Tastefully Inspired Podcast (Mark P. McDonough)

Designing Your Brand Easy

• Spend your coffee money on your brand
• Facebook marketing is the key
• Combine marketing and branding effectively 
• Testing is the key to making an impact
• Focus on then the end goals and not the short sale

Today we go over a simple Instagram secret to make you grid look amazing.  In 5 minutes you will be able to apply this little trick to make you grid look amazing. 

Video vs Audio Podcasting

Today we talk podcasting and which method is the best for you.  Audio podcasting has been a staple online for some time now but with the advances in video it makes it tough.  I go over the pros and cons of both models and break it down for you to make the call.

3 Steps to Closing Your Dream Client is what we are going over at the podcast today.  We focus on what a close should mean to you and how to connect with your future client.

YouTube Videos Are Here

Today we talk about Youtube and why it really matters:

• Closed Caption Decisions
• Don't Be Scared Video is Here to Stay
• Why Videos Do Get Easier
• Youtube is the 2nd largest Search Engine for a Reason
• SEO Can Be With Video

The episode centers around how and why to do videos and then how to be found by them.  Enjoy and questions are always welcome!

Mark

Learn how to get views from using Instagram location tags the right way.  We go over this easy method to get more attraction to your stories today at the podcast.

Video is key to any marketing strategy so we talked to former broadcast journalist and video coach Tori Toth.  She goes over how important is for your brand and why you need to do it right.

Learn why and how to create some amazing cover images for your videos.  Get more of an audience and more views for your videos today with some simple tricks.

Today we talk with interior design Adam Scougall about PR and marketing.  We go over some easy and cost effective ways to get your brand seen.  It is not as hard as you might think.  

Learn how often you should post a photo of yourself on your brands social accounts.  It might be hard but it really does help.  We give you some tips on how to do it right.

Today I share a simple trick that will help you get max results with your Instagram Grid.  This view point was shared to me about 6 months ago and it rocked my world.

Today I talk about the magic number of hashtags you should be using on your posts.  Also a few bonus tricks to give your posts on Instagram a turbo boost!

 This week we talk about some of the news and events happening in the design world. Then we give some tips on doing a successful “Digital Marketing Audit”.

Design News

The Wayfair App and their new “View in Room” feature: Love this app and this feature only makes it better.

“As we pioneer new emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, we are simultaneously focused on bringing new solutions to market that will immediately benefit all of our customers,” said Wayfair co-founder and co-chairman Steve Conine. “The new View in Room feature solves a common customer pain point by making it possible for shoppers to preview furniture and decor in their home before placing an order.”

Hot Ticket Event

The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is now the longest-running, largest and most respected event of its kind in the country. Held at the award-winning Music City Center in the epicenter of Nashville’s thriving downtown entertainment district, our show will once again breathe its warmth, life and style into the heart of winter, February 3-5, 2017 – with over 150 antiques, art and horticultural dealers, magnificent gardens, a cocktail party or two – and some of the most renowned design, landscape and architectural speakers in the world. Now celebrating our 27th year, this volunteer-managed show has raised nearly $7 million for Cheekwood and charities supported by the Economic Club of Nashville (ECON).

Digital Media Audit

There could be multiple reasons to conduct your digital marketing strategy audit. Some of them are listed below:

• Your Website Traffic is unstable or decreasing
• You are not achieving your sales target or want to scale up
• You have a low social following or simply want to increase your current following
• Your paid marketing budget is higher than your sales or want to increase sales with less budget
• You want to optimize bounce rate on web pages
• You want to improve CTR in Email Marketing etc.

If you want to achieve or get rid of all of the above-mentioned points, you need to perform a Digital Marketing Audit to determine the actionable stats and strategies to fix them. Below are some amazing tools to help you along with your efforts.

Top tools to automate an on-page audit process:

• Webbee SEO Spider
• Ravel Tools Audit Reporting
• Google Search Console
• SEMrush Site Audit
• SE Ranking Website Audit

Blog Tips to Live By

Today I wanted to focus on some of the tips that have helped me create my blog.  We are approaching 1 year and our numbers have exceeded expectations so I wanted to share.

1. Know Your Audience

2. Ask Your Audience

3. Create a Solid Newsletter

4. Write for Yourself First

5. Give Away Your Knowledge 

Interior Design vs The World

Today we discuss how to grow your audience past the design world.  Create an audience that grows at the pace you set for it.

– Expand Your Reach by Blogging with Related Topics

– Plug New Topics in Your Email Newsletter

– Use Facebook Ads to Target Similar Niches to Your Own

- Why Travel Tuesday Makes Sense for Tastefully Inspired

- It Is All About Bringing New People to Your Blog

- Introduce People to Interior Design and Create Loyalty

Learn how to think big and not only be a super star in the design world...think global!

