The Found Gen

Marketing That Works.

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How to Ask Better Questions (aka looking smarter during client meetings and presentations)

You’ve been in that meeting where you want to scream at everyone to ask better questions. We have, too. The one when a close colleague raises her hand and proceeds to speak in circles for at least two or three minutes, until she finally hears your encouraging cough that will hopefully redirect her focus, and gets to her intended question: “Ummm, there was a question in there…hold on…what I mean to say is…well…we’re talking about…what were we talking about?”

Painful. But it happens to the best of us, at least once.

Questions are key to understanding. (Even Voltaire knew this, writing in the 1700s, “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”) If you want others to understand your content, you’ve got to ask better questions. Here’s how:

  1. If you can Google it, don’t ask. That seems obvious, but important to note nonetheless. The same goes for information you’ve already received. If a client has already provided his log in information and scheduling requests, those are questions you should not ask over and over again.
  2. Say what you mean to say. Don’t offer excuses as to why you might not know the answer, and don’t minimize your knowledge seeking as an inconvenience. If you treat your questions like a meaningless endeavor for which you should apologize, others won’t value your input, either.
  3. Use question marks with caution. In polite societies, there’s a two question maximum. You’ll run the risk of confusing the question-answerer, not to mention stealing time away from fellow question-askers. Ask what’s most important to know; anything else is best in a follow-up email.
  4. Pretend your question mark is a full-stop. The process should be as pure and simple as possible: there is an ask, and then an answer. Be concise, and resist the natural tendency to ramble. Your clarity will be appreciated and noted.
  5. Make sure your questions empower. We’ve all known the guy who asks questions solely to place blame or elevate his own stature in the group. Don’t be that guy. Ever. Instead, ask questions that promote trust, inclusiveness, and ones that encourage forward thinking.
  6. Don’t interrupt. Listen to the answer. Some of the best answers pop up just after the question has been answered. There may be a lull while the question-answerer thinks a bit more, and then offers up another version of their answer. Wait for it. You’ll be glad you did.

We’d ask you if this post taught you anything about how to ask better questions, but we tend to stay away from dead-end questions that require a simple yes or no answer. Think of this as Tip Number Seven, then.

And if you’d like to hear more about how better questions can grow your business, just ask us (the short answer: your prospects are searching right now for answers that you can help them with). We’re here to help.

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Why Your Small Business Must Start a Blog/Social Media

The fantastic thing about the internet is that there’s a place for all of us. It’s an enormous office building. And no matter our business or brand, there are countless people who will find it interesting. But do you really want to start and maintain a blog just for a few hundred potential readers? Yes. A small business blog is an effective way to stay ahead of your competitors and grow into a medium-sized business.

Like it or not, the internet is here to stay. Not accessing it for whatever reason is a lot like refusing to travel outside of a small town’s three-street range, with the possible exception of hitting the Target two towns over once a month. There’s a lot you’re missing. And if you’re a business owner, there’s a lot your clients and potential customers are missing, too. Like…

Information.

Most people don’t go to the internet for the sole purpose of buying stuff. They go because they want information. You’re here reading this right now (probably because you were trying to learn more about how to manage a small business blog). Are you considering hiring us to help with your content? Or maybe you’re a writer wondering what to do with your talent. (Hint: Call us. We’ve got great ideas.) Regardless, we have your attention for at least a minute or two, and that’s a pretty valuable gift.

Whether you’ve got a product or a service or something entirely different, your blog is best when it offers knowledge. Share what you know, and share it no strings attached. When it comes times to charge, you’ll already have given your clients part of your brand for free. They’ll remember that.

Relationships.

It’s true: We want to become patrons of companies we like. A blog that represents your ideology and positively communicates your message helps like-minded individuals get to know you and your brand, and also aids you in learning more about your potential customers.

Write about your business, write about your customers, write about your successes and failures, write about the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Chances are, you’ve got an audience who will find your content valuable. That’s the goal (sidenote: here’s what not to do).

The chance of finding you.

There are a lot of (insert your business here) out there. Wouldn’t it be a shame if a potential customer needed your services, only to land on someone’s else’s blog first?

Every 18 months or so, the total amount of data made in the history of the world doubles, and that rate is speeding up. Search engines put your blog through their algorithms, and your blog receives a high grade if you use relevant keywords, proper grammar and spelling, and if website visitors like, share, or comment on your articles. Imagine what your potential customers would search for in an attempt to find you, and then gear your site toward that content.

It sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? In our experience, however, it’s well worth it. If you need help starting your blog or even reigniting an old one, we’re here for you. Just ask.

 

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5 Tips to Create a Cozier Home Workspace

Working from home comes with all sorts of distractions — dogs barking at the mailman, the temptation of binge watching Netflix shows, and the many chores that need to be done. The key to ultimate concentration and productivity at home is having a cozy workspace.

The more you can focus on your work, the more you will obviously get done. It’s all about getting organized. The best way to be productive while working at home is to structure your workspace in a way that makes you comfortable and helps you focus.

These five tips can help you make your home workspace cozier:

Make the Most of Your Space

The size of your home workspace doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you fill the space with the things that you need most, such as a desk, file cabinet, and a comfortable office chair. If you previously worked in an outside office, think about what items there made you most productive and add them to your home office.

Brighten Things Up

If it’s possible, always choose a space that has at least one window. The natural light will perk you up and make you more productive. If your home office has a window, position your desk to face it. That way, you can take short breaks from the computer screen and see some natural light. Plus, it’s always nice to have greenery, birds, and other natural elements in your line of vision. If your space is windowless, a good trick is to put a small mirror on your desk to reflect the room’s entrance.

Stock Up on Supplies

Make sure your workspace is fully stocked with all the supplies you need, including paper, your favorite pens, scissors, clips, and phone and computer chargers. You don’t want to have to stop working every time you need something. Having everything on hand will help you stay productive.

Get Comfortable

Since you will probably spend most of your day in your workspace, make it as comfortable as possible. Keep the area tidy and at a cozy temperature. Opt for a comfy office chair and always keep a bottle of water on your desk.

Create a Cozy Atmosphere

Setting up a cozy atmosphere will keep you motivated and help you be more productive. Put on your favorite playlist and decorate with photographs and art that inspires you, as well as inspirational quotes.

Creating a cozy home workspace will help you stay focused and relaxed so that you can be productive and avoid distractions.

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6 Subreddits All Writers Should Know About

All writers can benefit from honest feedback and a community of support. One of the best places for writers to find this is on Reddit.

No matter what type of writer you are or what type of writing most interests you, Reddit and its numerous Subreddits have a lot to offer, including writing prompts, ideas, and lots more. Here are six Subreddits that every writer should know about and subscribe to:

/r/Writing

This Subreddit /r/Writing is a place for general writing discussion. Users share tips, articles, and other information that relates to writing. This is a good place to start as a writer using Reddit, because you can find a wealth of resources and links to other useful (and often more specific) Subreddits.

/r/ShutUpAndWrite

Too often, people spend more time talking about writing than actually writing. But, the private /r/ShutUpAndWrite  focuses on encouraging writers to put their pen to the page. Productivity is a major topic, and writers often upload their work to receive feedback. It’s a great place to get real, unbiased opinions on your work — and, whether feedback is good or bad, the most important thing is that you’re writing.

/r/AskReddit

/r/AskReddit  is a fantastic place to get multiple perspectives on a topic. Simply ask a question and random, but intriguing, responses will start flowing in. Questions range from silly to thought provoking to seriously fascinating. It’s a great place for writers to gather some unique perspectives and get ideas for things to write about.

/r/WritingPrompts

As a writer, sometimes it’s difficult to get started. Finding subjects to write about can be intimidating. The /r/WritingPrompts Subreddit, as its name suggests, offers creative writing prompts, eliminating the problem of not knowing what to write about. You can write stories or submit ideas for other writers to build upon.

/r/WriterMotivation

Every writer has been plagued by writer’s block or a genuine lack of motivation. You have the ideas, but you can’t get the words on the page how you want them. The /r/WriterMotivation Subreddit is all about encouragement and getting writers writing again.

/r/DestructiveReaders

When you write something and ask friends or family what they think, it’s rare that you’ll get accurate feedback. That’s not the case with /r/DestructiveReaders. This Subreddit encourages readers to avoid holding back in giving honest feedback. While this may seem spirit crushing at first, you can gain a true understanding of what’s good and bad about your work. This can help you identify areas that need improvement.

Most writers need some level of support — whether it’s encouragement, overcoming writer’s block, help with coming up with ideas, or getting unbiased feedback. Reddit and its many Subreddits for writers are a great place to get this level of support, so that you’ll keep writing and find your voice.

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Authenticity Rules: 5 Ways to Reach Millennials with Content Marketing

A quick search for Marketing to Millennials yields more than 38 million results on Google, so it’s safe to say that the topic is something a lot of businesses are paying attention to (when they’re not trying to market to Baby Boomers, that is). Millennials represent $2.45 trillion in spending power, so businesses want their attention, which makes complete sense.

