Online Class TuneUp: Instagram Stories 101: The Basics

This Training TuneUp explores Instagram's Stories - those little circle videos that appear at the top of your Instagram account. Instagram launched Stories in 2016 as a way for people to post imperfect photos, videos, and "moments in-between" according to TechCruch.

In a 2016 interview with then Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom, people were only posting their most perfect and curated photos in Instagram. Stories was for those silly moments in-between the glossy photos, which can give people more creative freedom, and brands more opportunities to get closer with their people by being, well, imperfect and relatable. The Stories only last for 24hrs (unless you know a few tricks to keep them forever), so people can feel less attached to them.

Trivia Tip

Instagram's Stories was a copy of Snapchat, an earlier 24hr video sharing platform used by younger people. Instagram doesn't deny this, and Kevin admits in this TechCruch article: "They [Snapchat] deserve all the credit,” but insisted “This isn’t about who invented something. This is about a format, and how you take it to a network and put your own spin on it.”

This TuneUp explores Instagram Stories - the How and Why. At first blush, these may seem like one more thing you need to know about, and you may be skipping it, hoping that it's just a fad. Stories are here to stay, will be really good for your brand, and is easier than you think to do. Imperfections and all.

Covered In This TuneUp

• Why Instagram Stories? Why would you want to make these silly - or beautiful - videos?

• How do Instagram Stories help your brand?

• Design Tips and Tricks - Yes, Instagram Stories are that easy to design. Just tap and drag on something cute.

• What makes a good Instagram Story?

• Learn about how Instagram Stories work - Where do they go? Who sees them?

• One of the most important reasons to start using Instagram Stories right now - which might not be as true in years to come.

• Question answered from a viewer: "What is worthy of an Instagram Story?"

• Question answered from a viewer: "How many photos does it take to make 1 Instagram Story?" (Hint: this becomes a trick question)

Online Class TuneUp: Digital Marketing for Small Business

This TuneUp is based on a seminar Tin Shingle's co- founder Katie Hellmuth Martin delivered at the East Fishkill Library in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Learn quick and easy techniques that your business can use today that will help more people find out about your business. Designed for business owners who run a storefront, sell a product, or provide a service direct to customers, this workshop will get you comfortable with strategies in Facebook, Instagram, blogging, and knowing what to do with your newsletter.

Online Class TuneUp: PR Planning for September 2018

Tin Shingle is your PR Campaign Partner in crime, and we've got your roadmap for what ideas to pitch to the media for this month. You're going to get:

• Ideas for what to pitch magazines - how to spin a story about your business into their pages.

• Insights into what magazines are working on now - we open our Editorial Calendar Database to show you the main themes of magazines like Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Real Simple, and many more.

• How to channel all of this pitching so that it's not overwhelming. Pitching the media is all about sending the right idea at the right time. This TuneUp helps you do that for August.

You don't need to be a professional PR person to get a big PR hit. You need to be a go-getter with fresh ideas. Listen to this live Training TuneUps class to get some of those ideas and some gumption to carry them out.

Online Class: Top Tweaks and Changes You Can Make to Your PR Pitches for Media Coverage

Does it feel like you're sending out pitch after pitch but getting nothing in response? Is your lack of publicity stumping you? Not sure where to make changes or what is holding you back from big press? On this #TuneUp webinar, PR-pro Sabina Hitchen lists her Top Tweaks and Changes you can make to your pitches and PR campaign.

Covered In This Webinar

• Media Contacts
  What to ask yourself about the media contacts you're making outreach with before sending one more pitch.

• Phone vs. Email
  Is your method of pitching holding you back?

• Are You Sending Press Releases?
  Do you need to be? Should you be switching from press releases to pitches? We'll discuss...

• Rules
  What rules should your biz be following in terms of how often you should pitch and how often you should follow up if you want to get major media coverage?

• Layout
  Mistakes you want to be sure you aren't making in your pitch in terms of layout.

• Missed Opportunities
  One of the biggest missed opportunities Sabina sees small biz owners make in terms of their PR outreach planning.

How to Watch

Anyone can watch a Tin Shingle TuneUp from their computer, mobile phone or tablet. The process is different for Premium Members and the public.

MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Stream any TuneUp Webinar anytime with your Tin Shingle membership. No need to purchase it, this TuneUp is ready to play from this page! When you are logged in, you will see a big screen. Press play and start taking notes! Not a member yet? You really should be...

NON-MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Once you buy a TuneUp, you own it forever. The video or audio recording will appear on the TuneUp page that you just purchased from, and all you need to do is press play!

