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Newsletters – Top Tips for getting them right!

Posted By Karen Livingstone, Marketing Consultant, 30 June 2022

So, you’ve been online and everything you’ve read about marketing is telling you that having “a list” is key. Or to put it another way, everyone is telling you to build a large database of subscribers who have signed up to hear from you by way of your newsletter. And that seems simple enough, doesn’t it?

The answer

Well, yes and no. An effective newsletter is a great way of keeping yourself “top of mind” of all your fans, helping spread the word about your business, and with luck (or hard work) win new clients.

So far so good, but if you’ve ever written a regular newsletter, you’ll already know that getting those subscribers and creating great newsletters is hard! And getting subscribers to actually open your newsletter and click on those all-important links is even harder.

So, what’s the magic formula?

Actually, there is no magic or mystery to newsletter success. The real secret is to always keep in mind a few standard but golden rules:

1.Know your objective and get organised

It’s all too easy to think, oh cr*p, it’s newsletter day I better just get something out. But in fact, like all marketing tools, you need to have some clear objectives in mind: What’s the overall objective of writing a regular newsletter (more visits to your website, increased brand awareness, more phone call enquiries)? What’s the objective of each individual newsletter? Promotion of a particular product or event? Hand in hand with objectives goes planning. Your newsletters will perform better and be much easier to manage if it is thought out and planned well in advance so that it dovetails nicely with your other marketing activities. You also need to consider how you’re going to organise the content you include. If you just chuck everything in, don’t be surprised if it looks a bit like lumpy porridge.

2. Quality and relevance

When I’m writing a newsletter, I always start by reminding myself that my readers are very busy. And if they’ve been kind enough to allow me into their inbox and better still, if they’ve given me 5 minutes of their time to read my newsletter, then I better make it worth their while, or they might just dump me. Think about your own behaviour when you’re busy and your inbox is filling up. The chances are, you’ll only read stuff that you know is going to be interesting or useful. And won’t take too long. So that’s your mission when writing your own newsletter, to deliver something worthwhile… every… single… time. In a nice succinct and easy-to-read way. The other thing to bear in mind is that although it’s called a newsletter, just telling readers all about your news and what you’ve been up to is rarely interesting enough. There, I’ve said it. Your readers are much more interested in themselves than they are in you, so unless your news is somehow of use to them, less is more!

3.Frequency

Frequency is going to be dependent on the point above, namely how much really interesting and relevant news can you generate consistently? If you’re writing lifestyle newsletters with regular recommendations for great things to do (a weekend away, a new restaurant, a local wine) then weekly newsletters just before the weekend may be absolutely fine. But if you’re writing about widgets, honestly, how much do your clients really want or need to hear from you? Would monthly be more than enough? Consistency is also key here. If you’ve announced to the world that you’ll be publishing a weekly newsletter, that’s what you’ve got to do. Every week. However busy or boring your world has been.

4. Length

This is super tricky and again depends on your audience and what else is in your newsletter. Does it have links to articles on your website, links to external content, lots of photographs, and testimonials? I’ve seen newsletters that are just one sentence long but have perhaps four links (with a compelling Call to Action with each) and it works really well. What you don’t want to do is write too much. Nobody really has time to read for more than a minute or two so a couple of paragraphs is usually sufficient.

5. Keep it simple

OK, so you’re one of those lucky businesses which have lots going on and lots of great information to share. Great, but don’t overwhelm your reader. Remember your objective? Do you want them to visit one particular page of your website perhaps? Well then don’t include 6 links to all sorts of other places. And don’t forget to make it really clear and simple what you want them to do… or they won’t do it. Keep the design and format clean, and make sure every aspect of is it easy. That usually means one clear Call to Action. And while you’re thinking about your design, go back and look at your newsletter sign-up page. Is it clear and compelling? Does it tell subscribers what to expect from your newsletter and give them a reason to sign up in the first place?

6. Not too much sell

Of course, ultimately you want to get more sales, but nobody wants something rammed down their throat. That means keeping a healthy balance. Focus on delivering really interesting, valuable content and keep the sales to about 10%.

7. Spend time writing a “wow” factor email subject line

Most of your readers will decide whether or not to open your newsletter based on the email subject line. As internet users, we’ve all become pretty good and using these one-liners to filter out the stuff we don’t think is interesting or might be spam. That means, in order to get your readers to even open your newsletter, your subject line has got to be pretty damn compelling. Don’t write it as an afterthought. Tempt them, tease them, let them know what amazing things are within. Use emotive and sensory language, be playful… but never, ever promise something in the email subject line and then fail to deliver. It’s a breach of trust and you will lose subscribers.

