Month: January 2022

Are You Making These Social Media Mistakes?

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working, Social Media
a hand holding an iphone with an open lockscreen displaying social media apps

In the last decade the numbers of social media profiles have skyrocketed beyond all expectations. Users of all ages and backgrounds are connecting across the world, as ‘liking’, ‘sharing’, and ‘tweeting’ has rapidly become everyone’s go to downtime. And so, it’s no wonder that social media is the place to be for every business. However, social media never came with a handbook. Sure, most of us know the basics but many users are continuing to make common mistakes that are affecting their reach, engagement, and branding. Join us, as we explore common social media mistakes your business should avoid!

Quantity over Quality – While you may think posting as much as possible is the way to go, it is the quality that makes the difference. If your profile is over encumbered with meaningless posts, it becomes harder for your audience to find the content that actually matters. Not only does it dominate people’s newsfeeds, but it also comes across as spammy which can lead to a loss of followers. Work to achieve a higher standard, choose regular but effective content that brings interactions and growth. This could be things like blogs, tips, polls, and testimonials – which are all popular choices among established business owners.

Lacking in video content – Video marketing has become widely used among successful brands, but many of us are still intimidated by the video format. While it requires extra time and attention it is by far the most effective when it comes to audience reach and platform algorithms. Top social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are making calculated choices regarding the content shown to their platform users. They often prioritise video content and grant it a noticeably longer shelf life – giving it an edge over competing posts. Finally, video content is much more likely to be shared and to go ‘viral’ – it has higher audience retention and is often more accessible.

Not using a scheduling tool – Social media scheduling tools allow businesses to plan, visualise and keep their content consistent. Online schedule users can benefit from analytic technologies and helpful tools such as recommended posting times and engagement reports. They’re a fantastic way of staying consistent during busier periods and seeing the impact of your content.

Not targeting your audience – While Social media platforms have millions of users across the world, it’s important to cater towards your target audience first! This allows you to concentrate on the most suitable prospects and strategize your marketing. Businesses that don’t target their high-value audiences, tend to have much lower website traffic, a weaker referral base and fewer returning customers.

Not engaging with your audience – No one likes a one end conversation, which is exactly what a lack of customer engagement looks like! While you may have an established following and regular content, you need to utilise your business profile to its full potential. Get involved with your audience, comment, and reply to their queries. Engaging with your audience provides authenticity and validation – it shows that you’re listening to their needs. It can do a lot for a business, building lasting relationships and credibility. The most effective profiles are often the ones with an organic conversation between the business and its audience, eliminating that superficial feel.

We know most businesses don’t have a surplus of time to dedicate to social media, which is why MOMENTUM offers a wide range of services designed to suit you and your business needs. Focus on the development and growth of your business and let us do the rest! If you’d like to discuss our extremely cost-effective Social Media Management services or require any additional business support – please get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

The Benefits Of Flexible Working

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
happy woman in a blue jacket sitting between two co-workers in an office

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Flexible working is without a doubt one of the most sought-after attributes of every worker. Over the last few years, businesses and staff alike have had to adapt and overcome countless obstacles, further increasing the rising demands for flexibility in the workplace, but what makes it so popular? There are many employment qualities that fall under the umbrella of flexible working. From job sharing and flexible hours to working from home, it provides options and malleable solutions, whilst allowing organisations to optimize their business management.

When exploring alternatives to the usual 9 to 5, many have already discovered an improved work-life balance and favourable outcomes. So here are the top 4 benefits of flexible working, as well as the prospective impact it has on your team, business growth and workforce:

Reduced costs

When it comes to business costs there are many factors that increase spending: office hire, travel, and recruitment to name a few. However, flexible working helps to combat many of these unnecessary outgoings by eliminating the root of the problem. While working from home has the obvious advantage of decreased travel costs; there are other hidden benefits from similarly flexible arrangements. Flexible working also benefits from improved employee retention – thus avoiding recruitment and training costs due to lower staff turnover, as well reducing the need for an expensive office hire thanks to home working and job sharing. 

Better For the planet

With transport being one of the most polluting sectors in the UK, cutting down on travel to and from work is a step in the right direction. Similarly, flexible working often mitigates the over usage of natural resources, decreases energy use, and promotes sustainability. Finally, recent statistics also show a lower paper usage, office supply purchases and general waste among organisations which implement flexible work.

Employee satisfaction

It comes as no surprise that happy employees are able to work harder and often to a higher quality, which is why they are such an invaluable factor of a successful business.  Flexible work arrangements showcase both mutual trust as well as an understanding of needs – which helps to achieve a healthier relationship and a stronger team. Long-term employee satisfaction is crucial for productivity, hitting targets and consistent results, which is why so many business owners have already opted for flexible and semi-flexible working arrangements.

Improved workplace diversity

The business world has come a long way in diversifying the workplace, providing equal opportunities, and striking a healthier balance, but there is still much to be improved. Flexible work options allow for the hiring of staff from various backgrounds and ages, as well as presenting options for individuals with health and mobility issues, consequently improving workplace diversity and inclusion. Lastly, statistics have shown that flexible work boosts the number of female employees; helping to improve the balance and making a much-needed change.