Online Class TuneUp: PR Planning and What To Pitch for August

 

Tin Shingle is your PR Campaign Partner in crime, and we've got your roadmap for what ideas to pitch to the media for this month. You're going to get:

• Ideas for what to pitch magazines - how to spin a story about your business into their pages.
• Insights into what magazines are working on now - we open our Editorial Calendar Database to show you the main themes of magazines like Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Real Simple, and many more.
• How to channel all of this pitching so that it's not overwhelming. Pitching the media is all about sending the right idea at the right time. This TuneUp helps you do that for August.

You don't need to be a professional PR person to get a big PR hit. You need to be a go-getter with fresh ideas. Listen to this live Training TuneUps class to get some of those ideas and some gumption to carry them out.

Sneak Peek!

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Online Class: How To Find The Right Media Contacts For Your Business

You have dreams of getting big PR, and while you're doing all you can to get the word out, the media just isn't calling you. So how do you change this? You go after them. Yes. You have Tin Shingle's permission to email your dream publication, but there are two issues with that:

• Dream Publication vs The Right Publication: There are loads of other media outlets that would be great fits to feature your business other than the big pie in the sky. Some of them may lead to more sales and exposure than others. But who are they?

• Pitching: How do you approach them?

During this Training TuneUp, we discuss how to find the right media contacts with the best chance of featuring your product or service, as well as how you can use Tin Shingle's Media Contacts and Editorial Calendars when cross-referencing prospects to make the perfect, most timely pitch the media can't resist.

How This Works

Single Purchase: After you purchase this Training TuneUp, return to this page, and the video will be on the screen, ready for you to play!

Free for Tin Shingle Members: If you are an All Access Pass Level 3 Member of Tin Shingle, and you are logged in, this video interview will be already here, waiting for you to press play!

Online Class: Getting Your Product in the Hands of Celebrities with Sarah Shaw

Sarah Shaw is a fashion entrepreneur, product designer, and business coach who has built a treasure trove of secrets from launching a line to getting your products to A-List celebrities.

Sarah’s products have been in over 1,200 stores and boutiques across the country, including Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Barney’s, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue and Bloomingdales.

She’s also appeared in the pages of almost every major fashion and lifestyle magazine, including InStyle, People, US Weekly, Lucky, ELLE, WWD, Marie Claire and the O-List. She’s been on tv shows like Access Hollywood, Extra and the E! network. And she’s been interviewed for Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com and American Express’ OPEN Forum.

This training TuneUp explains the whole process and benefits, of how and why you can and want to get your product into the hands of a celebrity.

With her 20 years of trailblazing experience, Sarah shares her expert insights and advice on everything from choosing the right celebrity and how to contact them, to why your packaging matters and how you can turn one opportunity into massive publicity and exposure.

How This Works

Single Purchase: After you purchase this Training TuneUp, return to this page, and the video will be on the screen, ready for you to play!

Free for Tin Shingle Members: If you are an All Access Pass Level 4 Member of Tin Shingle, and you are logged in, this video interview will be already here, waiting for you to press play!

Online Class: How The Painter Anna West Sells Her Paintings on Instagram

You know those people who sell things on Instagram? We're going to interview one to find out how she does it - with her paintings. Anna West is a painter full time (here's her Instagram), and she scours and devours Instagram to find the the best possible buyers of her art, and gets in front of them.

Anna has a sales goal each month, and a routine each day for her social media. Find out what it is and why it's working on this Tin Shingle Training Class!

Biggest Secret Revealed Here: The money is in the hashtags.

How This Works

Single Purchase: After you purchase this Training TuneUp, return to this page, and the video will be on the screen, ready for you to play!

Tin Shingle Members: If you are an All Access Pass Level 4 Member of Tin Shingle, and you are logged in, this video interview will be already here, waiting for you to press play!

Online Class: Mailchimp: Design Tips & Ideas For A Great Email Campaign

MailChimp takes your email campaign from #Meh to WOW. Co-founder Katie is going to show you her screen and design a campaign in front of your eyes. She will show you tricks that you can use in MailChimp that will save you time when sending newsletters.

Covered In This Webinar

• Design elements you'll need before designing your own newsletter.

• The biggest time and money saving trick contained in just one MailChimp button.

• 2 ways to slice and dice a text-heavy newsletter.

• A #truthbomb that you must face before sending another newsletter.

• Demonstration of new design tricks that anyone can do, simply and quickly.

