The Interior Design Business and Social Media Marketing Podcast: Wingnut Social

Five Email Marketing Tips: Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Is Email Marketing Dying? Have you written off email marketing? Are you a social media junkie (so are we by the way) who’s decided that email is yesterday’s way of doing business?    In spite of the deluge of social media apps on the market, communicating via email still works! But the rules of engagement have changed. This Monday Minisode sets the record straight on the effectiveness of emails, the dos, and don’ts of emailing and the best times to send them.     What You’ll Hear on This Episode of Wingnut Social   [2:50] Ask before you send.   [5:24] Personalize your emails and pay attention to subject lines.   [5:24] Make sure your emails are mobile-friendly.   [7:12] Check your email signature.    [8:33] Try sending during off-hours.   [12:35] Blooper Reel   Resources & People Mentioned   General Data Protection Regulation   E-Mail Marketing Has Rules of Engagement   No one likes a spammer, but Europe really doesn’t like them. Did you know that in 2018 Europe implemented the General Data Protection Regulation to prevent commercial businesses from sending unsolicited emails? It’s that serious, Wingnuts.   The U.S. hasn’t gone that far yet, but when it comes to email marketing, steer clear of being spammy. If the inbox owner didn’t give you the A-OK, don’t press that send button, period. Instead of sending spammy emails, develop a systematic way of collecting email addresses - with explicit permission. Besides, it’s insurance against whatever is coming down the pipeline.   When sending emails, best practices include:   Get permission Start with a great subject line Use emojis Personalize the email Make it mobile-friendly Use https:// to avoid the spam folder  Timing Your Emails   Once you’ve got all of your permissions in place, it’s time to consider sending times. When is the best time to send your email? What day of the week is ideal?   Back in the day, Tuesday was the best day to send out emails. But things are a-changing. Testing is the new Tuesday!   Experiment with different days of the week. Sending emails during off-hours has a way of creating success stories. In fact, we landed an AH-mazing client by uncharacteristically sending out our email on a Sunday. Toot-toot! Go Easy on the GIFs, Videos and Pics   GIFs may be all fun and games, but they ultimately increase your email’s load time. So yes add them, but don’t go overboard. Emojis and videos work the same way. A few are good; too many are a no-no! You want those emails opened, not deleted, right?   Emails are just one more tool in your toolbox for getting your brand in front of the right client. But best practices are key. So tune in to this episode and you’ll be optimizing your emails and your leads in no time!   Connect with Darla & Wingnut Social   www.WingnutSocial.com On Facebook On Twitter: @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 Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

Should you consider starting a podcast? Is the return on investment worth the time and effort put in? Or will you just be wasting your hard-earned time? Darla grew up listening to talk radio and knew when they launched Wingnut Social that a podcast would be a terrific vehicle for their niche. But what about other niches? Darla and Natalie’s guest today, Katie Freeman, shares her take on the industry—and why it’s been worth it for her. Katie is a furniture designer and creator, owner of Freeman Furnishings, and host of the Maker Mom podcast. She believes working with your hands is good for the soul and spends her time creating heirloom-quality woodwork. Listen to this episode to hear why she started her podcast, how it’s helped her career, and what she hopes the future of her furniture design business will look like.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [0:52] They’re going to Brazil! [4:58] How Katie Freeman became a furniture designer [7:33] Katie’s Podcast: The Maker Mom podcast [10:19] The clientele she’s gotten from her podcast [12:17] Was a local audience by design? [14:43] Build credibility and brand recognition  [16:06] Would Katie do anything differently? [18:15] The hidden ROI of starting a podcast [19:58] How does Patreon come into play? [21:32] What up Wingnut! round [23:56] Should Darla start another podcast? [28:22] Blooper Reel! Connect with Katie Freeman Katie on LinkedIn Katie’s podcast Freeman Furnishings Freeman Furnishings on Instagram Resources & People Mentioned RESA Event: April 9th from 6-8 pm at Keller Williams Building in Coral Gables Darla is speaking at Podfest in Orlando! Peaceful Nest Boutique Home Staging Affordable Interior Design podcast Wingnut Social Social Media Stats episode Wingnut Social Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole episode Workbench Con Patreon BOOK: Crushing It! By Gary Vaynerchuk Is starting a podcast a waste of time?  Katie Freeman started woodworking as a way to reconnect with who she is while balancing being a mom to two little ones. She is an avid podcast listener and enjoys listening to other makers and creators. But she noticed something she found disconcerting: none of the voices she heard were female. She decided it was time to create a podcast and get a female voice in her industry. She honed in on a niche for Mom’s who wanted to run a business while raising a family. So she launched her podcast on 10/19/2018 and has garnered quite a following. Katie points out that it hasn’t led to her landing a design client—but it has helped her become a trusted voice in her community. In fact, 50% of her listeners are local, and she believes that’s essential to her success.  The hidden ROI of a podcast While Katie hopes that someday her podcast will help her land some design clients, it has led to some wonderful opportunities. She can point people to listen to her podcast—with a built-in track record—versus just pitching them. Because of it, she’s been able to land speaking engagements and is actually jetting off to present at a conference soon after the recording of this episode. The local recognition she’s gained for being an expert in her space has led to an unusual opportunity—being able to teach classes at a local shared maker’s space. She shares her class schedule on the podcast and lets her listeners know they can sign up for it.  Because she creates and edits her podcast herself, she has very little overhead cost. With the opportunities it has afforded her, starting a podcast has been worth it. Keep listening to find out how she markets herself locally, what she would have done differently, and how she uses Patreon to bring in income.  BONUS CONTENT: Darla and Natalie chat about the potential to launch another podcast! Don’t miss it! Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social www.WingnutSocial.com On Facebook On Twitter: @WingnutSocial On Instagram: @WingnutSocial Darla’s Interior Design Website Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group! 1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs) Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor  www.curreyandcompany.com On Facebook On Twitter: @Curreyco On Instagram: @Curreyco Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

LinkedIn is rolling out a new (and highly requested) page section that will allow you to highlight your latest accomplishments: the ‘featured’ section. How is it different from the ‘activities’ section? What content can you include? Learn more by listening to this Monday Minisode of the Wingnut Social podcast! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [1:26] LinkedIn’s new feature [4:46] What to add to the ‘featured’ section [8:29] Blooper Reel Resources & People Mentioned LinkedIn LinkedIn Featured Section Detailed Instructions to add to ‘featured’ section Darla Powell Interiors LinkedIn LinkedIn’s new ‘featured’ section allows you to highlight whatever you want We all know that LinkedIn is great for B2B marketing and making connections with professionals. So getting them to take note of your accomplishments—and do more than just connect with you—is key. You want to GRAB their attention. LinkedIn’s new feature should make that easier.  While it’s still being rolled out and not yet available to all users, here’s what you can expect: It’s a section that will be directly below your profile header and above the ‘activities’ section. Simply add it as a profile section and choose the content that you want to be featured, whether it’s something eye-catching or a noteworthy accomplishment.  What should designers add to the featured section?  The beauty is that you get to pick whatever you want to be featured. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: Featured on an episode of HGTV? Add the link here! What about a YouTube video of a space you designed? Check! Post images of a recently designed space that you’re proud of Recently featured in an article? Add the link here. One of the top 50 interior designers in Miami? Show it off. If you want to add something you’ve already posted on your LinkedIn profile, simply choose the ‘star’ next to ‘featured’ below your post to add or remove it—it’s that simple. The most recently featured item will be visible first or you can choose how to order the content. Not only do you get to showcase your latest and greatest content, but it allows you to spice up your page and show off your personality. What could be better? Darla and Natalie are pretty excited—Listen to this minisode for all the details! How do you feel about LinkedIn’s latest feature? 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

