Social media Archives

What’s new in social media.

by Jade Plasencia | Oct 27, 2021

Social media tools and tricks change weekly, so it can be a real pain keeping up with what’s hot and what’s been dropped. (We’re looking at you LinkedIn stories 😉) Here are some of our top social media updates from October.

Pinterest Announces a story like ‘watch tab’ at its creators festival.

Instagram launched co-authored posts called ‘Collabs’ Collaborating is a huge part of how people connect on Instagram. To make that easier, we’re testing a new way for people to co-author Feed Posts and Reels, called Collabs.

Instagram announcement: social media managers can now post content from their desktop. Finally!

Is Facebook really changing its name? Here’s what you need to know.

If you would like any social media or marketing support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team who are here to translate all this ‘social media stuff’ into real marketing strategies for you and your business.

Contact Designated’s Marketing Director Michelle. michelle.wheeler@designatedgroup.com

Why use hashtags in your social media posts?

by Michelle Wheeler | Aug 16, 2021

Did you know that hashtags can help to build more social media than a social media post with none? But what are hashtags and why use them? What is the best business hashtag list to use for your business?

A hashtag (#) is a label attached to a social media post. It’s a way to connect social media posts with a common theme, cause, awareness day, or social issue.

Hashtags are more commonly known for the social media platform Twitter but they are widely used on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest too. On Instagram and LinkedIn, you can also follow a hashtag, so this could mean more people discover your account and what you’re doing. You’re able to use hashtags in Instagram Stories, IGTV and LinkedIn Stories too!

Hashtags can be used for many different reasons including;

Increasing engagement with your followers,
Being part of a broader conversation which can lead to increased brand awareness for your brand
Show support for a social issue or cause
Add context to your posts
Allow new people to find your content and social accounts

It’s important not to overload your posts with hashtags and lose your message. The hashtags you use need to make sense in the context of your post and be relevant. There are lots of hashtags to try, which might differ across the social platforms.

The social media platforms each recommend a different amount of hashtags to use. It all sounds very confusing, doesn’t it?

So where do you start? Have a look at each platform in turn and with a little digging, you can find the hashtags you might want to use and see how much they’re being used already.

Instagram

Log into your Instagram account, find the search button and then add your hashtag in. You’ll get a results page which looks a little like this.

You’ll need a mixture of broad and niche hashtags to add to your post. Again they all need to be relevant and contextual to your social media post.

LinkedIn

From your profile page, find the search box and add your hashtag idea here. You’ll then get a result which shows how many people follow that hashtag on LinkedIn. This can give you an idea of how often it’s used and you can choose to follow this hahstag too using the button.

Facebook

When you’re logged into your Facebook profile, find the search button and start typing a hashtag you’re interested in. You’ll get a list like the one below with the hashtag and related hashtags in.

You’re then able to pick one and find out how many people are using this. Again, this can give you an indication of how popular your hashtag is.

Twitter

If you log into your Twitter account and then go to the search function, you can add your hashtag ideas here. You’ll be able to see how often the hashtag has been used in the last hour.

Does this all sound like too much effort? Why don’t you let our Marketing team at Designated look into a social media strategy for you and take care of all your hashtags at the same time!

Recovery Loan Scheme

by Jade Plasencia | Aug 5, 2021

This article was originally posted on https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/

About the scheme

Launched on 6 April 2021, the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) provides financial support to businesses across the UK as they recover and grow following the coronavirus pandemic.

You can apply to the scheme if Covid-19 has affected your business. You can use finance for any legitimate business purpose – including managing cash flow, investment and growth. However, you must be able to afford to take out additional debt finance for these purposes.

If your business has already borrowed from any of the other coronavirus loan schemes – namely:

the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)

RLS is still open to you, although the amount you have borrowed under an existing scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount you may borrow under RLS.

RLS will run until 31 December 2021, subject to review.

How it works

Lenders

The Recovery Loan Scheme will initially be available through a number of lenders accredited by the British Business Bank. New lenders under the scheme will be listed on the British Business Bank website as they become accredited.

Please note: A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to you, but if a lender can offer you the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, they should do so.

When looking to borrow, you should first approach your own finance provider – ideally via its website. You may also consider approaching other lenders if you’re unable to access the finance you need.

Types of finance

A lender can provide up to £10 million as one of the following facilities:

Term loan
Overdraft
Invoice finance
Asset finance

Guarantees

RLS gives the lender a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt.

If you’re borrowing £250,000 or less

The lender won’t take any form of personal guarantee.

If you’re borrowing more than £250,000

The lender has the discretion to decide whether to take personal guarantees. However:

above £250,000, the maximum amount that can be covered under RLS is capped at a maximum of 20% of the outstanding balance of the RLS facility after the proceeds of business assets have been applied
no personal guarantees can be held over Principal Private Residences

Key features of the scheme

Up to £10m facility per business

The maximum amount of a facility provided under the scheme is £10m per business (maximum £30m per group). Minimum facility sizes vary, starting at £1,000 for asset and invoice finance, and £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts.

Guarantee to the lender to encourage lending

The scheme gives the lender a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility.

As the borrower, you remain 100% liable for the debt.

Interest and fees to be paid by the business from the outset

Businesses are required to meet the costs of interest payments and any fees associated with the RLS facility. The annual effective rate of interest, upfront fee and other fees cannot be more than 14.99%.

Term length

For term loans and asset finance facilities: from three months up to six years.

For overdrafts and invoice finance facilities: from three months up to three years.

Personal guarantees

Personal guarantees are not permitted for facilities of £250,000 or less. Above £250,000 the maximum amount that can be covered under RLS is capped at a maximum of 20% of the outstanding balance of the RLS facility after the proceeds of business assets have been applied. No personal guarantees can be held over Principal Private Residences.

