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Author: Sam Ryan

“Sam is an entrepreneur with a strong technical background and a bachelors degree in web development. His personal mantra includes a firm belief in the power of teamwork, the wisdom of taking risks, and that there’s nothing better than bacon. Sam has been a part of the launch of several companies, including Hatchwise, where he is the CTO and all-around guru.”

3 Ways To Update Your Website

If you’ve had your business for more than five years than it’s probably time to give your website a new look. A fresh look can make your site look brand new. How do you do this though? How do you give your site a whole new look without changing what your business model? Down below are five surprising ways that you can use to give your website a facelift. If it’s something that you are planning on doing in the near future, then keep reading, because in this post we will cover that and much more.

Resign The Pages On Your Site: Redesigning your website can give your website a new look without doing that much work to it. Changing the colors and the layout just a little bit can make a huge a difference and give your site the fresh look you’re looking for!

Update Your Logo: If you have had your business for a while, then you should consider updating your logo. You can update your logo without changing it that much, which means it will still look like your logo and be easily recognizable. You can hire a designer to create some simple logo mock-ups for you to see if you like them. It can be easy and quick!

Update Your Copy: Updating your content can be a good way of giving your website a new look. Write some new, engaging posts, and try to including some trending topic or news. Perhaps give it a newish layout. When you update your content it gives you the chance to add anything new in there that you maybe wanted to but never got around to.

These are three easy ways that you can update your website and make it look fresh and new without doing too much to it. By changing small things on your website you can make your site look almost new. Which is something that every business should be thinking about.

Not changing your site occasionally may make visitors believe that you are not updating the content regularly. It never hurts to give new things a try, and when it comes to web design and content, improving and changing things up is always a plus.

Why Your Business Needs Graphic Design

Happy Friday! I know that lately we have been talking about a number of different subjects and I was thinking that maybe today, as we head into the weekend, we should talk about why your business needs graphic design. I thought this might be a good subject to talk about because I have talked about graphic design at great length, and have never really talked about WHY your business needs it.

Let’s get started!

Graphic design, website development, and good copywriting are just a few of the known things that your business needs to look professional, and be successful. There are so many reasons to have a good outlet to get your graphic design work done when you own a business. If you are unsure whether your business needs graphic design or not, read below three reasons why your business NEEDS graphic design, and it’s not an option.

One: First off, if you want your business to look like the company you know it is, professional, efficient, and productive, then you need graphic design and you need good graphic design work done. Whether you need a logo design or a banner. Remember, your website is going to be the first thing people see when they go to your site.

Two: When you use graphic design for your businesses, you succeed in making your website look like you want it to look. You can have a website that looks like no other one, because you simply had it designed your way, and in the style that fits you and your company. The graphics that design your site are a statement of you and your brand, and make it unique to you, and only you.

Three: I will leave you with this last one. When you use graphic design, no matter what it is for (a logo design, a banner ad, or a flyer) it will look like yours and no one else’s. Because the design was especially tailored for you and your business, created it to fit your style of site, and your brand.

You want everything about your business to be unique to YOU. And that is what a good design company does. They create designs that are one-of-a-kind. I firmly believe that every business should have graphic design help to make their business unique to them.

5 Tips For Creating A Good Blog

Starting a blog for your business can be hard, not only trying to come up with good content and making your website a page that people actually want to read and return to, but also the fact that you are adding an extra job on top of your busy workload, since your blog is probably not at the top of your list of stuff to do for your business, am I right?

However, a blog can be a very good thing for your business. So your blog should be a top priority for your business. Some questions that might be running through your head right now are “How do I find the time?”, or, How do I create engaging content?”, and probably lots more.

Well, today I’m giving you a short list of some very basic stuff to keep in mind when starting a business blog, creating content, and engaging readers.

5 Things To Keep In Mind When Starting A Business Blog:

One: This first one is pretty simple and easy to follow because it should already be something that you follow when blogging. That is to come up with a number of blog posts you want to post a week and then try to have days that you post on. For example, say you want to post two posts a week and you want to post them on a Monday and a Friday. Then pick those days and make sure to post every Monday and every Friday. It will help let your readers know that there will be a blog post on those days when they come to check out your blog. Consistency is key!

Two: Have a variety of content on your blog. Don’t get stuck on one subject and nothing else. People like to see a selection of content so that they can read about different subjects without having to leave your blog. Remember, don’t be overwhelming though. You don’t want your blog scattered and random. Choose no more than about six topics to write on.

Three: If you run out of ideas for blog posts then it’s okay. Do not worry, because all you have to do is write about something that is happening in the business. There is so much that you can write about when it comes to a post about your business, and it’s always a good back-up topic.

Four: Not posting is not an option. If you can’t find the time to write a post than hire someone to do it for you. It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as they write well, and understand your business and blog topics. Posting less than once a week is not an option.

Five: Last, yet not least, remember to keep your content simple. When we start blogging, we can tend to get a little carried away and write a 1,000+ word blog post on a subject that might be boring. Believe me when I say that a short 350-word blog post on a simple, easy to read topic can go just as far, if not further. All to say that when starting, a 350-500 word blog post is probably going to be the way to go. No one is interested in a long-winded article. Short, sweet and consistent is the key to good blogging.

Blogs are great for businesses, and every company should have one! Don’t worry if you’re not sure exactly how to create one or what to write, because I have you covered with these super easy tips to keep in mind when starting a blog for your business. Follow them, and I’m sure that your blog will turn out amazing!

Facebook For Your Business

Right now Facebook is one of the most used social media platforms that businesses are using, and why wouldn’t they? Facebook is a great platform to start with if you want social media platforms to boost your business’ online traffic! If you don’t agree with me that businesses should have at least a Facebook account for their business, then continue reading this post to hear some reasons why businesses need to have a Facebook account. And once you’re done, you can tell me if you still disagree.

Four reasons that Facebook is great for your business:

One: I would say the pretty much the best part of Facebook is the Messages! Why? Because it’s helpful in so many ways. You can answer quick questions such as event times, sales, discounts, and general info. You can also connect with people who could be possible future clients for your business by creating a personal connection.

Two: Unlike Instagram and other social media platforms, Facebook makes it so you can build a community with your page follows. You get to know what your followers like, and their interests. You can better learn what makes them keep wanting to come back again and again. And I’m pretty sure that if you ask any good business person that, they would say the first thing to advertising is to make sure that you are posting content that is relevant to the stats and interactions you see on each post (that’s all made easy by Facebook to track that helpful stuff).

Three: What about the live video? That’s pretty great, isn’t it? Well, we think so, because it can serve so many purposes. Do a new product drop, a short “around the office” or a Q & A time. Customers love to connect with companies online, primarily through social media, and they see behind the scenes.

Four: Facebook gives you the ability to put your business out there and right in front of your future customer’s eyes. You can generate new leads with a simple click of a button. It lets you reach hundreds of potential clients within one touch, no talking, no trying to sell. You simple just write what you have to say and put the photo or video you want and then push publish on it. Then answer any feedback that might come in and interact with your followers.

Interact is the name of the game, right? Yes, interacting with your customers is very important and where to better start than with Facebook? We are in a day and age when formal is out. It’s all about being personal, building connections, and owning your brand. And Facebook offers all that. It gives you a one-on-one that is harder to achieve than with other social platforms, because of the many ways that there are to interact with your customers.

So, if you don’t have a Facebook account for your business, then you need to get one because it will open up a whole new way of getting your business out there and known.

3 Tips On How To Give Your Blog A Fresh Look

If you own a business, then there is a good chance that you are going to want to create a blog for it. And when comes to a blog for your business you’re going to want to make sure that it is a good one that people want to visit. Maybe you want to do that but don’t know how, if so then read the tips down below to find three good ways that you can make your blog one that people keep coming back to.

Here are a few ways that you can improve your blog (if you already have one) and make it one that generates interested readers and traffic:

One:  Hook your Instagram account up to your blog. You can either have it on the sidebar or you can use it as a banner across the top of your blog. It will show your 3-8 most recent posts from your account and people can click on the photos and it will take them to that post of yours. It makes your blog look better and it helps promote your Instagram account at the same time!

Two: Change up the background of your blog every once in a while. It will give your blog a new look and make it different without having to really do anything different.

Three: Make sure that you have a photo and an about section on your blog. It will help make your blog feel more personal and not just some person writing content that no one ever sees. It will also make your blog stand out and you as the writing will stand out as well!

When you have a business blog you want to make sure that it is a good one, because if you want a blog that people are going to want to read and keep coming back to, then it has to be a good one. Keep these super fast and easy tips in mind when you are thinking of ways to increase your blog traffic and give your blog a fresh look!

What To Look For In a Graphic Design Company

“How do I know if I’m going with the right graphic design company?”

That is a question that every business person asks themselves at least once in their life. If that is what YOU are asking yourself, then you are going want to read this post.

Here are a few things to look for when you are wondering what graphic  design company you want to go with: 

Turnaround time: It is always wise to look around and read reviews before choosing any graphic design company. It’s true that most places give you a free 7-day trial or 7-day money back guarantee, however, it is still good to look around first. When you are looking at the reviews, look for a good turn around time. Some could have a week turn around or a 3-day turnaround or maybe even a 24-hour turnaround.

Quality:  The quality of the design is very important. That just goes without saying. If the quality is no good then the design is pretty much no good. So make sure to look at what people are saying about the quality in the reviews.

Can they do more?: Yes if you are looking for someone to do a design for you then you’re probably not thinking about them doing anything else. But what if you could get unlimited graphic design and other features for one set price? Wouldn’t that be great? For example, here at Flocksy, we offer unlimited graphic design, web development, and copywriting for one set price a month. So it’s always good to look around for that before deciding on one.

These are three of the things to look for when trying to find a graphic design company. Taking the time to look around and check out all your options before trying one can really pay off in the end. I would strongly advise you to do so because it can never hurt.

Tips and Tricks For Bringing In Business

Your business is going good, you are generating a lot of new leads, sales are up, and overall you are happy with how it’s working out. But sometimes we have to face the fact that business isn’t going to be booming forever. Every business hits a plateau, and you may even have weeks, months, and maybe even years when your business goes downhill.

Here are some ways to bring more business in if you start to find things lagging, or foresee that in the future they might start to.

One: The most important thing to remember when thinking of ways to bring more business in, is to make sure you are interacting with your current customers and potential customers. If you aren’t already doing this then start doing it right now.

Two: If you don’t have social media accounts for your business, then you need to get some, that just goes without saying. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, get them all and starting posting, liking, and commenting. Social media is going to be your best friend in the advertising department (here’s my post on the benefits of social media if you would like to read it )

Three: Advertise well. It’s important that you are advertising in more ways than one. Use Google ads, Facebook ads, and social media to advertise. Anything that you can use to advertise your business, do it, whether it is big or small. You are never going to bring in business if you don’t advertise on a daily basis.

Four: Almost no one can pass up a good deal! So do a 10% off sale or a 30% flash sale and talk about it everywhere. This can help you bring in some more business and possibly make it so people will come back to you when they want to buy that same product or service again, instead of going to someone else.

These are good things to keep in mind whether you need more business or want to bring in more. All four of these things are something that every business should be doing even if they don’t feel that their business is slow or diminishing.

A Few Good Ways To Build Backlinks

Almost any blog post you read on ways to advertise your business, there is a good chance that it’s going to talk about backlinks. Yes, of course, it is, because backlinks are a great way for people to find your website or blog. But they are kind of pointless if you don’t know how to create a backlink, so I’m going to give you three good ways to build backlinks for you to start off with.

1. Interviews are a great way to build backlinks when you do a podcast or guest post then you will get a backlink to your website as the business you did the podcast or post with them. It’s a good way to get your business known. So get out there and start finding some awesome podcast and blogs to see if they want to interview you.

2. They are many ways that you can create backlinks and a good one is infographics. When it comes to link building this is one of the best because everyone loves infographics. And why wouldn’t they? They are simple, easy, and fun to read. This is going to be one of the best and easiest ways to create a backlink!

 

3. Good content is key to getting a link back to your site, if you don’t have good content then you are never going to get a backlink.  So make sure to have better than just good content on your blog or website.  This is VERY important to remember when writing.

Backlinks are needed when trying to use SEO and it’s good to know how to build them. I hope that now you know a little bit about how to create a backlink and that they are important to create when trying to advertise your business.

Instagram Stories

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and so many more social media platforms can help your business out a lot. I could talk about every one of them telling you how much they can help out your business and why you need them, but for this post, I’m going to talk about how Instagram stories can help your business out.

Here are five reasons why you need Instagram stories for your business:

1. The live video is one of the best parts of Instagram stories because there are just so many ways to use it. You can do a Q. and A. or tell a story, you can do anything, even just getting on and doing a Day in the Life at the Office.

2. You can use the poll sticker in the stories to ask your followers what they would like to see more of or what they don’t like about something. Everyone loves to join in on a good vote!

3. Use the superzoom to share a funny moment at the office, like when someone falls asleep on the job or you catch someone doing a funny dance. It adds a little fun to any day and your followers will love seeing a little bit of “real” life.

4. Instagram added music to their stories now, so you can add music to any photo, video, or anything you want! It’s fun to use and you have 20+ songs to choose from. Music videos are some of the best videos out there.

5. As I have said before, people like to do business with people they know. Using Instagram stories is a great way to allow people to get to know you, and you get to build a relationship with them.

These five things can help make your Instagram be the best business account out there. If you don’t have an Instagram account then you should really give it a shot and see the difference that the Instagram stories can make in your business!