The Social Focus

So long, farewell; we've come to say, Goodbye!The time has come to say farewell to The Social Focus. We want to take this opportunity to thank YOU for your loyalty and tuning in to our show every week for the past two and half years! We could have never imagined how two Canadian women stuck at home during the pandemic could reach a global audience that embraced and learned from what we had to share. We leave with gratitude to you and adoration and respect for eachother in our individual endeavours. We hope that you will continue to follow along with us on Instagram and TikTok from our accounts below:We are on TikTok & Instagram as:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoAnd as we mentioned, we are having one last HUGE retirement sale for all of our programs! We're talking over 80% our original prices but the deadline to purchase is June 30, 2022!Visit https://www.thesocialfocus.co/retirement-saleYou'll be able to snag The Product Focus for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course that walks you through how to maximize your efforts on Instagram for your Business. Four modules and 14 lessons with two bonus lessons! Instagram for Business for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course that walks you through how to maximize your efforts on Instagram for your Business.Instagram for Realtors for only $97 USD (plus applicable taxes)Our signature course but tailored for the real estate industry! Master Instagram with more confidence and unique content creation to speak to your ideal audience!Our Styled Stock Photography Album  for only $57 USD (plus applicable taxes)Over 1700+ Styled Images Perfect to use in your marketing collateral, Instagram feed, stories and for cover photos! The opportunities are endless and they cover every holiday and all industries including health & wellness, food & beverage, home & design and so much more!Thank you again for your listenership! xoxoNat & Ang

Curious as to how to get started selling your products with Etsy and or Shopify? Maybe you’re wondering, what’s the difference between the two? Well, we have a special guest for this episode who has done both and very successfully (while also being a mom to four beautiful children). Lauren Keplinger started selling on Etsy in 2012, and has since built her monogrammed baby shop to over $800,000 in sales. In 2018 she started LaurenKeplinger.com and the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast, where she teaches other women entrepreneurs to build, grow, and scale their e-commerce businesses to a meaningful income for their family while not letting the business take over their whole life. You can find her at LaurenKeplinger.com and on Instagram @lauren.keplingerCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Stay with us today as we go on a bit of a tangent. We are still talking about strategy for selling your product, but we want you to take something (possibly new to you) into consideration.How are you marketing to men? Yes, while your ideal audience might be women it is still important to consider the other 50% of the population 😏.Men are also looking for gifts and to make purchases. So why can’t your product be what they are looking for? This is especially important to consider as you approach holidays. Such as Mother’s Day, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Men are always looking for special gifts to give the women in their lives. But reaching them is going to take a different approach than what you are already doing for your ideal customer.When doing our research we were blown away by some of the stats! It was completely eye opening as to how different genders consume content and if taken into consideration can really help you get your product in front of more male customers.Check out these stats and incorporate them into your next marketing campaign:Men are more likely to shop online. 51% of men prefer to show online vs. 40% of women.Men are very brand loyal. When they find something they like they will continue to purchase from that company for years. They care less about price.Even though men tend to, and prefer to, shop online 71% will read direct mail. Especially if it includes a coupon.Social media platforms men typically hang out on are YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest.Make sure your written copy is very direct and to the point.So interesting, right?!?!If you found this episode helpful we would love it if you took a moment and left us a review. We love hearing from you!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If we could scream it from the rooftops we would. Community is everything when it comes to female entrepreneurship. That is why we are so excited to share Teri and Sarah with you today. These two epitomize what it means to build a community with the mission of shining a light on female businesses and business owners. There is still a lot that can be done, but they are a perfect example of what two badass women can do when they make the decision to start.Teri and Sarah met in their 9-5 jobs and formed a strong connection. And when they realized they both were seeking meaningful connections and open conversations about business and life, what started as a mentorship turned into a business. Females Who Side Hustle was born.Once it became clear that other like minded and motivated females were craving the same connection they started tossing around the idea of starting a podcast. They wanted to reach more people and it felt like the logical next step.Now in their third year of podcasting, Teri and Sarah are taking what they’ve learned and are helping other women start their own podcast. A logical expansion of the services they already offer.Terri and Sarah believe everyone has something to share no matter what business or industry they are in and that podcasts are the best way to tell your story. Either by starting your own podcast or being a guest on one. And since they have so much experience in the podcasting world we wanted to know their best advice when it comes to hosting and/or being a guest on a podcast. Here are out takeaways from the conversation:Sometimes the struggles are giftsPodcasting can be used in any industry, niche or businessBefore being a guest on a podcast make sure to do your do diligencePodcasting is an excellent way to grow your business or even build a business Make sure you connect with Teri & Sarah at both Females Who Side Hustle and Save Her Seat:Website: Females Who Side HustleApple Podcast: Save Her Seat@femaleswhosidehustle@saveherseatAnd they are generously offering our listeners 10% off all merch and services! Use code SOCIAL at checkout!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto We love and use Buzzsprout to host The Social Focus Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

We love a great entrepreneurial origin story. How the idea was sparked, what problem needed to be solved, and the process they took to get to where they are now.If you’re like us, and love a great story, then today’s episode is right up your alley!Mel McNamee is the founder of Lykke, Canada’s first designer inflatable pool brand. But Lykke is about more than just gorgeous adult inflatable pools. The name comes from the Danish word meaning Pursuit of Happiness. Mel wants to help her customers elevate their backyard experience through Lykke pools. And have a rockin’ summer!Prior to creating Lykke Mel worked as a project manager for 10 years. She had always wanted to start her own business, but never found the right idea. Then during the summer of 2020 the right idea presented itself.Like so many parents with young children, summer means spending time outside in the pool. When Mel went to buy one for her daughter she wanted something that wasn’t an eyesore. But everything she found had cartoon characters on it and wasn’t “on trend”. And in terms of function, she couldn’t find anything that wouldn’t collapse, or overflow, when she sat in it with her daughter.So Mel went to work developing the type of inflatable pool she would want to use and soon found others wanted as well. In the first season, Lykke sold out completely!These last couple of years have taught Mel a ton about entrepreneurship. And herself. The lessons she has learned include:It’s okay to start smallEmbrace the support of your communityGet over the fear of startingListen to the feedback to help you validate new ideas for the futureThis season Lykke has unveiled new designs as well as launching a collection of hats. Make sure you check out all the beautiful designs at www.lykkeshop.com and follow along on Instagram for inspiration. ** Promocode for you! Use code: SOCIALFOCUS to get $10 off at checkout!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto We love and use Buzzsprout to host The Social Focus Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you’ve ever said the following: “I don’t want to be too salesy”, “selling makes me feel uncomfortable”, or “I don’t feel comfortable asking someone to buy from me” then listen up!One of your many jobs as a business owner is selling. But that doesn’t mean it’s something you love to do or even feel comfortable doing. Today we are talking about ways to feel confident, and proud, when asking for the sale. First off, focus on the solution that your product brings. Show your customers how you are helping solve their problem. Some examples are mentioning how your product makes for a great gift or is a unique gift you won’t find anywhere else. Lean into your storytelling side.Let your customers do the talking for you by sharing a success story. You can do this through a post on Instagram with a photo of the product they purchased. Or read the review on a video with your product in the background. Sharing these stories shows gratitude to your customers and reinforces the good feedback customers are giving.Finally, educate and empower your audience. What is something they don’t know, but should? Such as, how you got started in your business, the biggest mistakes you’ve made, or how you have failed and then succeeded. This is an amazing way to create connections with your audience and customers.Last note. If you’re proud of what you create, this is your permission to show it off!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

