Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business
The interior design business podcast for interior designers, architects, and home professionals. Hosted by interior design and digital marketing pro, Darla Powell. #interiordesign
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Episodes
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Are you ready to change your design game and embrace an innovative business model that makes you ‘Seriously Happy’? Has the Coronavirus forced you to make a shift in your services? Why not take it a step further and tweak your business model moving forward? Today’s guest on the Wingnut Social podcast has been an innovative thinker from day one. Listen to this episode to hear how Rebecca West serves her clients in her innovative ‘Seriously Happy’ fashion.
Rebecca West founded her design firm Seriously Happy Homes in 2007. She is a business coach and the author of the book Happy Starts at Home. She incorporates design psychology with her client’s personal aesthetic to craft a design vision like no other. Your home should be your happy place. To learn more about her innovative business and design model, be sure to listen.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:20] The upcoming Wingnut Social webinar!
[5:40] How Rebecca West became a designer
[7:20] Rebecca’s innovative business model
[9:06] The budget/money conversation
[14:50] How she delivers each clients design
[17:31] What Rebecca’s ideal client looks like
[22:10] The pricing model Rebecca embraces
[25:45] How Rebecca handles revisions
[28:44] Rebecca’s innovative business marketing
[30:51] How Rebecca handles photographing projects
[32:30] Rebecca’s design psychology focused book
[33:35] What up Wingnut! Round
[39:32] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Rebecca West
Rebecca’s Design Website
Seriously Happy Homes on YouTube
Seriously Happy Homes on Instagram
Follow Rebecca on Instagram
Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn
Rebecca’s Book: Happy Starts at Home
Resources & People Mentioned
Wingnut Social Webinar: June 25th 2020 at 1pm (registration starts June 4th)
Book: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Claire Jefford’s Wingut Social Episode
Rebecca’s Seriously Happy Business Model
Rebecca LOVES design. So much so that it is all she offers. Rebecca doesn’t source furniture or do project execution and management—just design. When she launched her design business 13 years ago, she decided she was going to create her own rules. She wanted to focus on design psychology and what made her happy.
The hassle and headache that comes with project execution was NOT her desired role. Rebecca states you couldn’t pay her enough to deal with the stress that comes with execution. So why would she offer a service that she absolutely hates?
Different situations call for different solutions. Rebecca wanted to be able to suggest IKEA furniture, instead of sourcing a designer that may be triple the price. She didn’t want money to be the deciding factor in her work. So she made her own way with her business model.
How Rebecca executes her business model
Rebecca creates a detailed digital file for each of her clients with layouts, dimensions, material lists, products, links to products, etc. Because her clients and their contractors’ source everything themselves, she goes the retail route as often as possible. She leaves all of the final decision-making in the client’s hands. But she’s also available for questions and a helping hand when necessary.
Rebecca fully realizes that her business model isn’t for everyone. Her ideal client is a working professional—frequently in the tech or engineering fields—that aren’t afraid to manage projects. They have disposable income and are thoughtful about how they spend that money. She doesn’t cave when a client asks her to take on the entire project. She doesn’t waste her time on what doesn’t make her happy.
Listen to the whole episode for a laundry-list of helpful information: Rebecca’s pricing model, how she handles the revision process with clients, and the innovative way she markets her business (HINT: It includes Yelp!). Rebecca’s business doesn’t fit your typical mold—but she’s found great success embracing her ‘seriously happy’ mindset.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
Article Modern Furniture
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
Instagram Live is launching a new feature that’s simple in nature—but the implications create a smoother experience for users. Live videos typically only live on Instagram for 24 hours, but Instagram has been beta testing this new feature AND it should be completely rolled out by May 14th. What is it? Listen to this Monday Marketing Minisode to find out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:35] All about Instagram Live
[2:00] The streamlined new feature
[3:29] What remains the same
[6:11] What does this mean for designers?
[7:49] Instagram is testing monetizing IGTV
[10:16] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Instagram
Instagram Live’s new feature
Drumroll: You can now share Instagram Live videos directly to your IGTV with the press of a button! Darla points out that previously you had to download a live video, then re-upload it to IGTV. It can be a painstakingly time-consuming process that deters you from doing it in the first place. Now the process is streamlined and user friendly.
Even better—Instagram Live usage is up 70% right now. Take advantage of that extra traffic—especially because the app sends out notifications to your friends to let them know you’re going live. Jump on the video bandwagon and create content for your IGTV library. If you’re like Darla and are better doing off-the-cuff live videos, this is the game-changer and time-saver you’ve been waiting for.
How to make Instagram Live work for your Design Biz
It’s time to take advantage of being able to produce content on-the-spot. Are you doing a virtual walk-through of a space that you want to save to IGTV? What about a check-in at a workshop? Share some textiles and fabrics with your viewers? You can take all of this content and have it live on IGTV.