• A tour of analytics in MailChimp to discover what your readers are responding to and how to improve your communication with them.

How This Works

Single Purchase: After you purchase this Training TuneUp, return to this page, and the video will be on the screen, ready for you to play!

Tin Shingle Members: If you are an All Access Pass Level 4 Member of Tin Shingle, and you are logged in, this video interview will be already here, waiting for you to press play!

Online Class TuneUp: Interview with Artist Anna West: How She Sells Paintings on Instagram

You know those people who sell things on Instagram? We're going to interview one to find out how she does it - with her paintings. Anna West is a painter full time (here's her Instagram), and she scours and devours Instagram to find the the best possible buyers of her art, and gets in front of them.

Anna has a sales goal each month, and a routine each day for her social media. Find out what it is and why it's working on this Tin Shingle Training Class!

Biggest Secret Revealed Here: The money is in the hashtags.

Sneak Peek!

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Online Class TuneUp: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide Pitching Guide

Publicity in a magazine's Holiday Gift Guide is one of the meccas of PR for most businesses. How do the magazines find all of those amazing products to recommend to you?

We'll tell you the secret...are you ready? Business owners just like you emailed an editor about their amazing products - that's how! And now you're going to learn how to do it, too.

Here's your first hint at this Holiday Gift Guide mystery: the magazines are actually putting them together in July. That's right - in the most boiling hot time of summer. You might have been pool-side all this time, but this year, you're going to be carving out time to be at your computer, researching which media contact is the best fit, and then writing that email to email it in.

PS: Tin Shingle collates a database of Media Contacts for our All Access Pass members to search through at any time. So when you're ready, check them out. They will save you time in your research.

This Training TuneUp will show and tell you the ways of how Holiday Gift Guides work in magazines and on TV for the local stations. We teamed up with Sabina Hitchen, founder of Press For Success and a certified educator. She is a former high school teacher turned PR agency owner who now dedicates her gift for teaching to small business owners through her PR Prep School. In this TuneUp, your host and owner of Tin Shingle, Katie Hellmuth Martin, interviews Sabina for all of the juicy details of how to get your business featured in the end of the year holiday gift guides.

Sneak Peek!

Here's a little taste of what you're going to see during this class, the Training TuneUp.

Online Class TuneUp: Interview With Christina Fagan, Founder of Sh*t That I Knit On How She Rocked Her Kickstarter Campaign

Interview With Christina Fagan, Founder of Sh*t That I Knit On How She Rocked Her Kickstarter Campaign

Watch and learn from this Training TuneUp Interview to find out how Christina Fagan, founder of Shit That I Knit, launched a such successful Kickstarter campaign when growing her business, raising over $25,000 from 260 backers in 30 days. It's not easy starting a Kickstarter, and requires all of the muscles in your marketing body. It's all of what we preach at Tin Shingle - the outreach, the PR, the social, the emailing, the presentation. The gumption! The enthusiasm.

You're going to love this Training TuneUp Interview with your host and owner of Tin Shingle, Katie Hellmuth Martin. Knitting designer Christina Fagan, a Tin Shingle Member, was in her full time job as a sales person with a passion for knitting. After blogging a bit about it her side hobby, she decided to take it full time and have a go at running a business selling her famous knitted styles. She employed a squad of "knittas" to make the brand's signature hats.

Momentum was building, and she needed capital to get inventory. Most of her work went into a pre-buzz campaign where she reached out to the media to pitch her business to the press, and landed placements.

When the Kickstarter campaign started, pledges immediately began coming in. Her campaign hit its goal of $15,000 within 24hrs of launching thanks to a lot of pre-buzz Christina worked hard to generate. Once the campaign was over, they closed with just over $25,000, and then got to work delivering the backer's rewards.

This interview reveals how she did this - which will keep you going in your own drive to secure sales and success in your business. Learn how Christina got her own press in Forbes, The Boston Globe, and other publications.

“That was a great Webinar/Interview. Everyone should listen to it when it’s up!”

— Judith George, Founder AskMyAge.com and Video Editor ToBeReel.com

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Online Class TuneUp: Digital Marketing as Circuit Training

This Training TuneUp Webinar is going to pump you up! It’s treating your social media-ing as circuit training when you work out and tone up at the gym. We’re going to:

• Cover some Motivation of Why you’re hitting certain social platforms and updating your website.

• Feature a few Tin Shinglers who are doing a great job right now (Cold Spring Fitness and She's Her Own CEO).

