impaired people, you definitely want to make sure the alt text it’s detailed and accurate to your brand. Even if your branding isn’t specific to the visually impaired, you want to be inclusive and make sure everyone can enjoy your work!
How to craft Instagram alt text
How do you write alt text that pops? Natalie notes that you want to keep it short and specific. Try not to exceed 100 characters. Avoid using the terms “image” or “photo.” Why? It’s a waste of time because Instagram already classifies it as an image or a video. 
So how do you edit it? If you want to change the alt text after a photo’s been posted, click on the ellipses (ahem, the three dots) and choose “edit”. In the bottom right corner of your photo you’ll see the words “edit alt text.” Click on that, and voila! You can add alt text to your Instagram photos. 
Get the full details on how to leverage Instagram alt text for your business by listening to the Monday Marketing Minisode now!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Positioning in Marketing: Create Your Unique Brand with Shannyn Lee - Episode 185

What is market positioning? Why does it actually matter for your business? According to today’s guest, Shannyn Lee, “Positioning is fundamental business strategy. It is what you need to do to make sure that the world knows who you help and how you help them and what’s different about you.” 
Shannyn Lee is the Director of Coaching at Win Without Pitching. She helps her clients to translate the Win Without Pitching ideals into real change with lasting results. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how YOU can properly position your business for maximum results.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:52] Tour de France 2020
[2:53] Shannyn Lee joins the podcast
[4:50] What is positioning in marketing?
[6:49] Why some businesses struggle
[8:03] How you know your market positioning isn’t right
[8:52] How do you figure out what your positioning should be
[13:46] The conversation about pricing + money
[16:34] How is your business being perceived? 
[18:04] When you don’t want to change your positioning
[20:15] What up Wingnut! Round
[23:30] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Shannyn Lee
Win Without Pitching
Connect on LinkedIn
Resources & People Mentioned
Book: The Sparrow by Mary Dora Russell
RESA event: 9/22 @ 2pm (Meeting ID - 827 3403 9517  / Password - 061425)
Why do businesses struggle with market positioning? 
Shannyn points out that positioning is an exercise in sacrifice. People are afraid that they’ll be left behind or they’re being pigeon-holed when they choose a niche. Or they’re worried they’ll get bored doing one thing. But the reality is that clear market positioning is THE best thing you can do for your business.
Shannyn shares that Win Without Pitching’s mission statement is that they’re experts in sales training for creative professionals. For them, the “what” is sales training and the “who” is creative professionals. One of Shannyn’s client’s in Sydney, Australia does “interior design for the hardest working rooms in your home” i.e. the laundry room, utility room, and closets. 
Shannyn points out that there are different ways to slice and dice it. You can choose a narrow vertical—like marketing for banks—or you can be an expert in marketing to millennials. But you have to focus on a vertical, demographic, or unique point of view. 
This allows you to be bold about who you are, why you believe what you believe, and why there is a certain way to approach the work. 
Repositioning your positioning in Marketing
How do you know if your market positioning isn’t right? Shannyn notes that your biggest clue will be in the sales process. If you can’t explain who you are, how you help, and how you’re different—it’s a sign. Your prospect will often haggle on price, won’t let you lead the conversation, and won’t be bought-in. 
So how do you pivot? How do you create a new mission statement for your business? Shannyn’s advice is to focus on what makes you the best at something: What is your particular perspective? What are the outcomes that you bring as a result? What are the things about your business that you’re an expert in? Or what do you want to build expertise around?
It begins by looking at an area of focus. Choose a discipline (interior design) and choose a market or specialty. Generate ideas around market and discipline before you add flowery or descriptive statements. Shannyn emphasizes that “There is a way for you to go all-in on who you are. Your personality and your perspective on how things are done help differentiate you from others in the interior design space.”