Design harmony is a philosophy that’s becoming a movement embraced around the industry—and for good reason. More and more research is coming to light about the health benefits of interior design. Michelle Castagna and Mike Peterson join Natalie and Darla to talk about what design harmony is, what it means for the design industry, how to become certified in it and much more. Michelle Castagna is the owner and president of Muse Design Studio. She boasts over 20 years of experience in the design industry. She wants to encourage designers to embrace design harmony and help their clients experience a healthier & stress-free home.  Mike Peterson is the founder and president of Visionary Design Marketing.. He specializes in strategic marketing consultations for the design industry. In this episode, he shares some valuable insight into what the medical field is saying about design harmony and how to market your experience in the field. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [1:32] Darla and Natalie are speaking at High Point Market! [5:55] Upcoming certification in design harmony [7:02] A simple definition of design harmony [8:42] The Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku [9:45] Use home technology to execute a healthier environment [13:07] The awareness of design harmony in residential/commercial design [14:54] How a designer can market this approach in their business [17:47] What will the certification process look like? [22:08] The goal is to make the certification affordable for everyone to embrace [25:42] The medical industry is acknowledging something that we aren’t [26:51] What up Wingnut! Round [34:45] Blooper Reel! Connect with Michelle Castagna LinkedIn Muse Design Studio Muse Design on Instagram Connect with Mike Peterson LinkedIn Visionary Design Marketing Mike(at)VisionaryDM.com Resources & People Mentioned Darla is speaking at Podfest! Check here for updates on the program: IFDA Wingnut episode about Biophilic Design Crestron Technology Click & Co. Ad Agency Century Furniture Dr. Douglas Wood BOOK: Year of Yes BOOK: The Leadership Challenge What is design harmony? Why should designers embrace it?  Design harmony is simple—it’s about encompassing harmonious environments. It resonates with things in nature. Michelle points out that we are hamsters on a wheel that never get off the wheel anymore. We are surrounded by the stressors of life and work. Incorporating design harmony in the home and bringing the outdoors in can give you that breath of fresh air and a reprieve from the drudgery of office living.  Design harmony encompasses many spokes—biophilic design, chromatherapy, home technology to execute a healthier environment, and controlling light and sound as well. Japanese have been embracing “Shinrin Yoku” or “Forest Bathing” for over 30 years. It’s the practice of immersing oneself in nature to feel better and be healthier. Now Canada, the UK, and even the US are embracing the practice. That is what design harmony seeks to do on a more intimate and personal scale in your own home. Design harmony is about enhancing the human condition  Mike pointed out residential and commercial designers aren’t just “providing aesthetics, they’re providing a healthier environment”. He cited studies that are showing that the right design can even lower your blood pressure. The medical industry is acknowledging something that designers haven’t embraced yet—that architects and designers have a greater ability to improve health than doctors.  Mike and Michelle want to increase awareness of design harmony in the design field. That’s why the upcoming IFDA certification process for design harmony will be inclusive and affordable. Michelle notes that the end goal is to treat “design as a way to prevent illnesses by encouraging stress-free, happy and creative environments that allow us as humans to flourish”. To hear all of the details about what the IFDA certification process will look like and how you can implement design harmony into your repertoire, 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  www.curreyandcompany.com On Facebook On Twitter: @Curreyco On Instagram: @Curreyco   Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The days of the perfectly curated Instagram feed are dying out, and for good reason—people are tired of seeing perfection. It doesn’t exist in the real world. The airbrushed & color-coordinated photoshopped grid that influencers model is becoming a thing of the past.  So what does that mean for designers? If you don’t have to strive for perfection—what do you shoot for? In this Monday marketing minisode, Darla and Natalie share their take on what your Instagram feed should look like.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [1:30] The Instagram grid aesthetics [2:38] The death of the perfect grid [6:12] 3 things you should be doing on Instagram [8:21] Represent your brand [11:38] Blooper Reel! Authenticity is key The perfect Instagram feed is fading out and being replaced by what some would term as “ugly” photos—unedited, monochromatic, or quickly-snapped. Our smartphones put the world at our fingertips. Within minutes of snapping a photo, we can upload it to social media. Gone are the days of digital photography, intensive editing, and striving for painstaking perfection.  People aren’t looking for a sunbeam shining down from God on your Instagram feed. They don’t want to look at an airbrushed life that doesn’t exist in reality. What they DO want is authenticity. Darla and Natalie point out it’s why we are seeing the growth of micro-influencers. Large accounts are losing steam in lieu of REAL people sharing their everyday lives and businesses.  