Even better—especially with Facebook already on board—Instagram is beta-testing monetizing your IGTV. Instagram’s biggest competitor is YouTube, and the changes they’re making might start leveling the playing field. Only time will tell. But video is THE new trend that will continue. Don’t miss 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
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Health and Wellness design is starting to gain traction—and for good reason. The Coronavirus pandemic has everyone focusing on their health. As people are becoming more self-aware, they’re realizing their direct environment plays a role in their mental and physical well-being. Darla and Natalie are advocates for biophilic design and incorporating wellness design into your overall strategy and so is today’s guest, Christina McManaway.
Christina has been in the interior design space in Southern CA for 5 years. She’s embraced the biophilic design movement and began focusing on health and wellness in her design. She founded “The Well Designer”, promoting health and wellness for clients and the built environment. She is passionate about wellness and it carries through in this episode. Don’t miss it!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[3:00] Learn all about wellness in interior design
[4:13] Christina’s passion for health and wellness
[5:14] The impact of COVID-19 on the design industry
[8:34] What does wellness design incorporate?
[9:32] Where you can go to learn more about wellness design
[15:52] What can designers learn and implement tomorrow?
[17:14] The biggest misconception about biophilic design
[19:05] Has she seen changes since COVID?
[21:12] What up Wingnut Round!
Connect with Christina McManaway
McManaway Interior Design
Biophilic Consulting
McManaway Interiors on Instagram
The Well Designer Facebook group
Christina’s LinkedIn Profile
Resources & People Mentioned
Biophilic Design Intensive Course
International WELL Building Institute
International Living Future Institute
BOOK: Creating Biophilic Buildings
A pivotal moment in the design industry
We’re at a pivotal moment in the design industry as the general population is being faced with the uncertainty of their physical health. They’re quarantined in their homes and have a distinct lack of connection to others. Perhaps they’re realizing their environments are lacking and they don’t feel the desired emotion of calmness and peace when at home.
Christina defines biophilia as the “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes” and notes that when you feel down about the interior you’re in, it’s the biophilia that’s making you feel that way.
Are you prepared when your clients start asking questions about promoting wellness in their homes? Can you educate your clients about the calming effect of nature or the excitement you feel when you touch metal? These are just a few of the evoked responses Christina mentions.
What can designers do to learn about wellness design?
Christina emphasizes the importance of being prepared, doing your research, and being educated. Biophilic design is a scientifically based design philosophy that focuses on health and wellness. It isn’t just about incorporating plants into your environment—but also learning about the cultural and historical significance of certain elements. It’s about incorporating natural materials and reducing toxins in the home.
Being prepared starts by engaging in research. Christina recommends starting with the International WELL Building Institute and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). The ILFI offers numerous courses for $35 to learn about everything from an ‘Introduction to Zero Carbon’ to ‘Biophilic Design and Connecting to Place’.
You can learn about the toxic materials used and the concept of sublimating. Or why it’s important to stop using furniture with polyurethane in it. Or how ultraviolet can be used to sanitize. Christina also recommends learning about the impact of daylight and circadian rhythms. The list is endless. There is a plethora of material you can cover while at home during this pandemic. Listen to the whole episode for a taste of everything you should take advantage of.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
Article Modern Furniture
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
LinkedIn has jumped on the bandwagon with other social media platforms and updated their event feature. While the feature itself isn’t new—implemented in October 2019—there is a change they implemented that boosts its impact. What is it? Listen to the Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode to find out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:32] LinkedIn: Natalie's favorite social media platform
[3:36] HOW to create a LinkedIn Event—and WHY
[8:09] What’s NEW about the LinkedIn virtual events
[10:48] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
The Whova App
LinkedIn
The elusive LinkedIn events feature
The events feature is tricky to locate—unless you know where it is. So Darla and Natalie made it easy: you can find the feature on your profile page. Scroll down on the left-hand side, and ‘events’ is located right below groups. You simply click on the plus sign and start creating your event.
Natalie notes there are a few caveats. Firstly, you have to complete your event once you start building it. LinkedIn doesn’t have a draft feature that allows you to finish it later. So you HAVE to be prepared with your branded photo, event name, broadcast link, ticketing link, etc.
Secondly, you can’t change the event host or organizer role after creating the event. However, you can add an admin at any time Not only can they help manage the event—but they can invite all of their LinkedIn connections, too. Sounds like a win-win.
WHY Designers should launch a LinkedIn Event
The upsides of a LinkedIn Event are promising. Anyone who accepts the invitation to attend your event can also invite their connections. You and any attendee can see anyone who’s accepted the invite and can start networking beforehand.
NEWSFLASH: You can now combine LinkedIn Events and LinkedIn Live. What does that mean? You can officially go live IN your event. Your attendees can share the video with their connections, who can share with their connections.
There are 645 million global members on LinkedIn. Creating a LinkedIn event is a great way to get B2B visibility. If you’re connected with the right people, the number of people your business could be exposed to is endless.