How does positioning impact your pricing? How do you get comfortable talking about money? When should you avoid changing your positioning? Listen to the whole episode to learn more!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How IGTV Captions Help YOU Capture a Larger Audience - Episode 184

Are you guys still using IGTV? Did you know they’ve added a feature that will automatically add captions to your IGTV videos? Facebook has been doing it for a while and it’s time for Instagram to catch up. Why is this a BIG deal? Darla shares all the details in this week’s Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode. Don’t miss it! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:40] The solo Wingnut
[1:04] IGTV is adding captions
[3:41] How IGTV is rolling out this feature
[5:27] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
IGTV
How IGTV captions will impact video 
It’s no secret that Darla believes that video is a VERY important aspect of your marketing and that it should be one of your marketing pillars. It expands your reach—now, more than ever.
Darla is an early bird—getting up as early as 3:30 am some days. She’ll play videos very quietly on her phone so she doesn’t disturb Natalie or their pups. Darla isn’t the only one: 85% of videos on social media are watched without sound. 
Another fantastic bonus? Adding captions to your videos can increase the time spent watching your video by 10–15%. That's HUGE. Darla will watch a video to the end if she can read it. Others likely feel the same way. 
How IGTV is rolling out this feature
Until now, IGTV hasn’t offered captions. Now, through the use of AI, your videos can automatically have captions. How do you prepare for this? Make sure your audio is high-quality and clear. This will increase the accuracy of the captions. Instagram claims that the more the feature is used, the more the AI will adapt and roll out more accurate captions. 
The feature is being added in 16 different languages as of September 16th, 2020. To make sure it’s active on your Instagram account, head on over to your settings and search “Captions.” Toggle the “Auto-Generated Captions” slider so that it’s on and make sure the default language is correct. Voila! You will now begin to see auto-generated captions on videos. 
Will this feature help you watch more IGTV? Will you produce more videos to take advantage of the uptick in traffic? Will it reduce your expenses? Let Darla know what you think about IGTV!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Fall in LOVE with Your Business Again with Kris Plachy - Episode 183

Have you lost your mojo? Are you in a slump? Is your business sucking out your soul? If you don’t have a compelling reason that has you in LOVE with your business, it may be time for a come to Jesus moment, according to today’s guest—Kris Plachy. 
Kris is a coach and a consultant that works exclusively with female entrepreneurs. She has 25+ years of experience leading, managing, and creating high-performance teams. In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, Darla and Natalie chat with Kris about embracing your compelling reason—and what to do if it’s long gone. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[4:20] Kris Plachy joins the wacky wingnuts
[7:00] Reconnect with your compelling reason
[10:19] Are you locked-in to loving it?
[12:45] When your compelling reason is gone
[15:30] How to identify the signs it’s time for help
[18:58] How to plan an exit strategy
[22:18] What up Wingnut! Round
[24:12] How to connect with Kris Plachy
[25:19] It’s time to face the music
[29:22] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Kris Plachy
Kris’s Website
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Instagram
Write your CEO Job Description
The Lead Your Team podcast
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting
Fall in love again: Reconnect to your compelling reason
What’s happened in 2020 is forcing humanity to come face-to-face with the fact that nothing is stable. But Kris points out that WE create our own stability. We have beliefs about what will happen for us today and this year. We make a strategic plan, set goals, and we believe them. She helps her clients see that on any given day anything could happen—you just didn’t live thinking it. 
To push through the difficult times, you have to reconnect to your compelling reason, AKA your why. Why are you doing this? Kris bluntly states: “If you don’t like your reason anymore—then stop.” It is hard to be an entrepreneur right now. There’s plenty of opportunity to be had, but you have to be willing to be nimble, flexible, and resourceful. 
That’s why your compelling reason needs to light you up every day. Kris points out that you don’t have to try and save something you’re not passionate about. “I want to make sure you like your reason. Because there are things we have to do that are hard that doesn’t mean we don’t still love the goal—the compelling reason.” 
What brought you into interior design that made you want to do that work in the world? If that still exists, then the details of “hard” can be figured out. Don’t give up because it’s hard. As your business grows there are new levels that are hard and difficult—but they CAN be navigated.
Make time to rejuvenate yourself
Do you truly know if your compelling reason is gone? Or are you just worn down and tired? Don’t give up on the dream because it’s hard to manage. Kris looks for a persistence of thought: Have you talked about making a change for months? Does it overwhelm your thoughts? Do you have another direction you’re ready to take?
When it’s the right thing to do, you shouldn't rely on a feeling of relief, because relief is temporary. Kris emphasizes that “We don’t want to change our circumstances just to make ourselves feel better. That doesn’t get you long-term growth and results.” Get clear on what you want. 
Most of the people Kris works with had to white-knuckle it through the pandemic. They applied for the PPP, grants, or moved towards online options and curbside pickup. But the burnout is real. Can you take a day off? Can you find a way to be reflective? Can you take up meditating? You HAVE to pour back into yourself. You HAVE to take ownership of your emotional health. If you want to earn money and build a business that you feel good about, you have to look inward. 
If you know your compelling reason is gone, what is a smart exit strategy? How do you pivot or start over? Listen to the whole episode to hear Kris’s thoughts!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

6 Ways YOU can Make Money on Social Media - Episode 182

Making money on social media can seem SO complicated. But the truth is, anyone can do it. You don’t have to have millions of followers or snag sponsorship deals (well, that helps, too). In this Monday Marketing Minisode, Darla and Natalie count the 6 ways YOU can make money on social media. Don’t miss it!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:36] Natalie’s Big Green Egg
[3:02] #1: Instagram Shops
[3:58] #2: Facebook Paid Live Events
[4:43] #3: YouTube Partner Program
[7:55] #4: Twitter Pre-roll
[9:17] #5: LinkedIn Events
[10:14] #6: TikTok’s Creator fund
[11:40] The disadvantages to monetization
[14:02] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Wingnut’s Facebook Monetization episode
Wingnut’s YouTube Mid-roll Ads episode
Big Green Egg
#1: Instagram Shops
Did you know people can shop your products on Instagram? The one caveat is that you need to sell physical goods like pillows, t-shirts, pottery, art, etc. Users can shop through your products right from the app. You’ll have to use a business account connected to a Facebook page and a catalog (i.e. a Shopify site). But once Instagram approves your shop, you get to rake in the cash. 
#2: Facebook Paid Live Events
Facebook lets you monetize your event with a one-time access charge that’s collected when your guests register. You just have to apply and undergo a review process to find out if you’re eligible. Darla and Natalie might be collaborating on a webinar soon, so stay tuned! (To hear more about Facebook monetization, check out episode 175)
#3: YouTube’s Partner Program
YouTube is currently the #1 way to make money with social media. You can actually make a living from it. The downside is that you have to have at least 1,000 subscribers and over 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months. It’s a lot of work, but there are 5 ways you can make money on the platform:
Advertising Revenue
Channel memberships
Merchandise Shelf
Superchat and Super Stickers
YouTube Premium Revenue (Subscription Fee)
Listen to learn more about the avenues you can take! Also, check out Wingnut episode 171 for the full story on Mid-rolls. 
#4: Twitter Pre-roll
Twitter isn’t usually an effective medium for interior designers, but if you have thousands of followers on Twitter, you can capitalize on this. Twitter now allows you to add pre-roll to monetize the video content you share on Twitter. To do this, your content has to be deemed safe and you have to be accepted into the program. Bonus: You can choose which videos will get ads and even who gets to advertise on them. 
#5: LinkedIn Events
LinkedIn isn’t just for business connections. You can create events and use the platform to promote an online OR in-person event. You provide a link to an external ticketing site. The best part? You can also bring in a third-party to help manage the page + event.
#6: TikTok’s Creator fund
Last but not least, Darla’s favorite platform has launched a creator fund. Basically, TikTok is offering money to people to create content on TikTok. It will pay prominent creators for original video content. If you meet the requirements, you should see a notification in your inbox (under “All Activity” and “From TikTok”) that notifies you that you’re eligible to apply for the creator fund. What are the eligibility requirements?
