Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

The Voxer Walkie Talkie App: Making Messaging Fun

Voxer is a push-to-talk walkie talkie app for communicating in real-time, in a way that’s fun. If you don’t like texting and Siri’s voice-to-text leaves you sending unintelligible messages—this may be the app for you. In this mini-poddy episode of Wingnut Social, Darla and Natalie gush about the app and how useful it has been for them. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:35] Voxer basics
[4:05] How is Voxer better than Siri?
[6:15] For those who hate texting or typing
[6:40] Take-backs allowed
[7:15] How does it help designers?
[8:55] Nitty-gritty details
Resources & People Mentioned
Voxer
Nicole Heymer
LuAnn Nigara
Voxer is THE Walkie Talkie for adults
Natalie reminisces about her childhood when she and her friends would play with Walkie Talkies. It was the coolest thing as kids. She even brought it into her teenage years—with a CB radio in her truck. Voxer allows you to revisit your childhood in a fun yet functional way.
The free version of Voxer allows you to communicate with up to 5 people in a chat. The pro version? Darla reports that it allows up to 500 people to interact. You can sync the app with the contacts in your phone, or pick and choose those to add to the app. 
Practical applications for designers
There are so many logistics involved when it comes to install days, photoshoots, and simple communication with vendors and clients. The app makes communication fast and efficient for a designer. It can apply to other industries as well, such as first-responders and those in hospitality. 
Your voice and intonation come across correctly, as opposed to leaving someone guessing with a text message or email communication. Were you sarcastic? Angry? Joyful? Guess no more. It makes communication with clients fun and engaging. Even better—if you accidentally record something better left unsaid, it can be deleted if the receiver hasn’t listened to it yet. 
Darla and Natalie chat about the other details that make this app so enjoyable, so keep listening!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The Inside Scoop: Guest-Starring on an HGTV Design Show with Brenda Thompson

What do you do if you’re approached to be a guest on an HGTV design show? While it’s every designer's secret dream, is it something you really want to tackle? The upsides can be enormous—increased exposure, potential growth in clients due to the exposure, and the potential to be featured again. But are there downsides? 
Here to chat with Darla and Natalie in this episode of Wingnut Social is Brenda Thompson of HouseLift Design. After years in the business management world, 5 years ago she took her love for designing warm and inviting spaces and launched her business. Earlier this year a production company reached out about a local opportunity—to hear about her adventure, listen now!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:55] Upcoming event and announcements
[4:45] Brenda Thompson of HouseLift design
[5:50] Landing an HGTV design show gig
[13:00] What the process is like
[16:30] The uncertainty involved in the day-to-day
[23:50] Handling a budget and timeline
[27:25] Advice for young budding designers
[31:10] How’d she handle the camera?
[37:10] Would she do it again?
[39:35] What up Wingnut Round
[42:10] How to connect with Brenda
Connect with Brenda Thompson
Brenda’s LinkedIn
HouseLift Design
Brenda on Instagram
HouseLift Design on Pinterest
Resources & People Mentioned
DCOTA Fall Market
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker
House Hunters Renovation
Abbi McCollum
Being on a design show is a whirlwind experience
Within two days of a production company reaching out to Brenda, she was signing a contract to be a guest designer on House Hunters Renovation. She had never experienced anything like this before—there was so much involved behind the scenes that you never would’ve guessed. 
She was given 10 days to pull together contractors, have samples in hand, and design plans in place. 
She was given a budget that demanded she be creative with her costs—so she had to leverage some favors. After many late nights, her team pulled together and designed a space that left both the producers and the homeowners ecstatic. 
The reality of being a design star
Being in the limelight is a fun experience, but it isn’t necessarily all that it’s cracked up to be. Scheduling camera days and dealing with all the moving parts involved can be overwhelming. It left Brenda drained and exhausted. She also had to turn away potential clients until the project was wrapped up. 
For someone with zero prior experience, being on-camera is a whole new world of intense. 
Each particular day of shooting was focused around something major: showing the homeowners the design plans or even showing a kitchen counter-top arriving. Brenda never anticipated the number of times they’d have to reshoot a scene. Trying to appear natural and at-ease on your 10th take of a scene is a lot. She noted it was hard to remember what you’ve said and not appear robotic while repeating it (again and again...and again). 
To hear more about her journey, listen to the whole episode! Also, follow Brenda on social media to find out when her episode will air on HGTV!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

