Category: Social Media (Page 1 of 6)

The Hottest Tiktok Trends Right Now

May 30, 2023 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

If you use Tiktok to market your small business, you know that it can be all about trends. Here are some the hottest Tiktok trends right now that your business might be able to benefit your business.

#Cleangirlaesthetic

The clean girl aesthetic covers decor, fashion and beauty, and is all about minimalism and understated sophistication, along with prioritizing your self-care. Simple, neutral color palettes, pared-down style, but high quality.

#Mermaidcore

The #mermaidcore trend is influenced by the release of the latest Little Mermaid film, and it has to do with fashion, jewelry and makeup involving pearls, ruffles, seashells, low-rise skirts, sequins and sparkles – all in the traditional mermaid color palette of purple, blue and green.

#Whimsigoth

This trend is inspired by any magic or witchy type TV show you watched in the 90s, so it focuses on vintage stars, moon and other celestial decor.

#Railscapes

Railscapes is a hot #decortok trend whereby houseplants line the balusters of your indoor staircase.

#Dopamine

The dopamine #decortok trend is all about decorating with things that are fun and whimsical that gives you a rush of dopamine when you see them.

#Paintedbread

Painted bread is a popular #foodtok that is basically handmade bread, which has been decorated with floral and vine graphics using food coloring and food gel.

#Teabombs

We’ve had hot chocolate bombs and coffee bombs, now tea bombs are the current rage, which are a mixture of tea and other botanicals inside a dissolvable sugar shell.

#Cottagecheese

This retro health #foodtok is making a comeback with Tiktok users looking for recipes for cottage cheese pasta, cottage cheese ice cream and cottage cheese toast, among other things.

#Vintagecakes

The vintage cakes trend has Tiktokers showcasing their over-the-top cake creations that are also ultra feminine with rows and rows of sugar pearls, an abundance of edible roses, an overload of piped icing, and just really gaudy, decadent designs.

#Customweddingnapkins

Your #weddingtok #bridaltok trends should include custom or personalized wedding napkins that come with a cute story about the couple or special messages from the bride and groom.

#Packanorderwithme

Many small businesses are packing customer orders on camera, and people seem to respond to this, including their customers excited to see their own purchase getting ready for shipment.

#Dayinthelife

A day in the life video follows a small business owner throughout their day so that the viewer gets some idea of all the tasks and activities involved in what they do.

If you need more social media content ideas, be sure to download my 365 Social Media Ideas Calendar.

Also Read: 8 Instagram Reel Ideas and My Favorite Home Office Finds

Social Media Post Ideas for Business 2023

October 31, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Need social media post ideas for your business for 2023?

I just updated my 365 Social Media Post Ideas Calendar for 2023. If you struggle with coming up with creative and engaging content to post, it can be a huge help.

The ideas are lifestyle-based as well as tailored to top searched content, but you can apply the ideas to almost any type of business, as I will show below.

This or That Posts

This and That posts are great for engagement. For example, in December my posting calendar will say “Post a holiday movie theme This or That, such as “Elf or Home Alone?” (where followers give their response in comments). Even though it’s fun and gets people to respond, I realize it might not suit your business or brand.

However, it can inspire you to come up with something relevant to your business. For example:

If you’re a real estate business, you could post a This or That such as Bungalow or Two-Story?
If you’re a Pizza restaurant, you could post Thin Crust or Thick Crust?
If you’re a hair salon, you could post Brides: Hair Up or Hair Down?

It’s a great way to do research also.

List Compilation Posts

Lists are always popular social media content. For example, towards the end of December, my posting calendar will say , “Post your 5 Favorite Books of the Past Year and ask followers theirs.” Again, you can tailor this to suit your business. For example:

If you’re a fashion brand, you could post your “5 Hated Fashion Trends of the Past Year” and ask followers theirs.
If you’re a life coach, you could post your “5 Favorite Self Help Books of the Past Year” and ask followers theirs.
If you’re a personal trainer, you could post “5 Favorite Wellness Products of the Past Year” and ask followers theirs.