Interior Design & Wikipedia Credibility 

As everyone knows I love being on the first page of Google. Definitely not an easy task but worth it’s weight in gold.  Traffic and quality content go hand-in-hand. The other thing that goes hand-in-hand is online credibility in Wikipedia.  This free to add to encyclopedia dictates in many ways how we view a person or company.

One of the first questions I ask any client.  Is why don’t you have a Wikipedia page?   Most look at me with a confused look.   Then they tell me…I’ve never been asked.  Then much to their surprise I say you don’t have to be asked you just have to create one.  Then I go to work and create their Masterpiece for them.

This masterpiece includes a beautiful picture, vital statistics, links to handpicked media and press, quotes and awards.  In today’s podcast I’ll explain why if you don’t have a Wikipedia page you really should get one.

How to Boost Facebook LIVE Engagement

- Tell Your Audience

- Have Fun with It

- Ask for People to Subscribe or a Call to Action

- It is Alright to Pay to Get Additional Eyes on Your Video

- Respond to Everyone

This is one of the best secrets that I have ever shared about Instagram.  Apply the right amount of hashtags to any post in about 5 seconds. 

Interior Design & Home Decor Business Podcast

Our Favorite Friend Has a Sale: Courteney Cox

Today we will be going over Courteney Cox’s Interior Design Sale at One Kings Lane. Actress Courteney Cox has an expert eye for interior design—and she’s filled her Malibu beach house with an enviable mix of Mid-Century Mod seating, sleek lighting, and bright global textiles. In the spirit of starting fresh, she’s offering up a few favorite pieces from her collection to you. Trust us: This is one sale you won’t want to miss.

 Las Vegas Market

Then we move to Las Vegas as we talk about Las Vegas Market (Winter Edition).   Las Vegas Market is home to two signature events each year -- Winter and Summer Markets -- as well as many off-markets events and Las Vegas Design Center, open year-round to the trade and the public.

Facebook Pixel

We close the show going over how and why all design firms should be using the Facebook pixel. Start now and own your marketing in 6 months or sooner. Install video link include with Newsletter Signup at Tastefully Inspired.

Getting your clients to know what you are all about it tough. Designer Elizabeth Scruggs does this through Facebook LIVE and it is paying off. Learn how she is getting 90% of her business referrals by being herself and showing what she does to her future clients.

Today at the podcast I go into detail on the correct way to use video in marketing for interior design.  The war between YouTube and Facebook rages on but I will show you the best way to maneuver to get the biggest buzz around your video marketing.  

• Size limits for both platforms

• Why creating two different videos works the best

• How to maximize exposure in both worlds

• Quality matters

• Take advantage of the storage YouTube and Facebook give you

• How to market a video on Facebook

• Tease your audience

Here is Kathleen...

Today I took a little break from interviews and wanted to spotlight one of our contributors Kathleen Bandaruk.  Kathleen has been creating some amazing recipes and giving us the rundown on some travel destinations.  We went LIVE of the Tastefully Inspired Podcast so that you could get to know Kathleen in a more personal way.  

At the end of the interview we also talked how to create the perfect set of #hashtags and explode your “Instagram Marketing”.  

Below are some excerpts from Kathleen’s Blog “Deep Green Love” and a little more about Kathleen.

"Hi!  I’m Kathleen (Kathy, Kath, Kat) and I’m a woman on a mission.   Fortunate enough to have been raised in the “eco-friendly” mecca of Boulder, Colorado, you could say my blood runs green and I want to turn yours green, too.  I currently reside in New Jersey (not so green but I’m working on it!) with my hubby and two beautiful Boxers.  Animals and nature are my “thing”, so I love living the green lifestyle and doing everything I can to make a difference for our planet.  God, family and friends are my heart and soul.  I am also incredibly grateful to have a serious streak of creativity that needs an outlet.  So, between singing at church, running this blog and my Etsy stores, while still going to a 9-5 job, I’m a busy girl!"

Today I explain why IGTV should matter more to an account under 10,000.  IGTV allows the swipe-up to accounts under 10K so take advantage of it!

Today at the podcast we cover is going LIVE or producing you videos is best for your brand and audience.  

- You Can Have Your Own TV Channel

- Produced Intro

- No Sponsors on FB LIVE Videos...sort of

- Make Millions with YouTube

- LIVE is Scary but Worth It

- Facebook LIVE Videos Get More Traffic

- Buy Some Makeup and Get Pretty Fast

Today we talk with designer Natasha Gupta.  She is a super talented designer who landed a couple of restaurant projects.  She shares her thoughts on how this can lead to additional projects.  We talk about how proper marketing your past projects to get new ones.