IGTV Launches a New Feature That is a Game-Changer for Designers

IGTV rolled out an update that should be a game-changer for those in the creative space! IGTV has been around since 2018, but its new feature allows you to create a series for your channel. You could become the next IGTV Design star! 
Darla and Natalie share the simple steps to get your channel rolling in this episode of Wingnut Social. They’ll also fill you in on the “why” behind using this feature. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:35] IGTV rolled out a game-changer
[2:05] Create your own video series
[4:00] Allows you to prepare and record
[5:30] How to add a video to a series
[6:55] Ideas of what type of series to launch
[8:05] The Wingnut Social series announcement
Resources & People Mentioned
Instagram IGTV
IGTV Instructions
So why is this IGTV feature a game-changer?
The biggest change is that you no longer have to go live on Instagram and deliver a perfect video from start to finish. IGTV allows you to record videos however you’d like, and upload them to your channel. But the best part of the feature?
You can create your own video series for Instagram. 
You can start a design series about your creative process from beginning-to-end. Instagram users can follow you and choose to receive notifications when you drop your next episode. It’s genius!
To hear more ideas for your own series—and find out what the Wingnut Social upcoming series will be about—check out the whole minisode now!
How to use the IGTV series tool in the app
Ready for the simple steps to add a video from Instagram? Here’s how:
Open the app and touch the IGTV icon in the top right corner.
Click the + button in the top right corner.
Choose the video that you’d like to add and click ‘Next’.
Choose a cover photo (either a still from the video or your camera roll)
Add a title, description, and pertinent information then choose ‘Add to Series’.
If you haven’t created a series yet, it will give you the option to create and name one. 
It allows you to post a preview of your video to your Instagram feed, allowing users to watch the whole video if they choose to do so.
For instructions on how to create a series from the IGTV app or a web browser, check out the link in the show notes!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Email: info(at)wingnutsocial.com
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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 Sasha Bikoff Shattered the World of Iconic Design

What qualifies someone’s work to be labeled as iconic design? What makes it so groundbreaking that others begin to follow suit and emulate the style? Sasha Bikoff exploded onto the scene in the design world with what can only be described as a now iconic staircase design.
Sasha has a background in Fine Art and art history which lends a unique spin to her design career. Her style is multicultural, pulling from her life in New York and her experience studying abroad in Paris. Darla and Natalie chat with Sasha at High Point Market, surrounded by her stunning Currey & Co Installation. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:00] DCOTA Announcement
[2:30] Darla introduces Sasha Bikoff
[5:50] Botticelli’s Primavera inspired installation
[8:35] Sasha’s background in Art and Culture
[11:05] The importance of a show house
[19:35] You need to photograph your space
[22:00] Her upcoming line with Currey & Company
[23:40] Her journey from Milan to High Point
[25:00] Empowerment for Women
[26:50] The emotion she desires to evoke
[28:25] What up Wingnut
[30:05] Connect with Sasha Bikoff
Connect with Sasha Bikoff
Sasha’s Website
On Instagram: @sashabikoff
On Instagram @curreyco
Resources & People Mentioned
Gagosion Gallery
Botticelli’s Primavera
Kips Bay Decorator Show House
The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
Don Johnson (of Miami Vice)
50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Iconic design is about making a splash in the industry
Bodacious, luxurious and extravagant are a choice few adjectives that describe Sasha's design style. As Darla and Natalie chat with Sasha they are surrounded by her Currey & Company installation inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera. Black velvet drapes the ceiling, and her reinvented lighting illuminates the space.
She melded the Italian renaissance with modern design to create a breathtaking space.
Sasha doesn’t take herself too seriously and believes this is a trademark attitude to embrace. She uses her imagination to reinvent things while embracing her true passion to create one-of-a-kind pieces. The goal of her design is to transport you into another world and to evoke a visceral response from the depth of your being. 
To hear the ladies chat about Sasha’s explosion into the industry, the importance of a show house, and how she connected with Currey & Company—keep listening. 
Lighting is the jewelry of the home
Sasha always wanted to attend High Point but never had the platform needed to come—until her deal with Currey & Company. Her creative nature always left her creating pieces that didn’t exist in the market. Sasha loves an impeccably crafted piece of lighting and knew she could create an iconic collection. 
Now, she has one that will be available for purchase in spring 2020!
She describes it as 1980’s Art Deco Revival meets Miami beach, with some tropical vibes thrown in. She adores the Miami Vice era and her colorful pieces will reflect that. She hopes whatever she creates will leave your eyes wandering in awe.
Darla, Natalie, and Sasha chat about how she strives to help women feel empowered in a design world dominated by men and her crazy journey to where she is now. This is an episode to be remembered. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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 Master the Luxury Design Niche with Julia Molloy

