COVID 19 Announcement

As people realize the impact that COVID 19 is having on our society, and how important Social Media, Google My Business, YouTube and Websites are in transmitting information to the public, I have been swamped with requests, and haven't had time to release what we are implementing here at Socially Correct.

For inquiries and new contracts call or email me. We can do everything over the phone or through email.

For photography and videography. Some shoots may need to be cancelled, any that require close proximity of individuals.

For existing clientele please use the phone or email as everything that needs to be done can be over the phone or email.

To submit invoices or make payments, please use money transfers or other online options.

We will be monitoring the situation carefully.

Stay safe people.

email: kent@sociallycorrect.ca Phone: 780 808 3274

5 Tips To Get Stunning Product Shots

Trying to get content for posts on Social Media can be a challenge.  You want to show your businesses' products, but you have a hard time making it look professional.  Here are 5 great tips to up your Product Shot game.

1.  Take it outside.

Indoor light and distracting backgrounds can often make your product shot off-color or bland.  Think about the product you are shooting.  In the photo above it looked so much better to have the shoes outside.  I brought a milk jug full of water that I poured on the ground before I took the shot to get a great reflection.  This shot would have fallen flat indoors with poor lighting and no dynamics.

Parking your product by some natural light is probably one of the easiest ways to achieve a great photo.

2.  Shoot With Natural Light

Whether you are shooting with a cell phone or a high end camera, the biggest contributor to great pictures will always be lighting.  If you can use natural light it will always yield the nicest pictures.  Put your product near a window to get your light.  If the light is to harsh, put some sheer drapes or some type of diffuser over the window or light source

.  

Placing your products in an environment that suits them is key.

3. Think Contextually

When arranging your product and the elements you choose around it, think about where the product will be used, who it will be sold to, and what will attract the buyer.  If you can capture a story with your picture you will have a better chance of selling that item.  Try things like, putting a drink on ice, or a sports watch on a paddle board.  Try to think of places or situations you would likely find your product in use. 

Stage your photo with basic composition.

4. Stage Your Photo

To point to the subject matter and create interest sometimes it is good to use basic photography techniques like the "rule of thirds".  Place objects around the subject, but keep the subject as the focal point.  Sometimes it's nice to organically point to the object you are featuring.

Sometimes the best props are right under your nose.

5.  Keep It Cheap

Sometimes the best props are right under your nose.  Don't be worried about spending a lot of money.  Use the textures around you.  Instead of buying an expensive flash, use natural light with a curtain or even a thin white shirt over a window.  Use some laminate that you have lying around to put the product on.  Don't by a reflector when you can just go to the craft store and pick up a cheap white chloroplast board.

Summary:

I hope this helps you take your product shots to the next level.  Remember, it's not the gear that you have, but the creativity that you take to the shoot that makes the biggest difference.  

Remember, we are always here for you for all your photography, videography and Social Media needs.  Call us today @ 780 808 3274

5 Voice Commands for Your Phone That Will Make Life Easier

Most of the time you don't have to open up an app.  Just say your command and your phone does the rest.

The one thing almost everyone has with them always, is their cell phone.   Most of us carry them around to either check the time if we don’t wear a watch, or to make calls or texts.  Phone assistants such as Google Assistant, Bixby and Siri, can access you a lot of convenient features that you use every day, without having to open an app.  Sorry for those of you who want less time with your device, this is going to make them your new best friend.  Feel free to try them as we go.

1.      Calculator: 

You don't need an a calculator or an app, this feature is built into your assistant.

You don’t have to open an app to use your calculator, just activate your assistant and ask them your question.  “Ok google, what is 24 times 12?”  It will give you the answer quicker than anyone could ever type it out.  (It’s 288 by the way)

2.      A Translator:

Most people don't know that all they have to do is ask their phone for a translation, and it will spit it right out in seconds.

This is super handy when in another country or even if you only speak one of Canada’s official 2 languages.  Simply ask Siri or Google to translate what you want to say from your language to whatever language you desire.  On a side note, there is a pair of headphones out that translate on the fly when hooked to your phone.  Technology actually scares me sometimes.

3.       Take a Selfie

Great!!!  Now it's even easier to take a selfie.

Instead of looking for your camera button, or perhaps when your hands are full, just ask your assistant to “take a selfie” and voila, vanity perfection.

4.      Food Finder

By your command you can find your craving, and reviews to help you choose the best option.

Do you have a craving for pizza?  Ask your phone where the nearest pizza joint is, and it will list the places in order of distance.  It will also be a great place to check out online reviews, so you don’t end up with pizza disappointment.

5.      Maps

No need to open your maps app and type in all the information.  Simply state your destination and your phone’s map feature will take you there.  In some cities it will even let you know the traffic problems in advance, or let you know if there is anyway that you can reach your destination before it closes.

You Might Look Crazy

While talking into your phone might get some getting used to, it can save you a lot of time, and as you get used to it, you will find it more and more convenient. 

These are some of the great tips that I use everyday on my cell phone.  You may have to update your phone if some of these aren’t working as well as I’ve advertised, but for the most part they have been a part of your phone’s operating system for quite some time.  So, for now I have to make an appointment for a meeting.  “ok Google, “Schedule me an app with….

Some more information on the subject.

5 Reasons Why You Should Up Your Social Media Game

Using social media for your marketing, isn't just a good idea...It's essential!

1.  Increased Customer Satisfaction

"Every interaction on social media is an opportunity to demonstrate your compassion for your customers."

Social media is a networking and communication platform.  By creating a brand on social media and interacting with your customers it humanizes your company.  Customers appreciate being heard, and when they post on your page that they receive personalized responses rather than automated.  By acknowledging each comment, you show that you are attentive of your visitors’ needs and aim to provide great customer service.

Every interaction on social media is an opportunity to demonstrate your compassion for your customers.  Whether you are answering a question or responding to a complaint, social media allows you to address the subject with interpersonal dialogue.  A brand devoted to customer satisfaction that takes time to respond to personal messages even when responding to a complaint, will be viewed in a positive light.

2.  Improved Brand Loyalty.

"With social media you can regularly engage with customers and develop a bond with them." 

One of the biggest goals of the businesses I work with is brand loyalty.  This can be difficult to achieve considering that customer satisfaction and brand loyalty typically go hand and hand.  With social media you can regularly engage with customers and develop a bond with them.  Social media is not just limited to showing products and promotions of your brand, but more importantly, customers see these platforms as a service channel where they can communicate with you.

The millennial generation is known for being the most brand loyal customers of all time.  They are the largest generation in US history, and are next to dominate the market.  They are 62% more loyal to brands that directly engage with them on social media.  Since this generation of technology natives require communication with their brands, businesses must implement social media marketing to get the attention of their most influential customers.

3.  Increased Brand Awareness

"Implementing a social media strategy will greatly increase your brand recognition as you are engaging a broad audience."

Social Media is one of the most cost-efficient digital marketing methods used to produce content and increase your business’ visibility.  Implementing a social media strategy will greatly increase your brand recognition as you are engaging a broad audience.

All you need to do to get started is create social media profiles that match the personality of your business, and begin interacting with others.  Get your employees, business partners and sponsors to share, like, and comment on your page.  Engaging people and interacting with your audience with your content will increase brand awareness and begin building your reputation.  Each post that you share has the potential of reaching new customers, and the more people who know about your business, the better.

By investing only a few hours per week, over 91% Of marketers claimed that their social marketing efforts greatly increased their exposure.  There is no doubt that simply having a social media page will benefit your brand, and with regular use and content it can widen your audience considerably.

4.  Improved Search Engine Optimization

"Let’s face it, everyone uses Google to find information, and they won’t navigate past page 1 because their answer is normally on the first page of results."

Your business website being on the first page of a Google or other search engines’ results is of vital importance for your business or brand to be noticed.  Let’s face it, everyone uses Google to find information, and they won’t navigate past page 1 because their answer is normally on the first page of results.

While Social media doesn’t directly increase search engine rankings, Social Media Examiner states that more than 58% of marketers who have been using social media for one year or longer still see improved search engine rankings.

To give yourself the best chance of ranking better through social media, create high quality content that integrates your targeted keywords.  Putting together content such as blogs (like this one), infographics, case studies, business information and employee photos will make your business’s social media profile both interesting and credible.  This gives you the opportunity to get in front of industry influencers who will write about your business and provide links back to you which will help you directly increase search engine rankings.

5.  It’s Cost-Effective

"Using paid advertising on social media allows you to see your results so that you can better tune your campaigns into effective ones."

Social media marketing can be the most cost-efficient part of an advertising strategy.  Signing up with most social networking platforms is free, and paid promotions you decide to invest in are relatively low in comparison to other marketing tactics.  In turn, this allows your business to have a greater return on investment and retain a bigger budget for other marketing and business expenses.