To learn more about how you can leverage this feature and boost your business—listen to the whole 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
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Are you a designer struggling to figure out your brand identity? Joan Ravasy was in the same position—and decided to make a bold move and completely redesign her brand. Darla and Natalie played a hand in helping her transition her business into something bold that reflects who she is. Listen to this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast to learn some tips to help you nail down your brand identity.
Joan Ravasy is a luxury interior designer performing interior miracles for clients in New Jersey, New York City, and Florida areas. She loves a vintage aesthetic and her goal is to help people transform their houses into homes that are classic and transcend time. She is on the board of directors for the New York chapter of ASID, sits on the Design council of LG’s Signature Kitchen Suite, and is an active member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[4:02] Joan Ravasy’s background in the design industry
[7:21] Trying to find your brand identity
[10:32]What terrified Joan the most
[12:09] Women are afraid to “play big” with branding
[13:43] How Joan’s brand has evolved since rebranding
[17:19] Characteristics of Joan’s brand that changed
[19:13] WHY did Joan rebrand a successful business?
[20:36] How to assess rebranding your business right now
[24:20] What up Wingnut round!
[29:52] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Joan Ravasy
Joan’s website
Connect on LinkedIn
Joan’s Pinterest Page
Follow Joan on Instagram
Joan Ravasy Design on Facebook
Resources & People Mentioned
Book: Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl
National Kitchen + Bath Association
Defining your brand identity
Joan was impacted both personally and professionally when a big life change disrupted her world. She decided it was time to take a serious deep-dive into her brand and make some drastic changes—which meant completely rebranding. It wasn’t about money, but about increasing exposure and recognition for her body of work.
Are you struggling to nail down your unique brand? Joan recommends that designers have a close friend or family member observe them and describe who you are and what your brand is to them. You can also ask someone less familiar with your brand to share their opinion. Getting an outside perspective can help you really hone in on what you want your brand identity to be.
Joan wanted to take her brand—including her website—and make it more modern. It was high time she became up to date on the latest technology trends—including social media. It was a learning curve, but she knew it was worth the work. She recommends defining your brand logo and tagline, the colors you’ll use for your website, and even how you create your graphics and work to keep them consistent across platforms.
Don’t be afraid to be larger than life
Joan shared that she was like most people in that she strove to be modest when asked: “What do you do?” But she realized that it’s okay to share your accomplishments—it’s part of your brand and who you are. When Darla and Natalie first met Joan, they were awestruck by her sense of style—bold, vintage, and larger than life. Natalie flat out told her that SHE was the brand. Nothing about her appearance says she plays small and her brand needed to reflect that.
Women are often afraid to “play big” with branding, but it often limits their potential. Women are trained to sit there and look pretty and be people-pleasers. Joan is brave, admittedly an “all-or-nothing” type of person. She stated, “I want to do it big and I want to do it well” and was ready for her personal branding to reflect that. Joan admits the process has been a learning curve for her, but well worth the effort. She had to learn to let go and share who she is and what she does with the world.
So how should designers who are considering rebranding navigate the journey right now? What direction is the design industry moving in? Listen to the whole episode as the ladies discuss finding your brand identity in a changing world.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
Article Modern Furniture
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
Facebook is at it again—bringing back the old with the new in some updates to their features. Facebook is bringing back its “Live With” feature, making changes to donations, and adding a PAID option for live features. Say what?! Some serious upgrades are on the way. Listen to this Wingnut Social Monday Marketing Minisode for all the details.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:32] Facebook is bringing back their “Live With” feature
[2:56] Livestream straight from your event page
[3:56] Updates to their ‘Donations’ option
[6:33] You can now charge access to livestreams
[9:38] Changes to Instagram Live features
[11:28] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Video: New FB Live Features
Facebook’s Livestream Update
Verge Article on Facebook Updates
LuAnn Nigara Power Talk Friday
Facebook Live features get an upgrade
Facebook is bringing back the “Live With” feature that allows you to invite a Facebook Profile to join you when you go live. According to Darla’s sources, they’ve somehow managed to fix their tech issues and audio difficulty to bring this feature out of their vault. The caveat is that the feature is only able to be used on mobile devices (at this time).
Facebook is also making a change to events so that you can stream straight from the event page you’ve created. Up until now, it was so difficult to find livestreams on event pages that Darla and Natalie advised clients not to bother. Facebook has even made some updates to fundraisers and the donation process—listen to hear what that is!
This update is a game-changer
The best part about the new features being added? You can now CHARGE followers to watch your livestream! If you’re sharing a live video for paid consulting clients or launching a webinar, it can be monetized. You simply add a “fee button” for followers to gain access. It’s Facebook’s answer to Zoom—but on steroids.
It hasn’t been officially announced, but Darla and Natalie are assuming that this feature will be a “freemium”. You may have access to basic features for free, but they’ll likely charge an upgrade fee to access other features.
Darla and Natalie share another feature that is a HUGE benefit for those who don’t have adequate internet for streaming. Listen to the whole minisode to find out what it is!
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
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Do you know what you should allocate to your digital marketing budget? Darla and Natalie have talked about doubling-down on your marketing efforts for weeks now—partly because of Kate O’Hara’s expert advice. In this episode of Wingnut Social, the ladies chat about what portion of your budget should go towards marketing during each phase of your business and WHY it’s so important.
Kate O’Hara is the CEO and creative director of Martha O’Hara Interiors. She was the pioneer of their expansion both nationally and internationally, with clientele from around the world. She is a webinar superstar who’s passionate about educating designers about marketing and a budding business coach. Don’t miss hearing her take on marketing!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:08] A topic near and Dear to Natalie’s heart: Marketing
[7:19] Why Kate O’Hara says to double down on your marketing budget
[9:39] Where should designers focus their marketing budget?
[14:37] Digging into the numbers: The marketing budget formula
[24:24] What falls under your marketing budget?
[29:23] Advice for solopreneurs who can’t afford extensive marketing
[36:48] What up Wingnut Round: Golden Girls edition
[38:03] Kate O’Hara’s Business coaching package
[44:22] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Kate O’Hara
Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Design(at)Oharainteriors.com
Resources & People Mentioned
The Wingnut Social AD Pro Article
Moz SEO
Linktree
Udemy
Martha O’Hara Interiors
LuAnn Nigara
Digital marketing budget: digging into the numbers
Digital marketing is where it’s at. So how much should you set aside for marketing? Traditionally, experts recommend between 5-12% of your budget should be allocated to marketing. Kate says to take it a step further—5-20% of your budget should be for marketing. So how do you gauge where you fall in that spectrum?
Kate believes that if you’re new to the industry, are a smaller business, or aiming for growth mode you should be allocating more of your annual revenue to marketing. It has to be a substantial enough amount to make an impact. More established businesses not looking for excessive growth can allocate a little less, perhaps 5-10% of their budget.
Kate’s Formula: Take 10% of your annual revenue. Calculate the profit margin (30%? 40%?) of that 10% (a dollar-amount) then multiply that number by 0.45. That is the low-end range of what you want to consider as your marketing budget for the year.
Don’t make rash changes with your budget during the pandemic. Kate recommends coming up with a short-term plan for the next 1-3 months. Then you use that time to develop a long-term plan. You need to be strategic—KNOW your financials, your bottom-line, and your break-even numbers. You need to be able to afford the marketing budget you land on.
Advice for solopreneurs who can’t afford extensive marketing
If you’re new to the game and have looked at your numbers and don’t have the desired marketing budget, what are your options? What can you do to enhance your marketing? Kate points out quite a few things you can embrace that are 100% FREE. What are they?
Blogging: Invest the time you have and create blog posts for your site.
Email Marketing: Start sending emails to your customers and mailing list. It’s simple and doesn’t have to be time-consuming.
Social Media: post consistently on Pinterest (your blog posts!), Instagram, and other social media of choice.
SEO: Use free resources to learn the basics of SEO.
Kate points out that this time is challenging, but there’s a lot of opportunity waiting for you. You can start creating packages for your services or offer virtual design. We all had to start somewhere, and according to Kate, “When you don’t have dollars, you DO have time and focus”. Spend yours wisely.
Listen to the whole episode to find out what constitutes your marketing budget, WHY digital marketing is where it’s at, and why it’s so important to invest in marketing during this time.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
Article Modern Furniture
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
Facebook is launching Messenger Rooms—their solution to compete with Zoom. Everyone is living on Zoom these days, whether for business or reconnecting with family. It’s reached mind-boggling numbers due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The number of users skyrocketed from 10 million users to over 300 million.
Enter Facebook. They’re launching an alternative that could steal some of Zoom’s market share. When will it be rolled out? What are the other competitors? Is it worth a shot? Listen to this Monday Marketing Minisode of the Wingnut Social podcast to find out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:43] 300 million users on Zoom
[2:36] Facebook launching ‘messenger rooms’
[4:34] Zoom is an expensive option
[6:40] Zoom alternatives that don’t break the bank
[8:33] Will messenger rooms be the answer to Zoom?
[9:15] New AR filters coming out on FB messenger
[11:47] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
How to use Facebook’s Messenger Room
The Verge article on Messenger Rooms
Microsoft Teams
Google Hangouts
Houseparty
WhatsApp
What is Facebook Messenger’s new feature?
Between Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, people are making 700 million calls—per day.
To capitalize on that traffic—and perhaps capture some of Zoom’s audience—Facebook decided to expand what they offer in their apps. So what will their new feature look like?
Messenger rooms will be an extension of the Messenger app. It will allow video messaging “chat” rooms for up to 50 people. For those who are Facebook-averse, it doesn’t even require you to have a Facebook account. The best part? It sounds like it will be FREE!
Check out the link in the resources for a complete how-to reference for using the app once it’s rolled out worldwide.
Will Facebook’s new ‘Messenger Rooms’ feature rival Zoom?
