Blueprint Academy

16/09/2024

If you haven’t already it’s time to knuckle down and crack on with sorting out your Autumn and Christmas content strategies (sorry to mention that word) 😬 keep an eye out for my tips and ideas!

23/06/2024

I’ve just arrived at my hotel for the Entrepreneurs Circle 2 day Implementor Bootcamp where we get stuff done for our own business! The weather is beautiful so I wandered round the lake to Resorts World to find the Vox conference centre where are all the magic happens tomorrow and Tuesday. It also pays to stay at the Hilton Metropole where I worked in guest services a shocking 24 years ago!! As they’ve upgraded my room to an executive suite with executive lounge access whoop whoop 🙌🏼 and comped my parking so I don’t have to move my car during my stay (even though it’s free for attendees at the conference centre) Happy days! Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow and getting stuck in 😁

31/05/2024

How much marketing should I do? And where should I be?
I often get asked this question.
And to be honest .. it's a really great question, and so important to factor in and consider the inputs required and the outcomes to be gained.

Most businesses have a finite set of resources - time, staff, budget etc.
So incorporating these factors into your strategy should almost certainly be your starting point. With a structured plan, consistent implementation, and a regular review and analysis of 'said plan' you can determine what you can do now, and more importantly on reflection, what you do next.

It is rare that any business does too much marketing, and I know you may argue with me on this point, we can all think of those really annoying businesses that are in our face constantly! But it is often due to the saturation and over exposure of the same content that makes us want to tear our hair out, not too much marketing. Annoying someone into submission to buy or simply to create more brand awareness, is a very risky and usually counter-productive strategy.

If you would like to discuss a plan or idea you have for marketing your business, to determine if it's right for you to start a podcast or a YouTube channel or take the plunge into adverts, book a free 30-minute discovery call with me to find out how my services can put you on the right path and allocate your precious resources to the marketing activities that are right for your business today and tomorrow.
Sign up to my Helpletter and get a free 30-minute call with me to thrash out an idea.
https://blueprintacademy.co.uk/news/

14/05/2024

If you’ve been putting off getting stuff done whether that’s making a series of reels, building your email list, starting a podcast, seeking a collaborator … start doing it … now!

Breathe life into that idea, don’t leave it until next month. If you’re a procrastinator, and yes that’s most of us, let’s be honest as we’re becoming more and more stretched … sadly tomorrow will never come. Work, family and other commitments always seem to fill up our cup! We can all accumulate a basket full of ideas and scribble to do lists galore full of good intentions, but there’s nothing like cracking on with it and taking those first steps to shifting that mindset from ‘I’d like to’ …. ‘to I am, I have’.

Staying in the squishy, plush, comfort zone doesn’t open up more possibilities, it doesn’t reach more people, it doesn’t stretch your capabilities, it keeps you where you are, drifting along. If you’re feeling inspired, go and carve out that time and keep a promise you made to yourself. To steer and sail your ship in the direction of the prize, whatever that might be to you and your business.

If you need help with your digital marketing strategy, content creation or even help with time management, give me a shout. You don’t need to go it alone.

12/04/2024

Popped down to Shropshire Business Festival yesterday at Wrekin College . Was great to catch up with some Good2GreatGrowth Club members and a few other familiar faces. The festival reinforced what we already know ... Shropshire has some fantastic business people running some really great businesses.

18/03/2024

That graphic sounds too obvious right, but it’s so true. People are often in a rush to adopt a new system they've considered without analysing the optimum choice for their particular business, and the staff and resources needed to administer the system. Groundwork needs to be undertaken to ensure your sales and marketing funnel works for both you and your customer. One size does not fit all, and a tailored approach is the only approach. Rarely can one business mirror the process that works for someone else, simply because it was suggested it's the right and only option.

Setting up automations and workflows will not only reduce your workload, but satisfy your customer’s demands and let’s face it … high expectations. If your competitor has an easier process than you, who will a potential lead go with? Who will get a sale with a great testimonial …? Let's make sure it's you.