Using paid advertising on social media allows you to see your results so that you can better tune your campaigns into effective ones.  They allow you to start small, and give you insight, such as how much engagement you are creating, how many people see your posts, and the best times to post your content.

Hit The Ground Running

It’s clear in this day and age that social media marketing has it’s advantages, so if your business or brand doesn’t already have the appropriate profiles, create them!  Fill out your business’ information and post some engaging content to gain followers.  Ask people who are involved in your business to “like” “share”, and “comment” to help build your profile. 

If it’s intimidating, it’s very inexpensive to have us (Socially Correct) to create your profiles and get you started with a little training.  We even offer monthly packages to keep your posts current, engaging, and branded.

With consistent updating, the right social media marketing strategy will lead to increased traffic, better SEO, higher conversion rates, improved brand loyalty, and much more.

There are almost no reasons not to implement social media into your marketing strategy.  It is so cost-effective, so there is hardly anything to lose.  Your competition is most likely already well on their way with social media, so don’t let them take away your customers.  The sooner you start, the sooner you will see results.

Check Out These Resources to Get You Started

RAW Vs JPEG, Which is Right For You?

The age old debate, RAW VS JPEG.  It shouldn't be a debate, as there is a place for both.

Shooting RAW vs JPEG is a decision that just about everyone who takes pictures faces at some point.  There are very strong opinions about which is better but, that is the wrong way to think about it.  Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so let’s go over those to see which is right for your application.

Simple Definition of RAW and JPEG

Take a look at the subtle differences from the top photo to the bottom.  The top is jpeg, without editing, the bottom RAW.  You can just get those details that get lost in a JPEG when you edit a RAW image.

JPEG

JPEG files are processed right within the camera.  They are the camera manufactures ideal settings for contrast, brightness, noise reduction, sharpening, color settings, and many other in camera settings.  These files are finished and can be viewed, printed and shared immediately after the shot.  JPEG files are compressed and much smaller in size, as it is a “loss” file format.  This means that much of the initial image information and detail is discarded and cannot be recovered.  Dynamic Range detail, which is simply the amount of tonal range detail from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, in JPEG files is significantly reduced when compared to RAW.

RAW

RAW files are unprocessed snapshots of all the detail available to the camera sensor.  Because RAW files are unprocessed, they come out looking flat and dark compared to a jpeg.  RAW images need to be processed on a computer with editing software from your camera, or third-party software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, (see links below) or others prior to being able to share, print or display the photos.  Because the files are uncompressed they are much larger than their JPEG counterparts, so they take up more space and make most features in your camera slower.

An Easy Way to Think of It.

One way I like to think of RAW and JPEG is by comparing it to food.  Let’s face it, most things make sense to me when they fulfill my hunger. 

You have full control over RAW, but JPEG is fast and convenient.

Let’s say you have a raw piece of tenderloin steak sitting in front of you.  At this point you have full control over how you want to cook the tenderloin.  You can choose it rare, pan fried, what spices to throw on it, barbecue, marinated, and the list of options goes on.  Cooking your steak you are able to get it done perfectly and just the way you liked it, with a little practice, but it took time out of your day to accomplish.  This would be the same as a RAW format in your camera.  The product you see in front of you is not exceptionally appetizing, but with some work, it will be delicious and just the way you want it.

Now let’s picture that you are meeting your friends at a restaurant and you are running late.  You tell them you want a tenderloin steak, but you don’t tell them how you want it done.  You get to the restaurant and you like it medium rare, but it’s medium, you like pan seared, but it’s grilled.  You try the steak, and overall, it’s pretty good.  You sit at the table and it’s ready for you to eat, and you can enjoy your time with your friends.  This is JPEG, ready to use and convenient, but not always as good as it could have been. 

As you are beginning to see, JPEG is much more convenient and allows you to take more pictures, which is great in some situations, where as RAW might be more for photos that take time and patience.  I have broken it down into specific situations where I think you might want one over the other.

Although you have full control over RAW, you need a program such as lightroom to achieve good results.

5 Situations Where RAW is Better

Portraits, inconsistent lighting, street photography, landscapes, tripod work (zoom lenses), and artistic product shots.

5 Situations Where JPEG is Better

Sports or action, nature, social media sharing, candid shots, camera burst modes.

My Recommendation.

