Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

The Flexibility Act: Paycheck Protection Program Loan Updated [Aaron Smyle Explains]

With the Flexibility Act, the SBA has implemented some changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that is GREAT news for designers and other business owners. In this episode of the Wingnut Social Podcast, Aaron Smyle returns to share the changes that have been made and what it means for YOU. Don’t miss this timely episode!
Aaron Smyle has an MBA, MST, and is an Enrolled Agent (EA), a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation. Aaron Launched Smyle & associates in 2010 and serves the NYC area with a special emphasis in restaurants, retailers, creative businesses, medical practices, and law firms. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[4:57] What is the Flexibility Act?
[7:51] Natalie got it strictly based on payroll averages
[10:56] Where do you apply for forgiveness?
[12:20] How the funds have to be spent has changed
[14:01] How to make sure you qualify for forgiveness
[15:47] The revised payment terms of the loan
[20:20] Other notable changes with the flexibility act
[23:29] What does the allowance for paying taxes mean?
[25:00] What records you may need to provide
[26:25] Connect with Aaron Smyle
[27:31] What up Wingnut! Round
[33:34] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Aaron Smyle
Smyle & Associates
Aaron on LinkedIn
Smyle & Associates Instagram
Call at 212-356-3997
Resources & People Mentioned
Wingnut Social Episode 136: CARES Act
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
SBA New Rules for PPP Loan
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (will likely be amended)
How the flexibility act changes the PPP loan terms
If you originally applied for the PPP loan, the terms of forgiveness were hazy and how you could use the money was complicated (Aaron laid out the CARES act and PPP loan in episode 136 if you missed it). Here are the primary changes that have been implemented in the flexibility act: 
Originally you had 8 weeks to bring your payroll up to normal numbers/use the funds. Now, the time has been extended to 24 weeks—if necessary—and will end December 31st, 2020.
Originally, at least 75% of the loan had to be spent on payroll to be forgiven. The other 25% could be spent on rent, utilities, and interest charges. Now it’s been changed to a 60/40 split—60% minimum on payroll and 40% between rent, utilities, and interest.
Lastly, if you spent the money in other areas the money would roll into a loan versus being forgiven. The original loan repayment terms were to be over a 2-year period. Now you have 5 years to pay back the loan—at only a 1% interest rate. 
Currently, you still have until June 30th to apply for the PPP loan. For some business owners, that date is reaching your original 8 weeks. So if you can’t get your payroll numbers up by then, consider extending to the 24 weeks. 
What is the next step for designers? 
If you haven’t yet applied for the PPP loan because of the repayment terms, inability to operate your design firm, etc. you still have time to apply. The repayment terms are favorable even if you can’t get your loan forgiven. So if you need the funds, there is still approximately $120 billion left in the program (at the time of recording). 
If you’ve applied for and received the loan, you’re probably wondering how to apply for forgiveness. The current application is linked in the resources above. However, Aaron points out that it’s likely to be revised. When banks begin accepting the forgiveness paperwork, you’ll bring the application to the bank you received the loan through. 
You’ll need to be prepared with documentation. Aaron recommends reading over the application so you can begin gathering the necessary information, which may include: payroll reports (quarterly and weekly), proof of differences or reductions in pay, canceled checks, bank statements indicating amounts for payroll, canceled rent checks, etc. 
For discussion about each of these topics, detailed descriptions from Darla and Natalies’ go-to tax professional, and other need-to-know information, tune in to this important episode of the Wingnut Social podcast! 
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

Instagram Monetization: NEW Live Badges and IGTV Ads

Instagram is rolling out one new feature after another and this week is no exception. Instagram announced the launch of Badges for Instagram Live and ads for IGTV. The goal is to help support creators by implementing various ways to monetize their accounts. 
Right now there are a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions. However, with the 70% increase in Instagram Live views since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, these new opportunities can’t be passed up. Listen to this Monday Marketing Minisode to learn more!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:38] How to monetize your Instagram
[1:30] Wingnut Social Webinar coming up!
[2:58] Instagram’s slow roll-out of Live ‘Badges’ 
[6:47] Doubling down on IGTV and launching ads
[9:42] What are the video qualifications for an ad? 
[10:37] WHY designers should embrace monetization
[13:53] Check out this week’s Blooper Reel! 
Resources & People Mentioned
Register for the Wingnut Social Webinar!
Instagram’s new features to support creators
Apply for badges in Live: FORM
What are Instagram Live ‘Badges’?
Firstly, ‘Badges’ are NOT the same thing as ‘Verified Badges’, which are the little check marks you’ll see next to a verified celebrity, for example. A Live Badge will appear as a small heart (or multiple hearts, depending on what you purchase) next to your name. 
Live Badges will be available for followers to purchase during a live stream to help support their favorite creators. It’s a simple way to generate revenue—while being 100% optional for your followers. It’s currently being beta-tested, so stay tuned for a widespread launch.
To apply for early access, go to this Instagram page. 
Instagram strengthens its investment in IGTV with new ‘ads’ feature
Instagram will now be allowing revenue on IGTV through the use of ads. Currently, they’ve chosen a select group of 200 creators to beta test the feature. When you click to watch an IGTV video you’ll be presented with a 15-second mobile-friendly ad. 
While not confirmed, it’s being speculated that creators will see 55% of the ad revenue, with the other 45% going to Instagram. Darla and Natalie point out that it’s also unknown who will qualify for ads, though you’ll likely need to have 10,000+ followers and a verified account. 
They do know that for a video to qualify, it needs to be at least two minutes in length, it must be all-new content, and you MUST use the preview option in your Instagram feed. You need to commit to creating original and valuable content on IGTV consistently to monetize your account. 
If you have a large following and some seriously good content, it’s an easy option to monetize your videos. Plus, Darla and Natalie point out that diversifying your revenue stream is important for the longevity of your business. What are your thoughts? Let them know! 
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