You have to be 18 or older
Have at least 10,000 followers
Have 10,000+ views in 30 days
Read and agree to the TikTok Creator Fund agreement
Live in the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain
Once approved, you can start making money from your content. If you have videos with thousands of watches? Cha-ching. 
Why should you monetize your accounts? How does it help your business? Are there any disadvantages? Listen to the whole minisode to find out!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How to Get Famous on TikTok [Courtesy of Mrs. Space Cadet] - Episode 181

How do you get famous on TikTok? Is there some secret sauce or magic trick? Contrary to popular belief, It’s not JUST 12-year-old boys & girls dancing on TikTok. Today’s guest, Erin Azar—AKA Mrs. Space Cadet—is one of the notable non-child users who’s made a name for herself. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how she grew her TikTok channel to reach stardom—and how you can, too. 
Erin Azar is a mother of 3 training for her very first marathon. She downloaded the app because GaryVee said you HAVE to get on TikTok—it’s where the money’s gonna be. She wanted to see what the big deal was and why TikTok was so marketable. Now, she has over 361,000 followers on TikTok.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:01] Today’s guest: Erin Azar AKA Mrs. Space Cadet
[4:15] HOW Erin grew her following on TikTok
[8:32] The importance of authenticity and relatability
[10:03] The story behind the name: Mrs.Space.Cadet
[12:58] Hitting a milestone: 100,000 followers
[14:24] Video is intimidating: getting comfortable on camera
[16:10] Erin’s backup plan if TikTok gets banned
[18:08] How much time Erin spends on TikTok
[19:12] How can you monetize TikTok?
[24:29] How Erin feels about Instagram Reels
[26:50] The importance of the “For You” page
[27:46] What up Wingnut! Round
[32:25] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Erin Azar
@Mrs.Space.Cadet on TikTok
@ImMrsSpaceCadet on Instagram
Mrs. Space Cadet on YouTube
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Crushing It!
House of Youse
Goodr
Liquid I.V.
How Mrs.Space.Cadet took TikTok by storm
When Erin started posting her runs on YouTube she laughed at how funny she looked. She had a lightbulb moment: Why not see if TikTok users thought it was funny, too? The first run video she posted BLEW UP. It got a million views overnight. 
Erin realized it was a sign that something was missing in the running community. Every running influencer looks a certain way, they run a certain pace, and they post about specific things that aren’t relatable to everyone. Her authenticity and relatability allowed her to create her own niche. After 4 months of posting run videos, she hit 100,000 followers on TikTok.
She was skeptical of TikTok from the beginning because it was so new—but it has stolen her heart. Where did the name Mrs.Space.Cadet come from? How did Erin learn to get comfortable on camera? How much time does she spend recording her videos? Keep listening to find out!
Get famous on TikTok: The importance of the “For You” page
So how do you get famous on TikTok? Erin’s husband, Dan, is always asking her: You’re going to put THAT on TikTok? The answer is always yes. Erin strives to be the exact same person on TikTok that she is in person. It doesn’t matter if she hates her hair, her eyebrows look funny when she talks, or she’s saying something embarrassing or goofy—it’s uniquely her. 
Erin points out that every single video you post WILL land on someone’s “For You” page. If someone likes it, it goes to another person. Everyone gets a fair shake. Facebook and Instagram can’t do that. Erin emphasizes: “If you have good lighting, good sound quality, and your 15-second or one-minute video is engaging, and people want to see the end, you are going to take off on TikTok. It’s that easy.”
Erin gets contacted frequently by affiliates and ambassador programs. But she only agrees to rep things she can’t live without—like Liquid IV and goodr Sunglasses. She does have some brand deals in the works, but they’re still under wraps for now. 
How does Erin feel about Instagram Reels? What else does she think helped her get famous on TikTok? Listen to the whole episode to learn ALL about it! 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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