I recently helped a client to setup an email sequence for her enquiries process, which massively reduced the amount of time she would spend with the back and forth, asking questions and waiting for answers, which also cut out the tedious manual data input.

How would you like to have your business take actions while you’re sleeping? Reduce that large mound of emails you need to plough through every morning.

If you think your business could benefit from this kind of automation, get in touch for a free discovery call https://i.mtr.cool/xvjwyxublv and let's free up some time to get more efficient, which your clients or customers will also appreciate!

08/03/2024

Cheers to all the amazing women out there! And in particular to all the women in business. 🌻
As a single parent I often receive praise from friends and family for being in business, and I brush it off and say it's nothing.
But actually, it is a big deal, as I have sidelined the more 'secure' option for regular employed income, a 9-5 lifestyle to pursue my passion for what I do, and yes it comes with its risks and a whole heap of worries, but the payoff is the rewards and the wins, which makes you keep going and striving for success! So yes I raise a glass to all of you out there, busting a gut to succeed!

29/02/2024

Hello! 👋 I'm going to deliver this week's Wednesday Wisdom this Friday at 1pm instead as I know I've missed a couple due to illness. We'll call it The Friday Framework lol (Join my free group to listen live or watch on replay) https://www.facebook.com/groups/theblueprintacademyhelphub
Also, I need you to opt-in to my new subscriber list please. GDPR says I can't send to my old list, you need to optin.
You'll get the following emails:
industry news in "We Mean Biz" - a brief digest of what's new and coming soon in online marketing and what it means for small business owners
"2 Thoughts on a Thursday" - where I give you two digital marketing actions/pieces of homework to consider for the following week
Then the more informal fun email ...
"Chat, Tat and Tips" - an insight into what I use and do in my business coupled with some funnies I come across on the internet, a weekend wind-down read.
My current subscribers are loving it! So I'm sure you'll find it super useful and inspiring! Emails you'll want to open.
Here's the link, it takes two seconds to subscribe. Thank you!
https://blueprintacademy.co.uk/news/

05/02/2024

Hey there! Just to let you know if you haven't seen my story yet.
Wednesday Wisdoms are returning this Wednesday 7th February at 1 pm over in my free group … Blueprint Academy Helphub ( Link to join 👇) https://www.facebook.com/groups/theblueprintacademyhelphub . Whoop whoop!

If you've not seen one before, it's me going live for 10-20 minutes, no longer I promise ...dishing out free advice and tips on anything digital marketing that I think you need to know. Over the last few weeks, you may have heard that Google and Yahoo are limiting the deliverability of emails to ensure that less spam is being delivered to email account holders. It can only be a good thing right?

However, you will need to take action to ensure your emails are still being delivered to your customers and prospects. This affects anyone with a subscriber list, a website/landing page or a shop that sends automatic customer notification emails after a purchase or an enquiry! So if this is news to you, and it really will impact most of you out there! Tune in at 1pm on Wednesday to learn how to rectify it. See you soon! Louise 🤩

01/02/2024

When did you last update your Google My Business Profile? Did you know you can now add social profiles and additional links, other than your website to your profile.

Google loves you updating your profile, so try and make new additions every week, by adding new photos and encouraging customers or clients to leave a review. It's a good opportunity to check your categories and services are still relevant. You can also add an offer which is displayed on your profile. Google My Business is often an under-utilised asset that many businesses set up initially and then neglect, expecting customers to visit and review your business.

So start optimising it today and signal to Google that you are actively updating your profile, which could lead to more visibility for your business or venue. Make this your new marketing habit for 2024!

22/12/2023

Wishing you the very happiest Christmas and New Year.
I'm hanging up my workboots and taking a break for a week.
But I'm really looking forward to helping and working with many of you lovely people in 2024.
Best wishes, Louise! Have a magical time! x

20/12/2023

This is a message for all business owners everywhere!