The trick is reaching them and providing the information that they need and want. And, what they most want is authenticity.

Older generations continually find fault with millennials. But, millennials embody many positive characteristics that marketers should embrace. Millennials have a strong sense of social justice. They approach information with some skepticism and embrace facts. And, millennials are the most tech-savvy generation.

Here are five ways that you can embrace millennials’ best qualities and reach them with content marketing:

Avoid Selling

No one likes a sales pitch, but millennials especially hate it. In fact, 84% of millennials say they distrust traditional advertising: if you’re planning on marketing to millennials, you should keep this in mind.

Be Present on Social Media

Millennials are probably the most engaged age group on social media, and they make up the largest audience segment on Instagram and Snapchat. So, the best way to reach millennials with content is via social media channels. The priority for every campaign should be production and distribution using social media (and a hipster-friendly Instagram feed wouldn’t hurt)

Make Sure Messaging is Mobile Friendly

Most people are glued to their smartphones these days, but millennials are the most mobile-obsessed. Reaching millennials depends on having a mobile-friendly website with fast-loading content that is easy to read on mobile devices.

To engage millennials through content marketing, the content must have a clear, but non-sales-pitch, motive. It should inform, entertain, or offer some other value. Gaining a new customer or selling a product or service should not be the primary concern.

Offer Instant Gratification

Millennials often prefer mobile devices because they are usually on the go and need quick access to information. Marketing to Millennials  (like marketing to any age group) should keep content concise that provides useful information that can immediately meet their needs.

Show Off Your Values  

Social consciousness is a huge part of millennials’ value systems. Surveys show that 70% of millennials are more likely to spend more on products and services when the brand supports causes that they care about.

Brands and businesses that give back to the community or are involved with specific causes can make an impression on millennials. Incorporate themes of volunteerism, donating, or raising awareness into the content in an organic way. Just be sure to practice what you preach and be as authentic as possible.

At The Found Gen, we “get” millennials. We can create content and develop content marketing strategies that will reach this social-conscious, technology-focused generation.

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What Content Marketers Can Learn from Fake News

Fake news was probably the top cultural development of 2016. It played a strong role in the presidential election, much to the ire of legitimate news outlets and media experts, who are working to stop its spread. But looking at fake news and content marketing requires a deeper look.  

Fake News Explained

As its name suggests, fake news relies on sources and articles that are inaccurate and intentionally misleading. It takes the form of professional journalism, but it’s anything but. And, researchers are discovering that many Americans find it challenging to identify fake news. To help combat its spread, Facebook and Google are working on ways weed it out.

The concept of fake news is not new — think about the National Enquirer and other celebrity-focused tabloids. But, its recent rapid spreading is what is causing concern. Some fake news has attracted impressive numbers of shares and likes.

When you take away the agenda and the actual content these fake news publishers are creating, you actually see that they are running effective content marketing campaigns.

Fake News and Content Marketing

Content marketing can actually borrow a few principles that fake news producers seem to be perfecting, particularly how people react to content. We should emphasize — content marketing is in NO WAY related fake news. Content marketing encompasses educational and entertaining messaging produced by experts.

So, what can content marketers actually learn from fake news?

Audiences Crave Shareable Content

Sharing information via social media is incredibly powerful. Within a short time frame, a piece of content can make its way around to literally millions of people all over the world. Fake news producers regularly illustrate the power of social sharing by producing content that often elicits a shock factor and encouraging people to share it without regard to its truthfulness or origin.

Social media audiences crave content that’s surprising or cutting-edge. They like to share content with their friends that makes them appear interesting or intelligent. Content that incites an emotional reaction will always be seen and shared.

Headlines Are Powerful

Headlines are content’s first impression and what entice readers to click on the article. Many readers make judgments about the content based solely on the headline. Content marketing writers should use this quality of readers to their advantage by taking the time to craft powerful headlines that are shareable.  

Being Ethical Matters

Great content is persuasive, but, unlike fake news, it should never be manipulative. Be responsible and use ethical skills of persuasion. Use credible sources, and be honest and transparent.

Understanding how fake news has permeated social media and garnered so much attention can help create successful and ethical content marketing strategies. To get the most out of your content, examine the fake news phenomenon.

At The Found Gen, we understand how and why stories are view and shared, so we can create the best content to spotlight your business. Let us help you create the best strategy possible. Get in touch today.