To make waves in the luxury design niche you need to be BOLD. The key to high-end design is crafting a signature experience. If you’re trying to pave your way in the niche, you have to be on top of your game. Julia Molloy joins Darla & Natalie in this episode of Wingnut Social to help you master luxury design.
Julia is an expert with over two decades of experience and an extensive background in graphic design. She’s the founder of the BOLD Summit conference—and her business is luxury design. If you’re ready to position yourself as a luxury provider, Julia will help take you to the next level. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:45] The Business of Luxury Design with Julia Molloy
[5:25] What is the BOLD summit?
[8:40] What to expect at the BOLD summit
[10:50] What role does social media play?
[15:50] The mindset of the luxury client has evolved
[20:55] Luxury and quality are promises kept
[23:55] The biggest obstacle designers are struggling with
[30:40] Is the middle-tier dying out?
[34:30] What up Wingnut!
[39:00] How to connect with Julia
Connect with Julia Molloy
Julia Molloy
Julia on LinkedIn
BOLD Summit
Resources & People Mentioned
Mydoma Studio
Asana
Edna Mode
Kelly Hoppen Interiors
Vincente Wolf Associates
Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Social media is “street cred” for high-end designers
Too many coaches for high-end designers claim that luxury designers should be above social media. That it is too “lowbrow” for their status. But this is far from the truth. Julia says that it does play a different role, but it’s just as important. 
A luxury designer needs to view social media as a building block. 
Kelly Hoppen, Vincente Wolf, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard all have huge social media followings—because their online presence gives them street cred. Luxury is all about association and attraction. For this reason, you need media coverage and editorials. You need that social media following and a fan-base. 
Keep listening as the ladies talk about how your marketing strategy needs to be taken up a notch and what that could look like—and hear a smashing Edna Mode impression. 
Luxury design is all about design without compromise
Many designers don’t want to choose the luxury niche because they have the misconception that the clientele they’d work with would be arrogant and elitist. But the world of luxury has shifted to be more inclusive and enlightened. The culture is evolving and so must you. 
The new era of luxury are people who desire to live congruently with the way they feel inside—with no compromise. 
Julia has a client that specializes in completely vegan luxury design. It isn’t that the clientele is snobbish, but they have the means to be specific about the customization level they desire. Your goal as a luxury designer is to deliver impeccable quality. Keep the promises you make to your clients—then take things up a notch. 
Julia covers the biggest obstacle luxury designers struggle with, if the middle-tier still exists, and SO much more—so listen to the whole episode for all the juicy details!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The High Points of High Point Market

High Point Market needs to be an event every designer has marked on their calendar! The market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. With over 10 million square feet of space and thousands of vendors, it is THEeventfor Designers.
The fall market just wrapped up and Darla and Natalie are here to chat about what they learned. The networking and other practical applications they took away are covered in this minisode of Wingnut Social—Don’t miss it!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:35] High Point Market
[1:45] Darla moderated her first panel!
[2:20] Practical applications from High Point Market
[3:40] High Point is networking heaven
[4:35] Make a list of the showrooms to see
[5:45] An example of user-generated content
[7:45] Every person is SO giving
Resources & People Mentioned
Our DCOTA Keynote Panel!
High Point Market
Sandra Funk
Shayla Copas Interiors
Jamie Swanson
Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors
Tiffany Ringwald Photography
Currey & Company
Bethanne Matari
Sasha Bikoff
Kate O’Hara
Nicole Heymer
Taylor Spellman
Chandra Rugs
Mydoma
High Point Market is networking heaven
High Point Market is the preeminent trade show for designers—but that isn’t just because of the millions of square feet of showrooms (though you definitely need to make a point to see many of those). With a big name in the industry around every corner, the networking opportunities are endless. 
Darla even got to hug Taylor Spellman.
Pretty awesome, right? It also gives you many opportunities to put your brand out there. Karina Jones, Wingnut’s Producer, had the wonderful idea to pass out Little Debbie Cakes in boxes labeled with a Wingnut Sticker and a business card. What a genius marketing idea. 
AND people tagged Wingnut on social media eating their Little Debbie Cakes! So fun.
Panelists are giving of their time and advice
High Point Market is packed full of learning opportunities. Not only are the panels educational for listeners—but for the panelists as well! Panelists are down-to-earth open-books who are willing to share their successes and their mistakes to help you learn.
Why not take advantage of their wealth of knowledge and experience?
Darla and Natalie left the market with a little bit of a high-point hangover…and an overwhelming feeling of abundance. Even if you’ve been in business a short time or 20+ plus years you will learn something at High Point. 
Listen to the full minisode that is jam-packed full of useful tips and tricks for attending High Point and everything Darla and Natalie learned!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Why It’s Time to Embrace Personal Brand Photography with Jamie Swanson