This may make you uncomfortable. Please know you are not alone as it’s definitely a hot topic in our community. Today we are diving into why imagery of yourself as a business owner is so important and needs to be incorporated into your strategy.The number one reason we want you to show your face is because people buy from people. They buy into you first before they buy your product. And that’s the end goal. To sell your product. It’s amazing how these small connections make a big difference in someone wanting to support you and your business. Your people want to see you!Showing your face is a way to connect with your audience on a more personal level instead of only showing imagery of your product. And connection is a differentiator when a customer is deciding between two products they are looking to purchase. If they feel a connection with you they are more likely to purchase your product compared to the other one.If you are struggling with creating connections with your customers and audience try introducing yourself every once in a while. You can do this through an intro post on social media. Give your audience a peak behind the scenes as to who you are and why you started your business. You could incorporate an intro post every other month or when you reach a certain milestone like a certain number of followers. Lastly, please don’t forget to include imagery of yourself on your website, and more specifically your about you page. Imagine going on a blind date or to a meeting if you have no idea what someone looks like. It would be a little strange. Your website should be an introduction to not just your product, but the face behind the product. And back to our first couple of points, it creates connection and recognition for your customers.We know including imagery of yourself can feel uncomfortable, but you are amazing and your customers need to know it!Cheering you on!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Buckle up for this one!We were seriously blown away (and maybe just a little bit star struck) by today’s guest, Christina Flach.Christina is a mother of five, celebrity makeup artist, and the CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup. And as we found out, an amazing story teller. Probably from her many years chatting with her clients in the makeup chair.Her journey in the makeup industry started with her mother. We fought back tears as she explained how her mom, who was diagnosed with cancer, asked Christina to do her makeup one night. She wanted to feel her best for a date with her husband. That experience sparked Christina’s love for doing others' makeup and helping them be the best version of themselves. And is still what drives her in everything she does. She is a true entrepreneur at heart.Christina has worked with a long list of celebrities such as Tyler Florence, Metallica, Journey, and Rita Moreno to name a few. But she was quick to say she didn’t find success right away. Just like so many entrepreneurs, and small business owners, it takes time to see your hard work pay off.Honestly, we were speechless at the end of the interview. Christina’s experience, down to earth perspective, and clear heartfelt love for what she does, had us walking away with so many lessons. Here are just a few:Know the problem in your industry and find a solutionPeople are willing to help you so don’t be afraid to ask for helpFill yourself up first in order to create more balance in your lifeLife is short, find what you love and lead with passionChristina is generously offering 25% off at www.prettygirlmakeup.com to all of our listeners! Promo Code: PRETTY GIRLAnd please make sure to connect with Christina on her website, www.christinaflach.com, and Instagram @christinaflachmakeupFinally, during today’s episode, Christina shares with us the story about losing her husband four years ago to Sepsis. From her experience, she has become an advocate for spreading the word about this life threatening response to infection. You can learn more at www.sepsis.org.Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Developing your marketing strategy to sell your product can sometimes feel like a shot in the dark. But using a keyword strategy can actually help boost the engagement between your ideal customer and your business. Between Google, Etsy, Shopify, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram understanding keywords are key 🤣 in customers finding you and being more discoverable.We know it’s not the sexiest of topics, but lots of times the boring stuff is the most important.If you don’t know all the different places you should be using keywords we’ve got you covered!Try out these tips for using keywords in your marketing strategy:Write descriptive captions with your keywords.Use keywords in your bio. Choose words your customers would search.Keep using hashtags. Especially location specific if it makes sense for your business.Be consistent with your niche. The more you jump around with your keywords it makes it hard for the algorithm to identify your niche and who to show your content to.Give these tips a try and let us know how it goes!Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Pardon us for shouting this from the rooftops but after almost two years of running our online course and community we have officially launched our newest offering. It is for you, the product maker, seller, artisan, digital product seller and entrepreneur who is looking for a streamlined and tactful program to get you results and more sales online. Introducing, The Product FocusImagine how it would feel to be excited about creating content that actually gets you sales…And in a way that doesn’t feel like icky-sales pitches or having to dance like a monkey and point to text (makes you cringe, right?) 