Darla and Natalie use Zoom for business, but they’ve reached their max limit of users. And there’s NO doubt about it—upgrading the account is pricey. Darla is excited to test out messenger rooms and see how the platform compares to Zoom. But they aren’t the only competitor to Zoom. There are a few other options available for those who video chat:
Google Hangouts: Easy to use and free offering from Google.
Microsoft Teams: Natalie recommends setting up a “co-owner” of the account so that any issues that arise can be fixed quickly.
Group Facetime: Fun and easy alternative—but you have to own an Apple product.
Houseparty: Great for the younger crowd, but not so much for business meetings.
Each has its pluses and minuses, but are all decent alternatives to Zoom. So what other cool features will FB messenger have? What expansions are they doing on the Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram apps? Find out in the rest of 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
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Now—more than ever before—it’s important to deliver an exceptional client experience. The pandemic has impacted everyone physically and psychologically and design businesses need to move forward with empathy and understanding. In some instances, designers may need to redesign what their service delivery looks like. So how do you do that? Ashley Uhl joins Darla and Natalie to share her thoughts.
Ashley Uhl holds a degree in Psychology and has had extensive training in client relations, communications, and sales while working at Dale Carnegie. She is also experienced working with high-end clientele at Morgan Stanley. She is passionate about helping designers serve their clients exceptionally well and craft a high-end customer experience. Ashley believes doing so will lead to higher profit margins and a loyal following. Don’t miss her unique insight!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:53] Darla’s sweet tooth: cupcakes
[3:49] Everything gone’s virtual with DPI
[5:32] Ashley Uhl: Deliver an exceptional client experience
[6:30] Pivoting with client experience: setting expectations
[10:06] How to communicate with your clients
[17:42] Make the client journey a seamless process
[22:47] Ideas for packages and service offerings
[26:36] Could we see a Summer boom?
[29:27] Tech tools for business management
[32:05] Why luxury is out the window
[32:45] What up Wingnut! Round
[39:44] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Ashley Uhl
Ashley Uhl Consulting
Ashley on Facebook
Ashley’s Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
Kelly Campbell’s Wingnut Social Episode
Michelle William’s Wingnut Social Episode
BOOK: How to Win Friends and Influence People
Article: Beautiful Modern Furniture
The Jeri Cerutti
COVID Toes
GoToMeeting
Zoom
DocuSign
HelloSign
Mydoma Studio
G Suite
Scarlet Thread Consulting
Cultivate an exceptional client experience
For most designers who serve high-end clientele, luxury has gone out the window. “Shelter at home” makes delivering exceptional service trickier, but manageable. Your goal should be to make this a seamless transition for your clients while being open and honest. Ashley recommends making things low-stress and avoiding challenges.
She shares an example: If your client isn’t familiar with Zoom, make a simple video explaining how to use it and send it ahead of your first virtual meeting. You can also inform your clients of any changes being made by calling them and letting them know you’ll send them a recap email with important things to note from your conversation.
Above all, give your clients options. Everyone has different familiarity and comfort levels for any given task. One client may be perfectly fine re-measuring something for you, others may prefer to wait until you can do the work yourself. Ask what their preference is, communicate timelines clearly, and be flexible and compassionate.
As Ashley puts it, you want to deliver “the kind of experience that your clients really want and need in a sympathetic and empathetic way in that moment.”
Understanding the client journey
Because almost everything designers are doing right now is virtual, you need to evaluate the client journey. What does the process look like from seeing a social media post to navigating to your website, to a design consultation? Map out the journey they take and make small edits in the process.
Perhaps you’ve slightly shifted your working hours. Maybe you’ve made more lines of communication available. Perhaps you’re offering different pricing or packages. Communicate what the design consultation and purchasing process will look like.
The goal is to make the process as smooth as possible for a potential new client and be consistent with your messaging. Give yourself a framework to stick with—for now—and allow flexibility to alter things once the world transitions back into normalcy.
In the rest of the episode, Ashley shares some of the tech tools she embraces for virtual communication. She also talks about some innovative services or package ideas you can offer virtually to sustain your business. Check it 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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
Article Modern Furniture
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
A few big life moments are sneaking up on the calendar—and they’re trending on Pinterest right now. So how should an interior designer take advantage of the trend in traffic? What are some angles you can use to create content to capture such a captive audience?
In today’s Monday Marketing Minisode, Darla and Natalie share the THREE life moments that are trending. They also give you some fun ways to spin blog content to get yourself some pins and repins. Check it out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:20] What’s trending on Pinterest?
[2:30] Celebrating Mother’s Day at home
[3:40] Virtual High School grad parties
[5:52] Father’s Day DIY
[7:15] Virtual Gift ideas
[8:05] It’s time to get creative
[9:51] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Pinterest
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Everyone’s scrambling to figure out how to celebrate the upcoming holidays at home. Next up? Mother’s Day. 30 million people save pins about Mother’s Day annually. Right now, the searches for this topic have skyrocketed up 2,971%. So how should a designer take advantage of that uptick?
