Blanford Consulting

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Blanford Consulting Blanford Consulting, LLC offers social media management solutions for business owners.
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We help you grow your social media presence through content creation and engagement.

A lot of people will tell you to keep your business and social time separate on social media.  I understand why, especia...
22/08/2024

A lot of people will tell you to keep your business and social time separate on social media. I understand why, especially when spending time engaging on Instagram.

It's all too easy to get distracted and start sending a bunch of funny Reels to your friends and family. Then, next thing you know, you haven't spent any time engaging for your business. The thing is, at least for me, that I will be scrolling and engaging for my business when I come across something funny that I want to send to friends or family.

So, you know what? I just do it and get right back to engaging for my business. Sometimes things work out that way and you mix business and fun. Does this ever happen to you?

If you find you get too distracted and aren't really spending time on your business when you're on IG, it might be time to get some help. I love helping my clients make more connections and get more exposure. Visit my website (link in profile) to learn how I can help you.

Negative comments on your content aren't fun, but they do happen, even when you're using social media for your business....
21/08/2024

Negative comments on your content aren't fun, but they do happen, even when you're using social media for your business.

How you handle them can make a difference with how your audience sees you. I think you can do one of 2 things. You can ignore the comments. This is definitely a valid approach. That said, I think it is better to reply diplomatically. When you do that, you show your audience you can handle yourself like a professional and you create more engagement on your content. I think that's a win all the way around!

How do you handle negative comments on your content?

If you're on Facebook at all, even if it's just for personal use, be sure you're not missing out on doing this one thing...
20/08/2024

If you're on Facebook at all, even if it's just for personal use, be sure you're not missing out on doing this one thing that can help you grow your business.

I'm talking about optimizing your Facebook profile.

There are places in your profile to link to your website and social media pages for your business, as well as to briefly describe your business. I highly suggest you take advantage of this opportunity, even if you never post about your business otherwise.

Why?

When you interact using your personal profile (whether in business FB groups or for your personal use), people sometimes check out your profile to learn more about you. This is a great chance to let them know and maybe gain some new clients!

Is your Facebook profile optimized? Go check!

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to get done?  Whether it's for your family or your business, I get it.  I oft...
19/08/2024

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to get done?

Whether it's for your family or your business, I get it. I often feel the same way. When I do, that's when I need to take a look at my to do list and pare it down. Sometimes that means flat out not doing something, sometimes it means getting help with something.

Getting even a little bit of help with your business can make a big difference by alleviating some of that overwhelm and allowing you to feel more at ease with things.

When it comes to social media, you might be thinking that you can't or don't want to completely hand it over to someone else. That's where getting a little bit of help can allow you to grow your business while cutting back on your to do list.

While my 3 main packages include various combinations of content creation and engagement, there are other things I can take off your plate. Here are some of them:

1. Post scheduling
2. Hashtag research
3. Moderating your Facebook Group
4. Reels - this includes everything from sending you targeted ideas, to editing, creating and more
5. Stories creation
6. Proofreading your content
7. Optimizing your content

Which one of these things would you most like to hand off? If you're considering any of these things, let's talk. DM me and we can schedule a call to learn how I can help you maintain a consistent presence on social media.

Content with images tends to get more attention.  Images are required on Instagram.  But sometimes you don't like the pi...
16/08/2024

Content with images tends to get more attention. Images are required on Instagram.

But sometimes you don't like the pictures in your camera roll, aren't in the mood for a photoshoot, don't want to create a graphic, etc.

Easy solution? Take a quick pic of yourself or something you're working on. Don't stress over everything looking perfect. Just take a couple shots and pick one. Easy enough and does the trick.

How often do you post pictures of yourself on your business accounts?

Happy National Relaxation Day!It's important to find some time to relax, even when you're a small business owner.  Takin...
15/08/2024

Happy National Relaxation Day!

It's important to find some time to relax, even when you're a small business owner. Taking that time helps keep you healthy and ultimately makes you more efficient.

Are you able to take time to relax?

I know it can be challenging when you have a lot of things going on. Outsourcing some tasks is a good way to free up some time. If you're looking for some help with your social media, we should talk! DM me to learn more about how I can help you grow your business while you make time to take care of yourself.

I saw an interesting question recently about Instagram.A business owner was just starting her Instagram account and was ...
14/08/2024

I saw an interesting question recently about Instagram.

A business owner was just starting her Instagram account and was working on building her profile. She currently has a "coming soon" post, but not much else there. She wanted to populate her page with some posts and story highlights so that people have something to see when they land on her IG account.

Before I get to the suggestion I gave her, I want to make one quick point. As you're building your account, it's ok if it's not populated with tons of content at first. The main thing is to post regularly and nurture your audience.

Now, let's get back to what I suggested. I suggested she post regular stories for now (because that's how you can create story highlights). As for what to post on those stories, I recommended behind the scenes, personal things etc. From there she can start putting together categories that she thinks might benefit her audience.

Do you use featured stories on IG? What sorts of things do you post on yours?

Think you can just post some content for your business, social media will work its magic and you'll see amazing growth?T...
13/08/2024

Think you can just post some content for your business, social media will work its magic and you'll see amazing growth?

Think again!

Social media is meant to be social. Engagement is a key piece for growth. That's where you make connections that become clients.

Do you need help growing your business on social media? I can help with engagement, content creation and more! Visit my website (link in profile) to learn more about working with me.

Social media expert advice?  I think it's really something you could take or leave, choose what works for you, etc.That ...
12/08/2024

Social media expert advice?

I think it's really something you could take or leave, choose what works for you, etc.

That said, if you want to grow your business on social media, I'm a firm believer that you need 3 things:

1. Consistency. You need to show up on a regular basis. That doesn't need to mean every day, though.

2. Persistence. Keep showing up even when you're not seeing the results you want as fast as you want.

3. Patience. Social media growth takes time. Overnight success is rare.

Which one of these do you need to work on?

Do you feel like you struggle to keep up with posting for your business?If so, there's a good chance that your content p...
09/08/2024

Do you feel like you struggle to keep up with posting for your business?

If so, there's a good chance that your content plan isn't realistic. You may be trying to post more often than you have time for, in more places than you have time for, etc.

If you want to stay consistent on social media, you have to be realistic with what you can get done. Showing up a few times a week, on a consistent basis, can be very effective. If that is challenging for you, then you may want to consider outsourcing some (or all) of your content.

If you're considering getting some help with your content, let's talk! DM me to learn how I can help you show up and use social media to grow your business.

I have a question for you.  Are you happy with the number of followers you have on Instagram?  Why or why not?I know thi...
08/08/2024

I have a question for you.

Are you happy with the number of followers you have on Instagram? Why or why not?

I know this is a hot topic for many business owners, so let's talk about this in the comments.

You may have noticed a common theme with a lot of my posts lately - talking about being short on time.  That's because t...
07/08/2024

You may have noticed a common theme with a lot of my posts lately - talking about being short on time. That's because that's a common challenge for many business owners. There is only so much time in the day.

Some days are busier than others. So...how do you keep making connections for your business on those busier days? At a minimum, take the time to nurture your own audience. The most important thing you can do is reply to their comments on your content and reply to their DM's. Yes, ultimately it is important to spend time on outside engagement, but some days that's just not happening. So, on those days, be sure to prioritize your audience.

Is it challenging for you to make time for engagement? DM me to learn how I can help you make connections while you focus on other things in your business and life.

This is me, trying to take advantage of my son's last day of summer school, knocking out a bunch of business tasks.  The...
06/08/2024

This is me, trying to take advantage of my son's last day of summer school, knocking out a bunch of business tasks. The next 3 weeks are going to be extra busy for me, so I really wanted to do as much as I could last week.

Still, I know I need to be realistic about my time over these next few weeks. I'll prioritize client work and when it comes to my own social media? I will plan to do what is doable for me so that I can still show up - to get that exposure and make those connections for my business.

Are you looking to make social media effective, but don't have a lot of time?

Then you need to focus on a doable plan. Think about how much time you have, what you enjoy doing on social media, etc. Be realistic, but find a way to show up on a regular basis.

Do you feel like your social media plan is effective? Is it realistic?

Want to use social media to grow your business, but don't have a lot of time?Then it might be time for you to hire a soc...
05/08/2024

Want to use social media to grow your business, but don't have a lot of time?

Then it might be time for you to hire a social media manager.

That's where I come in. I love helping my clients get more exposure and make more connections for their businesses. And...I can do it in a way that works for you (in terms of budget, goals, etc).

Want to learn more? Visit my website (link in bio) to learn how I can help you take advantage of the power of social media...without adding another thing to your to do list.

Do you ever get stuck on content ideas or different ways to present your content?Then remember this - anything can be co...
02/08/2024

Do you ever get stuck on content ideas or different ways to present your content?

Then remember this - anything can be content!

Take something from your life, a story you heard or something you observed and turn it into content. No, I'm not telling you to post random things. Instead, find a way to relate those things to some aspect of your business. This makes content creation easier and makes you more relatable to your audience.

Looking for some help with your content? Visit my website (link in bio) or DM me to learn how I can help you show up and get more exposure on social media.

If you're doing this on Instagram...well, I highly suggest that you just don't.Don't put links in your IG captions.  The...
01/08/2024

If you're doing this on Instagram...well, I highly suggest that you just don't.

Don't put links in your IG captions. They aren't clickable and they just clutter up your caption. Sure, if you're on your laptop, you can copy/paste the link, but most people use their phones for IG.

So, you have links you want to share with your audience? Here are some effective places to share:

1. Your bio. You can have up to 5 links there.

2. Your stories. Just use the link stickers in IG.

3. DM's. In your caption, you can use a CTA that asks people to DM you for the link.

What links do you share on IG?

It's time to have an honest discussion about this.  When you engage for your business, is it all about the sale?  Yes, u...
31/07/2024

It's time to have an honest discussion about this.

When you engage for your business, is it all about the sale?

Yes, ultimately we are all using social media to get more clients and make more sales. But, to me (and many other business owners, based off of what I've read), if you're only all about the money when you engage, it's kind of a turnoff.

Are there people who are all about you cutting to the chase and letting them know how you can help them? Sure, but most people prefer to work with people they know, like and trust. So, keep that in mind when you're engaging for your business. Take time to get to know people and let them get to know you.

Is it challenging for you to make time for engagement? I love helping my clients make more connections for their business. Let's talk about how I can help you. DM me to learn more about working with me.

Let's talk flexibility.  No, I'm not talking about stretching, even though I could probably stand to do it more often.I'...
30/07/2024

Let's talk flexibility. No, I'm not talking about stretching, even though I could probably stand to do it more often.

I'm talking about flexibility with social media (and other business tasks). This last month has been pretty good in terms of my productivity since my son has had summer school Monday through Thursday. This is his last week of summer school, so I'm looking ahead to those 3-4 weeks in August when he will be home.

I know I may not as much time and energy to devote to my business. My clients are always a priority, but I may have to readjust my own social media plans. And you know what? That's ok. It's important to be prepared to do that because life gets busy and something has to give.

If you're flexible, then you'll still show up (hello consistency). If you keep pushing through and force yourself to stick with the usual, there's a pretty good chance you'll either burn out or just not show up at all. Neither one is a good thing.

How flexible are you when it comes to your business and social media for your business?

Are you a planner or do you just wing it?What about when it comes to social media for your business?  Did you have a pla...
29/07/2024

Are you a planner or do you just wing it?

What about when it comes to social media for your business? Did you have a plan when you first started using it? Do you have one now? If so, how often do you reevaluate what you're doing?

No right or wrong answers. I just want to hear how other business owners handle their social media, so please share in the comments.

Today is National All or Nothing Day.  Everyone has something that they would like to do or need to do but might be fear...
26/07/2024

Today is National All or Nothing Day. Everyone has something that they would like to do or need to do but might be fearful or hesitant to do so. This is the day to go ahead and do it!

Is there something you need to do on social media that you've been putting off? What about something you want to try, but are hesitant to?

When it comes to how often to post, the advice out there can be confusing and even overwhelming.What it boils down to is...
25/07/2024

When it comes to how often to post, the advice out there can be confusing and even overwhelming.

What it boils down to is what is doable for you on a consistent basis. You don't need to post every day. Posting 3 times a week on a regular basis can be a great way to get more exposure for your business.

Is it challenging for you to post consistently on social media? Let's talk about how I can help you grow your business while you tend to other things in your business and life. DM me or visit my website (link in profile) to learn more.

Reels are a great way to reach more people, but I know a lot of people find them challenging and/or time consuming to ma...
24/07/2024

Reels are a great way to reach more people, but I know a lot of people find them challenging and/or time consuming to make.

I have an easy Reels idea that you can make pretty quickly. It all starts with random (or maybe not so random) video clips on your phone. Sometimes you'll see this referred to as B-roll footage.

I use this as part of my Reels strategy. Every now and then, I'll take some random video clips - scenery while in the car (when someone else is driving, of course), my dogs doing something silly, scenery while I'm out for a walk or a clip of me working or doing something around the house. I keep those in my camera roll for Reels. I pair them to an audio clip - sometimes it's one I have saved on IG and sometimes I search for one. Then I add some text to the Reel itself - usually it relates to a quick tip or something my audience can relate to. Then I add a caption and some hashtags and it's ready to go.