8. Promotion

Spend a little time thinking about how you will promote your newsletter. Will you invite people to sign up in your social media posts, or as your Call to Action at a networking event. Think about the wording you will use to encourage people to sign up. These little snippets can be as important as the newsletter itself but can easily be neglected.

9. Have faith

There are simply hundreds of newsletter gurus out there that will promise you that if you sign up to their course for a small fee (for which read large), they can give you the magic formula to 10,000 subscribers in less than a week (or something like that).

They can be tempting but the bottom line is newsletters take thought, and time and require dogged consistency. But stick with it if you can. Make it a religion. Make it the one thing you do exceptionally well and keep going!

Or, of course, if that all sounds like too much hard work, you can always ask me to write them for you!

Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

*Photo credit - Canva

Tags:  content  marketing  newsletters 

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WHAT IS BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY & DO YOU NEED IT?

Posted By Tori Deslauriers, Photographer, 24 June 2022

WHAT IS BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY?

So, when I talk about branding photography I can sort of see people start to get a tiny bit of a furrow going on between their brows and then often ask “but what is branding photography, Tori?” so I thought I’d hop on and explain what I’m talking about. In the same way for my family photography work, terms like documentary and lifestyle are so commonplace to me, I know that these phrases can be really confusing, so here goes! Lifestyle branding photography is a growing phenomenon for companies whereby they use photography to showcase themselves and what they do in a fun way, but without being too in your face ‘salesy’. It’s a really effective way to sell the lifestyle of working with your brand rather than just selling a product in a boring way.

HOW TO USE YOUR PHOTOS?

Any company can show a headshot of the person who runs the business. Smarter companies use branding photography to their advantage to show not only the people that work there, but HOW it with feel to work with you, HOW you will help other businesses, and make other people feel they MUST have you and nobody else for what you do. For example, the amazing team at Your Admin Hub have a brand based around flamingoes and the idea of being a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. It’s totally them and really unique. However, their team has grown, their clientele has evolved and matured and she wanted an update of their photos. Rather than all the photos being very pink and overtly ‘flamingo’ she wanted to stay on brand but still show them as the fun, approachable but hard-working team they are. As such we incorporated flamingos and pink into every photo but in a subtle way while showing how it is to have the Your Admin Hub in your business corner.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING A BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?

1. Make sure you’ve done your research before the shoot. If you are spending the money you want to make sure you get the most out of it. Random photos taken without a plan won’t have that cohesive feel you need from them so you want to plan, plan, plan in advance. This means thinking through wardrobe, location, what you’ll use the photos for. Intent is key when it comes to your branding photography shoot.

2. Book the right photographer for you. You need someone who can really make you feel comfortable and gets what you are trying to do. I feel that there is no one size fits all strategy – I take photos for you to the brief that we create together so make sure you aren’t being pushed into ideas that don’t fit with your business brand.

3. What are you going to use the photos for? Make a plan! Getting your photos back from you branding photography shoot is a brilliant chance to update that website and then promote it. So, if you have launches, promos, collaborations or anything else coming up make sure you’ve made a plan to vigorously promote your business and find opportunities for others to do the same.

If you want to see lots more examples of how you can brand your business through photography, head over to www.torideslauriers.com to have a look around. Then if you think I might be the right person to help you out with your branding photography strategy, I’d love to chat it through with you, simply get in touch and we can chat!

**Image credit Tori Deslauriers**

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Unbroken, how to thrive in life & business

Posted By Beverley Densham, Pilates, 09 June 2022

I have been interviewed on Author & Ted X Speaker Madeleine Black Unbroken podcast, the most deep interview I’ve ever done.

Madeleine says: ‘Some people seem to experience a catalogue of events in their life, and I’m always amazed how they draw strength from these events and come back stronger and brighter than they were before!’

Some key points from our interview, Madeleine says;

🎧 How she feels that she did feel broken and destroyed in the past, but she’s come back braver and better than before

🎧 How after a serious road traffic accident when she was hit by a car when she was cycling, she developed depression, chronic fatigue and PTSD 🎧 How she discovered Pilates which inspired her to heal and set up her own studio

🎧 How she had a pre eclamptic fit during childbirth and nearly died again but believes she survived to protect her son and give others a voice

🎧 How she and her three-year-old son had to flee their home due to domestic abuse

🎧 How she had to learn to heal herself again but her creativity opened up again as a result

🎧 How she loves to encourage others to connect with their guardian angels

🎧 How she is now thriving in life and business after overcoming all of her challenges

Listen to the interview here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1386718/10611227 may it help & inspire, let me know what you think!

