Social Media Manager PRO
Written by: Kimberly Farmer | The Center for Professional Development
Do You Need a Professional Social Media Manager?
While engaging personally on social media is a [usually] fun past time, successfully marketing a business on a social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, to name a few, is involved, expensive, and strategic. Using social media personally is like being a home cook who is able to bring a yummy casserole to a family reunion - just because you make a great Thanksgiving dinner at home doesn’t mean you could handle a day as a gourmet chef in a restaurant. Such is the difference between a social media user and a social media pro.
The Wrong Audience
Written by: Kimberly Farmer | The Center for Professional Development
The state fair was a happening place, and I had my heart set on a KY Pork Producers' BBQ sandwich and a funnel cake! As I was searching for “fair food,” I walked down a street of busy food vendors and suddenly realized that it was awkwardly quiet. I was standing in front of a new vendor whom no one knew and no one was trying. Everyone was passing them by without a second glance. The food these “new guys” were offering was probably wonderful, but who would know, because in the chaos and fun of a fair, most people aren’t looking for professional signage, trendy images, and glossy finishes. Hungry nostalgia seekers want flying flags, the smell of fried stuff, and big words that say exactly which recognizable food is being sold there. Are you reaching the right people? Not the people you want to be your customers, but the people who already want what you offer (or will want it as soon as they know who you are and what you do). Whether you are creating a flyer in the office or having embarking on a marketing campaign, pay attention to the following areas as you intentionally prepare to target the correct audience.
The Successful Trade Show Booth
Written by: Kimberly Farmer | The Center for Professional Development
“PREPARE for and WORK our trade show booth?” I had visited many trade shows for a variety of industries over the years, but I still remember the first time I was asked to work a trade show for my company. I was 22, and I was confident about my knowledge of our business and the industry in general, but the idea of pouring all my energy and smiles into hundreds of strangers was a bit daunting and uncomfortable. As it happens, my industry is marketing and graphic design, and part of marketing is understanding people and the way they think. Obviously, being a graphic designer is very handy in creating an attractive booth. So, I have put together my experience as a trade show booth worker and visitor, and I hope you find this practical guide helpful! At the least, it’s a good starting point, and something you may want to share with employees working your booth. Let’s get this ball rolling!