The newsletter is no longer effective, and business owners should start exploring different options. What could you do in place of sending a newsletter? What do you need to keep in mind as you move forward with new types of communication? On this episode, I share why you need to focus on the human aspect of your approach.
You need to understand the human beings in your audience. What do they want? -Dana Malstaff
3 Things We Learned From This Episode
No matter how foolproof regular communication might seem, there are significant drawbacks. While algorithms reward consistency, if you’re sending out the same communication at the same time each week, you’re not going to convert an audience into loyal customers. You’ll be at risk of becoming background noise detached from your fanbase. The newsletter is dead: it’s time to start looking at real people.
Social media and online platforms have brought a lot of changes to the business world, but many brands are slow in adjusting. How can we build an online persona that connects with our customers? How has the role of the customer shifted?
On this episode, author, blogger, and podcaster Mark Schaefer explains why human connection is so important, even with the increasing popularity of virtual spaces.
3 Things We Learned From This Episode
Respect your customer (07:16- 08:08)
Customers are aware that they have more power now than ever before. The problem is, many businesses don’t act accordingly. To get ahead with the new consumers, it’s vital that businesses respect their customers’ time, resources, and spending habits.
Build a brand personality and forge real connections (10:19- 11:27)
No matter how advanced technology becomes, people trust people. It’s important to give your customers a human face they can get to know, like, and trust. Foster loyalty by sharing stories about what you’re going through and by being open.
Your customer is your marketer (20:37- 21:56)
Marketing isn’t about the advertisements anymore— it’s about the customer. Businesses are no longer able to buy their way in. We all need to start finding ways to assist our client in their daily lives and build real relationships with them.
While the customer has always been important to businesses, their influence on the sales process has changed significantly. Build relationships with your customers that ensure that they know you value them.
Guest Bio-
Michael Schaeffer is a keynote speaker, educator, podcaster and business consultant. Known globally for his work, Michael is celebrated for his approach to marketing and is the bestselling author of six marketing books. Michael is adamant that personal touches are vital for effective marketing in the age of social media.
To get in contact with Micahel, head to
https://twitter.com/markwschaefer
https://www.facebook.com/mark.schaefer3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwschaefer
https://www.youtube.com/user/MWSchaefer
You can also email him on mschaefer700@gmail.com
Or call him on (865) 456-1939
Head to his website, https://businessesgrow.com for more information on his business, and look at https://businessesgrow.com/mark-schaefer/ to see information about his books and career.
Creating a community can be extremely overwhelming, but there are very specific and strategic ways of thinking and planning that can help us break it down into manageable chunks. What can we do to help people feel like they belong? How can we be more inclusive? How do roles and rules help people feel more comfortable?
In this episode, Marie Morris explains how she developed a community in her classroom, and how social media can be a web of support for educators.
3 Things We Learned From This Episode
Communities of support on social media (07:40-08:46)
We can use social media to situate ourselves in a space that is collaborative and non-threatening, whether it’s in the business world or in the education world. Instagram and YouTube are spaces where teachers can share and support each other and they can help build our confidence as educators.
What we need to put in place to create a community (26:09-28:41)
We can begin to create a community when we think about how our physical space functions and what interactions can happen within it. We also need to go beyond the layout by putting clear expectations in place of what is required of every person in every role in the community.
How rules help people feel comfortable (28:40-28:53)
We need to make ground rules when bringing big groups of people together because when there is uncertainty, people get anxious and afraid of doing the wrong thing. Rules help a community of people know what’s expected, which makes them feel more comfortable.
As teachers, we can facilitate a holistic shared experience for our students by creating a community. When we create communities for our students, we foster better learning, excitement and retention. Having rules helps them feel comfortable and aware of boundaries. When we build a community, we must think about the physical space as well as the interactions between people. We just need to break it down into specific and manageable steps that work for our context.
Guest Bio-
Marie Morris is a teacher in the Poway Unified School District, in San Diego, CA, and has been teaching for 12 years. She has taught all four grades of English (9-12), as well as both the performance and technical side of theatre. Marie has a blog, YouTube channel, and Instagram profile focused on classroom teaching. Being part of an online community has changed her perspective on how she runs her classroom as well as her confidence as a professional educator. Her teaching style is energetic and fast-paced, but she constantly checks for student understanding. She likes to engage students with references they can connect with and give students a sense of belonging to her classroom community. Marie earned her BA in French, a Single Subject English teaching credential, and an MA in Theatre Arts all from San Diego State University. Teaching is in Marie’s blood. She has been unsure of many things over the course of her life, but of two things she has always been certain - she wanted to be a mom and she wanted to be a teacher.
marie@thecaffeinatedclassroom.com
https://www.thecaffeinatedclassroom.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thecaffeinatedclass/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCaffeinatedClassroom?sub_confirmation=1
Never underestimate the importance of being in touch with yourself and valuing who you are right now. How can you become more in tune with yourself? Should you be working on yourself constantly- or giving yourself some space?
On this episode, holistic life coach Shannon Kinney-Düh shares the importance of being at peace with yourself.
3 Things We Learned From This Episode
Stop listening to the negative voice in your head (06:00- 08:07)
Saying that you’re not good at something has a huge effect on your ability to get it done. You hear what you’re saying, and start believing that negative voice. Become an observer of your mind and be conscious of what you’re saying to yourself.
Don’t just ‘do’: you need to ‘be’ (10:53- 12:27)
Ours is a culture of constant ‘doing’. We fill up our time trying to do everything and fail to just be in the moment. The problem with this constant doing is that you ultimately risk depleting yourself.
Build a healthy foundation (14.47-15.47)
For a garden to grow, you have to provide a healthy foundation. Once you’ve done that, you also need to give it some space to grow on it’s own. Treat yourself in the same way: create a good foundation but allow yourself the space to see results.
Allow yourself space to breathe and to consider who you really are. Often, we find distractions to avoid feeling certain emotions. The reality is, sometimes we’re scared to be truly alone with ourselves. Start accepting the person you are. Awaken to your greatness.
Guest Bio-
Shannon Kinney-Düh is an holistic life and spiritual coach. She’s also a yoga instructor and artist who believes that women need to become more in tune with themselves. Shannon is passionate about teaching women how to unleash their greatness, and to stop shying away from the different seasons of life.
To find out more about Shannon, head to: www.afreespiritlife.com. Find her eye pillows on the website here: https://www.afreespiritlife.com/eye-pillows/. Use the coupon code Boss Mom for a 15% discount when you buy 3 or more eye pillows.
You can also find Shannon on Instagram at @afreespiritlife
And on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AFreeSpiritLife/
To listen to the song Dana references in this episode, head to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM