Swell Social Hour

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In this week's super short episode, I share why I think that being bored with your marketing efforts could be the magic bullet for progress (and data)! 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

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Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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Some quick, actionable tips for getting ahead of your marketing so you aren't left scrambling before and during engagement season. 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

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Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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In this episode of Swell Social Hour, Serena Waller and Elizabeth Shield discuss the integration of technology in your wedding business. 

We talk about Elizabeth's journey in creating Rock Paper Coin (as a wedding planner), a platform designed to simplify payment processes and client management for wedding professionals. 

We talk about what a " tech stack" is and how it can vary during different business stages of your business,  the significance of client engagement, and how to overcome the overwhelm that often comes with adopting new technology. 

We talk about the "pros" of automation to streamline operations, enhance efficiency and enhance client experiences. 

We also chat through the benefits of tools like two-factor authentication and password vaults. 

We hope you feel encouraged to find the right tech tools that work for your unique business needs! 

Use code SWELL for 50% off your first year of Rock Paper Coin!  Follow Rock Paper Coin on Instagram. 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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In this episode of Swell Social Hour, host Serena Waller and guest Shannon Tarrant delve into the significance of social proof, reviews, and testimonials in the wedding industry. They explore the differences between sales and marketing, the importance of timely responses in the sales process, and strategies for meeting clients where they are. 

Shannon shares insights on underrated marketing tactics, the role of reviews in both sales and marketing, and effective methods for collecting and utilizing reviews. 

The conversation also touches on the importance of offboarding, vendor reviews, and building brand recognition through polished online presences. 

We also discuss the necessity of follow-up strategies and the value of recycling/repurposing content! 

Connect with Shannon here: Venue Help Desk Instagram, Venue Help Desk Website | Wedding Sassholes on Apple Podcast | Wedding Sassholes Instagram

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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In this episode of Swell Social Hour, host Serena interviews Ashley Ebert, a wedding industry coach and founder of The Abundance Group. 

They discuss Ashley's journey from running a successful wedding planning business to coaching others in the industry. 

The conversation covers the importance of mindset shifts for business owners, the transition from client work to team building, and the expectations and realities of hiring. Ashley shares insights on how to create a supportive team environment and the financial considerations involved in hiring. 

The episode concludes with strategies for overcoming challenges in the hiring process. 

In this conversation, Ashley Ebert shares her insights on the journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of learning from negative experiences, the abundance of talent available, and the transition from working solo to building a team. 

She discusses the significance of community and support, advocating for masterminds over traditional courses for accountability and growth. The conversation also highlights the transformative moments entrepreneurs experience as they grow their teams and the necessity of celebrating wins and practicing self-care.

Takeaways include: 

• Mindset shifts needed to step into leadership roles.
• Building a team to alleviate burdens 
• Expectations around hiring
• Revenue-generating roles
• Creating a supportive team environment.

And so much more! 

Connect with Ashley on Instagram. 

Visit the website:  www.theabundance.group/secret

Serena's affiliate link if you're interested in joining Ashley's Mastermind program: https://tag.mykajabi.com/a/2147966878/YXfwEGTS (I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you use this link. But please know, I would recommend this program even if I wasn't an affiliate!). 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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 Is Your Website Working For You or Against You? 

In this episode of Swell Social Hour, host Serena welcomes web designer Emily Lee to discuss the essential elements of a successful website for wedding professionals. They explore the must-have pages, the importance of contact forms, pricing transparency, and how to create a website that converts visitors into clients. Emily shares insights on optimizing user experience, the role of marketing beyond the website, and common misconceptions about website pages. 

Episode Takeaways

• A good homepage acts as a table of contents for your website.
• The 'About' page is crucial for building trust with potential clients.
• Keep contact forms concise to increase inquiries.
• Pricing transparency can enhance user experience and trust.
• Calls to action should be clear and engaging.
• Copywriting should ideally precede design in the website creation process.
• High-quality images are essential for a professional appearance.
• Marketing strategies are necessary to drive traffic to your website.
• Testimonials should be integrated throughout the site for better visibility.
• Blogging regularly can significantly benefit your website's SEO.

Where to find Emily:

 www.byemilyjane.com | https://www.instagram.com/byemilyjane

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

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Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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Summary

In this conversation, Serena discusses the latest updates and features on Instagram, including mixed orientation carousels, the ability to post more images, the importance of music in posts, and the evolving role of hashtags versus keywords. She also touches on new features being tested, such as password-protected posts and the ability to reorder posts on the grid, while emphasizing the importance of content management and aesthetics for users.

Takeaways

• Instagram has made several updates, but none are earth-shattering.
• Mixed orientation carousels allow for more versatile content.
• You can now post up to 20 images in a carousel.
• Adding music can enhance reach on posts.
• Hashtags may be losing effectiveness in favor of keywords.
• Captions should be written with keyword opportunities in mind.
• Instagram is testing password-protected posts for exclusive content.
• Users may soon be able to reorder their Instagram grid.
• Archiving posts is better than deleting for analytics.
• Instagram highlights may be changing in the future.

00:00
Instagram Updates Overview

02:57
Mixed Orientation Carousels and Carousel Functionality

06:09
Reels and Music Integration

08:52
Hashtags vs. Keywords in Instagram

11:53
New Features and Future Updates

15:10
Content Management and Aesthetics

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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In this "coffee chat" style episode, I talk about one of my key takeaways from working in a corporate environment. 

And the lessons I Iearned about SMART goals and whether they could be the missing piece to having a more efficient, successful team. 

Ps, this is an unedited episode recorded while having my morning coffee! 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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In this episode, Serena Waller reflects on her experience at the Creative Educator Conference, discussing the highs and lows of attending in-person events. She emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone, building connections, and the role of grassroots marketing in today's fast-paced world. Serena shares key takeaways about the necessity of repetition in marketing and how in-person interactions can enhance creativity and business strategies.

TL;DR Takeaways

• I feel that I am riding the conference high.
• In-person events are such an important part of building your marketing strategy.
• We could go back to a little bit of our grassroots mrketing.
• Building a sales ecosystem or a marketing loop is crucial.
• Purchasing decisions have to be made now and always based on value.
• You need to see us on repeat to be remembered.
• Repeat, repeat, repeat is essential in marketing.
• Get out of your comfort zone to grow.
• Networking can make all the difference in the world.
• It’s really valuable to attend local community events.

Link to the conference I attended: https://layleeemadi.com/conference

Two of the speakers I referenced: @jenolmstead @danaitbg

PS, this is an *unedited episode! I'll add this to any episode that I'm talking "off the cuff!"

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads

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I'm sharing the parallels between wedding cake and Instagram marketing. Breaking down the difference between Instagram's grid/feed posts, Stories and Reels, and why you might need to be using all three. OR, even only using one.  This short episode will help you simplify your posting strategy and start dishing up the content YOUR couple needs + wants. 

Connect with me online! https://www.instagram.com/dandeagency/

https://www.dandeagency.com/ | https://www.dandeagency.com/swellsocial

Check out my favorite tools (I may earn a small commission when you use these links): 

Manychat | Later | Interact Quiz Maker | Airtable | I Do Society DIY Ads