🙈 We’re talking about creating content in less time, with less stress and that speaks to your customers and audience. The kind of content creation that you can feel proud to share. Sounds dreamy? Then keep scrolling, because we have a solution for you!Visit thesocialfocus.co/course for the course module breakdown! Remember, you keep the course but when you join by April 30. 2022 you will get all the bonuses! Two LIVE Q&A Coaching call with Nat & Ang as well as Two LIVE Tutorials where we will help you create content and two bonus lessons: The IG Bio Makeover and Hashtags for your business. TELL ME MORE!REMEMBER TO USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST at checkout to receive $100 off!Have a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you are thinking about, or in the process of, launching a new product this episode is for you! We are discussing 4 Things To Nail Down Before Launching A Product. And this does not just apply to physical products. These tips are for digital products as well.And, even if you are not in launch mode, these are good ways to check-in as your business grows and changes. So you can make sure your messaging is on point.Here are 4 Things To Nail Down Before Launching A Product:Define your target market, dream client or customer. You want to know who this product is for so you can better develop copy in your content, sales pages, and website.Understand the problem your product will solve. When you truly understand the problem your ideal customer is struggling with you can show them exactly how your product will improve their lives. You won’t be guessing.Get validation for your product. This step often gets missed because we don’t ask questions. Getting customer feedback allows you to understand how you can improve your product to better serve your customers.Tell your story and understand your why. People want to support, and connect with, other people. When they get to know why you decided to start your business they will want to help spread the word about your product.If you found these tips helpful we would love for you to leave us a review. We love five stars!Did you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today we chatted about all things Facebook ads with advertising strategist & marketing consultant, Luan Jardine. She helps changemakers reach their dream audience while saving time and energy with steller ads that run on autopilot.Luan began her marketing career back in University. From there she took the leap to build her business with the idea of offering all marketing services. But quickly realized she wanted to narrow down to Facebook ads so she could become known as an expert in one area.Thank goodness she did because diving into the world of Facebook ads can be overwhelming and confusing. We hope her insights can help alleviate some of that anxiety for you.Here are our takeaways from our chat with Luan:Before you start with Facebook ads you should know your target audience. This will be a huge help when it comes to the type of ads you run.Facebook Ads are great for growing your email list. Especially for your cold audience who still needs to get to know you. Give them an easy offer like 15% off. Everyone loves a discount!If your business is newer, avoid Black Friday and Christmas when scheduling ads. Holidays are way more expensive than if you just wait a few weeks and run your ads in January.Avoid the mistake of thinking boosting a post is considered an ad. It is not. Don’t delete your Facebook ads manager or previous campaigns before you have really combed through all of the data.Luan is a wealth of information and is kindly offering our audience $50 off her DIY Facebook Ads Course when you use the code IGBIZ.Connect with Luan Jardine & Check out her Facebook ADs Course:Code for $50 off: IGBIZLink for the course: https://luanjardine.com/diy-facebook-ads-courseOnlineOn Instagram @luanjardineDid you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

You may not be at a point in your business where you can hire out product photography. But that doesn’t mean you can’t showcase your products with great photos. All it takes are a few tips and tricks!As a photographer and stylist this is our jam! Yes we have access to a studio and professional equipment, but there are many times when we shoot products at home. And the end product is just as good! And we know you can get the same results!Here are 5 tips for taking better product shots at home without lots of expensive equipment:Find a backdrop that works well for you and your brand. The options are endless, but our advice is to keep it simple. Create the vibe that fits your brand and stick with three backgrounds at most to keep your social media feed consistent.Find a space in your home that can offer natural light. Lighting is everything! You don’t need a bunch of fancy lights to make your product stand out. Find accentuating everyday items around your house to use as props. Such as plants, florals, books, fruit, and ribbons. Just make sure they are appropriate for the set up.Shoot with a camera you feel comfortable with. Keep it simple and just use your phone.Take the time to edit your photosDid you try one of these tips? We would love it if you would share it in your Instagram stories and tag @thesocial.focus DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!And if you're a product maker or seller, you are not going to want to miss your opportunity to snag our upcoming course, The Product Focus! Get on the Wait List now!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Here on The Social Focus we're all about helping you get your products out in front of your customers. That’s why today we’re talking about email marketing. Another way for you to connect with your customers.Did you know that in 2022 there are 4.3 billion email users!!! And 333.2 billion emails sent per day! Yes our mind was blown as well.Oftentimes we get caught up in the number of Instagram or Facebook users and forget to focus on email marketing. Which is the only list YOU actually own. Instagram and Facebook own your audiences. You don’t.If you haven’t dove into email marketing because you feel it’s too pushy, keep this in mind. Your audience wants to be the first to know about your sales, promos, and upcoming announcements. In fact, 49% of consumers say they would like to receive weekly emails from brands they love. That could be you!Think about the last time you got a 50% off promo from your favourite local shop. Maybe you weren’t looking to buy, but the promo put them top of mind and got you to press the purchase button.Email marketing is on the rise and we want you to reap the benefits from this powerful tool. Here are three things to keep in mind when implementing email marketing into your business:Choose an email marketing platform that best suits your business. The best platform is the one you actually use and reflects your brand.Create a lead magnet your audience will love. New customers are picky about handing out their email address. Make sure what they are getting in return is of value.Keep your audience engaged and nurture them with consistent emails. Find a cadence that works for you. Maybe it’s once a week or once a month. But the key is to stay consistent so you can gain the trust of your audience.We would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you have a product you’re selling and are not yet using Instagram reels this is for you! Your product, and bank account, will thank you for it.  Reels lifespan can last up to 4 weeks compared to only 24 hours for a post. So even if your reel doesn’t get a ton of views within the first day it could pick up momentum a week, 2 weeks or even 4 weeks later. Getting your product in front of hundreds more potential customers.  We know the power of reels and hope you take the plunge so your business and products can get the exposure they deserve.  Here are 5 Reels Ideas For Your Product:1. Show your audience how your product is made. This gives them an inside look into your process and the heart that it takes to make it. Not everyone can do what you do and that’s what’s so fascinating!  2. Share the ingredients, textiles, or items that go into making your product. Maybe they have healing powers or are sustainable. Knowing the why behind your product gives your customers the full story and showcases your values. When a customer is connected to the why behind a product they will share it with others who have similar values.  3. Record yourself packaging up your product and writing a handwritten note. When someone can see the care that goes into the packaging they will connect more with you and your product.  4. Show your face. Customers want to know the person behind the business. People love to connect with other people. Try answering a question that keeps popping up. It shows you’re listening to your customers and will give more insight into your product.  5.Show them how to style your product. This gets your customers excited to incorporate your product into their lifestyle. Show how they can use your product in their own environment and how it will make their life easier.  Bonus Tip: Add this call to action at the end of your reel. “Show me if you’ve styled it this way. ” This gets your customers engaged with you and your product.  We would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! DOWNLOAD THE FREE LIST FOR 50 REELS IDEAS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Let’s be honest, you need visuals for your business. You audience needs to see your products in the best possible way. Whether you’re about to book in a session with a professional photographer or you’ll be taking your own imagery, I want you to consider these three things that will save you time, be prepared and maximize your efforts. Here are three ways to prepare for your next product photoshoot, from the lens of a product stylist. First, be very mindful of your brand. Knowing and understanding your brand colours and tones is incredibly important but also understanding the vibe of this specific photoshoot. What is the vibe and energy you’d like to convey for your products? It’s also helpful to look for inspiration and even look at imagery that you know does not represent your brand well. Secondly, have a clear list of all products that you need photograph. But more importantly have them listed in order of importance and priority. Sometimes time can run very tight and you don’t want to put yourself in a position where the items you needed don’t get photographed. And lastly, gather and or provide accentuating props. For example, if you’re a candle company, it would be valuable to include ingredients you use to make them. If it’s scented with lavender, then including fresh lavender sprigs would be valuable. Right away, your customers can visually understand what this candle would smell like. Otherwise, you could also include the tools you use to make your items, or additional props that flow well with the vibe. Another example would be if you apparel with fun sayings on them about wine; then a bottle of wine or corkscrew would be an example of accentuating props. If you’re looking for more styling tips, techniques and inspiration, I would love to connect with you on Instagram @angela.s.doyonWe would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