I decided this year to further step into the spotlight by pitching to be a guest on podcasts.

Thanks to listening to my fellow WIBN business friends podcast Lesley Thomas who has the great ‘let’s talk money and more podcast’, I heard Lesley interview Lou Hamilton, I then read her book dare to share, it teaches you how to be a podcast guest and pitch to podcasts. A marketing tool to help & inspire & grow our businesses. Grateful. Thank you Lesley.

How are you stepping into your spotlight this year?

Hannah Sanderson singing teacher helped me feel more confident before this interview with a vocal coaching lesson which was fun & helpful, the brrrrr warm exercise makes me smile & gives you a boost before any interview Love Bev Author & Mindfulness Pilates Teacher

www.beverleydensham.com

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Tags:  editation  elaxation  indfulness  indset  ork life balance  ositive affirmations.  pilates 

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Garden improvements to add value to your home

Posted By Sue Briscoe, Mortgage Advisor, 09 June 2022

Garden improvements to add value to your home

The Covid-19 lockdowns reminded us of why open space is so important to our sense of well-being and it is noteworthy that as lockdowns were eased, the main requirement for people looking to move home was the need for open space.1

This is why the value of well-kept outdoor space has begun to be measured in respect of the individual components that buyers are looking for. The garden has become a valuable asset and additional means of increasing the value of your home when it comes time to sell and move on.

Nationwide Building Society recently commissioned a survey by Censuswide into the garden improvements that add the most amount of value to a home in 2022.2 At the top of the list was a conservatory, which on average, could increase the value of your home by almost £8,500. An office in the garden and gym room followed close behind, making up the rest of the top three garden features that could add the most value to your property. With so many of us working from home more than ever before, a lot of people are now willing to pay more for a property which allows them to work and exercise in comfort. 

The survey also found that by having a home office in the garden, it could increase the value of your property by around £7,261, while a gym or studio room could increase your home’s worth by £7,124, on average.2

Several entertainment features, including an outdoor kitchen, outdoor entertaining or dining area, and a hot tub also made the top 10 most prized garden improvements. Having these features in your garden could increase the value of your property by up to £6,500 on average, according to the Nationwide survey.2

In total, the Nationwide research identified 19 garden improvements, with a vegetable patch, newly painted fences and a well-kept lawn also making the list.

Of course, neglecting your garden space could also significantly decrease the value of your home. A mouldy or dirty conservatory roof could decrease the value of your house by £6,140, with damaged garden walls next, with an average decrease in value of just under £6,000.2 Broken guttering, cracked or damaged patios and damaged decking could cost you dearly.

Of course, in the end, with property values at an all-time high3, demand for property is outstripping supply and the value of your property could be determined by the desire to buy as much as by the additional features that you may offer.

If you would like to look at how we can help you to fund making the most of your garden, then please get in touch here or on 01702 746811

Sources

  1. Office for National Statistics (2021) How has lockdown changes our relationship with nature? Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/howhaslockdownchangedourrelationshipwithnature/2021-04-26 (Accessed 26th April 2022)
  2. Nationwide Building Society survey with Censuswide (2022) The Garden Trends That Add The Most Value to Your Home in 2022. Extract available at https://www.roofingmegastore.co.uk/garden-trends-2022 (Accessed 25th April 2022).
  3. Property Data (2022) House Prices. Available at: https://propertydata.co.uk/charts/house-prices (Accessed 25th April 2022)

 

Photo: Courtesy of Canva May 2022

Tags:  equity release  home  mortgages  property  remortgage 

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8 CTA prompts to improve engagement

Posted By Jade Thunder, Web Designer, 01 June 2022

Are you getting people to your website but lacking interaction on the call-to-actions (CTA)?

  

Sometimes it’s not the message that you’re sending but the words you’re using on the buttons themselves. They might not inspire engagement.

 

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Instead of “Limited Time Only” use “GOING, GOING, GONE”
  2. Instead of “Only available up to..” use “BUY NOW”
  3. Instead of “Only X days left” use “JOIN US”
  4. Instead of “Ends today” use “DISCOVER MORE”
  5. Instead of “While supplies last” use “DON’T MISS OUT”
  6. Instead of “Special Offer” use “JUST FOR YOU”
  7. Instead of “Today” use “CLAIM NOW”
  8. Instead of “Expires Soon” use “GET IT WHILST YOU CAN”

 

These prompts can encourage your clients to interact with your website and get them excited about what you’re offering!

 

No one wants to read the same old boring stuff any more…

 

Think about your audience and inject a bit of personality! Dare ya!