Personal brand photography is an up-and-coming style of photography that will change the way you look at your business. We’re all familiar with portrait photography and lifestyle shoots—but what sets a brand photographer apart? Why does your business need a personal brand photographer on retainer?
Jamie Swanson is a photographer, a blogger, and also a podcaster with years of experience in the industry. Jamie talks with Darla and Natalie about the importance of personal brand photography and how it can positively impact your entire brand in this episode of Wingnut Social.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:15] High Point Market recap
[3:30] Jamie Swanson guest stars!
[5:20] What is personal brand photography?
[8:00] What do you want people to say about you?
[14:50] How in-depth do you go?
[18:55] Should you make the investment?
[25:10] What is the investment range you’re looking at?
[27:10] How to find a personal brand photographer
[29:20] Embrace being the face of your business
[34:10] What up Wingnut round
[36:45] How to connect with Jamie
Connect with Guest Name
Personal Brand Journey Podcast
Jamie’s Website
Jamie on Facebook
Jamie on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
Fall Market 2019
Jenna Kutcher
Laura Thurman
Book: Reboot by Jerry Colonna
What sets personal brand photography apart?
A personal brand photographer is a multi-faceted professional who can create beautiful images that highlight who you are as a business professional and human. They help you create a professional image that sets you apart and connects you with your followers.
What do you want people to say about you?
Are you funny? Down-to-earth? Imaginative? Entertaining?
A good photographer will help you identify the connection you want to make and help illustrate it to your audience. It is a strategic branch of photography that combines technical skills, psychology, and a lot of imagination. Jamie gives Darla and Natalie ideas for scenarios to photograph (possibly even involving whiskey and Little Debbie Cakes) and goes in-depth into the process—keep listening! 
It’s an investment strategy you can’t ignore
Your goal as a business owner and entrepreneur is to create a name for yourself and your brand. You want to be THE go-to home designer in your area. Personal brand photography used strategically on social media can be the accelerant you need for your business. While it can be a significant investment, the upside is well worth the cost.
If you’re new to the market and just getting your business launched, Jamie recommends investing in a basic package. If your business is bringing in consistent revenue and you’re ready to take it to the next level: get a personal brand photographer on retainer now!
They will deliver gorgeous photos of you in your element. With the right images executed correctly, you can lower your monthly ad spend and increase social media engagement. Your investment will pay off. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Why the Bublup App is a Game Changer for Creatives

Bublup advertises itself as “the cloud reimagined”. Why are Darla and Natalie so fascinated by it? It’s changing the way the world looks at storage. It allows you to save everything in visual folders—PDFs, photos, videos, GIFs, notes, and more.
It’s akin to Pinterest, Dropbox, and Google Drive on steroids. So how can an interior designer use the application? Are the unique applications of it worth the learning curve? Darla and Natalie chat all about it in this episode of Wingnut Social.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:50] All about Bublup
[3:40] The Bublup Superpower is “Rolls”
[5:20] All this is for free
[6:30] Send a roll to clients
[7:40] How the app acts as a reverse plugin
Resources & People Mentioned
Bublup.com
Darla’s Bublup Roll
Darla Powell Interiors: Instagram
The digital vision board for creatives
Bublup has an extension that you can utilize on Google Chrome that allows you to clip an article, photos, videos—or anything that you desire and save it to a folder. It’s a digital vision board for any project you may be doing that you can even share directly with clients. 
Darla’s even planning on making a folder for Disney World’s Star Wars park. The applications are endless, and honestly it can easily become an obsession. It seems a far better way to organize cloud storage and it’s enjoyable. Win-win.
Bublup’s superpower lies in its Rolls
You can transform your folders into what Bublup terms “Rolls”. It’s similar to the organization of a basic landing page for a website—but it’s anything but basic. Once you’ve completed your Roll, you can easily share it with anyone by sending them a link.
Darla created a Roll that is linked below in the show notes, go check it out!
This could revolutionize the way you can share projects and ideas with friends, family, and even clients. Even better, Bublup is completely free. You can upgrade to paid plans for more storage and upload capacity. Be sure to give the free version a shot and change the way you organize storage.
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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 Create Pinterest Pins That Will Go Viral with Shana Heinricy

Do you know how to create Pinterest pins that are eye-catching, informational, and worthy of going viral? Or does Pinterest endlessly baffle you? So many assume that it operates like Instagram but that is far from the case. If you’re ready to create pins that pop—that drive traffic to your website—listen to this episode of the Wingnut social podcast with Shana Heinricy.
Shana is currently Wingnut Social’s director and the genius behind our marketing strategy. She holds a master’s degree in communications and has worked in public relations and communications all of her professional life. She loves the creativity social media affords her while also satisfying her analytical side and need to see consistent results.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[3:00] Shana Heinricy: Director of Wingnut Social
[3:55] Breathtaking Tailwind Statistics
[8:30] What sets Pinterest apart from other platforms?
[10:15] Making the videos and photos searchable
[11:40] How an Interior Designer can benefit from Pinterest
[13:10] What demographic is on Pinterest?
[15:20] Should you create or recycle content?
[17:00] What does well on Pinterest?
[18:00] How often to post?
[19:00] Curating content vs. repinning
[21:00] How to get a pin to go viral
[25:22] Pinterest ads and promoted pins
[31:20] What up Wingnut round
Connect with Shana 
Shana’s LinkedIn
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Resources & People Mentioned
QR Codes Kill Kittens by Scott Stratten
Tailwind Tribes
Why is Pinterest neglected as a social media platform?
While Instagram is the current obsession and the #1 social media platform you should be using, you need to add Pinterest into your arsenal. Pins (and now videos) that you post on Pinterest are indexed by Google and will show up under a Google image search. This is huge! 
Images are the 2nd largest driver of traffic to your website.
So how do you optimize your Pinterest posts to be indexed by Google? It’s all in the details. Your image needs to be titled correctly with your business name and a term that is searchable by Google. Focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and keywords in your caption and remember, unlike Instagram: Everything is searchable on Pinterest.
How to create Pinterest Pins that will go viral
Pinterest is especially valuable for designers who blog or have their own product line. Because—gasp—you can sell directly from Pinterest! Shana says if you fall into those categories, you need to spend a significant amount of time on Pinterest to drive traffic to our products or blogs.
You have to understand that Pinterest is geared toward people experiencing particular life moments. They could be buying and decorating a new house, giving birth to their first child, or planning a wedding. So your keywords need to cater to people immersed in these life moments. Shana says the simplest way to do that is to create pins that will go viral. 
But what type of pin tends to succeed above all others? An infographic. Detailed infographics that stand out have the highest likelihood of going viral. Take the blog post that you want to drive traffic to and find a way to visually represent it in an infographic. If your pin is successful, you can take it and boost it—and watch the traffic to your website soar.
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Why You Need to Create a Branded Hashtag for your Business

Hashtags are all the rage—which is why you NEED to create a branded hashtag for your business. A hashtag is a fun and effective way to build an authentic following. It also allows you to bring your voice to social media.
So are you ready to take your social media presence to the next level? Do you want to build a community for your followers? Listen to this minisode of Wingnut Social with Darla and Natalie to find out how to create a branded hashtag, and why it’s so important. 
They share their brand new hashtag in this episode—don’t miss it! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:40] Monday Marketing Mini-sode
[1:00] Branded Hashtags
[2:15] Help separate you from your competitors
[4:20] Creating a branded hashtag 101
[5:55] Designer example
[7:00] We reveal our new branded hashtag
Resources & People Mentioned
LuAnn Nigara - LuAnn Live
LuAnn on Instagram
O’Hara Interiors on Instagram
Build a dedicated community that’s all yours with a branded hashtag
A branded hashtag is one of the best ways to separate you from your competitors. Not only that, but it gives your community a way to connect with you and each other. You can interact and share relevant content that everyone can see by visiting your hashtag. 
Find fun ways to draw them into your community. 
Ask them to share photos using your special hashtag, like “#WingnutWednesday”. Or post a challenge asking them to do something—like showing off their fall porch decor! The end goal is to give your followers a platform for their content.
Be creative, quirky, and clear!
Your hashtag can’t be boring. For example, “Miami Designer” is just too generic. Martha O’Hara gives us an example of a great branded hashtag: #OHMyStyledLife. It’s fun, it’s catchy, and above all it’s memorable. So give it a shot and see what fun hashtags you can come up with!
You also want to be clear with your followers why they should use your hashtag
You need to offer them value.
So what does that mean? Be clear how you will reward your followers. One of the easiest ways to do that is to share their posts on your social media when they use your branded hashtag. Your follower gets all the credit, and it will help new designers get a reach they wouldn’t have. Who doesn’t want that?!
To hear more—and finally find out what our brand new hashtag is—listen to our minisode now!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