Ways to Diversify Your Revenue Stream with Shayla Copas

Does the Coronavirus crisis have you wishing you had a diversified revenue stream coming in? Or are you looking to diversify for more financial security? Shayla Copas has completely mastered the concept of generating multiple income streams. Darla and Natalie pick her brain and learn HOW she made it happen in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast!
Shayla Copas is an award-winning designer, speaker, brand ambassador, event-planner, author, and philanthropist. Shayla’s design aesthetic she has self-professed as “southern glam”. She has two licensing deals in the works—one for furniture and one for fabric—and she manages to balance it all. How does she do it? Listen to this episode to find out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:40] Wingnut Social Webinar registration open!
[3:45] Shayla Copas introduction and background 
[8:10] How COVID has impacted her businesses 
[10:55] How did Shayla get into event planning?
[13:07] Stop leaving money on the table
[15:48] Public speaking and writing a book
[20:28] Brand ambassadorships opened the door for licensing
[23:20] What contributed to her visibility the most?
[24:14] Did Shayla have a grand master plan?
[26:09] Shayla’s advice for a newbie designer
[27:01] What up Wingnut! Round
[29:01] Connect with Shayla
[34:22] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Shayla Copas
Shayla Copas Interiors
Shayla on Instagram
Shayla on Pinterest
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Four Seasons of Entertaining
BOOK: The Blessing
Shayla’s began diversifying her revenue stream in the ‘90s
Shayla’s first business was in silk flowers—before there was a Hobby Lobby on every corner. Soon after she moved to Little Rock, AK she launched her design business. Throughout her career, she learned the ins and outs of event planning and design, but It wasn’t until ‘06/’07 that she decided she wanted to start designing events. It didn’t even require expanding her team—they simply hired contractors for the events as-needed.
About 6 years ago, Shayla was on her way home from High Point Market when someone called and asked if she could feature Shayla in her upcoming book featuring 20 designers across the US. She ended up not only being a featured designer in the book—but also graced the cover. It was the “aha moment” she needed. She realized she could write and publish her own book. She ended up becoming close friends with the woman who featured her and introduced her to her publisher.
Shayla recommends getting involved as an ambassador as a stepping-stone to licensing deals. It helps you gain visibility and opens up relationships that can lead to more. Every company she’s worked with has aligned with her values and she connects with the people within them on a human level. She notes that when things fall together like that you can create magic together.
The big question: How DID Shayla diversify her revenue stream?
Shayla believes there are two big contributing factors to the visibility she gained: social media and her book. A book is one of THE best marketing tools that can expose your design brand on a different level. Shayla’s book—coupled with her design businesses and ambassadorship—showed that she could commit to projects at a high level. That ability to commit and follow-through is one of the biggest contributing factors to getting licensing deals. 
Shayla didn’t have a grand master plan to diversify her revenue stream so significantly. But she does write down her goals each year—and has always done that—to give her something to strive toward. Shayla believes you just need to be open:
“When you pray, God is good and he answers prayers. And sometimes it’s not the way that we think it’s going to happen. Sometimes those things are answered in a different way, but we need to have our ears open and our eyes open to see those opportunities.” 
To hear more of Shayla’s story, how she diversified her revenue stream, and her advice for newbie designers—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)
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

Instagram Launches ‘Guides’ Feature: What Does it Mean for Designers?

