Top 5 Focus Friendly Hacks

photo: Kristian Schuller

STARVE YOUR DISTRACTIONS AND FEED YOUR FOCUS

Ready to take charge of the fall semester before the bell rings?

It's almost the 4th quarter, which means we’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed and time-crunched to get it all done before the bell rings on 2019. Feeling like you need to cram but can’t seem to get your jam together We get it! But don’t worry, as part of the Editor’s Edge squad, we’re slipping you out notes with all the insider tricks to master your workflow and slay your end of the year business goals.

Get ready for that final A; you’re going straight to the head of the class!

TOP 5 FOCUS FRIENDLY HACKS 
 

1. ACUITY SCHEDULING

If you’re trying to meet up with clients (and friends), let Acuity Scheduling do the hard work. Set your schedule and let others coordinate a time that works best for them - no more back & forth planning e-mails clogging your in-box. Want to see Acuity in action? Get yourself on the Editor’s Edge “Let’s Connect” calendar for a complimentary 30-minute consult!

2. SANEBOX

Stop getting distracted by the latest J.Crew sale and get your assigned reading in order! Sanebox trains and sorts your emails into custom folders so you can easily find what’s worth your time…like the recent Letter from the Editor!

3. TRELLO

For the to-do list enthusiast, Trello will make sure you and your team are on the same page. Outline & assign tasks (with deadlines) and keep tabs on who’s doing what – you’ll feel SO satisfied as you check off every little box.

4. PHOTO MECHANIC

Are random folders of random images wallpapering your desktop? From viewing to categorizing, Photo Mechanic is a game-changer for all creative business owners to get your visuals in order. Just think how much time you’ll save gathering your images to submit to Editor’s Edge for curation!

5. PLANOLY

Trying to get your social life in check this year? Here’s one of our little secrets for managing your Instagram with ease. Planoly lets you layout and schedules your posts in advance, so you never have to worry about having the right image at the right time. Whether you're feeling uninspired or have posting insecurity, reach out, we always have Editor's Edge advice that will make you shine online! 

Time may not feel like it’s on your side, but we are! 

So don't feel like you have to do it all alone. Thankfully, unlike high school, Editors Edge is a judgment-free zone with a book of gold stars to hand out to all of our creative friends. Pass us a note, and we'll get you to the head of the class with compelling imagery, a clear brand voice and most importantly attracting new clients for 2020.

Office Hours are Now Open!

PS -  Hey, you! Yeah, you - the one half-sitting at your scattered desk while notification bells never stop ringing on your phone. We see you, hopping from gym class to emailing clients to posting a poll on Insta-stories all within the same 45-minute period.  It's time to starve your distractions and feed your focus.  How? DOWNLOAD our killer time blocking schedule and roster of batch tasking ideas to keep you on track. You'll be filled to the gills with focus in no time! 

CLIFFS NOTES TO CRUSH YOUR CALENDAR

photo: Kristian Schuller

CLIFFS NOTES TO CRUSH YOUR CALENDAR

Ready to take charge of the fall semester before the bell rings

It's almost the 4th quarter, which means we’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed and time-crunched to get it all done before the bell rings on 2018. Feeling like you need to cram? We get it! But don’t worry, as part of the Editor’s Edge squad, we’re slipping you out notes with all the insider tricks to master your calendar and slay your end of the year business goals.

Get ready for that final A; you’re going straight to the head of the class!

TOP 5 TIME-SAVING HACKS 
 

1. PLANOLY

Trying to get your social life in check this year? Here’s one of our little secrets for managing your Instagram with ease. Planoly lets you layout and schedules your posts in advance, so you never have to worry about having the right image at the right time. Whether you're feeling uninspired or have posting insecurity, reach out, we always have Editor's Edge advice that will make you shine online! 

2. SANEBOX

Stop getting distracted by the latest J.Crew sale and get your assigned reading in order! Sanebox trains and sorts your emails into custom folders so you can easily find what’s worth your time…like the recent Letter from the Editor!

3. ACUITY SCHEDULING

If you’re trying to meet up with clients (and friends), let Acuity Scheduling do the hard work. Set your schedule and let others coordinate a time that works best for them - no more back & forth planning e-mails clogging your in-box. Want to see Acuity in action? Get yourself on the Editor’s Edge 30-minute complimentary call calendar!

4. DROPBOX PAPER

For the to-do list enthusiast, Dropbox Paper will make sure you and your team are (literally) on the same page! Outline & assign tasks (with deadlines) and keep tabs on who’s doing what – you’ll feel SO satisfied as you ✓ every little box. 

5. PHOTO MECHANIC

Are random folders of random images wallpapering your desktop? From viewing to categorizing, Photo Mechanic is a game-changer for all creative business owners to get your visuals in order. Just think how much time you’ll save gathering your images to submit to Editor’s Edge for curation!

Time may not feel like it’s on your side, but we are! 

So don't feel like you have to do it all alone. Thankfully, unlike high school, Editors Edge is a judgment-free zone with a book of gold stars to hand out to all of our creative friends. Pass us a note, and we'll get you to the head of the class with compelling imagery, a clear brand voice and most importantly attracting new clients for 2019.

Office Hours are Now Open!

 

WTF does that mean: Buzzword Breakdown

photo: unknown

IT’S A BUZZWORD BREAKDOWN, YO!

We’re about to cut this one up seven times.

Bzz, bzz, bzz…sometimes the sound of trendy buzzwords is enough to have you reaching for the noise-cancelling headphones. We hear you! We’ll be the first to admit that we’re guilty of using the jargon (sorry!) and even roll our eyes at ourselves sometimes. –Scraaatch- We’re here to spin the top seven buzzwords our way so that they make sense for you.

Ready to take it to the bridge?

1. BRAND

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  A targeted brand is what separates the big dogs in the overcrowded marketplace. The synergy of a cohesive visual style and unique brand voice makes a brand recognizable (in under 3 seconds) and memorable. 

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: It’s that clear understanding of brand that gives you the leverage to target and connect emotionally with your ideal client – leading to major $$. 

WHEN TO USE IT: When you know you’re ready to step up your game by turning your small business into a full-fledged brand.

2. CONTENT

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  Content is information packaged in a way (imagery, social media, newsletters, video etc.) that is used to tell a story, portray emotion, explain ideas and connect with people.

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: Whether you’re posting to Instagram or putting together your digital marketing materials (i.e. services brochure, online bio, etc.) you’re content is educating potential clients.

WHEN TO USE IT: To create a connection with your target client that convinces them you’re the right person for their unique needs.

3. CURATE

WTF DOES IT MEAN: To curate means to sift through an assortment of similar things, select the best and organize for presentation. 

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: Cutting through the crap to create a cohesive brand (and consistent content) that reaches clients in less than 3 seconds. 

WHEN TO USE IT:  In the context of building your business, you would curate your website galleries to feature the work that you want to be booking while removing the work that you’re moving away from…like Mason jar weddings, if that’s not your jam.

4. IDEAL CLIENT

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  An ideal client is someone who you’ve qualified as most likely to benefit from (and purchase) your services and products. 

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR:  Working with clients that you actually like – cheers to that!

WHEN TO USE IT: Once you outline hyper-specific qualities about your ideal client, such as where they shop, what their favorite TV shows are, where they want to vacation next, you can target them with content that is certain to resonate.  

5. CREATIVE DIRECTION

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  Creative direction is the act of guiding the overall concept for a project. This could be anything from overseeing the design for a website to physically being on set at a photo shoot.

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: A great creative director takes a holistic approach to each project to make sure it’s cohesive across all channels, maintains brand taste levels and elevates the team while keeping client goals in mind the entire time.

WHEN TO USE IT: To direct a brand’s vision and goals turning them into reality with style (while removing that whole stress element from the project).

6. SIGNATURE IMAGES

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  Signature images are the visual calling card to your brand. They should be images you share repeatedly because they represent the type of work that you want to be doing. 

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: Using signature images consistently and repeatedly will
allow potential clients to recognize your brand immediately.

WHEN TO USE IT: When you want to visually define your brand. Remember, what you put out there is what you get back.

7. INFLUENCER

WTF DOES IT MEAN:  An influencer is a person who has a guiding affect on the purchasing decisions of others. Based on a relationship of trust, often built through social media, influencers are looked to for their “expertise” on certain topics.

WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR: Businesses and brands collaborate with influencers to promote their products and services in a more authentic manner; it should feel like a friend is recommending it. 

WHEN TO USE IT: Getting an invite to that next fomo-inducing FAM trip.

MASH-UP BONUS: STRATEGY

Add to the end of just about anything to make it a SUPER buzzword. 💪🏻 

For example: social media strategy, content strategy, email strategy, or mid-week
survival cocktail strategy.

Feelin’ like mixing things up?
LET’S GET DOWN

Cut the Crap Out & Connect with your Client

CUT OUT THE CRAP & CONNECT WITH YOUR CLIENT

Let’s talk some real shit…there’s a lot of crappy content floating around out there!

Content creation? It’s one of those time-consuming tasks that often gets pushed further and further down the "I should do" list. But there’s hope because we’ve got a little secret to make content work for you. Make it niche, make it specific and target it to your precise client.

Let’s consider Poo~Pourri, “The World’s Best Before You Go Spray,” which has made a business out of your business. Ten years, one viral marketing campaign and a valuation of $300 million, it seems like they’ve got their shit together. All poop-puns aside (forgive us, it’s too much fun!), Poo~Pourri is taking a traditionally taboo-topic, applying hilarious branding, hyper-targeting their audience and sparking up content around poop that’s paying the bills.

How are they doing it? Let’s get some pointers from Poo~Pourri…

WARNING: Potty mouth humor below 💩 

Case Study:
Getting under the Lid with Poo-Pourri

1. Content: Video
Connection: This shit is entertaining! From their very first viral video, Girls Don’t Poop, Poo~Pourri has been showing it like it is, bringing up relatable situations that might strike a chord with familiarity. And they do it with flair! They’re not laughing at us; they’re laughing with us.
Copy That: Make your client feel like you GET them. Yes, being on camera can be intimidating but start small with Instagram Stories or Facebook Live and see how your core audience reacts. Editor’s Edge Tip: Please don’t record while sitting on the toilet!

2. Content: Imagery
Connection: Poo~Pourri brand photography is on point. Their look is consistent, their product styling is simple, yet cheeky, and their overall online and social experience is consumer-friendly.
Copy That: We are ALL about the imagery. Take a minute to re-assess your brand’s photography. Does it all flow together? Does it tell a cohesive visual story? Customers have to understand your offer in 3 seconds or less – on all your channels. Curate imagery to be uniquely your brands!

 3. Content: Instagram
Connection: Okay, if Poo-Pourri can have a good looking Instagram we don’t want to hear why yours looks like shit. They balance curated images, product photos and on-brand pull quotes (even building in client feedback – so smart!) in their feed sparking a conversation around their product without asking for a purchase every post – because people are tired of that crap.
Copy That: What is your brand all about? Consider what related topics your ideal client is interested in, show and talk about that too! You’re way more likely to create that connection and grow your followers once you establish something in common.

4. Content: Thought Pieces
Connection: Who knew there were so many content-friendly topics related to poop? Well, there kind of weren’t until Poo~Pourri made them up. Clicking into their “Throne Diaries” blog you’ll find topics like “Bathroom 2.0,” talking about bathroom trends, and “It’s Only Natural,” which goes into the science behind number 2.
Copy That: Your core audience is coming to you because you know your shit! Consider yourself a thought leader in your niche. We bet you can come up with tips, tricks and some “on-no-she didn’t” stories to entertain your crowd! Soon enough you’ll be known as the certified go-to person for your industry.

 5. Content: Voice
Connection: To say that we LOL-ed at least ten times while on Poo~Pourri’s site would be a conservative estimate. They know what they’re selling (it’s a bit awkward), and they went all in on it…to major success! Silly snippets are scattered across their site (ex. “Flush yeah!”) and social copy, making it very fun to talk poop.
Copy That: We LOVE a good brand voice, and Poo~Pourri is the shit when it comes to speaking to their core audience. Do a self-assessment on your brand, your brand’s personality and how you would literally “talk” to your client if your brand came to life. Making that conversation real and authentic is how to cut through the crappy chatter to find your core audience!

Feeling relieved?
Time to wash your hands and
GO DO EPIC SHIT!