Darla and Natalie recommend writing a blog post about Mother’s Day decor ideas for keeping it simple at home. What about home spa ideas to pamper your Mom? Write a blog post on celebrating the holiday during the Pandemic and you just might capture some traffic for your site.
Life moments to remember: high school graduation party
Virtual parties are the name of the game. Parents are frantically searching for ways to celebrate their grads virtually. This life moment is a rite of passage and parents still want to make this unique situation special. Write a post about how to decorate for a virtual party. Or toss out some ideas for games to play over zoom. One thing everyone knows for sure—the class of 2020 is going to be a memorable one.
Don’t forget Father’s Day
The world is hoping and praying that quarantine protocols will be lifted by June 21st. But the 22 million annual pinners are trying to be prepared. Snag this audience’s gaze by writing a post about virtual gift ideas for father's day or food recipes for your home BBQ. What about some crazy cocktails or trendy beers to celebrate Dad?
With the current DIY situation the world has been thrust into, the chances of getting discovered and re-pinned is HOT right now. Listen to the minisode for more blog post ideas surrounding these upcoming life moments.
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
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
A good PR strategy could make or break your business during this pandemic. Darla and Natalie are fans of doubling down and forging ahead—and so is PR guru Andrew Joseph. The industry is pivoting quickly and what was evergreen before isn’t relevant anymore. The whole world has shifted. Every magazine and publication is changing quickly to follow suit.
So what is a designer to do? Andrew Joseph shares his PR advice in this episode of Wingnut Social—everything from content to pitch to ways to propel your business through this pandemic. If you’re ready to find a way to get YOUR design business to the forefront of the industry, don’t miss this one!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:46] Natalie saved Darla’s life
[2:15] Andrew Joseph joins Natalie and Darla again!
[5:37] The first indicator that the industry was pivoting
[9:30] How Andrew’s firm is pivoting during the crisis
[13:27] Pitches that might be well-received in April
[16:10] The value of working with a PR firm
[20:33] What a new client can expect
[25:18] Who comes out on top?
[28:42] Find a way to give back
[30:32] What up Wingnut: Golden Girl Edition
[32:18] Be your own PR company
[35:43] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Andrew Joseph
Andrew’s 1st Episode on Wingnut Social
Andrew’s Personal Instagram
Andrew Joseph PR Instagram
Andrew Joseph PR on LinkedIn
Andrew on Twitter
Andrew’s PR Website
Resources & People Mentioned
The Chaise Lounge Podcast
Christina Juarez’s Caftan Challenge
Aspire Design And Home
Amy Flurry’s Book Recipe for Press
Wingnut Social Episode with Amy Flurry
Cheminne Taylor-Smith
Sustainable Furnishings Council
What a PR Firm can accomplish for your design business
Andrew has been busier than ever, despite losing two clients. Someone’s contract was ending and she wanted out of her last month's payment. But he dug in his heels and gave her some advice: “Make that last payment and take advantage of everything I can deliver for you”. People don’t always realize the value of what a good PR firm can offer—no matter what stage of your business that you're in.
You are paying your PR firm for their expertise in the industry, their reputation, and the connections they’ve developed over their careers. They know the decision-makers and will pitch the right ideas to the right people. They know the audience, the landscape, and the players.
Andrew wants to build long-term relationships with his clients. To do that, he employs “middle-of-the-road” pricing. He knows his competition charges more, but he would rather be “an affordable luxury” to have long-term clients.
Buckle-down with your PR strategy
NOW is the best time to captivate an audience. The 50% uptick in social media usage gives you a HUGE advantage. You will beat out the competition if you take this time and double-down with your strategy. Andrew Joseph agrees—don’t bury your head in the sand and hope to come out intact on the other side.
If you can’t afford a PR firm or social media strategist, buy Amy Flurry’s book and DIY it. Be your own marketing and PR firm. Get active across social media platforms and get yourself in front of your audience. Social media and PR are long games—you need to start early and build momentum.
In the rest of the episode, Andrew shares some pitch ideas that may give you an edge over the competition. We also talk about what he’s doing to give back during the pandemic and how to be authentic and sensitive during the coronavirus crisis.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
www.curreyandcompany.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @Curreyco
On Instagram: @Curreyco
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
posts are a great way to build a following. Wingnut Social recommends it over any other means of gaining more followers. Why? Because you’re gaining an engaged audience interested in YOUR content.
They’ll interact with your posts and boost your performance—as opposed to a paid audience that will drop off the face of the earth. Shana Heinricy takes the wheel in this minisode to share how to make your boosted posts shine.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:03] Why should you boost posts?
[2:20] What you NEED to know
[2:55] Boosting strategy #1
[4:19] Boosting strategy #2
[4:49] Use Facebook Ads Manager
[8:20] What applies to Pinterest?
[9:20] What you should budget
Resources & People Mentioned
Facebook Ads Manager
Two posting strategies to consider
When it comes to boosted posts on Facebook (Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) there is one thing that is especially important to note: the algorithm is still a factor. You are NOT buying impressions. Who sees your boosted post still depends on the performance of the post itself. That means you still need to craft an engaging post—something your audience wants to interact with. Here are the two strategies:
Strategy #1: Wait 3-5 days after you post content and any post that has high engagement is what you boost. Doing this will increase the performance of a boosted post. The only downside is these posts are typically geared towards your followers while an ad targets a broader audience.
Strategy #2: Create a post specifically to be boosted. Build the ad around your best work or make it an introduction. Make it fun and engaging for your current audience and your target audience.
Decide which strategy will work best for your business—and the time you have—and give one of them a shot.
Targeting 101 for boosted posts
Shana recommends a simple but important strategy—use Facebook Ads Manager for targeting audiences. You can do it straight from the FB or Instagram apps, but you have fewer options available to you. For example, you can target a specific income bracket through ads manager, but you can’t in-app.
Shana also recommends using the least amount of targeting possible that will work for you. If you’re targeting a specific income bracket, you likely won’t need to choose a specific age group. Every simplification you can make leads to a broader audience for your boosted posts.
Listen to this minisode to hear what Shana’s recommendations are for boosting Pinterest pins AND what you should budget for marketing and boosted posts. HINT: you can do a lot more than you think with a small budget.
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
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
A lot of designers are asking, how do I embrace marketing during this pandemic? Everyone has found themselves walking a tightrope—trying to find a delicate balance between sensitive and empathetic—but also trying to keep their business afloat. In this episode of Wingnut Social, Kelly Campbell joins Darla and Natalie to share her thoughts on a marketing approach.
Kelly spent 14 years launching, scaling, then selling her digital marketing agency. Now she allocates her time as an agency transformation coach, helping established companies delve into personal and business development. She’s also Wingnut Social’s very own business coach. Don’t miss out on her expert advice!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:17] Wingnuts very own Business Coach—Kelly Campbell
[4:10] Creative ways to connect with potential clients
[12:55] Dissolve the line between personal and business
[15:50] How to avoid ‘salesy’ email marketing
[18:50] DO NOT discount but DO consider payment plans
[21:00] What should your social media strategy look like?
[26:31] 4 factors to consider when positioning yourself in the market
[32:47] What up Wingnut! round
[39:00] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Kelly Campbell
Kelly on Instagram
Kelly’s Website
Kelly’s Podcast
Kelly on LinkedIn
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: The Trauma of Everyday Life
Balance action with empathy with your marketing approach
In this “new normal” everyone is enmeshed in, Kelly points out that best practices have been thrown out the window. Everything we thought we knew is changing. Kelly points out that we NEED to keep marketing and filling pipeline’s but not pushing sales. On the other side of this, people will remember how you made them feel. You can offer free resources, webinars, seminars, blog posts, and podcasts.
She also recommends getting personal with your social media and email marketing. The coronavirus has become everyone’s common denominator and discussion starter. Share how you and your family are doing, offer to be a figurative shoulder to lean on. Kelly has been waiting for these walls to come down for ages and wholeheartedly embraces integrating the personal and professional.
Kelly supports being creative—you can offer to do free zoom consults for everyone bored at home. Help people get excited about the space that they HAVE to be contained in. You can give them a healthy distraction while building your brand awareness and also fostering a positive perception of your brand. It’s the time to practice empathy while taking action, or as Kelly likes to put it: “It’s not about hiding under the covers, it’s about stepping up”.
The factors that influence the positioning of your business
If you’re finding yourself questioning your positioning in the market right now, you’re likely not alone. With everyone on the verge of collapse, they worry they’re no longer relevant. Kelly says you need to ask yourself these questions: Does your team have deep expertise where you’re positioned? Are they passionate about it? Is there a market demand for your goods or service? Can you make a profit with this?
In short, you’re positioned correctly if you have passion, expertise, market demand, and profitability. You NEED all four to have a successful business. How you position yourself needs to represent 75-85% of what you do. If you make a pivot with your business, you must consider those variables to find success.
But right now, everyone is dealing with a demand problem—unless you sell groceries, toilet paper, or face masks. So consider it carefully before implementing any business changes. Instead, focus on what your strategy will be a few months from now, as we all emerge on the other side of the pandemic.
Be sure to listen to the whole episode for email marketing call-to-action ideas, social media strategies, and practical ideas to get paid when everyone is experiencing cashflow problems.
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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
www.curreyandcompany.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @Curreyco
On Instagram: @Curreyco
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Darla and Natalie don’t talk about Facebook often, but it’s THE topic of conversation today. Why? Because Facebook is changing the game and stepping up in a BIG way for small businesses. They found a few ways—both small and extravagant—to help small businesses survive and thrive.