As you can see, there are clearly applications where one works better than the other.  Cameras when you buy them by default, shoot in JPEG format, and usually in the highest quality possible.  If you are thinking about getting into shooting RAW, then I suggest you start slowly.  In your image size settings, you will find a setting that is RAW + JPEG.  This allows you to get the instant access of your in-camera processing, but allows you to take out the RAW file into an editor and practice putting your own touch on the images.  This will take up considerable space on your memory card, but is the safest and easiest way to get into RAW photography.  The only time I would not recommend this, is shooting in 4-10 frames per second burst modes.  All cameras use a buffer to process the images in the background, and this setting will not allow you to go near as fast.  If you are looking for an inexpensive software that is very comprehensive, check out these links from my Amazon Affiliate page.

Make sure you come back to Socially Correct, through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and our blog for more information about all things pertaining to local Social Media Marketing.

5 Reasons You Don't Need To Buy A DSLR

So what camera should I buy?

When I’m out on a photo shoot, people often ask me what type of DSLR camera I recommend.  (First let me say when we say DSLR camera we are talking about a Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera, one that has replaceable lenses.)  I could easily turn them to any number of cameras like the one I use professionally, but instead I usually encourage them to stick with their cell phones or compact cameras.  Sometimes I get the feeling that those same people are thinking I’m a camera snob that thinks I’m better than them.  Let me clear the air and tell you why I think 90% of people are better off with a cell phone camera or a compact camera.

5.  They Are Not Convenient To Use

"the best camera is the one that's with you"

One of the most over used quotes in photography is “the best camera is the one that’s with you.”  Most people outside of the photography world assume that larger cameras take better pictures and although there may be a sliver of truth to that, it's the wrong way to think. The truth is that owning a larger DSLR camera seems like a good idea until you stop using it altogether, because it's too inconvenient to travel with. I'm a professional photographer and own a couple of DSLR’s.  I do not ever casually walk around with my professional cameras. I pull them out for paying jobs, and I pull them out for individual images that I have already scouted, otherwise I use my cellphone camera. If you don't already carry a dedicated camera with you today, you certainly won't casually carry around a DSLR.

4.  Your Pictures Won’t Be Any Better With A DSLR

Factors such as lighting, timing, and composition have far more impact on great photos than the camera ever will.

Most people don’t realize this, but I would say that over half of the pictures that they love on the internet are taken with cell phones.  Amazing pictures are more about the perfect lighting, the perfect timing, and then playing with the settings on the camera such as shutter speed, ISO, aperture for depth of field, and taking your time for perfect composition.  80% of people never touch these settings on their cameras, and yet that is what makes the difference between a great photo, and a typical photo.  Compact cameras and cell phone cameras have become so great at capturing quick photos in auto, that in most cases they will turn out better looking photos than the dedicated DSLR’s.  This is what they were designed to do.  DSLR’s have their own benefits that I’ll get to in number 3.

3.  You Are Paying For Features That You Won’t Use.

Do you want to sit at a computer for hours making sure your photos look great?

DSLRs are powerful cameras because they have more manual options than other compact cameras. If you aren't already using every manual feature of your current camera (even if that is a cell phone), what makes you think that you will become interested in manually controlling a much more complicated DSLR? 

Are you interested in manually choosing your White Balance with a Kelvin setting? Are you itching to choose your cameras ISO based on your current lighting conditions? Does slowing down and choosing your shutter speed and aperture before every image you take excite you? Do you know how to use Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop so that you can process the raw images that your new DSLR can produce? 

If you aren't interested in learning to use a DSLR in full manual, you probably don't need this type of camera. 

2.  DSLR’s Need Accessories

Often it's the accessories that cost more than the camera.

Whatever the price of your new DSLR, you’ll find yourself spending hundreds of dollars on top of the original price.  First off you will need a memory card.  Because of the size and cost, you will find yourself wanting a camera bag.  Because of the weight of carrying it around, you might want a comfortable strap.  Also be prepared to lose your lens caps on a regular basis.  Flashes are also common purchases for a DSLR, all adding up to more expense.  This leads to our last point.

1.  What You Actually Want Costs More Than You Think

Individual lenses can easily cost 2x more than what you paid for your camera, and they make the biggest difference in equipment when it comes to quality images.

I was thinking that this category could have been covered in #2, but it is slightly different.  While the above features mentioned can add up to $500.00 extra in a hurry, it’s the replaceable lenses that are one of the most cited reasons for buying one of these cameras, that will run up the cost. 