If you’d like to find out more about flexible working, have any questions or require any additional business support – we would love to help! Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

How To Perfect Your LinkedIn Profile

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Digital Marketing, Social Media
Classic LinkedIn logo on a white background

Every social media platform is different; some emphasise visuals, some provide you with daily news, while others exist solely as a way of keeping in touch. As a business owner it is vital to nurture all your networking spaces, and most importantly learn how to use them right! Often the first line of contact for prospective clients and established connections are our business socials, and these should be straight forward, on brand and active, but there is one platform that users still find more intimidating than others…

LinkedIn is one of the most overlooked networking tools, with the common misconception being that it is only used as a ‘formality’ or because it makes you seem more professional. However, with a few simple changes to your profile it can become a powerful ally to you and your business.

Choose an appropriate profile image

Your profile picture will likely be the first thing noticed by visiting users, and as we know, first impressions matter! If the profile is set up for your business, it is advised you use your logo as the image; it helps to keep your branding uniform and recognisable as well as boosting the profiles credibility. However, if you’re setting up your personal profile, it’s best to use a clear and recognisable photo of yourself. The image should be recent and of good quality, with a more professional tone and work or image appropriate clothing. Stay clear of selfies and filters and aim for your face to take up around 60% of the frame (don’t forget to smile!).

LinkedIn profiles also include the background photo, a great opportunity to use an attention-grabbing image in line with your branding. You could use an image that depicts your profession, the name of your brand or an image that reflects your business. It is also a great place to showcase some of your work e.g., your creations, achievements or products.

Make the most of your headline

While your current employment/field of work is the focus of the headline, passions, goals and a little extra elaboration on what you do or hope to achieve can also help to bring personalisation and attention to your profile. If you offer multiple services or wish to add more about yourself, try separating with a vertical bar (|). Don’t get carried away, for more in-depth content utilise the about section later on.

Tell your story

Your LinkedIn summary is your chance to impress, introduce your business and tell your own story, when done right it can be a gateway to exciting opportunities and new connections. It doesn’t have to be just a long list of qualifications, in fact personalised writing and anecdotes on how you’ve ended up in your profession help to improve readability and add creative flair to your summary. Achievements, your employment history and skills are all important factors which benefit from an engaging presentation, so think of creative ways to showcase them. If it is a summary meant for your business, delve deeper into the history of your brand, how you got here, where it originated as well as future goals and values. If you’re unsure of what to include follow this structure as a basic rule of thumb:

  • Introduction – who are you/ what do you do?
  • A little history – how did you get to where you are now?
  • Achievements and goals – what are your passions/ what are you proud of/ hopes for the future?
  • A call to action- contact information/ website/ upcoming events

Ultimately, remember that LinkedIn is a unique platform which caters to businesses and business professionals. It differs from socials such as Facebook and Instagram as its focus is providing an online space for finding work, marketing, as well as connecting with business partners. Whichever field of work you’re in, it’s a useful tool to have under your belt! If you’d like to find out more about perfecting your social media or require any other business support, we’d love to help. Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

How To Effectively Boost Your Concentration

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Health & Wellbeing, Home Working
Young woman concentrating while sitting on a couch writting in a notebook and laptop

Most days we all have a lot on our minds. From daily responsibilities, work-life and the usual challenges scattered throughout our week – there just never seems to be enough time to focus on a singular thing at once! But with so much going on and so much to do, how do we stay focused? 

Studies show that the average duration of an adults sustained attention span is a maximum of 20 minutes, however there are many factors that influence your concentration and therefore many ways in which you can improve it (developing your analytical and listening skills along the way).  Here’s our top tips and tricks for boosting your concentration:

Sleep well

The bread and butter of all self-improvements is a good sleeping routine. While not everyone requires the exact same thing, a recognised rule of thumb is around 7-9 hours per night. Consistency is also important as developing a sleep routine helps regulate our ‘internal clock’ and makes waking up in the morning a whole lot easier. A well-rested brain is ready to receive, and most importantly, retain information.

Eat well

Focus and concentration is also directly affected by what fuels our bodies, therefore a balanced and enriched diet is key. The best concentration food is fresh, easy on the gut and rich in vitamins. Fruit and vegetables are fantastic at providing nutrients and antioxidants, while slow-release carbs such as legumes help to sustain your energy throughout the day, promoting improved alertness and cognitive skills.  

Prioritise

Plan ahead and figure out what is at the top of your priorities, then act accordingly. Since every attention span has its limits get the important stuff done first. By doing this you will direct your core energy into the activities that require it the most! 

Keep active

Maintain movement throughout the day and try to stay active. Daily exercise whether big or small helps our brain to focus and release endorphins, making those difficult tasks less strenuous and daunting. Make it fun by incorporating activities that don’t feel like exercise e.g., dancing and ice skating, or choose swimming and water exercises if you struggle with mobility/ joint pain. 

Take care of yourself

Remember that you come first, so make sure to take care of yourself. Practice self-care, do things that make you happy and don’t burn out. A happy mind is much better at staying focused.

Eliminate distractions

While there’s a time and place for concentration boosting apps and music, technology is the root of most distractions. Don’t fall into the trap of background tv or leaving your phone nearby; multitasking may seem tempting, but the results speak for themselves when the task at hand has your undivided attention.

Set realistic expectations 

Not every task is meant to be completed in one sitting, sometimes it can be better to come back with a clear mind. However, it is important to be realistic while still recognising achievements (even the small ones). Improve your focus and performance by taking regular but short breaks and come back refreshed and ready.

Exercise your brain dexterity

Finally, optimise your performance by refining your brain dexterity. Mentally stimulating activities such as reading, puzzles and crafts help to keep your brain active and ultimately improve your concentration, sustained attention and task outcomes.

If you’d like to find out more about improving your concentration or need support in carrying out any business tasks, we would love to help. Get in touch! E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789