Today we talk with designer Heather Bates on how to better educate clients through social media.  Make sure to show you clients that your time is valuable before they even pick up the phone.

Tips on How to Speed Up Your Website  & Latest Design News

It is raining in California but our podcast must go on!  Here is the rundown for the week on design events and a marketing tip to help your business.

Pinnacle Awards

The Pinnacle Awards were created in April 1995 by the ASFD board of directors to promote design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry.  This year marks the award's 21st anniversary and the second time you can enter online. (Read more)

Jan Showers for Kravet

Casual glamour defines the Jan Showers for Kravet lifestyle collection. Showers incorporated her signature style into a cohesive collection of furniture, fabrics, wallcoverings, and rugs that marry the charm and sophistication of Paris, Venice, and London with today’s desire for easy, translatable style. Drawing inspiration from vintage documents and European travels, the collection offers a beautiful array of sophisticated styles, and soft, serene color stories. The look of chic yet simple versatility seamlessly blends with any style or period. (Read more)

Importance of Website Speed

Website speed importance is huge nowadays. When it comes to Google SEO and even just a user experience speed is vital. As mentioned on the podcast here are a few links to test your web-site speed. You created amazing content it would be a shame if no one were around to see it.  Increase your user experience, decrease your bounce rate and finally increase your search position. 

GOOGLE SPEED TEST

PINGDOM

GTMETRIX

I look over my stats twice a day once at the beginning of the day and then once at the end of the day.  I then change what didn’t work and keep what did work.  I gauge the traffic as to where it came from and where it went.  These numbers can help you forecast so many things.

We grew Tastefully Inspired to a blog that receives between 300-500 unique visitors per day in a matter of 6 months.  Without using statistics to allow us to see what was working and improve on what was not we could not have reached this goal.  Assuming your blog, store, website or online store's statistics are solid is just not good business.  Always know your numbers because at the end they really do matter.

Today we run you through the step of how to setup paid consultations via Instagram.  That's right learn how to get your clients to schedule and pay you for your time via Instagram.  

Today we talk about how to create buzz around your social media.  This involves some good content and a whole lot of teasing.

Let's talk about how to tell a story through social media.  Stay away from posting just to post and you are on the right track.  But let's take this a step further at the podcast.

Here are some tips for blogging the right way

- blog at least 1-3 times a week

- use dictation

- be relatable

- give assignments to yourself or clients based on popular keywords

- make sure your blogs are SEO friendly

- include at least 3 images

- do not repost blogs or duplicate content

- make sure you are having fun

Today I had the chance to interview top interior designer and blogger Karina Jones.  She owns Karina Jones Designs based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.  She also is one of the forces behind the hit blog Tastefully Inspired.

Karina is so talented that we wanted to pick her brain on a few items that might help all of us start the year off right!

We asked her opinion on the following:

1. Interior Design and making it kid proof

2. How to pick an amazing blog topic

3. Her opinion of the color of the year choice by Pantone

4. Colors that are on her palette for 2017

5. Trends that she sees emerging in 2017

6. Her opinion on the use of brick inside the home

Today we talk to designer Marina V. Umali about her social media and how she markets her design business.  She talk about how highlighting Feng shui in her design work has benefited her growth. 

LIVE Videos

Today I talk about the proper setup, use and the best way to maximize your digital media in the LIVE video arena.

- Proper Video Setup

- Lighting Does Matter

- We Still Love YouTube

- How to Best Shoot a Facebook LIVE Video

- Why LIVE Video is Here to Stay 

- Adding a Podcast to the Mix

- Embed Video to Your Blog

Interior Design and the entire design industry is changing and we want to stay ahead of the pack.  Enjoy these tips so you and your business can as well.

Today we go over how to grow you Facebook Business Page.  It is a trick I use and have taught many designers to explode their local market.  

Today we talk about the one sure fire way to tell if your Instagram efforts are really working.  This is a statistic that I always look to first and it makes me smile or frown on a daily basis.

Explode Instagram

Today I reveal my new method I have been using to gain at least 70 new followers a week on Instagram.  These followers are clean and the best part is that it is easy.  

Today we learn about what time is the best for social media.  There are a lot of opinions on this one.  I shed some light on my testing and why it might be true.  

Find Your Happy Place

Today we talk about how getting into a happy and relaxed state allows your blog, podcast and digital media to really get to the next level. Creativity is sometimes a hard thing to muster but if you can find a method to draw it out prior to your media creation it really pays off with clear and fun messages. 

Learn about what a Bot is and what it means to your social media efforts.  So many people are talking about them why not go over what they really are and why they mean business. 

Today I share a tip/guide on how to make any social media post work. It is easy as 1 2 3.