The DSLR’s usually come with decent lenses, but they are slightly vanilla in nature.  Many people will want a macro lens, telephoto, or perhaps a wide angle, and this is where the big cost can come in.  A starting lens can easily be had for under $200.00 but they usually have smaller apertures, plastic housings, cheaper lenses, let in less light, and lack features like image stabilization.  To get features that the professional photographers use to get the shots that the average customer wants (background defocus, sharp images, fixed aperture zooms, etc), prices can easily exceed thousands of dollars per lens usually outpricing the camera body.   These lenses are also more crucial in getting perfect images in most cases than the camera bodies themselves.

So What Type of Camera Should I Buy?

In conclusion I will recommend some great little cameras for you, and remember, for most people, carrying around a great little convenient camera or good quality cell phone will be your best opportunity to take great pictures.

The first thing I would recommend is that you take just one week, of upping your photo game with the camera or cell phone that you have.  After that, if you enjoyed getting into the mindset of taking quality pictures by not letting the camera do all the work, then it may be time to go to a DSLR and start the steep learning curve. 

If your cell phone is out of date, the advances in photography between the years 2014 and 2017 are staggering.  Any new cell phone from 2016 and onward will give you fantastic results, especially in full auto mode.  Some of the notable ones are the iPhone 7, 8 and X; the Samsung S7, and S8, and the Google Pixel and Google Pixel 2.  If you want add even more quality, step up to their bigger brothers, (the plus models) which all have a few more camera specs in them to get your automatic pictures looking better than ever.

Compact zoom cameras are incredible these days.  Some of them can zoom 30x and more (all without getting an extra lens), and they fit into a pocket or a purse.  They will also allow easier access into playing with aperture, shutter speeds, ISO and color balance.  Some of them even allow you to shoot in RAW format. Here are some noteworthy ones and a great DSLR to consider from my Amazon affiliate account.

Please share this blog with another friend who you think could use some advice on a camera.  Also, let me know in the comments what other articles you would like to see posted here to help with your photography game.

You can take great images with just about any type of camera

5 Fun Things To Do With Your Family, For Free

It's family day weekend, and you want to make the best of it.  We are here to show you 5 ways that you can spend time bonding with your family.  The best part is that they are all FREE!!!  (or very close to free;) )

Board Games

Something people have lost in recent years with the internet, tablets and phones, is the ability to interact with each other at a table and play an old fashioned board game.  There are hundreds to choose from, and while it may seem like a chore at first when everyone groans, you will quickly find yourselves enjoying your time, and an hour or two will breeze by before you realized it.  Some favorites are: Pictionary, Monopoly, Things in a Box, Mad Gab, and Balderdash, and if you want to really put in a marathon, try games like Settlers of Catan, or Risk.  Remember, if you want everyone to have fun, keep it light hearted.

Board Games get you talking with your family again.

Cupboard Potluck

Have you checked out all the food that you have forgotten about over the last couple of months?  Once you get looking, you will find that you can feed a small army, so why not make an event out of i?  Encourage some friends to have a cupboard potluck and bring over foods that they want to use up.  Not only will you have the fun of visiting your friends and neighbors, but you will be surprised at just how great of meal you will have.  Watch the expiry dates!

Potlucks are a great way to connect with friends and family.

Go For a Digital Photo Hunt

Grab your cell phones, cameras, video cameras, or whatever you have, get your family outside to go on a photo hunt.  Think of a challenge that all of your family members can try to achieve, like find the nicest tree or flower, take pictures of clouds that look like other objects, or just make it a general "see who can take the nicest picture" contest.

There always seems to be some kind of old cameras, or cell phones lying around that you can take the kids out and have some fun with.

Visit a Museum or Zoo

This can be a lot of fun for the whole family, and some of them are even free.  Museums regularly change their exhibits, so there is a good chance that even if you were there once or twice before, there is probably something new to see.  

Kids love to talk, and ask questions at museums.  

Origami

The internet makes it easy to find how to articles on creating masterpieces with the simple folds of paper.  This really gives you a weird sense of accomplishment, and it's something that the whole family can do together, as there is a level for just about anyone from super easy, to next to impossible.

Origami offers a wide variety of skill levels.

Seeing that it is family day weekend, it's easy to do these activities and then forget about them within the next week.  These activities however, will bring your family back together, interacting with each other like never before.  Hopefully that's a good thing.

Classic Christmas Gifts Remembered

Star Wars came out last week, and it reminded me of one of my favorite toys, the X-Wing Fighter.  It seems like children today have such a huge selection of toys to choose from, but I thought I would take you through yesteryear to see if there were any toys that you received Christmas morning that still warm your heart today.

With the new Star Wars movie, comes memories of the old Star Wars toys.

Some of the toys we loved, just never seem to go away.  I guess that's why they are classics.  The Rubic's Cube, Lego, Hot Wheels, Teddy Bears, and the classic John Deere riding tractor are still around today.  

To me what has always made a toy successful, is the ability to attach the imagination to the object.  If a child can take themselves away to another place through that toy it truly becomes special.

Creativity is also one of the hallmarks of a great toy.  I remember creating on a Lite-Bright till I could see the image even when I closed my eyes.  Remember trying to get the Etch-a-Sketch to draw a line on angle or even a circle?  Original art pieces gone with a shake, shake, shake.

My friends and I spent countless hours with toys that were automotive based, such as building the coolest cars out of Lego, assembling slot car tracks, or pulling the rip cord out of the top of our Smash 'em Up Derby cars and letting the two objects race towards each other over a ramp with certain cataclysmic destruction imminent.  

The Cabbage Patch doll and Teddy Bears, were something that never quite caught on in our household, but I remember having to pretend I cared as every girl in the school seemed to have one, so you had to either try to steal one to get a girl to chase you, or pretend that you cared about Cabbage Patch dolls as your crush rambled on about all the fun things they did together.

It seems like there are only a few toys like this that really stick out in a person's mind.  I must have received countless toys over the years, but these are the ones that stick.  Memories of me, and my friends and relatives bonding over our collective imaginations, hours upon hours that felt like minutes as time just seemed to melt away.

I didn't want to write anything to deep this holiday.  We at Socially Correct wish you the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest New Year.  May you feel the joy of a child opening their presents on Christmas Day.  God bless you, your family and your co-workers.

The Do's and Don't's of Social Media

It seems like using social media for your business has unlimited possibilities, but the balance between creating a positive brand experience and annoying potential customers is a fine line to navigate.

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Here are some positive ways to engage with Social Media

The Do's

Know Your Customers.

Your social media pages should be tailored to suit the needs and interests of your customers, and not you.  Try to tap into posts that relate to them or give them reasons to visit your page often.  Use the rule of 80/20, which means, 80% content that is relative to what your customers want, and 20% or less of your posts to be used for promoting your goods, services, or your business.

Quality Over Quantity.

Many people feel like they need to have their brand in other's feeds as much as possible, but it is rarely the case.  When you try to post to often, you will find that people start to get annoyed with what you are posting and end up deleting you from their social media feed.  Keep posts relevant, use high quality, and engaging articles that represent your brand, but more importantly, reflect the needs and wants of your customers.  Spend more time creating quality posts, and less time searching for content to overload your feed.

Be Original.

Don't be afraid to show your personality in your posts.  Make yourself stand out from your competitors, by providing entertaining and unique posts that catch your customers attention.  

Time Matters.

Experiment with different posting times.  You will know your customers best and when they look at their social media feeds.  Keep track of what times work and don't work over time so that you can better target your audience.

Provide Great Service. 

Never before has customer service been more important.  You need to be a level above what people expect or you may here about it.  This is what scares people away from using social media as an effective tool.  Don't be afraid of it, use it to your advantage.  With social media you now have the tools to monitor what your customers are saying about you, and the tools to fix the problem.

Use Social Media That Is Relevant.

Don't think that because everyone is using one social media app that you need to as well.  Look for apps that you know your customers will make use of.  There is no use in creating content for something like Twitter if all your customers are using Instagram for example.  Before jumping into social media feet first, take the time to poll your customers and find out exactly what apps are the most relevant to them, and then tailor your social media strategy to your customer.

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Here are some not so positive ways to interact with social media.

The Don't's

Don't Like Your Own Posts.

Of course you like your own posts!  Why wouldn't you?  However most customers find this a cheap trick for you to get your ads out to their personal feed.  One thing that you should definitely do is encourage your staff to like and comment on your posts.  Another great way is to tag your staff or customers if there is opportunity with posts that contain photo's or videos.

Don't Be Neglectful. 

The biggest problem with a company getting into social media is that they start off with the best intentions, but within a short period of time, they start to neglect their pages.  Be very aware that it is not simply enough to have a Facebook, Twitter or other social media account, you need to maintain it regularly.

Don't Connect With Everyone.

Don't just follow everyone that follows you.  Think about each person you follow as a business client, and ask yourself if following them will in any way harm your business's reputation by association.

Don't Be Spammy.

Too often businesses re-use posts over and over again to try to promote their business, and who can blame them?  Re-posting is much easier than finding fresh and relative content.  This was the way we always advertised before.  On social media this is the number one way to lose followers.  People view their time on social media as private time where they get to choose what they want to engage in.  If you don't have new and interesting content they will get annoyed and leave.

Don't Ignore Those Comments.

At times you will get comments from customers.  The great thing about social media is that it allows you to connect with your customers in ways that were never possible till now.  Remember that when they take the time to leave a comment however, that they expect a follow up.  Deleting a negative comment is also not wise.  Acknowledge their concerns briefly, then direct them to dealing with the problem in person.  People will see that you care about the negative comment and are working to fix it.  Nobody is perfect, they just expect you to try.

Don't Use Automation

Stay away from automated responses.  Customers will be able to tell right away.  Be ready to deal with the customers the same way you would deal with them at your place of business.

For more information about managing your social media, please contact us through this website.  We would be more than happy to talk to you.

3 Super Quick Tips For Business Success

So you've started your own business, read all the books, attended all the seminars and done everything that you've been told to do, but you are still not enjoying the success you envisioned.  So what are you missing?

What do you do when you think you've tried everything?

Put into practice these three great tips, and you will thrive, without them you will fail, no matter what else you do.

1. It's Not About Money.  Let that sink in for a second.  Business is about people and relationships no matter what your market is.  If your clients know you see them as people and not dollar signs, they will be more loyal to you.  This benefits your reputation and word of mouth brings business to your door.
2. Treat Your Staff Well.  This, once again, is not about money, although a fair wage is important.  Let them know you appreciate them and value them as people.  Make sure to take time to listen to their ideas and give them opportunities to lead.  If you invest in their growth, they are much more likely to invest in yours.  This should keep your staff with you through the thick, and more importantly, the thin.
3. Do The Right Thing.  Remember to never cut corners or slack off.  If you give in to the convention of situational ethics your reputation will suffer.  Be honest and trustworthy. Instead of getting by with the minimum, strive to exceed your customers expectations.

It might sound simple, but these steps take integrity and constant thought.  Treat people well, be honest and trustworthy, do great work, and your business will benefit.

Remember to contact Socially Correct for all of your Social Media, Branding, Advertising and Digital Media needs.

Treating people well can only enhance your business reputation.

Top Tips For Branding a Small, Local Business.

Know Who You Are

Deciding if you are fun or serious is just one of the many categories in defining who you are.

Before we jump in and find a logo, colors, fonts, and or mascots, we need to know our identity as a business, and who our clients are.  Brainstorm what you mean to your community, how you can provide something unique, and what your personality is within the community.  Having a good understanding of who you are can determine whether the mood of your logo is light and fun, or more business oriented.

Establish Well Defined Brand Guidelines

Use well defined guidelines to keep your brand "within the lines"

So, you may want to develop a brand, but what does that mean?  When defining your brand you'll want to establish defined guidelines that cover the following elements.

• A logo
• Brand Colors
• Tag Lines
• Fonts and Typography
• The "voice" used in your branded materials
• Imagery
• Mascots and spokespeople

Clearly this list is not comprehensive.  If there is some other branding characteristic that you might want to add to your guidelines make sure to incorporate it into your brand guidelines documentation.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is most often the key

If you were to look at many of the top recognizable brands, you would notice that simplicity is foremost.  Brands like Coca-Cola, Android, Apple, McDonalds and many more are instantly recognizable due in part to their simplicity.  You don't have to incorporate 6 multiple colors or 6 different shapes to represent the different branches of your company for example.  Keeping it simple yet bold can make an immediate impact if you've thought it through.  

Stand Out, But Don't Be Vague

Avoid the generic, stand out.

As detrimental as it is to have your brand to complicated, it is equally important not to use generic or standardized terms that reveal nothing about your company or it's values.  You've probably seen or heard this before in generic marketing speak with terms like "Best-Selling Book",  "Award-Winning Advertising Agencies", or "Championship Golf Courses".  These terms because of overuse and vague meanings have almost no impact in your marketing.  So what's the solution?  Clear language, logo's and imagery.  Always make sure your brand defines who you are and what you do in a clear and concise way. 

Cheating on Your Guidelines

It may be tempting, but cheating might hurt you in the long run.

So you've created a wonderful branding guideline and two months down the road you find a new promotion that makes you want to perhaps change some of your color schemes, or other parts in your branding guideline.  Can you do it?  Of course you can.  But keep in mind, every time your deviate from your stated brand guidelines, you dilute their power by some small amount.  The danger in doing so is that you are introducing to the customer a new brand image, diminishing the strength of the association that they'd have to a more unified branding campaign.