How do you feel about making Reels for your business?

If you're looking for help with your Reels, let's talk. I have options that provide just a little bit of support to options that are done for you. DM me for more information.

Have you heard that likes are a vanity metric?While that is true, they can be an effective part of your engagement strat...
23/07/2024

Have you heard that likes are a vanity metric?

While that is true, they can be an effective part of your engagement strategy.

If you're short on time, likes are a way to let people know you acknowledge their content. Don't underestimate this. People often pay attention to who likes their posts/comments. That attention can help develop connections with your audience.

Likes are a way to help bring more attention to your content. If you comment/reply to comments during one engagement time and then like those same comments/replies another time, it shows up 2 different times in someone's notifications. That brings you more attention.

Do you like posts, comment or both?

Ummmm...that didn't go as planned!How often has this happened to you?  You plan one thing and then something completely ...
22/07/2024

Ummmm...that didn't go as planned!

How often has this happened to you? You plan one thing and then something completely different happens.

This happens in life and on social media.

When I don't get the results I planned on social media (low Reels views, rude comments from trolls, etc), I don't do anything drastic. I generally just continue with what I have planned on social media, both in terms of content and engagement. If things seem to repeatedly not be going as planned, then I may tweak a few things.

What's something that didn't go as planned for you on social media?

Ugh. I hate it when this happens!I catch a typo in my content...after I've posted it.  Has this ever happened to you?Eve...
19/07/2024

Ugh. I hate it when this happens!

I catch a typo in my content...after I've posted it. Has this ever happened to you?

Even though I proofread my posts before they go out, typos still happen. I don't really feel all that bad about it, though. I remind myself that even major publishers put out books with typos. Plus, at least on social media, I can always edit my post.

Do you proofread your content before posting? Why or why not?

It's 3rd Quarter's Get to Know Your Customers Day!While I try to do this on a more frequent basis, today's a good opport...
18/07/2024

It's 3rd Quarter's Get to Know Your Customers Day!

While I try to do this on a more frequent basis, today's a good opportunity to build on the relationship that I have with you, my audience. So I'm going to share 3 random facts about me.

1. I used to go to the gym 3 times a week for years, but now work out at home instead.

2. My favorite color is purple.

3. I don't mind grocery shopping.

What about you? Do we have any of these things in common? If not, tell me how you feel about one of these things.

World Emoji Day encourages you to use emojis.I tend to use emojis pretty often, particularly when I'm engaging.  I use t...
17/07/2024

World Emoji Day encourages you to use emojis.

I tend to use emojis pretty often, particularly when I'm engaging. I use them in my content sometimes too, especially in my Reels captions.

Do you use emojis when you're on social media for your business? Why or why not?

Do you ever check your notifications, see someone has commented on your content and like that comment right away?Don't. ...
16/07/2024

Do you ever check your notifications, see someone has commented on your content and like that comment right away?

Don't. At least not right away. Instead, reply to their comment. Even a quick reply is fine if you don't have a lot of time. Then, when you post your next piece of content, go back to like all of the comments on your previous content. This delayed likes tactic is a great way to bring more engagement to all of your content.

Do you find it challenging to keep up with engagement? Let's talk about how I can help you make more connections for your business. Visit my website (link in profile) to learn more about working with me and to book a call to get started.

Sometimes you need a new perspective, so a change of scenery or input from someone else can be helpful.  Right now is th...
15/07/2024

Sometimes you need a new perspective, so a change of scenery or input from someone else can be helpful.

Right now is that time for me, so I'm reaching out to you to ask for your suggestions.

I'm planning an offer that will help business owners sort out the best plan for their social media. I'm going to take into account the time they have available, their goals, what they like doing, etc. I'm also thinking about some ideas to provide continuing support.

While I've brainstormed a few specifics, I want to hear from you. What would you expect from an offer like this? What would be helpful for you? Comment below or DM me your ideas.

Less really can be more, even on social media.National Simplicity Day is a good reminder to keep things simple in life. ...
12/07/2024

Less really can be more, even on social media.

National Simplicity Day is a good reminder to keep things simple in life.

This can apply to social media too. If you're doing too many things, you're not likely to be all that effective. You don't need to be on every platform, posting every day, be in every group, etc.

So, take some time today (or sometime soon) to evaluate what you're doing on social media. Maybe clean out some of your groups, followers etc. Maybe come up with a simpler plan.

Do you agree with this message?

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