**Photo credit Canva June 2022**

Tags:  cta 

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How to Find the Perfect Jeans for your Body Type

Posted By Stefania Bartolomei, Stylist/Image Consultant, 31 May 2022

Jeans are always “in fashion” but with the ever changing trends, what is the best shape for your body type? From the classic flairs coming back to the catwalks, to the noughties skinnies, let’s take a look at some of the top jeans styles, and colours, and how to style them for your body shape.

 

Flared jeans

The best body types for flared jeans

The swinging 70’s are back and pear shapes rejoice! While flares made a small come back in the 90’s it seems they are back in full swing for us this year, and they’re great for those of us with larger hips. This is because they add a little extra volume lower down to balance out our hips. You may also love flares if you are petite, as you can hide your heels under the flare of the jean, elongating your legs!

How to style flared jeans

I prefer my jeans in a dark wash, as a pear shape myself, because they are great for adding a slimming effect. These high-rise jeans in a dark wash from Reiss are a beautiful cut and work perfectly from day to night. Try your flares with a pair of heels, your favourite blazer and a turtleneck for a powerful professional look. You can then swap the turtleneck for a graphic tee, and add a belt for definition for your evening look. For a more casual option, swap out your heels for your favourite platform trainers or sandals for the summer. 

 

Mom Jeans

The best body types for Mom jeans

Mom jeans continue to be a comfortable, casual option when it comes to jeans. With their wider leg, yet tapered waist, they are great for hourglass figures. As they tend to be loosely fitted on the legs they do work for more rectangular body types as well as pear shapes, when the cut is right. They do tend to stop just above the ankle, so unless you specifically invest in petite sizing, they don’t tend to be the best option for petite body shapes unless you’re happy to add some extra rolls to the ankle area.

How to style your Mom jeans

With their relaxed style, Mom jeans tend to look best in a casual look, but you can style them up with the right blouse or shirt. They have a high waist, with a loose fit, adding to the casual look while showing off the waist. Dive into this classic shape and find a pair of Mom jeans in a vintage denim colour.

You can then style them up with your favourite button down or blouse, and pop on a pair of strappy heels for a brunch date. You could also wear them for errands and grabbing coffee with a pair of trainers and your favourite cropped jumper or tee. Pop on a crossover body bag, with a leather jacket and your casual yet classic look is ready to rock. 

 

Boyfriend Jeans

The best body types for Boyfriend Jeans

Not to be confused with the Mom jean style, Boyfriend jeans are looser and tend to have a baggier area around the crotch. These are perfect for people with an inverted triangle shape – with smaller hips than shoulders, as well as oval and rectangle. Because of the baggier fit around the thighs, this will streamline your silhouette.

How to style your Boyfriend Jeans

Due to their casual and slouchy nature, these are a great style of jeans to wear out and about, rather than trying to dress them up. If you are an inverted triangle shape, style them with your favourite camisole or a tighter top to draw the eye to your waist. I’d highly recommend finding a pair of high-rise Boyfriend jeans for your body, as this will help create the waist in the perfect point. This higher waistline will also help with elongating your legs. Continue the elongation of your legs with a pair of wedges, or go all out for your date night with a clutch and a pair of nude stilettos.

If you are an oval or rectangular shape, lower rises are much more comfortable for you – and I’d recommend untucking your tops. This will help with the shape of your silhouette. 

 

Skinny Jeans

The best body types for Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans – they became all the rage in the noughties and seem to have stayed. While skinny jeans are great for some body types, those who have larger hips need to be conscious of how skinny we go with them! They are great for building confidence and showing off your curves, and when styled correctly they can work for most body types. The thing to think about is how long they are, the wash, and the styling.

How to style your Skinny Jeans

Because the skinny jeans are so tight on the figure at the base of your body, the best outfit ideas for this is to balance it out with volume in your tops. Think tucking in your blouse into your jeans with a belt to add the waist definition. You could also wear an oversized blazer to feel a little more professional, with dark wash skinny jeans and a pair of heels. Balancing out the skinny jeans is where you will feel your best – but don’t let this stop you playing with the trendy skinny jean.

If you feel confident in this slinky silhouette – go for it!

Try out dark wash skinny jeans with a silky camisole top, drape a blazer over your shoulders and add an oversized clutch for your date night look. If you want to feel a little more rock chick, and balance out your look, you can wear these cropped vintage blue skinny jeans with your favourite combat boots, or with a pair of ankle boots to balance out the hips. 