Do You Have The Tenacity To Land A Licensing Deal? With Wendy Fennell

If you’re interested in learning about what it takes to land a licensing deal—this is the episode for you! It can be a difficult process where it often seems impossible to get a licensing deal in place. However, there are some tricks of the trade that can increase your chances of getting the deal done. 
On this episode of Wingnut Social, Darla and Natalie chat with Wendy Fennell of Bohemian Bungalow Design. Landing a licensing deal requires tenacity, drive, and a unique vision for a product. They’ll talk about how involved the process is, the power of networking, and how you’re never too old to be relevant!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:15] Event coming up
[3:05] licensing deals with Wendy Fennel
[5:20] How Wendy made the switch to interior design
[11:30] Her beginnings at High Point Market
[13:00] Reaching out to Mitchell Black
[17:10] The process from brain to paper
[18:20] How to market differently
[20:30] Where to start with a licensing deal
[24:45] What surprised Wendy about the licensing journey
[28:30] Where to find Bohemian Bungalow Wall coverings
Connect with Wendy Fennell
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Bohemian Bungalow Design
Resources & People Mentioned
High Point Market
Nancy Ganzekaufer
Mitchell Black Bohemian Bungalow Collection
Resa Edge Broward Conference
Currey & Company
Steel + Plank
BOOK: You are a Badass
You’re never too old to make a career change!
Wendy spent years in the apparel industry. She started her career at Calvin Klein in the leather division and stayed there for almost 9 years. She also spent time working for a private label manufacturer that produced custom cashmere men’s socks. Everything changed when she decided to adopt a child from Russia—she couldn’t continue traveling as much as she had been. 
So for a short time, she became a stay-at-home Mom. While she loved raising her son, she was itching to get back into a career (and ready to have conversations with adults again). She enjoyed design and had often assisted friends and family with their homes. After a conversation with her sister, she decided to give interior design a shot, and actually start charging for it. 
For 3-4 years it was a part-time gig. When her son started preschool, she started seriously researching what to charge and how to create a legitimate business. Keep listening as the ladies chat about High Point Market and the networking opportunities available. 
How pagoda wallpaper and tenacity paved the way for her licensing deal
Wendy absolutely loves wallpaper and using it in her design. Her journey towards her licensing deal began because she had a vision of a pagoda wallpaper—but it didn’t exist yet. The week after attending High Point Market, she reached out to Mitchell Black. After multiple attempts at connecting, she finally spoke with her and was able to pitch her idea for a small collection.
Wendy originally thought she was going to pay the fee for the work they did and list the product on her site. In the end, Mitchell Black loved the collection so much that she requested to sell it on her website. Wendy was ecstatic and agreed to the deal immediately.
But it wasn’t easy—it took about 4 months of back and forth to nail everything down. She had to transpose all of the ideas floating around in her brain unto paper. She worked with the graphic design team to create a pagoda from a conglomeration of about 25 different options. She never realized how many different shades of black and blue exist!
To hear Wendy’s advice about narrowing down your niche, the surprises along her journey, and much more—listen to the full episode of Wingnut Social now!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

Is TikTok the Next Instagram?

Just in case you haven’t heard—TikTok is the new app exploding onto the scene for kids and teeny-boppers worldwide. With over 500 million downloads, it’s projected to be the next “big thing” maybe someday passing the popularity of Facebook or Instagram. So what is this phenomenon we speak of? 
TikTok is an app that allows you to record short 15-second videos whose content usually consists of a music video, comedy bit, or someone completing a challenge. So how does this remotely relate to the design space? Listen to this mini-poddy episode of Wingnut Social with Darla and Natalie to find out!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:10] Should designers be on Tik Tok?
[1:50] What is TikTok?
[5:00] Advertising on Tik Tok
[6:30] Do Hashtag challenges
[7:40] The Future of Tik Tok
Resources & People Mentioned
TikTok on GooglePlay
TikTok on App Store
ByteDance
GaryVee on TikTok
Lasso App
Vero
Snapchat
Join TikTok as an investment in your future
For those of you just mastering Instagram—watch out—there’s a new app that is going to explode in popularity. Not unlike Snapchat or the now non-existent Vine, TikTok allows you to connect with the world through video. It’s riveting and addicting and made oh-so-popular by Jimmy Fallon.
GaryVee even touts it as the “Training wheels for future influencers and content creators”. 
So what should you do? Jump in the kiddie-wagon, now. Just like every other app geared towards a specific demographic, it eventually skews towards an, ahem, slightly-older less-trendy generation... Join Gen Z and build what audience you can, now. Then, when it morphs—as every other social media app does—it’s AI will have you up and running. 
Create a hashtag challenge to build a following
Hashtag challenges are the big thing trending on TikTok. It can be anything from lip-syncing a song like a Disney princess to Jimmy Fallon’s #TumbleweedChallenge. So why not embrace the space and post a design challenge?
TikTok Recently integrated a “Hashtag Challenge Plus” feature that allows sponsors to create a hashtag challenge. Their featured hashtag has a shoppable tab that allows users to make purchases in-app. Kroger took advantage of this approach when they sponsored a ‘TransformUrDorm” challenge, asking users to post dorm-room makeovers featuring products purchased at Kroger.
Come up with a catchy hashtag and challenge tweens to design their room. There are budding designers who would be crazy about sharing their space and getting some air-time. Take this opportunity to get ahead of the curve and create a niche among the next generation. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

Making Your Interior Design Brand Authentic with Karima Neghmouche

We hear a lot of talk these days about authenticity - it’s a buzzword that is quickly losing its meaning. But that doesn’t mean the concept is out of date, in fact, it’s more important than ever. So, when it comes to making your design brand authentic, what does it really mean?
On this episode of Wingnut Social, Darla and Natalie speak with Karima Neghmouche, a brand expert who works alongside all kinds of people - designers and otherwise - to help them discover, capture, and communicate a brand that is authentic to who they are. As a designer, that’s of paramount importance because the clients you attract will be attracted to your personal approach as much as they are attracted to your beautiful design work. Listen to hear all of Karima’s advice.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[5:20] Beyond the buzzword, what does “authenticity” mean?
[9:54] How simplified branding gives you the ability to pivot in the future
[13:36] Website principles for resonating with your ideal client
[16:50] Common mistakes designers make when building out a genuine brand
[20:40] Soul-searching processes to discover your authentic brand
[23:09] The importance of a great website
[28:39] Summary of the episode: focus on your closet!
Connect with Karima Neghmouche
Karima’s website - https://karimacreative.com/
On Facebook
On Instagram @Karima.Creative
On LinkedIn
On Pinterest
Resources & People Mentioned
The RESA Edge chat Darla will be doing 
Darla’s upcoming presentation at High Point
BOOK: You Are A Badass At Making Money
Authenticity is keeping it real no matter what others say you should be doing
We all know authenticity is a buzzword, a trendy thing people tack onto their slogan or mantra. But behind the buzzword is a principle that is vital for designers to understand and apply. Here is Karima’s definition of authenticity:
Keeping it real and ignoring the noise of what everyone else says you should be doing.
That’s a pretty good definition. But there’s a trick to developing the relationship between branding and authenticity in today’s marketing. Filters and effects change how things are perceived, which is not how your brand may be best represented. Karima has a good perspective on what it takes to keep things authentic. It includes taking pictures of the favorite spaces in your own home. Listen to learn how it works out practically - and to understand why her approach is so helpful.
Practical ways to keep your interior design brand authentic
The authenticity of your interior design brand is what will appeal to your ideal clients - the ones you really want to work with. That’s because something about you and your personal perspective on design work draws them to you. So you want to make sure you’re getting this piece of the branding puzzle right.
Karima’s advice makes it so easy to see how everyday observations about your own life, the kind of things you are drawn to on Pinterest or Instagram, and the previous design work you’ve done will reveal some of the real you that needs to go into communicating an authentic interior design brand.
Don’t miss this episode. Karima digs into logos, websites, naming conventions, images used to represent your brand, and more. She’s also going to share why simplicity in your branding is often a better path than specificity. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

Hey Designers! Here’s How To Get On Instagram’s Explore Page

As Darla and Natalie have pointed out a few times in the past few months, the ease with which you used to be able to build a following on Instagram has waned. Big time! You’ve got to do some super special stuff to get your posts seen so that you can build a significant following. 
What kind of super special stuff is it that you have to do? The good news is that it’s simple stuff. The bad news is that it’s a lot of work. Nobody said this social media marketing thing would be easy. Join Darla and Natalie for this mini-poddy episode of Wingnut Social as they discuss how to get on the Instagram explore page!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:53] The current difficulty of Instagram can be overcome by this hack
[2:59] What IS the Instagram Explore page?
[6:20] Practical tips to make it happen!
Resources & People Mentioned
Instagram explore page
Ripple App
Hootsuite
Sprout
Later app
TechCrunch article about Instagram explorer page
Life Lapse app (stop motion)
Enlight Pixa Loop
In-shot video editor
Over video app
Boomerang app
Adobe Photoshop (to do gifs)
What the HECK is the Instagram explore page?
If you’re a frequent user of Instagram you’ll be familiar with the little search icon - it looks like a magnifying glass. That’s the doorway to the Instagram explore page. Once you click on it you’re going to see a lot of content that’s been specially curated for you.
The magical algorithms of Instagram choose posts for your explore page uniquely, based on things you’ve liked, pages you’ve followed, the stuff those pages like and share, and more. It’s like a robot looking over your shoulder to keep track of everything you and the pages you like pay attention to on Instagram with one purpose: to serve you up more of the same. 
Why is it important for you to get your posts on the Explore page? Because 200 million people visit the explore page every day. That’s a lot of people - and a lot of eyeballs (400 million, give or take a few). And keep in mind, every user's experience with the explore page will be curated for them - so if you’re showing up there, it means that somewhere along the line they have expressed some kind of interest in the type of things you post. That’s a potential following waiting to be found! Listen to learn how to get on the Instagram explore page!
9 tips to get your content on the Instagram explore page
You might notice that this mini-poddy episode is a bit longer than our normal minisodes. Why? Because Darla and Natalie go into the details of the following 9 hacks you can use to get your posts on the Instagram discover page. You won’t want to miss these…
Create a post that is good! (tips in this episode)
Video does well on the explore page (tips for making them great in the episode)
Post at smart times of day
Your posts need to get engagement quickly
Include a call to action (best practices shared)
Discover and use the best hashtags (how to find and use niche hashtags)
Learn from and copy what the influencers in your niche are doing that is successful
Stories can be leveraged for the Instagram discover page as well (tips on this episode)
Stylized quotes seem to do well (Mel Robbins is killing it with this strategy)
Interested in getting on the Instagram discover page with your content? Listen to hear how to do it.
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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

Behind The Scenes Of TV Interior Design Show Stardom with Britany Simon

We’ve all seen and been enthralled with what happens on those TV Interior Design shows. There are so many great ones to choose from. And if we will be honest, every one of us who works in the design world has wondered what it would be like to star on one of those shows. Well, fellow wingnuts, wonder no more!
This episode is a delightful conversation with Britany Simon - star of several TV Interior Design shows. Darla and Natalie talk with her about the behind the scenes world of those productions to find out whether it’s as glamorous as it seems and what benefits come to a designer who gets that kind of limelight. Britany also gives her best advice for anyone who wants to pursue the same types of opportunities. 
In her characteristic way, Britany gives us the unvarnished truth. Be sure you listen!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:20] The new Tequila diet isn’t really working in spite of internet promises
[2:30] Brittany Simon’s rise into the media limelight
[5:30] The circumstances that led Brittany to television
[10:04] The story behind TV design - how it really works
[16:38] Why Britany first decided to try out for a TV design show
[19:00] The opportunities that have come from being on TV as a designer
[21:01] Britany’s advice for those interested in getting on a TV design show
[22:59] The marketing that Britany does for her shows and brand
[27:23] Britany’s learning curve for becoming comfortable on camera
[29:24] The What Up Wingut round
Connect with Britany Simon
Britany Simon’s website
Britany on Pinterest
Britany on Instagram: @BritanySimon
Britany on Facebook
Resources & People Mentioned
Best Room Wins Show
The Design Star Show
Hotel Impossible TV show
Joanna Gaines
Abbi McCollum on Wingnut Social
FYI channel
Bravo channel
HGTV channel
The Foundress (women in business group)
BOOK: The DNA Of Relationships
So you want to star on an Interior Design TV show, do you?
Britany first put her name in to be considered for “The Design Star,” a show from HGTV. She didn’t know if she had a chance of making the cut because she’d never done any work on camera or in front of an audience, but she figured it was worth a try. She and her husband drove to Las Vegas so she could audition for the show and the rest is history. But what she discovered behind the scenes was a world of extremely hard work. She jokingly says she often ended her production days in the fetal position.
The kind of things she had to deal with were unexpected. For example, she was assigned a design assistant who was not at all ready for the kind of work involved and who didn’t know how to go about sourcing the items she would need. So Britany had to take that on herself. She also had to work tirelessly on the things the show’s producers assigned to her to meet the deadlines for the show - including a number of DIY projects. Listen to hear how the perceived glamor of being on the show turned out to be not so glamorous.
What is the return on staring on your own design TV show?
One of the things Darla was interested in finding out was how Britany’s many TV shows have benefitted her design business. After all, Joanna Gaines seems to have done pretty well from her TV opportunities. 
What comes to light in this conversation is that Britany is a designer at heart and always wants to have her hands in the actual process, so to grow her business rapidly and in a way that puts her in more of a management role was not attractive to her - at all.
So thankfully, that’s not what happened. While it’s true that Britany has had many and varied offers as a result of her television stardom, she’s been able to remain in her sweet spot of designing. She's been the choice of many clients simply because they saw her work on TV and took it upon themselves to track her down so they could have her design their homes. That’s the kind of exposure money can’t buy and Britany has made the most of it.
We hope you’ll listen to this episode to get to know Britany. She’s down to earth, transparent, and a joy to talk with. You’ll find yourself feeling happy that she’s been the one to experience the kind of success she has - even if you secretly envy her - like we do. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
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
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