You will get through this season whether you’re crazy busy fulfilling orders in time for Christmas, or if your diary is unusually blank. The new year will bring calm or the change of gear you’re looking for. But for now the chaos is real or the silence even deafening. Hang in there!

If you think you need a change of tact, or you want to get more organised with an efficient process, to avoid the troughs and peaks of sales and leads or perhaps your content is lacking inspiration and direction, why not book an audit or a power hour with me NOW .. but to chat things through in the NEW YEAR to make sure that your next holiday period and the preceding months, brings in the revenue your business deserves!

I have a great deal on audits right now. During December, and only December (the month you buy) they will be reduced by 25%!
Let's fix your business in 2024!

Check out the links below and choose either a service or e-commerce business audit of your sales and digital marketing process online.

Click here for Service-based business Audit https://rb.gy/odj65h
Click here for an E-commerce business Audit https://rb.gy/qitj59
Prices shown are already discounted.

18/12/2023

The power of targeting advertising! 👌🏼

😂

06/12/2023

Creating habits eliminates ‘the what to post’ dilemma. Be consistent. Visibility is so important when running a business, otherwise your competitors may secure a lead or sale instead of you!

Plan

Create

Schedule

Simples!

By the way this post was planned in 2 minutes, created and scheduled 😉 and it only took me half an hour in total! It doesn’t need to be complicated and super impressive, just become visible.

04/12/2023

On this wet Monday morning, I’ve been thinking a little …
What entitlement do I have to be called an expert in my field?

I don’t have a marketing-specific degree …. and I’ve not been working in Marketing for decades!

So am I still considered an expert?

Have I been endorsed, accredited, or trained?

Well, the answer is yes to that last 3-part question.

For starters, my clients certainly like what I do, and recommend me. I love you all!

Before I started coaching, I spent 5 years physically doing digital marketing for business owners, gaining the bottom up, hands-on experience. I’ve earned various accreditations in Google Analytics, Mailerlite email software, and many other business marketing strategy concepts. I’m also Meta and Google advertising trained and I’m currently studying the Facebook/Meta Blueprint Certification.

But most important of all in my opinion .. is the commitment I have to continuous improvement. I never stop learning on your behalf, whether it’s emerging social media platforms, new software programmes, understanding and embracing AI, learning from my peers, or belonging to memberships to help me curate the perfect coaching or training programme to assist your business to grow. I’m even making time to read industry reports and undertaking my own research, investigation and analysis. Every day truly is a school day in this fast-paced industry! And yes it’s a lot, somehow I think I'm still making time to sleep and see the family lol But it's not a slog when you love what you do!

Therefore I know without a doubt … I absolutely do qualify as an expert in my field!

Tell me how you qualify, let’s knock this imposter syndrome out of the park!

Because, understandably it’s a real fear for some, especially when you’re new to your skill or going it alone as a freelancer or small business owner. But you will have your own treasure trove of experience and skills to draw upon too!

Sometimes all it takes is knowing more than the person you’re helping, to have that expertise and become a success!

13/10/2023

Hello hello! I'm so sorry I've been absent for so long, but I've been suffering with a very nasty eye allergy, well in both eyes .. which thankfully I'm finally able to say is under control and I'm able to work again. Hallelujah! I'm so excited to be back in the driving seat. Two summer holidays may have been the answer ... 🤣 and if I have to live abroad .. I'll give it my best shot!!! 😉
Although I've been unable to do much face to face work, I've been beavering away in the background on my new website and it should be ready in the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled. Hopefully you should see a lot more of me in your social media feeds and also in the Blueprint Academy Helphub group. I've got so much to share with you and I can't wait to hear about all your business successes and also help with those little struggles and niggles that you want straightening out! ⭐️

12/06/2023

I really am so excited for this year’s happening tomorrow. I’ve just arrived in Newcastle and unbelievably the sun is shining up here too! This marketing conference is so much fun and there’s another list of epic speakers this year. I went for the first time in November 2021, the last time this event was hosted and it’s so going to be an annual event for me and my business. Look out for all the brilliant takeaways I plan to share with you There’s going to be a different take on last year’s jazzy shirt!

