Tastefully Inspired Podcast

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!"

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."

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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