• Rotate between Facebook, Instagram, Google, your Newsletter and your Website as the workout routine.

• Give you a recommendation of an album to play to get your friendly but competitive juices flowing to help you put your brand out there.

Some Artwork Used During This Webinar

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Online Class: The Art of The Subject Line in the Email Newsletter

The most important part of your entire e-newsletter is the subject line. How you write the subject line will dictate the chances of your subscribers opening the newsletter you worked so hard on. In this Training TuneUp, find out what kind of subject lines worked from real-life examples, and why. There is a method to the madness, and when done right, your sales could increase with the subject line alone.

How To Watch

Level 3 Members and Level 4 All Access Pass Members:

When you are logged in, hit this page and the webinar will be right here. You can press Play on it, and it will start! The PDF of slides will also be a link on this page, so you can easily click and download those notes.

Non-Members, or Level 1 Community or Level 2 Directories Members:

You can purchase this TuneUp to add to your collection! After you purchase it, return to this page and the webinar will be right here. You can press Play on it, and it will start! The PDF of slides will also be a link on this page, so you can easily click and download those notes.

Online Class TuneUp: PR Planning for June 2018

MAJOR HINT! Holiday Gift Guide Pitching starts now! If you want to get into those winter holiday issues, now is your time!!

It's no coincidence that you're reading about really cool businesses in magazines right now. But those businesses didn't sit back in their shops waiting for the media to come calling. They went for it and got it! Yes, they pitched their favorite glossy magazines, and some of them heard back and were featured.

This. Could. Be. You!!

Tin Shingle is your PR Campaign Partner in crime, and we've got your roadmap for what ideas to pitch to the media for this month. You don't need to be a professional PR person. You need to be a go-getter with fresh ideas. Listen to this live class to get some of those ideas and some gumption to carry them out.

We will cover what you can be focusing in on June, and what themes you can be pitching now.

Sneak Peek!

Online Class: Pitching for Newbies

This TuneUp is dedicated to new Tin Shingle members who consider themselves babes in the woods of pitching to the media, or "pitching newbies." We are going to provide an overview of what you need to know, what you can expect, and how you're going to own it when you begin pitching. If you're a seasoned business owner who has been pitching for a while, you will still get value out of this TuneUp, as we cover angles you hadn't thought about in a while. During this TuneUp, you will be pointed to helpful training TuneUps you need to listen to in order to build your foundation.

HOW TO WATCH

Anyone can watch a Tin Shingle TuneUp from their computer, mobile phone or tablet. The process is different for premium members and the public.

ALL-ACCESS PASS MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Stream any TuneUp Webinar anytime with your Tin Shingle membership. No need to purchase it, this TuneUp is ready to play from this page! When you are logged in, you will see a big screen. Press play and start taking notes!

ANYONE ELSE

Once you buy a TuneUp, you own it forever. The video or audio recording will appear on the TuneUp page that you just purchased from, and all you need to do is press play!

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Katie Hellmuth Martin is the Co-Founder of Tin Shingle and is committed to educating small businesses in common sense, yet sexy ways of marketing through search engines, and online branding. Small businesses from Main Street, to big business have relied on Katie for insight and forward thinking approaches to using today's technology to lock in online branding to increase sales. As lead producer and digital strategist at InHouse Design Media, Katie has developed e-commerce and content based websites, and devised SEO and social strategies for businesses of all types, including retail and service. She has managed the traffic flow and sales process for websites during features on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Daily Candy. She is also the publisher of the local media source, A Little Beacon Blog. Katie speaks and teaches SEO and online marketing, and has been featured in Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, New York Daily News, and other publications. Connect with her on Twitter via @KJPixelated and @TinShingle, on Instagram @katiejamespixelated and @TinShingle and on Google+.

Online Class TuneUp: The Art of the Email Subject Line

The most important part of your entire e-newsletter is the subject line. How you write the subject line will dictate the chances of your subscribers opening the newsletter you worked so hard on. In this Training TuneUp, find out what kind of subject lines worked from real-life examples, and why. There is a method to the madness, and when done right, your sales could increase with the subject line alone.

Sneak Peek!

Online Class TuneUp: MailChimp Tips & Tricks For a Beautiful Newsletter

You’re sending out newsletters, and you want to be sure they look fantastic. Newsletter subscribers are your most closest, dearest customer who will be the most likely to buy what you sell. This TuneUp covers design tips and tricks you can use in MailChimp that will make your newsletter look like a design agency did it for you. Your teacher is Katie Hellmuth Martin, creator of Katie James, Inc, a design and storytelling agency for couture branding. She is also the owner of Tin Shingle, and can’t wait to help you do a dynamite job.

SNEAK PEEK:

One pro tip included in this class is how to streamline your newsletters by creating templates for different goals. Learn how and why to use MailChimp's templates or how to create your own.

Online Class: How to Work with Social Media Influencers for Holiday Buzz and Beyond

Join guest expert Janine Just, founder of Janine Just Inc. and TechStyleNYC as we talk about the new power players of buzz building, social media influencers, and how you can create and grow a relationship with them that is strategic and converts. We'll also highlight how you and your biz can engage with these folks leading up to the holiday shopping season for more impact, sales and visibility!

Covered In This Webinar

• What is a social media influencer, where do you find 'em and why are they important to consider working with?

• How to know what influencers are a good fit for your brand.

• How to begin contact and strike up a conversation with social influencers.

• Is it possible to work with social media influencers without paying them? What pay rates should I expect? Do they negotiate fees?

• Is gifting product sometimes enough "payment".

• Let's talk Instagram influencers and celebrities. Who are they, how powerful are they and what should a biz know about working with them?

• How can I tell if an influencer is truly impactful? Can numbers be a false read (because people can buy them)?

• Let's get clear on expectations: how can I be sure everyone is on the same page of my influencer campaign expectations? WHAT should my expectations be?

• How can I work with influencers during the HOLIDAY shopping season and beyond?

• Hooray! The influencer campaign is under way! How can I promote and support it?

• Has our expert Janine Just been a witness to some powerful influencer campaigns (hers or others)? What made them winners?

• Flip it & Reverse it: I want to BE a social media influencer! Where do I start? What should I? Is content key to growing my following?

How to Watch

Anyone can watch a Tin Shingle TuneUp from their computer, mobile phone or tablet. The process is different for Premium Members and the public.

MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Stream any TuneUp Webinar anytime with your Tin Shingle membership. No need to purchase it, this TuneUp is ready to play from this page! When you are logged in, you will see a big screen. Press play and start taking notes! Not a member yet? You really should be...

NON-MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Once you buy a TuneUp, you own it forever. The video or audio recording will appear on the TuneUp page that you just purchased from, and all you need to do is press play!

About Your Instructor

Janine Just and her team are known as “connectologists.” What exactly is a connectologist, you may ask? They are agents of digital gap-bridging; people who bring real life to digital relationships with in-person interactions and shared experiences, integrating both public relations and social media savvy along the way. They are social evangelists in a quantum setting, engaging online communities with specific, targeted messaging, and inviting them to join in offline during enriching, dynamic IRL (in real life) events. It’s all part of their effort to build closer relationships between a brand and its valued fans.

www.janinejustinc.com

Twitter: @JanineJustInc

Instagram: @JanineJustInc

Facebook: @JanineJustInc

Online Class: How to Pitch Mother's Day Stories & Gift Guides

PR professional Kelly Kepner is a dynamite at getting press coverage for gift guides, especially Mother's Day Gift Guides. She regularly gets emerging and established brands major buzz and press! During this online class, she leads us through how to do it. This online class will give you the blueprint you need to pitch your business to Mother's Day gift guides and articles focused on mom. Whether you have the perfect gift for mom, you've got tips on how to do something Mother's Day related, or you can speak to the media about something related to this theme, this #TuneUp is for you.

This online class will arm you with a checklist, actions steps and ideas to do that for your own campaign, no matter if you sell product or are a service provider.

Get your notepads out and get ready to get the answers and guidance you'll need to succeed!

Covered In This Webinar

• Big Picture: Get your biz primed and prepped for Mother's Day: The what, how, and when.

• PR Campaign: The 4 parts of their PR campaign every biz owner needs to assess and update for Spring.

• Website: How to spruce up your website for more Mother's Day buzz.

• For Service Providers: What should every service provider or expert do during this time of year? We'll tell you.

• Social Media: What every biz owner should be doing in their social media feeds right now to build buzz.

How To Watch

Anyone can watch a Tin Shingle TuneUp from their computer, mobile phone or tablet. The process is different for premium members and the public.

MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Stream any online class anytime with your Tin Shingle level 3 membership. No need to purchase it, this class is ready to play from this page! When you are logged in, you will see a big screen. Press play and start taking notes!

NON-MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE

Once you buy an online class, you own it forever. The video or audio recording will appear on the class page that you just purchased from, and all you need to do is press play!