Facebook is launching a Small Business Grant Program to offer $100 million in cash grants and ad spend as a way to give back during the pandemic. Listen to this minisode of Wingnut Social for all the details—and a few other things they’re doing that could be a gamechanger for your business.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:20] Details on the small business grant
[3:34] Sell gift cards for your business on FB
[6:23] Start a fundraiser for your small business
[7:30] Update temporary service changes
[10:09] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
White Lion Cafe
Facebook Business Resource Hub
Facebook’s Small Business Grant Program
How to set up a gift card to sell on Facebook
Facebook’s Small Business Grant Program
The government has launched the Payroll Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to help small businesses stay afloat. But it might not be enough to support everyone struggling. So Facebook decided to offer $100 million to 30,000 different businesses in 30 countries.
Here are the eligibility requirements to apply, listed on their website:
The business must have between 2 and 50 employees
It has to have been in business for over a year
The business is experiencing challenges from COVID-19
Be in or near a location where Facebook operates
As of the date of recording (4/9/2020), you can go to the website (in the resources above) to find out if they’re offering grants in your area and sign up to receive an email for when they start accepting applications.
Facebook updates that can positively impact your design business
Facebook has made a few tweaks and changes with its protocol:
Facebook is allowing you to make temporary edits to your business page to mark current hours, changes in the services you provide, etc.
They’re also allowing you to throw a fundraiser for your small business, similar to how you can throw a fundraiser on your Birthday for non-profits.
You will be allowed to set up a gift card for your business with one of the partners Facebook works with. It will be discoverable and accessible on your Facebook AND Instagram profiles.
Facebook will be rolling out these changes soon (if they haven’t by the time this airs) so keep your eyes open and take advantage of these tools. In this minisode, Darla and Natalie share some great ideas for services an interior design business can offer with the purchase of a gift card. Listen for full details!
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
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
The majority of design firms are having to switch gears during the coronavirus pandemic to keep their businesses running. It’s difficult to ‘social distance’ and complete design consultations but manageable with our current technology. But for remodeling, staging, and design implementation in general—it may be an impossible task.
Taylor Spellman—designer to the stars—joins Darla and Natalie to share how she’s navigating business during the Coronavirus Crisis. Taylor founded her interior design and staging firm at the age of 23 and has since built a name for herself. She offers a concierge level of service from conception to completion—with a bold and eclectic style that incorporates each person’s unique vision for their space.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:52] Firefighters, taco shells, and kittens in trees
[2:17] Attend the Mydoma 19 Hours Virtual Design Conference
[3:44] How to use Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly
[5:35] Darla introduces Taylor Spellman—designer to the stars
[10:07] Taylor offers design services and high-end staging in NYC
[16:14] Take the time to communicate and calm your client’s anxiety
[21:33] Will Taylor restructure her business plan moving forward?
[27:14] Taylor is no stranger to overcoming adversity in tough times
[30:54] The secret to landing celebrity clients isn’t what you think...
[33:32] What up Wingnut! Round
[36:34] Connect with Taylor on the interwebs
[40:11] Blooper Reel
Connect with Taylor Spellman
Taylor on Twitter
Taylor on Facebook
Taylor on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
19 Hours Virtual Design Conference
Alvin Ailey Theater
BOOK: The Secret
Taylor’s strategy with her design firm
New York City is currently fighting on the ‘frontline’ of the Coronavirus battle, with the number of those infected climbing exponentially every day. When reports of the virus began to spread around NYC, Taylor made a proactive decision to leave NYC and hunker down in Connecticut. Doing so included laying off some of her staff.
Taylor points out there’s a lot of “shame in the game” right now and that designers are feeling guilty about the decisions being made. She believes this is a time where we have to simply do the best we can. If you have to apply for a government loan or grant—it’s what you have to do. Laying off employees that wouldn’t be working opened them up for more assistance than she could give.
This isn’t failing. The nation is at a different level of unprecedented calamity—no one knows how the virus will play out. Taylor knew—being there are so many unknown variables—that this was the only way to sustain her business in the long run. She launched her business right before the housing market crash, so she’s learned to take the highs and lows in stride and pivot when necessary.
The importance of communication in times like this
Taylor has a reputation for going above and beyond for her clients and has built her business on hard work and dedication to any project—large or small. She admits that normally you have to handle clients with kid gloves, but that she’s been very frank through this ordeal. She’s reminding clients that not getting a throw pillow on time isn’t the end of the world.
Instead, she points out that their health and their family is their TOP priority right now. It’s a time where everyone needs to be real, take things seriously, and prioritize what’s important. When clients get upset about something trivial, they must be reminded of that fact. When things return to some semblance of normalcy, she can step back in and wrap up their projects and leave everyone happy.
The ladies cover SO much in this episode—what Taylor’s strategy is when she can emerge into the market again, how she lands celebrity clients, and the mantra she built her business on. Don’t miss this engaging and insightful 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)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor
www.curreyandcompany.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @Curreyco
On Instagram: @Curreyco
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com