Entries from September 2013 ↓
September 6th, 2013 — Instagram
I’m always scouring the internet for new ways to market businesses on line.
I have to admit that Instagram is not something I’ve used, so I was intrigued to come across a post on Social Media Examiner that looks at how Instagram can help with your marketing.
In an interview with Sue Zimmerman, she shares her strategy behind her Instagram success – she used it to increase traffic to her Cape Cod retail boutique by 40% in only 12 months.
Grab a coffee, listen to the podcast and have a read of the post and find out whether Instagram would help your business too.
How to get started with Instagram
September 4th, 2013 — blogging, blogging for business, Time management
How many times has someone suggested a marketing idea for your business to which you’ve responded: “But I don’t have time for that.” 
It is our favourite excuse, used across the board, outlining our inability to find the time to exercise, socialise, meet up with family members, wash up, tidy a room…the list goes on.
But it’s also one of the feeblest excuses.
If I said to you: “If you want to grow your influence and online visibility, you must start a blog.” And your response was: “I don’t have time,” it would signal to me that you simply can’t be bothered. It would be better to say, “I don’t want to.”
Get your priorities right
If you don’t want to do the stuff you should do, fair enough – it’s your life/business.
But if you want to give it a go because you know it will be good for you or your business, it is very easy to find the time you need.
Think about what you do every day.
How many of those activities are necessary?
You could probably cut out the game of solitaire you play when you think no one’s looking. Perhaps reduce your coffee breaks from 10 to 2 or 3. How about not taking those extra long lunch breaks every day?
My bet is that you would easily be able to find half an hour to an hour extra every day if you cut out the unnecessary ‘tasks’ you burden yourself with.
The way ahead
During your day, write down everything you do and how much time you spend doing it. Be honest, if you have a sneaky game of solitaire, watch a bit of TV or sit down with the paper, write it down.
Then think about what you don’t need to be doing and put that time to something more useful.
If you are going to start a blog, set aside half an hour a day to write one post. That’s enough to get you started.
Before you know it, your days will be more productive, you’ll fall in love with blogging and your business will boom.
September 2nd, 2013 — Achieving goals
Yes, I know this blog is normally about copywriting, marketing and social media, but I hope you’ll forgive this one transgression.
When I’m not working as a copywriter, I’m a keen cyclist (possibly the fastest copywriter on wheels?) and a volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation.
This year I was given the opportunity to combine the two – cycling and Make A Wish supporting.
It was challenge that involved cycling from Newcastle to London, 300 miles in 24 hours – non-stop, organised by RIDEUK24.
The smiles at the start line were in spite of the ominous looking black clouds that were gathering overhead. We kidded ourselves that it would stay dry, but soon realised that was pie in the sky when, after only 10 miles, the heavens opened and it didn’t stop until we reached London.
The first 123 miles or so went well. Although I cycled much of it on my own, I managed to average just under 18 mph. But then the sun started to fade.
The night cycling stages were horrendous. I did stay with a group, but cycling in the pitch black with only a small amount of light from our bike lights breaking through the gloom, was terrifying. The rain wasn’t helping and the lower temperatures meant we all started getting very cold.
I was pleased to see the sun come up (well, the light, still couldn’t see the sun because of the cloud), an hour or so into stage 6 although I began to flag as exhaustion was really starting to kick in.
After a quick stop at Buntingford for some food, I got back on my bike for the final 34 miles into London. Boy, is cycling in London scary!
I was so relieved to see the finish line and even more relieved to see I’d completed the challenge in 23 hours and 15 minutes.
The organisation by RIDEU24 was amazing. The food stops (of which there were 6) provided everything we needed, including somewhere to get out of the rain. There were medics and mechanics on hand if needed, making all the riders feel very supported.
But the best part of all was my fabulous husband who stayed with me most of the way round. After seeing me off at the start, he drove to various locations on the course to cheer me on and was then at every food stop (bar one, so he could get some sleep) to give me some much needed encouragement – especially in the early hours when I was (still) soaked, cold and tried and ready to give up.
Thankfully, just before the ride we discovered the Life360 app, which meant he could track me (through my phone) throughout the event, so he could find me along the route.
All in all it was an amazing experience. It’s now 2 days on and I’m pleased to say most of the aches and pains have gone, although I’m still very tired.
Everyone has been incredibly generous, helping me raise (to date) £1362 for Make A Wish, which is way beyond what I had hoped to achieve.
What’s next?
Well, I don’t have another crazy charity event lined up just yet, but I do only have 2 weeks before my next 100 mile sportive, closely followed by another 2 weeks after that.
Thanks for allowing me to ramble on off topic. Normal service will now be resumed.