So what should your Instagram aesthetic be? It’s about finding balance. Obviously, you still want your feed to have nice photos—but they don’t have to be unobtainable. Our director of Social Media—Shana Heinricy—shared a few key things to think about: First and foremost, you want to infuse yourself into every post. Include things that you enjoy doing that will still look good on Instagram. Have you recently traveled somewhere? Is there a project you’re working on? Share them with a focused story that shows off your personality or what it’s like to work with you. Worry less about the images and how they fit together in a grid and more about how each of those images represent YOU.  You still want to reflect your brand, blend in with your style, and stay consistent across platforms. BUT focus on sharing nice photos that tell a story of who you or your brand are. They don’t need to be airbrushed perfection, just a reflection of your real authentic self.  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

Natasa Jones has found an innovative way to market her business by using Facebook Community Groups. Because, let’s be honest, organic traffic for businesses on Facebook isn’t what it used to be. Karina provided Darla with a startling statistic: your business page is only getting a whopping 2% of organic reach on Facebook. Learn how to overcome the underwhelming stats in this episode of Wingnut Social!  Natasa is an interior designer based in Milwaukee, WI. She owns a full-service interior design studio with the goal of a liveable modern aesthetic. She stumbled upon an ingenious strategy while looking to grow her reach. She shares this unique strategy that’s gotten her 10 leads in two months. Don’t miss this episode! What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social [2:35] Upcoming events in March! [6:08] How Natasa and Darla met in real life [7:37] Facebook organic reach is dwindling [9:23] How did Natasa come across this idea? [13:59] WOW client’s with the idea of what could be [16:20] How to get into Facebook Community Pages [18:18] Do you need to live in the community? [20:25] Criteria to look for in a group [23:33] Are there any downsides of FB groups? [26:32] Does Natasa charge for the initial consultation? [30:22] Natasa is raking in leads with this strategy [31:15] The What Up Wingnut! Round [33:25] Connect with Natasa Jones [36:33] Blooper Reel! Connect with Natasa Jones Natasa Jones Interiors Natasa on Instagram Natasa on Facebook Natasa on Pinterest Natasa on LinkedIn Resources & People Mentioned Darla is speaking at Podfest! RESA Speaking engagement March 11th Sandra Funk on Design Consultations BOOK: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho NKBA Webinar How Natasa stumbled into Facebook Community Groups Natasa landed one of her largest projects to date because she invested extra time in showing a client what their home could look like if she went over budget. She did a 3D render of the space with new flooring and windows (on top of the requested furniture). The client was thrilled with the design and agreed to the proposed changes. After completion of the project, Natasa had the work professionally photographed. The photographer she had used asked her if they could share the work in a local Facebook community group. They’d introduce her as a new business in the area and share before and after images showcasing her work. Natasa happily agreed—and was astoundedby the results. Her email BLEW UP. The post in the group got in front of the right eyes and she received inquiry after inquiry.  How to gain traction in Facebook Community Pages Community pages are separate entities from personal and business pages. It’s where a unique community comes together to discuss things that only pertain to them. Natasa describes it as a more intimate setting where people talk about important issues. When asked if it’s difficult to get approved to join the groups, Natasa semi-jokingly stated “It’s the Midwest, we love everybody”.  After the success of her first post in a group, she started asking clients if they would be willing to post in their respective communities Facebook group. She would provide professional photos for them to share. Doing so gave her an “in” without seeming like she was selling herself and her services. It also allowed the homeowners the opportunity to brag on the beautiful new interior transformed by a brilliant designer—a win-win for everyone! In the two months since Natasa began testing this marketing method, she’s gotten 7-10 inquiries from each post. Of those inquiries, she’s scheduled 8 consultations and so far has signed with 4 new clients.  Listen to the whole episode as Natasa shares how she researches groups, potential downsides of posting in them, and—hotly contested in the design community—whether or not she charges for her initial design consultation. Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social www.WingnutSocial.com On Facebook On Twitter: @WingnutSocial On Instagram: @WingnutSocial Darla’s Interior Design Website Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group! 1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs) Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor  www.curreyandcompany.com On Facebook On Twitter: @Curreyco On Instagram: @Curreyco Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn