Our role in the funnel is to build visibility, increase positive sentiment and earn social proof before the consumer even reaches the consideration and conversion stages. At times, this makes it hard to pinpoint the exact value of PR activities.

If we were to use a common proverb to highlight our job, it would be the one about leading the horse to water.

As highlighted in the recent case study for My Flight Hammock, we lead almost 10,000 horses AKA consumers to the online store for My Flight Hammock.

The post PR for Online Stores: Is it worth it? appeared first on Yellowpanda.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Facebook Profiles 

In a world where authenticity is rewarded, personal brands can no longer afford to be hiding from the public under sneaky aliases on Facebook.

While it used to be common practice to separate professional profiles from private accounts it’s no longer considered a successful tactic for growing a personal brand online.

Amanda Williams, the founder of Yellowpanda PR and Digital helps entrepreneurs amplify their public images online, positioning her clients as both relatable and transparent.

In this article, Amanda shares her tips for cleaning up private profiles for public display

Why should I bother cleaning up my profile?

Before going any further you might be wondering why this is necessary to clean your profile?

Everyone knows a version of you from your past that doesn’t exist anymore, so make sure if they are stumbling across you now, they know what you’re all about!

Your profile picture and/or cover photo might be outdated, or your intro section on the front of your profile might contain outdated information.

As this is your public profile, you might have irrelevant status updates/shares, posts you’ve been tagged in or posts from friends showing on your timeline. This kind of old information and non-business-related posts might not align with your brand image anymore.

If you are concerned about losing precious memories during your clean-up we recommend you create a backup of your profile before getting started.

Your first impression…

Your profile picture and cover photo are the first two things people see when they look at your profile. Make sure these represent you and your current business.

Your friend’s list has probably been growing since you joined; now is probably a good time to consider unfriending or at least unfollowing some of them. Doing this can help clear up your News Feed and declutter your profile of irreverent information.

Your ”About” section on Facebook is potentially very outdated. You may have changed jobs, moved, or gotten into a new relationship since you last updated this section of your profile, so ‘it’s a good idea to freshen this up as it gives an excellent understanding to who you are.

You can also change the privacy of your information by clicking the dropdown arrow icon to set its visibility to Public, Friends, Only Me or Custom. But we will come back to this.

Tidy-up your timeline…

It’s essential to make sure your timeline is an accurate representation of you and how you want to be presented to the world. The first step to making sure this is done is by giving your profile timeline a once-over

Your timeline will have a mix of your posts, sheared posts from your friends and things ‘you’ve been tagged in. ‘Now’s the time to go through your timeline and either hide or delete irrelevant content. This can be done by selecting the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of each post and selecting ‘Hide’ from the timeline or ‘Delete’.

Your photos may hold some not so flattering images of you that might not be appropriate for your business. So while we’re in the groove of deleting irrelevant content, you can ‘Un-tag’, ‘Delete’, ‘Hide’, or change the visibility of your photos

Any public photos you share yourself or photos you’ve been tagged in from friends will appear in your ‘Photos’ section on your profile.

Audit your images…

To clean your photos up, you can un-tag yourself from photos you believe are not suitable or irrelevant to your profile. You can delete, hide or change the visibility of some of your own photo posts and your own albums.

If you like the photos but ‘don’t think they’re appropriate for your business then you can also limit the visibility of all photos you’re tagged in by going to Settings > ‘Timeline and Tagging’ and changing who can see posts you’re tagged in on your timeline? This can be adjusted to ‘Friends’, ‘Friends of Friends’, ‘Only Me’ or ‘Custom’.

Note: You can’t delete any photos you’ve been tagged in if they were posted by someone else. You can only un-tag yourself, which only removes it from your profile but not theirs or anyone else who’s been tagged. You can request for the photo to be removed if you feel the need to.

Adjust your privacy settings…

Now your profile is cleaned, let’s take a look at your privacy settings more in-depth. Facebook can give you digital freedom for connecting with friends and clients alike. Fortunately, there is a way you can ensure your personal privacy is kept private.

There are a couple of easy ways to quickly get to your profile settings on Facebook. On the top right-hand side of your page (on desktop) you will see a button to the right of your name –it will drop down a number of links including access to your settings. Once in your settings to the right of the page, you will see a privacy tab that will allow you to customise your privacy settings.

Alternatively, if you are using your mobile device or tablet, you can click the little cog settings button located next to your name on your profile, this will open up a profile settings page and select the ‘view privacy shortcuts’. This will allow you access to any of your privacy settings

Once you’re on the privacy settings, you can begin to change the privacy settings. You can select who you want to see your information. This is split into four categories, ‘Everyone’, ‘Friends of Friends’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Only Me’.

If there is information you ‘don’t think should be public, you can make it only me and if there are things you would like to remain public  you can leave these open to everyone, If there is a post, you want to limit the visibility of, the “Review all your posts and things you’re tagged in” setting located below allows you to do just that. Hit the “activity log” button, and you can then use the pen- edit button to delete specific posts you no longer wish to share.

If you want your contact information public, you can choose to do so by following the above steps on the ‘Security and Login’ tab on the right side of the page. If you’re comfortable with people contacting you on Facebook, you can use the message-filtering option under ‘Who can contact me?’.

Once you’ve updated your privacy settings and cleaned your profile for business use, you are good to go.

Remember authenticity on Facebook is curial in business today, and your profile could be the first authentic point of contact for future partnerships.

The post Spring Cleaning Tips for Facebook Profiles  appeared first on Yellowpanda.

Jessica Zweig, The Founder of SimplyBe Agency, a personal branding company. @jessicazweig

We highly recommend you watch the Youtube chat between our founder Amanda Williams and Jessica below to get the most value out of the time spent with the INC.’s Top Digital Marketer to Watch.

If you’re time-poor and can’t invest the next 27 minutes into learning from one of the most sought-after brand masters on the planet – then check out the quick key takeaway’s’ below.

Key Points for the Time-Poor

Jessica went from nobody knowing about her magazine (Cheeky) in Chicago to around 100,000 readers at its peak.

As the founder of Chicago’s largest digital magazine for women, Jessica was working with major brands including Nike, Bloomingdales, and Heineken. It was at this point that she became obsessed with storytelling, to her, that’s what branding is all about!

We will call this quick recap “What Jessica Says…”

On the power of personal branding

“I realised that when you build equity in your name you are synonymous with a story or expertise, this is your ultimate business card.”

“It opens doors for you without actually having to speak.”

On discovering her own personal brand

“If I preach anything, its authenticity, like don’t be anyone else but you. In order to have a really strong personal brand you need to know who you are, you have to have a really strong sense of self.”

On helping clients discover theirs

“I guide my clients through a process to identify three to four pillars which are the things that really concretely make up their lives, the things they truly care about and the things they truly know.”

“I take those pillars and I micro them out into content, I mean to be honest what you share online makes you a complete person.”

On whether personal branding is an act of vanity

“People say gosh that’s such an act of vanity, I don’t really want to put myself out there. I am uncomfortable doing that – or that’s an ego thing.”

“First of all, that’s just fear of your own greatness.”

“People come to the internet to help themselves, why wouldn’t you be a thought leader?”

On backing yourself and valuing your gifts

“You have something by virtue of your own life experience that no one else has. No one else has what you have, no one else knows what you know.”

“If you’re going to build a personal brand, you have to do it in the generosity economy, you have to believe that the more you give, the more you will receive.”

“In 2018, everyone is a media channel if they want to be – when you put yourself out there as a personal brand you have the opportunity to bring back some humanity and connection.”

On what you should be sharing online

“If ( your social media content) is not appropriate for your boss to see, it is probably not appropriate for anyone to see.”

“Being really intentional with how you’re showing up, no matter who is reading it because it all matters and the internet is written in ink.”

On what it was like to work with Bethenny Frankel and the brand Skinny Girl Cocktails

“It was my first entre into consulting in social media.”

“It was an amazing experience, and I actually did get to meet Bethany. She was awesome, I mean I was the social media manager for the brand for a year, so Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube, I managed, and I also wrote blogs for all the Skinny Girl Cocktails website. I got to travel with her to a couple different cities to do her launches for her new products in the portfolio, so I got to go to Aspen with her, I got to go to LA with her. You know, I was there on her team, you know her agency team, I was on my phone the whole time capturing behind the scenes on social media for her, she was very professional, she was very sweet, but I didn’t really get to talk to her.”

On tips for entrepreneurs in their first year of business

“Team is everything. You cant do it all yourself, you have to outsource, you have to learn to delegate.”

“I always say that you can teach someone how to do anything. I can teach you how to use Hoote Suite, I can teach you how to send out an email on Mail Chimp, I can teach you how to run an event, but I cannot teach you ambition, I can’t give that fire to you, you either have that or you don’t.”

“Read the book Traction, it’s seriously the best book I have ever read as an entrepreneur, I check it all the time.”

Where to go for more information

https://www.jessicazweig.com

The post REHASH: The Power of Personal Branding with Jessica Zweig appeared first on Yellowpanda.

Meet Holonis. Having already been described as “just about every other social media platform rolled into one”, it’s on the verge of turning everything we already know about social media upside down.

Its creators have described it as a social commerce platform – that is, the integration of social media and e-commerce, grounded by the belief that “anybody can be an entrepreneur”.

Essentially, Holonis promises to help its users to “be found” by hosting their entire online brand in the one place, whilst at the same time embodying core functionalities designed to help them make money from the very outset.

So why should you jump on board? Most simply, because Holonis takes the legwork out of your social media strategy by stripping it down to a single site.

Although its founders have insisted that Holonis wasn’t made to replace any of the existing social media platforms, and that it should instead be thought of as “a hub to keep all your social media linked together and organised” by linking your other pages to your profile on the site, many of the Holonis’s core features in themselves could very possibly eliminate the need for sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr altogether.

Some of the core features of Holonis include:

• Post, share, and discover content, including blogs, photos, memes, videos, gifs, playlists, and quotes

• Network with friends and professional connections old and new, with full direct messaging functions

• Built-in SEO functions, so that every time you post, your content is automatically indexed and optimised on key search engines – for absolutely free

• Monetise all original posted content, allowing you to earn while you post

• Be your own boss by setting up your own online store

• Link your existing social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to your main page, creating one seamless connection to ensure that you are found across all platforms, effortlessly boosting your other pages’ followings

With more than 50k current active users, there has never been a better time for you get ahead of the curve by jumping on board and taking full advantage of all the great things that Holonis has to offer.

With so many ways for you to build your brand, monetise your platform, and truly stand out from the rest, we think it’s safe to say that Holonis really does look like social media’s next big thing! If you join up, make sure you follow our founder, Amanda Panda Williams.

The post Could this be the next big thing in the world of social media? appeared first on Yellowpanda.

We were definitely in the right place at the right time! 

For us, the biggest highlight from the recent Traffic and Conversion Summit in San Diego, California, was sitting in a room with Sir Richard Branson.

For full disclosure, it was a very BIG room, a ballroom, with thousands of people but Branson would never let that get in the way of a good headline – and ours made you read on right?

We were in complete awe listening to Branson talk on stage about his past ventures & future plans for Virgin, his space company Virgin Galactic, Virgin Voyages cruise ships and plans to tackle drug addiction.

Branson is undeniably the most rebellious disruptor of modern times.

Here are a few of our key takeaways from Branson’s one-hour exclusive Q&A.

Naming Your Business: 

Virgin Australia is currently Australia’s second largest airline after Qantas. It’s a company that most of us are familiar with. But did you know it was going to be called Slip Disk Records (which would never have worked as an airline). Your business brand needs to be iconic and original. It should be easily distinguishable and unique.

At the time, 16-year-old Richard and his group of friends suggested the name because they were all, well, virgins. 

What was initially banter between friends soon caught on (despite the name Virgin being considered controversial at the time) and the name became synonymous with the brand’s identity. 

Maintaining a Good Reputation:

The core success of Branson’s billion-dollar empire can be attributed to his good reputation and staying true to himself. The Virgin holiday program was inspired by his daughters’ request to treat everyone equally and with fairness. 

His approach to his work and personal life is that if you treat your co-workers, clients and the public with a level of respect, they will perform better and want to do better. 

Virgin Australia also employs ex-cons and surprisingly, not one individual has re-offended as they are grateful for the opportunity and approached as equals.

Making it Personal:

According to Branson, the best approach to get interviews and the press interested is to share your personal story. Whether it’s an inspirational speech, or something radical that targets your audience, even polarising!

He recommends making a name for yourself first, and that corporate brand awareness comes thereafter.

Considering PR Stunts:

During the launch of Virgin Galactic, a sub-orbital space travel service, Branson’s PR stunt included dressing in an astronaut suit to market the travel service. It wasn’t the first time Branson dressed up for the cameras. He also once transformed himself into a female flight attendant for a rival airline as well as a blushing bride for a bridal business venture, all in the name of PR!

The publicity stunt is just one of the many strategies Branson has used to secure media attention; one could say he is the KING of PR Stunts.

Unpaid Media Coverage:

“A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.” – Sir Richard Branson

Creating an image that people identify with is much easier through your personal charisma than ordinary advertising!

There’s no denying, Sir Richard Branson is the definition of EXTRA! 

According to the king of PR Stunts, we should not be afraid of going over the top to keep our personal image and brands relevant which is music to our ears!

We want our clients to stand out, but for the right reasons. 

If you’ve never had the benefits of personal branding explained to you in person, please let one of us know.

We love sharing the knowledge we acquire through our dedication to investing in ourselves to be at the forefront of the digital marketing world!

Amanda & Bryn! X

The post We Sat Down With Sir Richard Branson appeared first on Yellowpanda.

Public relations allow your business to effectively capture the attention of current and potential clients and help achieve results that create credibility and long-term success. Put simply, PR is all about marketing your business’s reputation and effectively building relationships.

In today’s digitally saturated society, it’s getting harder to make your brand visible from everyone else – especially on social media! With algorithm changes and scrolling zombies its no wonder business owners feel like its impossible to be seen.

