Are you over trying to crack social media algorithms or figure out Instagram ads just to get your message in front of the right audience for your business? Trust me, I get it. That’s why I’m now a fan of email marketing lists.
Ladies, what if there were a marketing technique that you could put into effect today that could potentially double the number of clients that you have now, would you give it a try? Heck yeah, right?
This technique is our old friend email marketing and email list building – but with a twist. We all send information via email to potential and current clients, from monthly newsletters to holiday greetings. However, let’s tweak your email marketing process, just a bit.
My Crown & Reign revised email marketing works by simply tapping into your pool of ideal customers and emailing them content that is truly valuable to them, which will switch up your marketing routine and make it easier to increase your impact.
What’s New?
Your new task will be to spend more of your time sending emails promoting your business and expertise to only, who I like to call, VIP target prospects. Trust me, focusing your marketing in this way will make your life easier.
VIP target prospects have the greatest potential to slide their status to ready-to-buy-services mode in a short period of time. They will be your new email marketing list. Reaching VIP target prospects in their inboxes is proven to be a key to increasing your clientele.
In other words, it’s all about building the right email marketing lists to help build the right relationships that will sustain your business over time.
If you have not already, I recommend that you sign up for a professional email marketing list manager that allows you to grab email addresses with ease. There are a few companies that do it well and have fairly priced programs, including ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.
Now, let’s do a little research to find the best recipients for your new email marketing plan. Don’t worry, it’s not hard.
What’s the DNA of a VIP Target Prospect?
First off, VIP target prospects are those in the market place who not only fit the mold of your ideal customer, but they have also shown heightened interest in a promotion that you’ve advertised online where you offered giveaways or free samples and/or exclusive information in exchange for their email address. This is characterized as opt-in incentivizing (I will get to how to do this shortly).
Why are VIP Target Prospects Important?
VIP target prospects are important because they have opted into your incentives already, which proves that they think what you’re doing is pretty dope. Then, when you send emails, with a specific goal in mind, to these subscribers only, you take the stress out of this process because you’re no longer hunting for new clients to send emails to. With this new method, you are also no longer trying to convince prospects to buy into what you’re offering.
On the contrary, you’re simply strengthening your relationship with people who already like you. Now, other than warm chocolate chip cookies right out the oven, what could be better than that?
Okay, I get it. We all know that in order for our social media platforms to get more clicks, shares, and comments, we must commit to consistently creating and posting valuable videos, especially Instagram reels, so I totally understand that you’re good on that part.
However, what you may not be good on is
- a practical production plan to make it happen
- ideas for shareworthy video content
- how to easily post your videos
…until now.
Here is a clear roadmap on how to finally scratch “Up My Video Game” off your To Do List. Using the following questions as your guide, you will create compelling and attention-grabbing 30 Second videos to promote your services/products.
So, get comfy as we dig into how to make video-ing work for you – for real this time.
How Many Minutes Should My Videos Be?
The first step to making our best Instagram reels, YouTube Shorts and TikToks ever is to ensure that they aren’t lengthy. Research shows that anywhere between 30 and 60 seconds is particularly sweet because it is most effective at holding your audience’s attention.
Additionally, publishing Instagram reels and other 30-60 second social media videos have proven to earn the most attention for many entrepreneurs on social media.
Here’s why short videos truly hit the mark.
According to psychology-backed research by companies Kissmetrics and Wistia, a person’s attention span is at its peak for online videos that are 60 seconds.
Similarly, according to Gisteo, a 60-second video is basically just enough information about our product, service or expertise that lies between a short commercial and full-blown educational piece.
So, whether you end your video at 30 or 60 seconds (as long as you don’t exceed 60 seconds), you’re winning 🙂
I talked to Owner of Atlanta-based Moon The Lash Tech, Kamaria, and she has shared loads of amazing tips on how she slays Instagram reels.
Kamaria has committed to a consistent posting schedule and reaped the benefits. “On Instagram, I started off with posting pictures. I moved on to Instagram reels last summer, and twice every day, I post a reel. Say I have 4 clients today, I will post about 2 of them twice today and about the other 2 clients twice tomorrow,” she says.
“Even if there are days that you aren’t working, on social media, it is important that you still post. The more you put yourself out there the better. I say that because the way that Instagram’s algorithm works is that it will show your video to people who are interested in what you’re posting about. These people don’t have to already be your followers.”
She continues, “For example, people who don’t follow me will see my content every time I post just because they like beauty and lashes. My Instagram reels are pushed to those people because of their interests.”
“I am getting more followers now and receiving more message requests. Reels really do help grow your business because of the algorithm that will push your efforts to your audience better than just posting pictures. Instagram is spreading the word about your business either way, but the reels push it faster. About 80% of my clientele has come from having seen one of my reels.”
How Do I Get Started?
First, prepare before clicking record. To all my Procrastinating Paula’s, I know you’ll be super tempted to just wing it, but steer clear of the urge to create content without preparation. I know you’re thinking, “Who has time for this?”
However, your audience will appreciate the time you spend creating quality Instagram reels or TikTok videos that offers them the valuable information that they have been seeking. In return, over time, you’ll see an uptick in your views and engagement.
Your prep work should include these 5 Steps:
+ Brainstorm and research (if needed) at least 4 video topics each month so you can batch create and batch post for at least one month. (This will save you time in the long run!)
+ Outline your core talking points. This activity will help you to organize your thoughts.
+ Write a script for each TikTok video, Instagram reel or YouTube Shorts.
+ Gather any props that you’ll need. In each script, include when each prop will be included in the shot.
+ Prepare the location where your video(s) will take place.
What Exactly Am I Doing in My Video?
Posting videos about our businesses is all about shouting out our message effectively.
Let’s talk content. This is the most important step to conquer.
First, viewers want to get instant answers to their beauty questions. Drive more viewers to your YouTube Shorts by chatting about what interests them most. Think about all those questions that your customers ask all the time.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always moving from one task to the next, so grab your phone, open Notes and start jotting down every client question that comes to mind while you’re on the move.
Educational/ tutorial videos are a must.
“When I post more informative reels, my engagement increases. My educational videos have helped to increase my following,” Kamaria says. “I definitely want to educate more people because not many people really know how to take care of their lashes. This type of video shows that I know what I’m doing and what I’m talking about – especially with my clients.”
Get this, you will shine by simply introducing 1 pain point that you’ve observed your clients experiencing. Next, offer your audience a detailed solution to this problem. It’s that simple, I promise, so don’t over think it, Mama.
Create an easy strategy.
“I record 1 video and chop it up at different speeds, and I do that because I want the viewer to see the essence of what I do. I will slow the speed down on the reel so you can see the lashes. My client must be in good lighting, and I must catch every angle of the lashes – the top, the bottom, the sides. Another thing that helps when getting started with educational videos is to show 1 topic in each video. For me, 1 video will be about how to isolate lashes. Another video will be about why it is important to wash your lashes 3 times a week.”
Initially, give these ideas a thought: I know you’re in the loop with other beauty experts, so what is your industry talking about? Then, how can you use these industry hot topics to benefit your client while highlighting your expertise? Finally, if you need extra inspiration, scroll Insta and TikTok.
Check out the competition.
While on social, for example, check out new techniques concerning hair, nails, and/or lashes that folks are talking about right now that you can put your spin on. Then, develop your plan to teach your audience how to try your spin on these techniques from home.
Second, what are the main points for each topic? Flesh out your main points with your advice, recommendations, steps, opinions, etc.
Lastly, don’t forget to include a catchy hook to excite viewers to watch your Instagram reel. Focus on making the first few seconds captivating to grab viewers’ attention.
The hook tells people what you’re talking about in your video and why they should watch (benefits). Your hook comes before your main points. (Continue reading on the next page for more tips)
Somehow in between the multiple waves of pandemic scares or shifts in the number of clients you’re servicing, beauty business owners have become creative when it comes to rebounding financially. Yes! While it’s important that you stay driven to keep your business open despite any challenges, taking time to evaluate how you are coping with daily pressures of life as a small business owner during a challenging economy is just as important. So, I bet it’s a great time to improve your concentration and productivity at the salon – especially if you wear two hats – stylist and owner.
Are You Ready to Work Full Time?
From maternity leave to extended vacations, you may have stepped away from your salon for just a bit. And, let’s be real: Transitioning from having been away to returning to work can be stressful.
Balance Mental Shape Shifting to Improve Concentration
Thus, to preserve your sanity, it’s important that you create a smooth shift back into entrepreneur mode as you work to keep your salon buzzing on all cylinders.
Possessing better concentration and focus while behind the stylist chair will play a pivotal role in allowing you to easily turn off home and turn on work.
Let’s dive into how to coax your mind into doing this.
Like with lots of things in life, when we change our minds, we change our world.
Now is the time to train your brain to produce what doctors call “flow,” in order to be super-efficient.
Get in the Groove
Psychologist and creator of the flow concept, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, has said that flow is a highly focused mental state ripe for productivity.
It is also characterized as an “optimal state of consciousness where you feel your best and perform your best.”
Furthermore, research describes, when engaged in flow, your brain naturally directs all attention toward a specific goal and is keen to solve problems, which is why those who experience this concept while at work just get more done than those who do not engage flow.
Let It Flow (pun intended!)
Improve concentration to usher in this flow state, which allows all distractions and any thoughts threatening your productivity to be squashed at the onset.
And, get this, in a 10-year study, conducted by McKinsey Global Institute, 5,000 executives found that they were 5x more productive when they were in flow mode versus when they were not. Girl, imagine how much more you could get done at your beauty business if you were 5x more productive.
Well, let’s do more than just imagine.
Create your own flow using these 3 steps:
- Daily, create specific and detailed goals.
The clearer your goals, the better your concentration will be on getting these goals knocked out. - Edit each goal to be both a challenge and achievable.
When your abilities are stretched in order to accomplish a task, you respond better than when it’s easy for you to get it done. Research shows that when motivation is improved, you will also experience improved concentration. You know that when you improve concentration, you immediately create a catalyst for flow. See how one building block leads to another? Before you know it, you’ve built a foundation for some goodness to happen. - Accept positive criticism or watch for feedback.
Feedback feeds flow. Throughout your day, as you’re working, ask for other’s opinion to gauge how well you are doing with achieving your goals. Or, if you prefer to keep this a solo effort, be mindful of your level of victory or defeat with the task at hand. Then, switch gears, if you need to, based on your findings to achieve the ultimate flow state.