Answering Top Searched Questions Posts

When something is trending or happening in pop culture, people turn to social media to get answers. For example, in February my posting calendar will say, Post answers to top searched questions about BHM this month: “What does Black History month mean?”, “When was Black History month first celebrated?”, etc. Again, you can tailor this to your business. For example:

If you’re a greeting card business, in May you could post answers to a top searched graduation question this time of year: “What to write in a graduation card?”.
If you’re a gift shop, in June you could post an answer to a top searched question this time of year: “How much to spend on a wedding gift”.

So if you struggle finding creative and interesting content to post to social media, find tons of inspiration in my download 365 Social Media Post Ideas with an idea for every day of the year!

No time to read? Try my 30-Second Posts

A Quick Tip to Get Your Business on TikTok

October 12, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

TikTok is becoming increasing popular with more than just the GenZ crowd. If you want to get your business noticed on TikTok, but you do not feel like doing a cutesy reel, an easy way it to use TikTok’s very popular #BookTok hashtag.

With over 80 billion views to-date, with the #BookTok hashtag you simply create a reel recommending a book and include the hashtag to get found in searches.

It doesn’t have to be a fictional book, it can be used to recommend a non-fiction book as well, so this makes it easier to find a book related to what you sell.

EXAMPLE #BOOKTOK TO TRY

For example, if you’re a realtor or sell home-type goods, you could do a #BookTok for a favorite decorating book. If you sell clothing, try a #BookTok for a book about the fashion industry. If you sell kids products, create a #BookTok on your favorite kids books for Halloween.

If you do not like being seen onscreen, simply show the book cover and flip through the pages. Add a voice over about why you like the book or set the reel to music.

Give it a try and see if you can get in on this popular TikTok trend!

About Me

Do you need your Brand Story written or an SEO-Optimized Blog Post or a Personalized Business Consultation? As a 20+ year marketing professional and small business consultant, all of my services are super affordable.

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012, and my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, Yahoo Business, American Express, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust! Be sure to read an article on Yahoo I was recently quoted in: “4 Businesses to Start in the Fall ”.

My Publicity Pitch service has also gotten my clients featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few.

Try This Easy Instagram Challenge Idea

August 24, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Have you thought about trying an Instagram challenge contest?

I have to be honest, when I see businesses offering contests where you simply enter to win, I always think my chances are so-so, so why bother.

But, if the brand was to make the contest a challenge that I might be good at, then it might be worth my while.

HERE’S MY IDEA

For example, on your Instagram account, try running a contest whereby people have to submit an amazing fall photo from their town that you will post to your Instagram. The photo that gets the most likes, wins.

It works out well for you, because it is a chance for one of your posts to get a lot of likes.

The great thing about fall is that it offers so many opportunities, from seasonal trends like pumpkin spice to Back to School to Halloween to Thanksgiving. Think of a challenge for all of them!

About Me

Do you need your Brand Story written or an SEO-Optimized Blog Post or a Personalized Business Consultation? As a 20+ year marketing professional and small business consultant, all of my services are super affordable.

My Publicity Pitch service has also gotten my clients featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few.

BE SURE TO ALSO READ

30 Social Media Post Ideas for June

May 31, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Happy June! I decided to post a freebie today, 30 Social Media Posting Ideas for June. These are NOT the same ideas in my 365 Social Media Post Ideas Calendar, but some new ones I came up with, just for fun.

JUNE 1: Post a list of some of the weird national days this month, such as Old Maids Day and Ball Point Pen Day.

JUNE 2: Post 5 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II for the start of her #platinumjubilee today.

JUNE 3: Post a reel that transitions through the covers of your favorite #summerreads or #beachreads for #fictionfriday.

JUNE 4: Post a carousel of gifts for dad for #fatherdaygifts. Mention the businesses & they might repost.

JUNE 5: Post #shoutouts to your favorite local farmer’s markets for #sundaymarket.

