Social Media, why the interiors sector should be using it!

I am still surprised at so many people/businesses are not embracing Social Media

Social Media is now a huge factor in any business today, yet so many in the interiors sector shy away from it. There are so many platforms that you can use to your benefit, but these resources, which in the main are free (only your time, which we will get on to!) are just not being used.

Facebook: Not only can you set up a personal page, but from that you can then create your own group, business page and sell things, and where you can post images and messages about your business, all free! (Facebook shop does cost)

Twitter: See twitter as a text messaging service but to thousands if not millions of people. Good for one off comments or links to websites etc. It's free!

LinkedIn: A business platform for professionals which is ideal for networking. Connect to groups that would be of an interest to your business to exchange information and generate leads. It's free!

Instagram: Probably one of the most popular platforms for sharing images and information. Instant pictures and videos can be posted direct to your profile. It's free!

Google+ This platform is probably the least used in the UK, but by using Google+ you will rate highly in web searches. It's free!

Pinterest: More commonly used for making mood boards. a great place to find ideas, schemes and images to use. Create your own where you can send links to your clients to view and select one they like. This can ultimately make your job that much easier if your client is telling you exactly what they want from one of your own mood boards. It's free!

Remember, when using social media use hash tags #. This helps people find things much easier such as #interiors #interiordesigner #furniture etc when searching.

Website: A website is very important, even if it is just a one page landing page with basic information. Consumers now use search engines such as Google and Bing to find local businesses, and directories such as Thomson local and Yellow Pages (which is no longer going into print) are now a thing of the past. You don't need a huge budget to start a website, you can purchase a Domain name and annual subscription for less than a £100 with some amazing designs.

The important thing with websites is not just about having the correct search words, but also keeping it up to date. Make sure you have ALL the brands you deal with listed with logo's and links. People will search and check out businesses first before contacting or visiting, if you are not showing that brand, then they will go to the business who is.

Now, I hear you saying, come on John, we don't have the time to do all this? Setting up your Social Media profiles will take the most time. Getting it right with the right level of content with the information is important. Once done, that's it. Make sure you have a profile picture! A picture of you is best, it makes it more personal, but even a design image is better than a blank space as fewer people will connect. I have a great face for radio, but by having my image on my home pages means that people recognise me when we meet.

I get told quite frequently that I seem to spend a lot of time on Social Media, that is the perception. The reality, I probably across the day spend 1 hour. I can schedule posts to go out at various times throughout the day and night. I spend 10-15 minutes in the morning while having a cup of tea. Throughout the day between calls if I have time I will check my timelines for messages and comments, and maybe like and repost or retweet some of my connections posts. In the evening, particularly early evening when TV isn't at it's best, I may spend 30-40 minutes with updates, information etc. I'm self employed and I use this as my marketing time.

Does it work? for me yes. I have just this week had two new enquiries for brands I represent, I was recognised and introduced to four people and one I have arranged to visit as a potential new client from Decorex, which wouldn't have happened if I wasn't on Social Media.

I am not by any means an expert on Social Media, but by trial and error, listening and watching video's of "experts," I have self taught myself to a standard I am comfortable with, and anybody can do it.

Thanks for reading

John

To view all the brands I represent, then please visit my website www.johnfnorthwood.co.uk

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Get to know the Agent!

I have at times in the past when being with a customer been asked what the difference is between an agent and a company representative (rep), and a response to a recent post on Social Media made me think that it wouldn't be such a bad idea to offer a brief overview of how an agent works in the UK.

An agent is self employed, we are responsible for all our own expenses which include fuel, car parking, toll and congestion charges, our vehicle costs such as tax, insurance and servicing, telephones, accommodation etc, and being self employed means we get unpaid holiday if we choose to take them!

We are in affect a company that contracts to other companies to provide them with a service to get product to market and assist them to develop their brand. Being self employed means that providing there is no conflict of interest between the brands, i.e. not the same or similar, an agent can represent as many brands as they wish. However, I personally find that 4-5 is a comfortable manageable level that allows me to give a fair representation to all the brands carried.

An agent has restricted responsibilities and wouldn't have the same flexibility as a rep on certain decision making such as allowances, discounts or customer service issues

A company representative is employed with all expenses and their responsibility is only to the one company, therefore they have more flexibility on certain decision making.

Agents in general compared to reps are paid commission only on product sold, so it is in an agents interest and our customers interest to ensure that we represent quality brands that we are comfortable knowing is the right product at the right price and are able to give an excellent all round service package to our customers. This is in addition to being able to provide a high personal level of service as an individual to maintain a good customer relationship. An agent and his customers can only be successful with a brand if it meets their criteria and level of expectation.

One of the benefits that I enjoy about my work is that no two days are the same. I visit different areas of the UK, see different types of customer such as interior designers, retailers, upholsterers and curtain & blind makers, and meet some wonderful talented people on a daily basis.

Just like a rep we work within a territory and we are responsible for the customers for that brand within that territory. The size of a working area can vary from brand to brand, but as an example I also manage nationally for two of my brands with the assistance of sub agents. (agents working for an agent)

The majority of my day is spent in the car. Typically it could take 2-3 hours just to get to my first meeting, and then I try to get 3-4 meetings per day if travelling, and perhaps 5 if staying away. Meeting times also vary from 10-15 minutes to 2 hours + depending on whether it is just an update call or a full presentation, or how busy a customer is and the time they can allow.

A typical day for me would be to leave home at around 6.30 - 7am if travelling some distance and get back home anytime after 6pm depending how well my day goes. My call times can also be restricted. Some businesses don't start until 10am, can't see you between 12-1 or 1-2 and wont see you after 4pm, so my actual working day in meetings can be a small time frame but spending 6-8 hours in the car to achieve a good day of visits. As you can imagine, and those that follow me on Social Media will know that I spend a lot of time stuck on motorways! (a constant moaner!)                                    

The day also consists of making and receiving telephone calls and attending to emails. If time is restricted, then on a majority of occasions new account applications and orders are sorted in the evenings after arriving back.

I personally offer a 7 day a week service. In an ever changing era I am mindful that retailers now open Sunday's, and trades people work weekends. My telephone is always on and I can be reached by email. If I can help provide an answer to a question or be able to give a price evenings or weekends, it is providing a little extra service that could make all the difference.

So, that is a brief overview which I hope gives you a better understanding of how we work, and listed below are my brands and the areas that I work. If I can be of any assistance or you would like to make contact, please telephone or email, I'm happy to help! 😀

National - Sandberg wallpaper

National - Rebel Walls wall murals

Suffolk - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Norfolk - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Cambridgeshire - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Essex - Art of the Loom

Kent - Art of the Loom

Sussex - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Surrey - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Hampshire - Art of the Loom

Berkshire - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Middlesex - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

Buckinghamshire - Art of the Loom

Hertfordshire - Art of the Loom, Simpson:Yorke

London - Art of the Loom

Telephone: 07971 401499

Email: johnf.norhwood@gmail.com

Website: www.johnfnorthwood.co.uk 

Also connect and follow on:

Twitter: @InteriorAgent

facebook.com/johnnorthwoodagencies

Instagram: john_northwood