Turnover limit

There is no turnover restriction for businesses accessing the scheme.

Access to multiple schemes

Businesses that have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are able to access the new scheme, although the amount they have borrowed under an existing scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount they may borrow under RLS.

Designated Accountancy Services

If you need help with your business taxes, accounting or discovering what help is currently available for you, Designated’s accountancy team are always on hand to offer financial support.

Designated accountants are experts who work with you on a flexible basis, whether you need support one day a month, one day each week or more.

Designated is a Xero Bronze Partner and our finance team are Xero certified advisors, trained by Xero to deliver you the best financial support.

Download our finance brochure for more information on Designated’s Accountancy services: https://designatedgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Accountancy-Brochure-Group-4.pdf

What’s new in Social Media – August 2021

by Jade Plasencia | Aug 5, 2021

With social media changing constantly we look at some of the latest updates to some of the most commonly used social media platforms.

Facebook
Clubhouse is now out of beta and open to everyone!

One year later, Clubhouse is finally out of beta. The company announced Wednesday that it would end its waitlist and invite system, opening up to everybody. Now, anybody can follow Clubhouse links, hop into a creator’s community or join any public event. But is it too late? If you’ve been wondering about the platform now is the time to see if it’s for you.

Build your brand using Content Marketing

by Michelle Wheeler | Jul 26, 2021

Content marketing is a word banded around a lot in business but do you know what it means and how it can be important for your business?

Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach that focuses on creating and distributing valuable and relevant content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. This content will drive profitable customer action, whether it be booking an appointment or making a sale.

Content marketing is at, it’s core, educational and not promotional. It is designed to be valuable, to start or build upon a relationship, increasing trust and visibility of the brand.

But why is content marketing important for your business? There are a number of different reasons, but a solid content marketing strategy helps many aspects of your digital marketing.

Content marketing strategy comes before your social media strategy, you’ll need to understand what is valuable to your target market and create posts which can be shared and saved by your followers.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), search engines like Google reward businesses that publish good quality, consistent and valuable content.

Are you interested in generating PR content for your business or brand? Successful PR strategies address issues your audience cares about, not the business themselves.

Pay per click (PPC) is when you pay for ads and for each click on them but relies on good quality content to hook the user into your website.

Are you planning on increasing your email subscriber list? Content is key to creating these emails and driving traffic and leads for your inbound marketing.

Content marketing requires work, persistence from all parties involved and patience for the results to come in but it can have many benefits to your business.

Your content marketing strategy can make sure you’re found by the right people and potential customers. Answering people’s key questions by creating blog posts, ebooks or videos for example can be a good place to start.

Your content is only as valuable as its ability to attract new people to your business, and compel them to engage going forward.

Content marketing can help acquire new customers. You’ll be able to be a trusted source for them and they’ll want to hear from you and purchase your products and services.

You’ll be able to create more loyal customers, which potentially increase sales through cross-selling or upselling.

So if you’re looking for someone to start to help you on your content marketing journey, we’d love to work with you.

For more information about working with a virtual marketing team on michelle@designatedgroup.com

Virtual business support and what it means for sustainability

by Jade Plasencia | Jul 26, 2021

Virtual Business Support and What it Means for Sustainability.

The term work-life balance took a complete turn during the height of the pandemic. While many missed the mid-morning coffee machine banter, others thrived by spending more time with their families, had time to focus on their mental and physical well-being and some even uprooted their lives completely, re-locating to areas they would actually like to live with no lengthy commutes to consider. Saving a small fortune in the process.

For the employee, remote working or even a hybrid model is an easy sell. Fortunately, most employers have been willing to look at the future of work for their business.

The benefits of remote working for employers include:

On-premise cost savings
Productivity of workers
Mental health and wellness of employees
Expansion of talent pools
Communication improvement

But that’s not all. One of the most beneficial and impactful arguments for remote or hybrid working models, sits with sustainability.

The UN believes 14 of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be solved or advanced through virtual work. Living and working sustainably is more than just good business.

In the world today we are facing several threatening global issues, a health pandemic, economic crisis, climate change, mental health emergency and not to mention the entanglement of race and inequality. Though remote working won’t eradicate these issues entirely, virtual jobs have the power to change the lives of employees, businesses, and communities across the globe by impacting:

The Economy: When employees are spread across countries rather than packed into cities and hotspots, wealth can spread and help to uplift poorer communities.
The Environment: Working remotely means shorter commutes, lighter carbon footprints, reduced air pollution, carbon emissions but it also has a knock-on effect on things like food production, energy usage, elimination of physical office waste like stationary with cloud technology. Fast fashion which is a topic currently discussed a lot will be impacted, employees won’t have the need to purchase as many clothes.
Diversity: Equal remote work earns equal opportunity. It turns out that when managers are focused on the what of results, suddenly the who, when, and where doesn’t matter as much. Consequently, traditional discriminatory factors like race, age, gender, and family status are reduced or eliminated in virtual workplaces.

Here at Designated, we saw the benefits of remote working long before COVID-19 made it almost mandatory for businesses to adapt to using virtual and cloud technologies.

Managing Director Jane Braithwaite has been able to build Designated with an unlimited pool of talent, sourcing industry experts across PA, Accountancy, Marketing, HR & Recruitment both locally and globally to the benefit of all Designated’s clients. There is no traditional 9-5, no distractions, lengthy meetings and no burnout or stress from commuting. The work is done quickly and efficiently using the best virtual business support teams available.

Remote business support allows business leaders to focus their time on what matters. With flexible support options available you can choose to hire a virtual PA, virtual marketing team or a virtual accountant when, and how you need it.

For more information about virtual business support contact Michelle Elliot on michelle.elliott@designatedgroup.com

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