JUNE 6: Post a calming affirmation or mantra for #mondaymantra #mindfulmonday #mondaymood.

JUNE 7: Post a poll asking followers to vote for their favorite chocolate ice cream flavor from #benandjerrys or some other major ice cream brand #nationalchocolateicecreamday #tastytuesday #tuesdaytreat.

JUNE 8: Post a reel or carousel gift guide for your BFF for #bestfriendsday.

JUNE 9: Post a carousel of your favorite outdoor decor finds or pool toys #enjoysummer #summerdays.

JUNE 10: Post a list of the big movies coming out this summer for #nationalmovienight & ask followers the ones they want to see the most.

JUNE 11: Post a handmade product that you find beautiful for national #makinglifebeautifulday.

JUNE 12: Post a cool photo of a scenic spot in your town for #postcardplaces.

JUNE 13: Post your picks for #songofthesummer for #musicmonday and ask followers theirs.

JUNE 14: Post the top 5 things to do in your city for #traveltuesday and tag your city’s tourism profile.

JUNE 15: Post a photo or time lapsed video of last night’s super moon using a cool filter for #fullmoon #rosemoon #honeymoon.

JUNE 16: Post a reel of some of the cute animals that need adopting at your local shelter for #thursdayfursday.

JUNE 17: Post a photo of beautiful outdoor flowers in your city/neighborhood for #floralfridaycompetition #flowerstagram.

JUNE 18: Post a tshirt with a funny saying about dads for Father’s Day tomorrow.

JUNE 19: Post a quote from Abraham Lincoln on the ending of slavery for #Juneteeth.

JUNE 20: Post your #summerbucketlist and ask followers what is on theirs.

JUNE 21: Post a fast transition #reel of all of your new products or services for #newreleasetuesday.

JUNE 22: Post a #summergiveaway for the start of summer today #winitwednesday.

JUNE 23: Post a photo of a pink door or house in your neighborhood or town for #nationalpinkday.

JUNE 24: Post a reel of your dog running around your office or workspace for #takeyourdogtoworkday.

JUNE 25: Post a #shoutout to your favorite local bakery for #saturdaysweets #smallbusinesssaturday #shoutoutsaturday.

JUNE 26: Post 5 ways to spend a relaxing Sunday and ask followers to vote on their favorite #sundayreset #weekendvibes.

JUNE 27: Post your favorite male tennis star for the start of #Wimbledon today and #mancrushmonday #mcm.

JUNE 28: Post a photo of your favorite summer cocktail for #tuesdayboozeday #summercocktail.

JUNE 29: Post your favorite 5-minute #summerworkout and ask followers theirs for #workoutwednesday.

JUNE 30: Post a favorite social media tip for #socialmediaday (maybe give a #shoutout to my 365 Social Media Post Ideas Calendar).

One of the best ways to drive endless, free and qualified traffic to your business is through a blog. If done correctly, over time, one blog post can bring anywhere from 2,000 to 20,000 visits a month. And SEO has proven to convert the highest into sales, more so than email, advertising or social media. I offer a blog writing service if interested!

How to Optimize Your Instagram Link In Bio

May 19, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

You want to optimize your Instagram Link In Bio because right now, the Instagram bio only allows you to use one link, unless you use a link extender. A link extender means that when visitors click on the link in your bio, it will go to a page that has several links on it, which you can even customize with your branding. This is mine.

Within this page, you can link to your ecommerce site, blog, specific blog posts, and other social media pages.

I use Link.tree, and they offer four packages, from free up to $20 a month. The more expensive packages mean you can also sell directly from your link extender page – saving customers the extra steps of going over to your ecommerce site – as well as collect emails right from the page, even collect payments.

It’s worth checking out if Instagram is a major source of traffic and marketing for your business.

About Me

A 20+ year marketing professional, small business consultant, ebook author & blogger, my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, American Express, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust!

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012. It really does help to talk to someone who is objective to get a new, but professional, perspective. I have also written publicity pitches for clients that resulted in them being featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few. Learn more about my marketing services here.