How Facebook Suggest Friends is something that has confused people for the longest time.  I took a month of my life to examine this and here are the results I found. 

Today we talk about some simple tools for tracking your visitors to your blog. Social Media is tough to track but we break it down and make it easy for you.

Today I reveal the best secret to having a successful Instagram LIVE.  I found this out last night by accident and I had to share.

Today we talk about what you can do if your Instagram account has been hacked.  In this age of huge online companies what can you do to be heard?  We talk about our options.

1. Brand your Instagram 

- your name

- your bio

- your style of photos

- your hashtags

- geo tags

2. Focus on the people clicking your bio link

- track

- aim for 10%

3. Constant quality content

- it represents you

- people want constancy

4. Engage

- know your audience

- be a follower and a fan (it is ok I promise)

5. Have fun and be creative

Today we talk about why you NEED to go LIVE in Instagram to grow your numbers.  This is key to engaging your followers and boosting your place in IG world. 

Setting Up the Perfect Instagram Profile: Today we talk about the right way to setup your Instagram profile photograph. We will be doing an actual test with our method to show you how it works LIVE. Don't just hear it but see if it works. Yian is our guest and he weighs in on the topic and fuels the bet!

Today we go over a simple way to increase your followers by showing them a little love. 

How to do it:

1. Click on the paper airplane icon below the post you want to share
2. Tap Add post to your story
3. The post will appear as a sticker with a custom background
4. You can rotate, scale, move the sticker, and tap it to explore other styles
5. Add a hashtag and tag in the user so they know you posted about them.
6. Once you’re happy with how it looks, tap the Your Story button to add it to your post. The post will show original poster’s username. 

1. Go to the post you’d like to Pin
2. Tap the three dots icon located above your post to the right
3. Select Copy Share URL to copy the post link to your clipboard
4. Open the Pinterest app on your mobile device
5. Tap on your profile image icon to visit your profile
6. Tap the plus sign icon at the top right of the screen to add a new Pin
7. An “Add a board or Pin” menu will appear, select Copied link
8. Pinterest will automatically open the link saved to your clipboard
9. Choose the image you’d like to Pin and finish posting as usual

A True Instagram Story

I ran a fun little test with Instagram’s story feature and I want to share my ideas and results.  

No Room To Hide:  It might be a little tougher to not edit your videos as much as images so it gets way more real.  Embrace the change and you will get use to it I promise. 

So You Do Your Own Instagram:  I love that through this medium we get to see who is really running some of these Instagram accounts.  I love people who really post their own media.  For me it shows a respect for their audience.  

Test the Waters:  Thinking of doing videos in the future?  This is great practice and they disappear after 12 hours.  Now stop sweating and get to work.

Stay on Topic & Give a Call to Action:  Provide a solid message and tell your audience what to do next.  Don’t be rude … now that you have peoples attention don’t waste their time.

It Gets Easier:  The more you use this feature the more videos will just flow I promise!  Now if you still want more help stay tuned for my newsletter for a secret weapon specifically designed for instagram Stories.

Why Instagram is Good for Marketing?  Today we dive into this question and give you the answers to how to solve this problem through a solid foundation and lots of story telling.

One of the toughest things to do is to convert readers/viewers into subscribers.  Today we talk about a straight forward method of how to get this done.

Before installing anything on your phone, tablet or computer make sure you do some background checking.  These apps can create havoc on your passwords and for your contacts.  

Today we talk about why IGTV seems to be pretty good these days.  I am giving it a try again and maybe so should you!

Interior Design Podcast: Alissa Stuart and S&A  Decor

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Toronto Interior Designer Alissa Stuart and S&A Decor.  I love talking to some of the new breed of interior designers and Alissa is one of them.  She gave me a glimpse into the design scene in Toronto and also a rundown of what she loves about design.  Below are some of her designs and the basis of why I wanted to chat with her.  Enjoy the pictures and the podcast.

"S&A Decor offers a wide range of design services for private and commercial interior space. There is nothing impossible for us and we are ready to realize your most brave design ideas. Our firm specializes in Classical, Contemporary and High Tech design styles, keeping up to date with the most popular trends in interior decor."

Picking the Right PR Firm: Today we talk with PR Guru Matt Walker with Period Media who's clients include Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Kathryn M. Ireland. He talks about social medias impact in design and when is the right time to call a PR specialist.

About Matt Walker: Matt joined Period Media as a Principal in 2009 to oversee the firm’s public relations practice. In this role, Matt plans and implements high-profile publicity campaigns, directs VIP outreach, and oversees communication for a range of individuals, brands and events in the design, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment industries.

About Period Media: Period Media is a full-service public relations and creative agency operating at the intersection of the worlds of fashion, entertainment, design, hospitality and luxury lifestyle.