As business owners, and creatives, we know first hand the importance of legally protecting yourself. Having gone through the experience of someone blatantly stealing photographs, and then passing them off as their own, having a written contract in place meant they couldn’t get away with it.But what if we hadn’t had a contract in place? That’s what today’s guest Jamie Bell, owner of @contractsmarket, is chatting about. Jamie runs her own law firm in British Columbia as well as providing legal contract templates for entrepreneurs.Jamie is quick to point out that the reasons you should have a written contract are not just about being able to go after someone if they’ve stolen your photographs.Having a contract in place will also help ensure you get paid, save you time, and allow you to be proactive vs. reactive.So who needs a contract? Everyone. If you have a website it’s a requirement that you have a privacy policy. If you’re collecting data from your website visitors it’s the law to provide information as to how that data will be used and stored. And though it may not seem obvious, even product based businesses need a contract. This can be shared on your website in the form of your refund and chargeback policies. Having this information available on your FAQ page will save you time answering repeat questions. All you have to do is refer your customers to the page.At what stage in your business should you implement contracts? ASAP. Having a contract, or policy, in place sets the boundaries in your business. When you are clear (no vagueness here) It makes communicating with customers so much easier. And sets the tone that: “If you don’t get paid, you don’t start work.”What does she recommend not doing? She is not a fan of using emails as a makeshift contract. So much can get lost in a backlog of emails and what is agreed upon can be hard to decipher. Not to mention, if a situation needed to go to litigation it would take lawyers a lot longer to sift through emails than a contract. With that being said, drafting a contract in language that is completely out of character is not necessary. Write in your own words so your customers can understand what they are agreeing to.Make sure to connect with Jamie!OnlineOr on Instagram @contractsmarketWe would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcast. Five star is always wonderful! Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphotoWe love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Today is our two year anniversary of starting this podcast.Many of you have been with us since the beginning and we can’t thank you enough. It means the world that what started out as an idea, back in December 2019, has grown into a resource you find valuable. It’s always been our mission to help business owners efficiently and effectively sell their product through social media. Not just Instagram. And by following our own advice, to “niche down”, we are leaning into our expertise as a photographer and social stylist to help you feel empowered to create content on your own.And while we’re shifting our focus to more strategy, and less tech talk, this podcast is still going to provide a ton of education. With a side of fun and quirkiness!If you haven't been formerly introduced to us, here's a little more details on who we are:Nat Caron - Brand PhotographerNat started her career in Photography June of 1999, and has been running her photography business and studio since September 2002. After 10 years of solely working in the wedding and portrait industry, she began to work more and more with commercial clients…… in hopes of getting her weekends, and truthfully, her life back.After her 3rd son was born in December of 2015 she knew weddings and portraits would have to take a back seat to her new passion of commercial and business clients. It was a tough decision, because Nat loves Love! And those wedding couples became very special to her. But she truly loved seeing businesses grow. A business growing meant also watching those individuals grow in their  life. It TRULY changed peoples lives as she saw them embrace pride and joy. They learned that they had control of their time and life. And lastly, their wealth grew. Which meant watching them give back to their community. It was beautiful to watch this cycle. And knowing she could help more people by helping them with Social Media Workshops, teaching photography, and how to grow their audience and clientele, she also knew being a part of an online community and podcast meant spreading that education even farther. Follow along @natcaronphoto Angela Swann-Doyon - Product Photography Stylist & Content CreatorAng’s start in business began like many others… First, a twenty-five cent lemonade stand and eventually upgrading to handmade bracelets for a dollar. At one point, there were homemade cakes for sale, but ‘Angie Baby Cakes’ never quite took off (and it made one hell of a mess in her kitchen). But one thing was clear, Ang had a keen business sense, a creative marketing talent and passion for people. With over 13 years of combined marketing, social media and event & wedding planning experience, she realized that she could merge her marketing talents with her creative eye for style and design a business that helps others with their visual marketing strategy. She loves prop sourcing and developing set designs and mood boards and has a keen eye for detail.In her spare time, she loves to travel, sip good wine, watch old Oscar acceptance speeches and spend time with her beautiful son and husband.Follow along @angela.s.doyonPlease head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and online at www.thesocialfocus.co