 

Cropped Jeans

The best body types for Cropped Jeans

Cropped jeans are the last style on my list, and you may be surprised to hear that I love these for my petite ladies! While the flares help elongate you by hiding your heels, cropped jeans make it seem like your legs are “too long” for the jeans. It’s all about discovering the perfect length – and cropped jeans come in a lot of different options. As a general rule, look for cropped jeans that hit just above your ankle.

While I have mentioned they are great for petite frames, cropped jeans work well for all body shapes – it just depends on finding the right inseam length, and styling.

How to style Cropped Jeans

Cropped jeans are a chic option for your jeans outfit, and work beautifully from day to night. I think they look beautiful when paired as part of a monochrome look. Classically French-chic, the monochrome of all white can be perfect for your day in the office when paired with smart sneakers, and changing up your jewellery you can wear it to drinks after a long day. Pair your cropped white jeans with an elegant cotton top if you are an oval shape and pop on a layered necklace to bring some sparkle to your look.

For a super-casual yet cool look with your cropped jeans, look for a pair of high-rise boot cut options. As with any high-rise jean, pulling you in at the waist will help define your physique and add a more hourglass look. Match them with your favourite slogan tee and a pair of square toed shoes for a touch of elegance.

If you want to have a more relaxed feel, find a pair of cropped jeans with a distressed hem, pop on a pair of leather ankle boots or trainers, and go all out rock chick with your leather moto jacket, or baggy oversized blazer. 

 

While these are my personal stylist tips for discovering the perfect jeans for your body type, finding jeans that you love wear is the most important thing. I help people discover the right shapes for their body type, while also considering their personal style as a whole. While these are my tips for helping you create outfits that you’ll love to wear with your jeans, if you are looking for a personal stylist to help you discover a wardrobe you love, please get in touch. 

Tags:  best jeans for women  denim  fashion  finding the best fitting jeans  finding the perfect jeans  how to dress for your body type  how to find perfect jeans  How to Find the Perfect Jeans for your Body Type  jeans  jeans fit guide  jeans for body type  jeans for women  perfect  style  the best jeans 

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Are you paying your lender’s variable rate?

Posted By Sue Briscoe, Mortgage Advisor, 25 May 2022

Are you paying your lender’s variable rate?

According to research done by an online mortgage broker in January this year, more than 27% of the UK’s homeowners with mortgages are paying their lenders standard variable rate. This is the lender’s 'default' interest rate which buyers drop on to when the initial term of their arranged mortgage deal ends. This means that more than 1 in 4 of you are paying too much for your mortgage and in many cases, this will mean paying anything up to 6.5% on your mortgage balance outstanding.

Approximately 1 in 5 people did not even know if they were paying their lenders variable rate. This is obviously concerning, and more so when some of these people thought they were paying off their mortgage quicker as their payments were now higher. In fact, the additional payment is paying the additional interest due to the higher interest rate being charged.

So, we must ask, Why are people paying these higher rates, not doing anything about it?”

Many are under the misconception that remortgaging is something that you only do out of financial necessity or believes it means taking on more debt. Others are worried about their finances being scrutinized especially if their income has been affected or worse still, they are now unemployed through redundancy.

What should you do?

Whether you are on a reduced income since taking your mortgage, have a current deal which is due to finish in the next 6 months or think you are not going to be eligible to get a better rate on your mortgage, speak to your mortgage adviser. There are lots of options available that we will go through with you, and we will tailor our recommendation to your specific circumstances. There is no need for anyone to be paying the lenders standard variable rate. With rising inflation and energy costs we are all looking to save money wherever we can, so please don’t leave what is likely to be your biggest debt on a rate of interest that is much higher than need be. The only person gaining in these circumstances is the mortgage lender when you could have this money in your own pockets.

 

If you are currently paying your lenders standard variable rate or have a deal that is due to finish in the next 6 months, then get in touch with us here or on 01702 746811 where one of our advisers will be able to go through options with you and ultimately save you money.

 

Photo courtesy of Canva May 2022

Tags:  interest rates  money saving tips  remortgage 

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How to Master Your Messaging

Posted By Vicki Messenger, Business/Leadership Coach, 17 May 2022

Is there anything more fundamental when it comes to speaking about your business (both in-person and via your marketing channels) than being able to summarise what you do in an easy and understandable way?

I don’t think so.

That is why it is so important to have a clear Value Statement (also known as a golden sentence, elevator pitch, or positioning statement) that tells the person listening (or reading) who you serve (your client niche) and how you make a difference to their lives, in one single sentence.