If you want to gain credibility for your business, then you may need PR. This coverage of a brand or product in the news gives you a point of difference. It shows someone other than you or your loyal fans are interested in what you do. While it gives you an immediate boos to your credibility and social proof; a good article can also be repurposed with the use of digital marketing strategies to help drive customers to your business. To find out more about how we do this at Yellowpanda, get in touch!

Lastly, saving money is every business owner’s prerogative, but it can be frustrating not knowing what to invest in and what will show results. A good PR agency has the knowledge and experience to advise you on whether or not it is worth an investment. We know the right people in the media to contact, what events to do and how to sell your product within its specific industry. 

When it comes down to doing what’s right for your business, it makes sense why PR is a sensible idea to invest in. whether it’s to generate sales, reduce costs or gain credibility, PR is a must if you want your company to stand out from the rest.

The post How to decide if you need PR appeared first on Yellowpanda.

In fact, the annual Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) announced in 2014 of a 14.6% increase in the monthly average retainer, from $10 873 to $12 461.

One of the most commonly asked questions is ‘what is the average cost of PR for my business’? Although no two businesses are the same, with different goals and outcomes here is an average breakdown of the average cost of PR:

When it comes to investing in PR, the first point is figuring out what you want to achieve for your business. However, it all depends on your budget and how you want to market your brand.

Retainers:

Most PR agencies charge retainers, which is a fixed monthly fee for a contractual commitment of agreed services. Typical retainers start from as little as $2000 per month and can reach up to $20 000.

Fee calculations depend on a number of factors including the resources required for the expected reach and outcome. At Yellowpanda, we subscribe to a number of software packages, tools and databases to professionally manage our client’s reputations. We don’t send our work offshore to virtual assistants (VAs) in India or the Philipines to keep our costs down. Our clients work directly with professionals, here in Australia.

If you have a product or event that you want to launch or a personal brand that needs extensive reputation management to build awareness and stand out, you will need to ensure you have assigned a decent budget and agreed to a term no less than six months. At a minimum, brands and individuals looking at this level of service and extensive reach should budget for no less than $5000 per month.

According to the CEO of Edelman United States, some of their clients have retainer fees of up to $100 000 per month.

At Yellowpanda, we run a tight operation. As a boutique public relations and reputation management agency we have a small team, modest overheads and only work with a handfull of clients. We wouldn’t say we’re a budget agency but we do our best to work with our clients budget and we’re realistic about expectations. 

Project Fees:

Another common pricing structure in PR is charging a project fee. This means that the PR agency has committed to a set list of activities for a set price. 

Ultimately, the costs can vary quite a bit to allow the right budget for the right outcome and scope and if the deliverables change, the fee is generally re-negotiated.

At Yellowpanda, we prioritise the work of our contract clients over project work but if there is availability to pull the team together on short notice for a one-off project, we add a  ‘last-minute’ fee to our invoices make it happen. This allows us to bring in some extra muscle and compensates us for the additional workload and pressure involved in securing results in a quick turnaround.

There are many ways to approach public relations in finding the right method to increase your efficiency. If you want to know more about our fees or have any questions about building your reputation and standing out, get in touch!

The post What is the average cost of PR for my business? appeared first on Yellowpanda.

IGTV explained in a nutshell:

IGTV is Instagram’s video hub that allows you to create longer form video content, allowing endless possibilities to creatively engage with your followers – all in vertical format.

6 IGTV ideas to take your Instagram to the next level

1 – Facts and Q&A’s

Personalised Instagram accounts are the most effective way to grow a loyal and large following. Ask your followers to send in questions they would like you to answer or film a short introduction on who you are and what you have to offer.

2 – Tutorials and How To’s

Sharing advice and tutorials is another effective way to engage your audience that is effective particularly if you want to go in depth to showcase your products and services.

3 – Regular content

Consistency is key! Filming regularly (once a week) creates a routine and expectation with your audience. It not only shows your commitment to your brand and business but also is a huge benefit to your Instagram algorithm.

4 – Exclusive content

A great way to market your brand and connect with your audience is to offer exclusive, IGTV only content. It can be a discount or promo code that makes your audience feel special for gaining access to something that nobody else is getting.

5 – Behind the scenes

Show the nitty-gritty and the blood, sweat and tears that go on behind the scenes of your work. People love being involved in the process and it adds a personal element that connects with your audience.

6 – Customer testimonial

Let a happy customer take control of your Instagram stories for a day and let your followers know how much they need your product or services. This will develop trust with your customers and will boost your engagement, as more people will want to get involved.

Ready to create your Instagram story ideas and take your business to the next level? Share your top tips and what worked for you in the comments section below!

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