You’ve heard us talk about the importance of storytelling and we were thrilled that our guest on today’s episode includes the work storytelling right in her bio! Today we are chatting with Maria Hyde, Owner of @essentialcopy - which helps modern lifestyle brands tell their story through meaningful copy. She shares some amazing techniques to attract the right audience and speak directly to them and to their needs. After having children (two little sweethearts) Maria felt that the corporate lifestyle wasn’t quite working for her and decided to pursue her passion for writing and enter the entrepreneurial world. She started as a freelancer and soon realized that the larger corporation already had in-house writers so she saw an opportunity to assist smaller businesses and brands with their copy needs. So how much time should you invest in crafting your captions for social media? Maria is completely candid and admits that she is guilty of overthinking it and taking too much time. She does however mention that it is important to create thoughtful content with intention and to write when you feel inspired.What is the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your captions? Know. Your. Audience. You want to know your audience and you want to be relevant and relatable. Where do people struggle the most for writing? Maria shares that she finds that people struggle the most with their caption writing for Instagram which is really attributed back to knowing your audience. She also notices that entrepreneurs tend to have difficulty talking about themselves. What are three things you feel people should be mindful of when sitting down to write their captions? Know your audience and do your research! Maria even revealed that you should be stalking your ideal audience. What are they saying? Where do thy shop? What are they sharing? It’s a strategy that big marketing agencies use and you can too. What’s an example of good storytelling? Maria was sweet enough to share that we are good storytellers and uses an example of a post that Nat shared. It was a very personal post that created a feeling that people could resonate with. When you can create an experience for your audience they will feel more connected to you. And to round up the interview, we ask, what is the biggest failure you’ve ever had? Maria’s answer will amaze you! She responds by saying that she hasn’t had that many failures and within that, not having that many failures has kept her stuck. Connect with Maria Hyde!Online On Instagram @essentialcopy Want to snag our library of 700+ professionally styled and photographed stock images?? Click HEREHave a question for us? Check us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus and send us a dm!www.thesocialfocus.coOn Instagram we are:@angela.s.doyon@natcaronphoto

In Nat’s solo episode, she dives into something she feels is one of the best ways to create ongoing sales without spending a dollar.It’s simple. Raving fans are those customers who not only purchase from you ongoing, but also tell everyone, from their sister, their neighbour, even to complete strangers, all about you and your brand. They brag about it, because it’s almost a piece of them.And essentially, they become your best sales force. So here are the 5 Ways to create raving fans:1. Get to know your customer. Follow them on social. Connect with them. Find out their likes and dislikes2. Deliver more then you promise. This is your chance to wow them. And their connection to your brand comes from excitement they have for your products. And this is typically because they have received something they didn’t expect. 3. Get customer feedback. The good, the bad, all of it. Without this feedback, you’ll stay stagnant and stuck. Growth happens after you make changes to meet your customers needs. 4. Give Back! Pick a charity, offer proceeds from your sales, offer items to auction off. But start today. If you haven’t had a chance to give back to your community, today is the day.5. Be Real! Your authentic self will offer more then just moments of connection, and reliability. But will also change their opinion of your brand. Show your personality, be vulnerable, and get real with your audience.Start making connections with your customers today, and you’ll start seeing more and more raving fans appear. Please head to Apple Podcast and leave a reviewCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus@angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphotoWant an entire album of stock images at your fingertips!? Snag over 700+ professionally styled and photographed images right now! Click HERE to purchase!We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!) This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.