However, this is actually a pretty challenging thing to get right and, in my experience, is likely to be something that you never stop tweaking! You will find different variations on the format (for example, take a look at www.storybrand.com where Donald Miller puts more emphasis on highlighting the client’s problem first), but the one that I like to use is:

I help [insert ideal client/niche] to [insert benefit of your service] so that they can [insert inspirational outcome for the client].

Sounds simple, right?

That is until you realise that you need to have done the work to define your ideal client, the challenges they face (and the benefits of your service to them), and to understand ultimately what is most important to them.

So let’s break down the steps you need to work through in order to fill in the gaps…

Step One: Define Your Ideal Client and Niche

My advice? Niche and nice again! You really can’t be too specific when it comes to defining your ideal client and/or niche. Remember, this isn’t about turning away business from those who don’t fit the exact bill of your ideal client, it means making your marketing communications absolutely clear, so that your clients are able to easily identify themselves when you are talking about their problems and how YOU are best placed to help them.

Focus your attention on the psychographic of your niche (their main, challenges, roadblocks and fears – what keeps them awake at night?), rather than their demographic (really just a lot of statistics that won’t help you with your marketing). Try to see the world through your clients’ eyes and, if you’re struggling, take yourself back to the time when you were at the same stage and brainstorm how you felt at the time and the problems you encountered. If you would like some more help, you can download my free worksheet here: https://www.vickimessenger.com/how-to-define-your-ideal-client

Step Two: Bridge the Gap

Through your marketing messaging, in whatever form that might be, i.e. social media, blog posts, email newsletters, presentations, webinars, networking events etc., you need to help your prospective clients to identify where they are now and where they want to be, demonstrating through your content how you bridge the gap. You need to be able to talk about your clients’ struggles with ease and show them the way forwards through your bridge of services, knowledge and expertise.

You must be clear about the benefits of your service, rather than the features, whilst focussing on the value that your service will bring to their world. For example, will it ultimately help them save time and/or money? If so, you’re onto a winner!

Step Three: Provide an Inspirational Outcome

We love to feel inspired and that we’re part of something even bigger than ourselves, it’s motivating. So, help create a vision for your clients – what would be their ultimate outcome?

What’s it all for?

A better life? More time for adventure? Financial freedom so that they can do whatever they choose?

Give them hope. Make them believe that, by working with you, dreams really can come true. Have them think, “Yes!” when they engage with your content. Once you have taken the time to work through and brainstorm the three steps, you will then need to start to refine your ideas into your single Value Statement.

Approach this task with an open, playful mindset, and don’t get too frustrated with yourself!

My top tip?

Stay away from your industry jargon and try using your clients’ language instead. So, have fun and above all, enjoy the process! Want to work through your messaging, or perhaps get some feedback on your Value Statement?

Why not book in for a 30-minute FREE Taster Session with me at https://www.vickimessenger.com/contact-me and I will be pleased to work through it with you.

"Vicki Messenger helps empower aspiring and early-stage female founders to confidently create, launch and grow purpose-driven, soul-feeding, authentic businesses that work in harmony with their ideal lifestyles."

 You can find out more about Vicki’s services, along with more articles and heaps of complementary resources at www.vickimessenger.com

Have you grabbed your copy of my FREE e-book: “What I wish I knew…” – Pearls of Wisdom from 10 Incredible Women in Business yet? It’s packed full of insider secrets, outstanding advice, and pure gold insights that will help to inspire you on your business journey, whatever stage you are at.

Get yours here: www.vickimessenger.com/whatiwishiknew

And, why not join our growing community for women in business, The Collective, and find daily tips, tools, inspiration, and mindset matters, as well as weekly live trainings and quarterly guest interviews here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollectiveforwomeninbusiness

 

Image credit Canva May 2022.

Tags:  business  communication  marketing 

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How to find the perfect handbag

Posted By Stefania Bartolomei, Stylist/Image Consultant, 10 May 2022

As accessories go, you can’t get more diverse than the handbag. From clutches to briefcases, backpacks to crossover body bags, you can discover a huge array of styles, colours, patterns, and designs to add to your outfit. But how can you find the perfect handbag for your style?

In this article I’ll share with you my top tips to finding the right handbags to suit your needs, personal style, and lifestyle.

Matching your handbag to your lifestyle

The first important part about shopping for your perfect handbag is to match it to your lifestyle, and how differently the handbag will support your needs throughout the day, week, or month.

Let’s think about being a working mother – your working bag will require space for your laptop, folders, documents and needs to look professional; while when you are picking up the kids, or having family-time over the weekend, your bag needs to hold snacks, drinks, nappies, games and a lot more – without damaging your shoulders!