19/05/2023

This could be great content.
You can turn a weekend activity into a story for your socials, email or blog.
If it's relevant, anecdotal, inspiring, charitable, useful, entertaining. Essentially, anything of interest to your audience.
Let's not forget we're people talking to people.
Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to. The weather here in the UK looks set for sunshine 😎

10/05/2023

Busted! I'm totally working and planning from the sofa today!
But that's ok, as sometimes you have to work from wherever feels comfortable or inspiring.
I went to the gym yesterday and donated blood in the afternoon.
I am not ready for a day in front of the computer.
Today is about comfort and resting my weary body. I'm sure some of you can relate to that! Especially the older we get, recovery times are not what they were!

This summer look out for some other inspiring places I work from, whether it's creating a reel, listening to a podcast, jotting down my thoughts on my phone or simply allowing myself time to think about my business. We're all so busy doing, it's sometimes good to take stock, reflect and consider. And a change of environment is as good as any.

Some of my best thoughts happen in my car with Muse on full blast, other days I'm only able to think with a bit of Sade on in the background lol ... millennials... ask google how to pronounce that one!

Where do you change up your work location? Out on your boat, up a mountain, a working retreat (yes that is a thing that you can treat yourself to) or simply at your favourite eatery? Food and drink definitely inspire me .. just check out my waistline?!? I often visit a cafe to get away from the working-from-home vibe, as lovely as my studio is, I need to be able to ignore the many distractions at home.

So wherever you work from, if you are able to, change it up every now and then and see if it changes your thinking process.
We mustn't be a slave to our desks day in day out. Our focus can become stagnant. And nobody likes a stale cake!

26/04/2023

Okay so doing engagement is one of the best ways to expose your account to potential customers.
I always bang on about this ... if you're not actively being SOCIAL ... Social Media is just that. ... media .. a photo and video gallery.

3 rules
❌ Don't just like or comment all the time on the posts of your buddies and your Insta buddies' content. This is just supporting them (which is nice and twee and supportive, I do get it), but it's not benefitting you, unless they have customers you want or a large following to get involved with.

✅ Try to engage with accounts where your clients/customers are likely to hang out. These are the accounts you need to follow. If you're B2B you can follow business accounts easily. If you're B2C it can be hard to follow personal accounts, as they have to accept you.

✅ Don't just hit the like button ❤️, Where appropriate always try and comment,
Not just ..." oh that's beautiful, amazing, wow, congrats." Those complimentary comments won't help your customer take an interest in you. Try and add something useful or interesting about the industry they're in or you're in, make it relatable to what you offer, give your opinion, add value. Make folk want to check your profile out.
❌ But be careful not to be spammy or salesy, no one likes that person.

✅ People do read comments, if the content encourages a discussion.
So timing is everything. If a post in your news feed is relatively new, get in there and comment early.
When to engage with other accounts? .... 3 times a day, for 10 minutes is good practice. Morning, lunchtime/afternoon and evening. If you get involved in a conversation, this may take longer but the target is 10 minutes.

You may notice a posting pattern of the accounts you need to be folllowing and commenting on. And then you can settle into a routine that works for you, and the new audience you're trying to reach.

17/04/2023

Here it is .... in the daylight, my new company name and logo! 🤩

It took me a very long time to settle on a new name. I mean forever! I made shortlist after shortlist and nothing seemed to stick. So many people were pushing me to just choose - something, they were actually begging me lol.

But there was no way I was just going to ... make do.
Simply because, I wanted it to encompass not only what I planned to do, but also not limit my options for the future.

'Blueprint Academy' now enables me to offer my tailored digital marketing courses with step-by-step blueprints and coaching support to assist you.

I will expand into all areas of digital marketing and beyond, and if my clients need help with something, to enable their businesses to grow, compete and thrive! I will add courses, but if it's outside my expertise, I can bring others on board who can write epic blueprints, that will be easy for you to follow and implement.