Instagram is launching yet another brand new feature: Instagram Guides. Instagram guides will live on your profile nestled between your posts, IGTV, and mentions. So what are Instagram Guides? How is the feature being used right now? Will it be useful for designers in the future? Listen to this Monday Marketing Minisode to find out! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:36] Darla LOVES her new Peloton Bike
[1:40] Wingnut Social’s very first webinar
[2:41] Instagram’s new Guides option
[7:13] Where to find current examples
[8:01] What do ‘Guides’ mean for designers?
[9:12] The ONE caveat Darla identified
[11:33] Blooper Reel! 
Resources & People Mentioned
Register for the Wingnut Social Webinar!
Instagram Guides
Emilie Kyle
Instagram Guides 101
Instagram launched its newest feature that will initially focus on mental health and well-being. At this time Guides are only available for specific creators that Instagram has teamed up with to produce wellness-inspired content. To see a few examples head to the profiles of @heads_together and @Klicksafe on Instagram (mobile). Click on the little ‘open book’ icon to see their curated feeds. 
Currently, these creators will feature scrollable curated content regarding managing anxiety and depression, well-being, and staying healthy amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s quite similar to Pinterest—but the content lives on Instagram. It’s a sneaky way for them to keep traffic in their app while also providing immense value to users. 
They even announced it will be available in the ‘explore tab’ soon!
How a designer can benefit from Instagram Guides
According to Instagram, Guides will be available to “creators, public figures, organizations, and publishers.” As a business owner, designers WILL be able to use and leverage Instagram Guides. So what could that look like?
Darla and Natalie recommend curating specific content such as a short blog post or infographic. It can be regular text OR a video. You could feature the latest trends or a completed project. Highlight your blog with a snippet of a post. You could even feature collections from your favorite designers—and maybe even land a sponsorship deal in the process. 
Using Instagram Guides can position YOU as an influencer in your space. It will be on the explore page soon, which means it can expand your reach and lead to more active followers. 
Darla identified ONE caveat to Instagram Guides. What is it? Listen to the 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

#AmplifiedMelanatedVoices

Darla and Natalie are pushing their regularly scheduled programming to stand in unity with #AmplifiedMelanatedVoices. They are devastated by George Floyd's death. Darla is a retired cop, Natalie is a firefighter—but George Floyd should still be alive. Not all cops are bad, but this is NOT okay. So they are muting today in solidarity for George.

Sharing Inspiration Posts [The Pros and Cons]

Do you share inspiration posts on Instagram? Or are you against the practice entirely? Perhaps you just don’t know HOW to do it properly. In this Monday Marketing Minisode, Darla and Natalie dissect the pros and cons of sharing inspiration posts. They also share how to do it the right way—giving proper kudos to the designers. Don’t miss it!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:40] Inspiration posts: to share or not to share? 
[1:44] The cons of sharing inspirational posts
[3:40] What’s a newbie designer to do?
[5:49] Top reasons to share inspirational posts
[8:20] The proper way to share inspirational posts
[9:40] Darla’s promised ‘shocker’
[11:15] Wingnut Social Webinar coming up!
[12:13] Blooper Reel!
Resources & People Mentioned
Wingnut Social Webinar: June 25th 2020 at 1pm
Kelly Wearstler
Emily Henderson
Amber Lewis
The pros and cons of sharing inspiration posts
There are a few notable cons to sharing posts on Instagram that aren’t yours—and they’re the biggest reason why those who are adamantly against it don’t do it:
You’re not showcasing YOUR work and what YOU bring to the table. In some cases, it seems as though you’re giving the other designer more credit than you.
People might mistakenly believe inspiration posts are your work. Natalie points out that you don’t want to share something that doesn’t align with your design aesthetic + you have to give credit where credit is due.
Viewers may like the inspiration post so much that they seek out and hire the other designer—not you. 
Keep listening to hear some of Darla and Natalie’s tips to mitigate some of the cons of inspirational posts. But some pros just may outweigh the cons: 
Inspiration posts perform MUCH better than organic posts—sometimes up to 3x better. If you need more traffic and interaction on your posts it can help boost your account.
99% of the time designers LOVE it when you share their work with proper credit. Darla refers to it as a “mutually parasitic relationship”—hilarious but true.
It allows you to showcase your design aesthetic and what inspires you while still representing your brand identity. 
YOU get to weigh the pros and cons, but Darla and Natalie are all for sharing inspiration posts. 
How to share inspiration posts the RIGHT way
One of the reasons Darla and Natalie launched their #WowWingnut hashtag was to share inspiration posts with the proper permission already built-in. It’s a great way to motivate your followers and grow your following. 
Here are the round rules Darla and Natalie follow when sharing inspiration posts:
If you’re uncomfortable sharing a designer's image, you can DM them for permission
Write about the designer in your caption and how their work inspires you
Give proper credit to the designer AND the photographer (when possible)
Established designers: Keep inspiration posts a maximum of 15–20% of your posts
Newbie designers: inspiration posts can be up to 50–60% of your posts until you have a larger portfolio
Darla shares a ‘shocker’ at the end of this episode. Listen to the end to hear 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

How to Get ‘Seriously Happy’ About Your Business Model with Rebecca West

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

How Instagram Live is Stepping it Up

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

It’s Time to Incorporate Wellness Design in your Business with Christina McManaway

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

The LinkedIn Events Feature: Why You Should Use it

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

Redesigning Your Brand Identity with Joan Ravasy

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

The NEW Facebook Live Features Being Rolled Out

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

Digital Marketing Budget for Designers: Kate O’Hara Shares Her Formula

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

Messenger Rooms: The NEW Feature Facebook is Launching to Rival Zoom

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

How to Deliver an Exceptional Client Experience with Ashley Uhl

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