I understand that lifestyles are hugely varied, but in this article I will share insights from a variety of clients I have worked with in the past, and the handbags I recommended to them based on their needs. You can mix and match the ideas below based on how your lifestyle looks.

Handbags for work

If you are a professional working person, and tend to commute to the office, your bag needs to reflect your needs. I like to recommend to the clients I work with who have to go to work, with commuting to and from the office being a big part of their lives, a large enough shoulder bag to carry their essentials.

The Briefcase

While you can find a classic black leather briefcase style bag with plenty of zip up space for your purse, make-up when you need to do touch ups, as well as large enough for your laptop, stationery, and so on. In the mid-range price, this Aspen Leather Shoulder Workbag by Osprey is perfect, or a designer option could be this Mulberry City briefcase (in black or charcoal). 

But if you want to add a little flair to your outfit for work, you can do this through a colourful and enticing briefcase – with all the bells and whistles you need, but a touch of fun. This vegan leather Luca Laptop Bag by Flanella Smith is available in lemon yellow, sage green or navy and is a fab way to bring that colour pop to your classic corporate outfit. 

Day bags

If you prefer something a little more casual that will fit all of your work essentials within it, then you could invest in a “day bag”. These bags have more pockets than the briefcase, and perhaps have the hand held and over the shoulder option for a little change up to the outfit. I love this Chloe Medium Edith day bag which feels very 70’s in the styling, whereas this Michael Kors day bag in cream works beautifully for a chic look, with the added bonus of two sections within the bag.

 

Bags for Mums

Mums need a little more robust, larger bags than those for the work place as we need to be able to bring quite a variety of things with us to locations we are visiting! From snacks to nappies, the bags need to make sure we’re able to quickly take care of our little ones, without losing our personal style along the way.

Large satchels

Satchels are a great option for Mums on the go, as they remain stylish and offer a large amount of pockets, zips, and variety. When you place the satchel as a cross body option, this also helps make sure you’re not leaving all of the weight to your side, and you can easily run after children or pick them up without worrying about your bag falling off your shoulder. The 15 inch Batchel by Cambridge Satchel is available not only in the classic brown leather colour, but also red, black, navy, green, blue and many more – so the world is your oyster when choosing the colours that match your personal style.

This large DKNY satchel with three compartments is a dream for Mums with more than one child, or for going out with kids and the whole family for an event. Pop the snacks in one area, your purse, phone and personal items in another, and then toys in the middle! 

 

Backpacks for Mums

If you need to have both hands free or prefer to have the weight of your bag over both shoulders, you can’t go wrong with a backpack – it’s a classic for a reason. This Aurore backpack by Aruku has a beautiful tiger pattern inside and is a fun, good-sized bag for a Mum – and has the extra bonus  of a safe zip section by your back. 

However, if you prefer more compartments and organisation in your backpack, look for an option that has multiple zip areas or even separators. This Tiba + Marl Elwood woven backpack not only has 2 front zip-up pockets, but it also comes with a batching purse and internal padded laptop sleeve, two large internal elasticated pockets and a smart phone pocket – the organisation options are endless!

Handbags for special occasions

Now, I’ve talked about the day to day lifestyles we lead, but what about the one-off special occasions or date nights? This is where you can reduce the size of your bag, and up the level of personality!

Clutch bags

Clutch bags are great for evening events and events that you are attending that need minimal extras to take with you. These bags are often just big enough for a phone, your small purse, and maybe a lipstick for when you go to powder your nose. However, what they don’t have in size, they have in a huge array of patterns, fabrics and colours! From animal print zip up clutch bags to pastel clutches with metal accents, or even a glitter rainbow clutch – you’re in for a treat when looking for a clutch bag – but remember, check that it will be the right size for your essentials before investing! 

Small crossbody bags

If you need a little more space, and  a way to pull in your outer wear as you travel to your event, a crossover body bag is a great option, and also comes in a large range of patterns and colours. While I love my classic black – because it goes with everything, I also occasionally bring a little fun through the colourful collections I have. You can add a little flair to your crossover body bag with changing up the straps – some designers, such as Elie Beaumont – offer this as an addition to your bag, so you transform your outfit in a snap.

You can also play with the way you style your crossover bag and flip it – to just one shoulder! The great thing about the size of most of the crossover body bags in fashion is that they don’t take over the outfit, like this small yet stylish chain mini crossover bag in dusky pink by Tommy Hilfiger, as it has the chain styling for a bit of an edgy look. 

 

Do you love your handbags, or are you just beginning to take an interest in them? I hope some of these options inspire you to invest in this diverse and fun accessory.