Get Outside Help

We would love to help you create your brand.  Socially Correct has creative logo designers, photographers, and content creators at their disposal to help you through the creative process. Call or email us for a consultation. 

Why It's Important to Maintain Your Social Media Presence

We have all heard the stats about how Social Media Marketing is the gateway for representing your brand in this current age, but what is really required to make it relevant?

Create a Familiar Look

Before you even worry about posting, make sure your look is consistent across all of your social media networks.  Each social media network has a different layout, but making sure that your profile image and bio are consistent is very important. Whenever possible, these should match your web-site as well.

Create a Brand Personality

Making sure that you know your customer is important, but something that is often overlooked is what is your business' personality?  Will you want to portray a sense of humor or maybe more of a serious tone?  Will you want to respond or talk with "we" or "I"?   There is no right or wrong approach, as long as it is consistent.  Social media is about showing off who your business is, so try to incorporate it into your voice.

Post Consistently

Creating a consistent brand requires consistent posting habits.  Nothing hurts a business more in social media than having an account that is not kept current and up to date.  If a person searches your business and finds nothing current for a month or more, they could assume you have gone out of business, or worse yet, that you just don't care.  Try to plan out posts in advance and have them relative to your brand.  

Re-Purpose Content

Time is such a crucial element for any business.  Re-purposing content that you find online and that you can spin into your brand image can be one great way of saving valuable time.  Instead of researching fresh ideas that you will only use once, try to use photographs and information that you have used previously and recycle it into what will seem like a new idea or post.  Also, linking outside information that is relative to your business will save you time.

Final Thoughts

Being consistent at anything in this life requires proper preparation, active experimentation and commitment by everyone who is involved.  Make sure that anyone that may be a part of your social media strategy is trained to understand how to maintain your businesses identity.  Remember, consistency creates trust, which makes consumers trust your brand and want to purchase from you.

 

5 Tips For Better Smartphone Videos

Cell phones are getting better everyday at capturing moments.  While they are still a long way from replacing video cameras, there are some very basic points that can make a smart-phone a very decent method of making a high quality video.

1.  Hold The Phone Horizontally.  The biggest mistake that SO many people make is to hold their phones in the "portrait" mode.  While this may work for taking selfies and Instagram, it is by far the biggest mistake you can make when shooting video.  Hold your phone horizontally so that videos played back on other screens (virtually everywhere) will look fine.

2.  Great Lighting Is Essential.  With smart phones lighting is especially important, because they have smaller image sensors and lenses.  Plan ahead to have lots of natural light available, and whenever possible, try not to shoot facing the light, but instead focus on having the light to the side or back of your camera.  When indoors, try using the light from a window or turn on all the lights in the room to brighten things up.  Another tip is to use the focus tap on your phone's camera.  This causes the camera to take the exposure of the subject instead of the surroundings.

Tap on the subject on the screen and the camera will adjust the light and focus settings for you.

3.  Stabilize Your Phone.  Most phones don't have image stabilization in them, and if they do it's very limited.  Try setting your phone against something, or on a tripod.  If you must shoot handheld, try tucking your arms in to your body and leaning against something solid.

Tripods like the Gorillapod by Joby are great ways that don't take up space to stabilize your camera.

4.  Audio Matters As Much As Video.  While you want your video to look good, the quality of your audio is more important than the video, so it should matter as much, if not more.  Most phones audio inputs do not hold up to their video quality, and it is near impossible to fix audio problems in your software, so what do you do?  Many buy an external recorder and combine the audio and video later in their editing software.  They use directional microphones and lav or lapel mics to get rid of wind noise and interference with other noise sources.  What about if you don't have or don't want to haul around extra microphones and recorders?  Plan your shoot in a quiet environment.  Cup your hand over the mic on windy days.  Make sure to get as close to the subject as possible, and make sure if there are speaking parts that the person speaking projects confidently.   

Most phones audio is not up to par and an external device is needed for decent sound.

5. Get Close To Your Subject.  Staying physically closer to your subject ensures better image quality as most smartphones use a digital zoom rather than optical zoom.  This will create clearer video with less noise, and provide better audio.

Producing videos that you can be proud of is quite an accomplishment.  While it may seem daunting at first, the trick is to just get in there and learn it as you go.  Have fun and get creative.

If you have any other tips, or would like to add an app that you feel would help people record on their phones, feel free to comment below