So, I really do feel empowered by this new name and logo which means I can get fully behind my new business venture.
The power of a name is really something. I'm so excited to see it develop over the coming months!

What do you think of it? Do let me know.
Thanks must go to James at The pink Octopus - Logo & brand designer - who after just a few chats, captured my vision immediately, and I'm so thrilled that it's finally ready to be out there in the world! 🤩

10/04/2023

Hello again all you beautiful people! 👋

I do hope you've had a great Easter break or a successful working weekend at least!

It's been a very long time since I last posted on this page.
So I want to let you know what I've been up to.

I've finally decided to make the transition from managing social media for my clients to offering courses in all elements of digital marketing, but my courses will be different as they will have the added bonus of coaching support, to help answer all your questions and solve your specific problems.

And rest assured this group will still be the best place for all your online marketing tips and inspiration!

It was working with this lovely group of small business owners that inspired me to build a coaching business, as I enjoyed it so much and I hope you did too!

I'll of course still cover social media, but over time I'll be adding fully supported courses for .... email marketing, advertising, helping you with your google my business profiles, and also a funnel creation course for those of you selling programs or services and so much more!

I'm super excited to announce my new brand later this week, I've been a busy bee and my new website should also be ready to go in 4-6 weeks! 🤩

You will see this page name change to my new brand later this week.

I do hope you will stay with me so I can help your businesses to flourish further.
Cheers, 🥂
Louise xx

16/03/2022

⭐️ Ive' got something rather epic I'd like to share with you. I've been beavering away all week working on promoting this great project and I'm thrilled to offer it to you today .... I would absolutely love it, if you would consider signing up to the World's Shortest Social Media Summit, incredibly it's been put together in under a week as a fundraiser, in light of the atrocities happening in Ukraine. It features over 100 short video tips on virtually every social media platform, feature, strategy you can think of!
⭐️ I have contributed to this epic event myself, and I feel very honoured to be able to give my time for free, alongside 100+ of the world's highly skilled and experienced freelance social media managers. If you signup and donate, you will get lifetime access and all donations will go to the Save the Children UK and War Child UK, Ukraine appeals.
⭐️ It's been instigated by The Two Lauras who specialise in providing support and training for freelance social media managers such as myself. It's mind- blowing to see what's been achieved for the people who need our help right now!
What are you waiting for …. sign up to receive all this incredible advice and donate what you can .. thank you x Louise thetwolauras.com/ukraine
I'd also be grateful if you would share this post ... in just a few hours of going live we've already raised over £2000! Imagine how much more we could achieve if we spread the word to other small business owners 🙏 🇺🇦

24/01/2022

Hey 👋

I just posted this video as promised, to tell you what you can expect in the sparkly new Social Media Surgery in 2022.

⭐️ Any suggestions for future topics are always welcome!

⭐️You can use the hashtag in your questions to get my attention. Then others will be able to search to find the answers to those little queries that they may need to know at a later date.

⭐️ If you would like to ... please share this video from the SMS FB page to your own business page, or any groups that you feel, could benefit from signing up to this The Social Media Surgery, a FREE support group - which helps small businesses to navigate the ever-changing world of social media and online marketing.
Have a lovely evening!


⭐️

17/01/2022

Helloooo! 👋 Yes the Social Media Surgery will be up and running again soon!
⭐️
After a 6 month break it will be returning to offer a valuable social media resource to small business owners, albeit it in a slightly different format.
⭐️
Lucy and I thoroughly enjoyed helping so many of you to navigate your social media efforts and hopefully we passed on some great tips and advice for you to put into practice.
⭐️
Lucy is busy re-branding Let's Go Ludlow and has some exciting things happening, so sadly she will not be continuing with the Surgery, but I hope you will all join me in thanking her for her commitment and excelllent expertise and I'm sure she'll keep in touch and will be active in the group from time to time.
⭐️
I intend to record a short video later on in the week, to explain what you can expect from the new and improved Social Media Surgery, so keep an eye out for updates headed your way soon!