If you’re unsure on the best pieces for your lifestyle, whether it’s accessories or your wardrobe, I’d love to help – I offer clients a completely bespoke personal service including personal shopping and style coaching, and I’d love to help you! 

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Outfit Inspiration Spring 2022

Posted By Stefania Bartolomei, Stylist/Image Consultant, 21 April 2022

Spring outfit inspiration

Spring is such a beautiful time for inspiration for our wardrobes – out go the grey and dark days, and in come the beautiful colours of pinks, purples, greens and yellows.

If you are looking for what to wear this spring and how to add a touch of colour, then here are my personal styling tips for your spring wardrobe!

Adding colour with your shoes


One of the fun, effective, and most approachable ways to add colour to an outfit, in my opinion, is through the shoes! Why? 

Because you can choose to show just a flash of the shoe when you are wearing flares or longer jeans, or show off the full shoe when you wear skirts, cropped jeans, or dresses – which are a great outfit choice for the warmer days. With these shorter hemlines, you can truly bring out your colour personality, but without feeling like you have overdone it with the outfit.

From finding a pair of beautiful heels in a spring-perfect green or pink, to wearing a pair of sneakers in a bright orange or pattern you love, the world is your oyster when it comes to colourful shoes available.  

To truly show off your beautiful shoes, you may want to try out cropped trousers or jeans! 

What I love about cropped jeans is that they not only allow you to show off your favourite shoes, they are also an easy to wear item that still feels fashion-forward. If you prefer to wear trousers or want to try out the cropped look at work, you can find several styles of cropped trousers in a variety of colours. 


Why not go all out and bring in the springtime with a pair of cropped culottes in green (Spring 2022's top colour choice!) or even a pattern (best if your body shape is wider at the shoulders to bring definition to your leaner legs).  

Adding a colourful spring bag to your outfit


A colourful bag can be a great way to transform a more neutral look, as it isn’t taking up your full body, but brings just a spark of colour to the look.


When looking for a colourful bag, you'll want to make sure it is practical as well as beautiful. Consider what you will be using it for, which items you need to fit in the bag, and where you want to wear it (will it be an "every day", "work", "special occasions"?) this will help you find the perfect bag for you.

A few spring bags to add to your wardrobe are this gorgeous pink and orange small shoulder bag for just carrying your essentials; this Kurt Geiger rainbow shoulder bag; or this slightly larger crossover pink bag from Aldo. 

Colourful clothes for spring

We're now onto the big addition to your colour journey - the clothing!

When you want to bring those springtime feelings to your wardrobe using colour, you can truly transform your mood with the colours you bring to your outfit. 


If a full suit is perhaps a little too much, why not try a skirt? While I love dresses, and if you feel the same way, I'd recommend adding a spring dress to your wardrobe at this time of year, skirts are often overlooked! 

Spring/Summer 2022 runways saw the return of the mini skirt, and if you are ready to try out a trend that feels young, and fresh, then I'd highly recommend getting a mini skirt for this spring. Whether it's an asymmetrical orange skirt or a quirky colourful patterned a-lined skirt, now is a great season to try them out. They will help you embrace & get used to the shorter hemline as you can wear tights if you would feel more comfortable. 

If miniskirts just aren't your "thing" then a midi skirt matched with a tee or a blouse is also a fantastic option to add to your spring wardrobe. Try a multi-functional option in a colour block or even a pleated easy-to-wear option to throw on and upgrade your jeans and a tee style this spring.


Depending on your style, you can pair it with a pair of heels, platform trainers, or even combat boots - and you'll feel ready to take on the sunshine. 

Admittedly, it can seem daunting to create a fully monochromatic outfit with a bright colour, so take gentle steps if you're someone who is new to the colourful game. Tone down a suit with a neutral blouse underneath, add a neutral tee to your colourful skirt, or wear a colourful jacket over a neutral outfit below. 

Start by finding the colours of spring (greens, purples, pinks, oranges) and then make sure they are in your colour wheel, and then enjoy the springtime vibes!

If the changing of the seasons is a daunting time for you, and you’d love to welcome them with open arms, or an updated wardrobe that you can treat yourself to with confidence, I’d love to help. I provide a bespoke personal shopping experience to help you find the right pieces to add to your current wardrobe, or even a personal styling session so you can discover your personal style.

 

Tags:  2022 fashion trends  casual spring outfits  fashion  fashion and style edit  fashion trends 2022  outfit inspiration spring 2022  spring fashion 2022  spring lookbook  spring lookbook 2022  spring outfit ideas  spring outfits  spring outfits 2022  wearable fashion trends 2022  what to wear in 2022 

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