Are You Ready? Kicking Off The 2019-2020 School Year in Polk County

Polk County begins the 2019-2020 school year on Tuesday, and parents are pulling together last minute supplies from their lists, assembling uniforms, and prepping for another year of lunch packing. The first few weeks of school are foundational, as the routines and habits you set up now can make or break the tone of the year for your kids, and for you! While there is plenty of advice floating around about planners and schedules and how to make sure our children are successful in and out of the classroom, here are some tips for kicking off the school year and setting up for a great year in ways other than organizers and homework plans.

First, remember to schedule down time! You've just come off of summer break, and with the start of the school year also marking the beginning of many extracurricular activities like sports and various lessons, it's easy to overload your schedule quickly and leave you and your children feeling overwhelmed. If every evening and weekend is filled with practices, games, recitals, or classes, you're leaving little time for self-care, which is important for every member of the family. While being active and involved is great, remember to schedule in at least a little bit of downtime for yourself and your kids amongst the busyness. It doesn't have to be much. Even 30 minutes a day of quiet time to regroup, read a book, take a nap, or sit in the sunshine is good for everyone in the family and will go a long way in lowering stress and boosting morale.

Additionally, remember to intentionally connect with your kids. After weeks of your kids being home from school, sending them back to the classroom (and then having them come home with additional hours of homework) means it can feel like you're doing more managing and less parenting. Back to school doesn't have to mean lack of connection with your children. Great ways to connect during the school year are getting up in time to have a simple breakfast together, lunchbox notes or surprises, setting aside evenings for family dinners, or even having a weekly movie night together. Connection looks different for every family, but is important to your kids, so don't forget to make time for it this year!

Finally, make education a family affair. It's no secret that kids who feel supported and encouraged in their education will do better in school and get better results in the classroom. Supporting your kids doesn't have to look like volunteering in their school multiple times each week. For you, it might mean making yourself available for homework questions and signing off on papers each evening after dinner, or providing assistance with a school project over the weekend. In addition to hands-on support with your student(s), developing a relationship with your child's teacher(s) is also a great way to create an environment at home that encourages learning and doing well in school. Many teachers make themselves available through in-person conferences, phone calls, or even emails, and simply checking in on occasion is a good way to let your student know that their teacher AND their parent(s) care about their education and want to see them be successful.

Newton Peach Marketing is proud to support our local Polk County schools, and we are wishing all of the teachers, students, and families a GREAT school year.

Building Your Business Starts with Building a Network: How Referrals Work

If you've followed Newton Peach Marketing for any period of time, know how much we value a referral system, and how we are big supporters of networking when it comes to building businesses of all sizes. When new business owners (or even longtime business owners for that matter) hear the terms "referral" or "networking" though, they could be confused by exactly what those words mean, and how they play into growing a client base and seeing their profits increase. It's important to know that knowing the meaning of the terms matters for sure, but knowing how to implement them in your own business matters just as much, and will be key in seeing maximum growth.

When we mention referrals, we don't just mean a positive review from a previous customer. A referral can be a customer, but it could also be a friend, a fellow business owner, or someone you've met through a specific referral program. Regardless of what your connection with the individual might be, what's important to note is how they help your business through a referral. While a simple Google review is helpful, and will help you build a reputation, a true referral is when an individual specifically connects you with a "hot" lead for a new customer or client. This essentially means they contact the lead and mention your name, give them your contact information (this could be a phone number, Email address, website, or even your business card), and encourage them to utilize your product or service. By using their personal relationship with the person they increase your chances exponentially over a simple cold call. We all know how important word of mouth is when it comes to business, whether finding the best place in town to get a good burger, to the best plumber for a leaking pipe. Referrals are really an "organized" word of mouth process. They help you get the word out about your product or service in a personalized way, and that can be huge in growing your business locally and beyond.

A network is also key in growing your business, and is essentially made up of referrals at its heart, although it goes beyond this. A network, in this context, is a group of people you can count on for continued referrals. This could be something you've just built on your own, or through a club or organized group of business owners, but regardless it's meant to grow on itself and lead to increased referrals over time. Picture it like a tree. You start with a single referral (the "seed" if you will) and that grows into a client for you. That client then refers you to three of their friends and/or fellow business owners (your first branches), which eventually turn into steady customers, and then refer you to several of their friends. Over time, that initial referral and new client turn into countless referrals and/or customers, and that can lead to explosive business growth if it takes off. This is why many business owners invest in clubs or organizations that are based on building networks. Newton Peach Marketing is proud to be part of our local BNI chapter here in Winter Haven. BNI has over 9,000 chapters around the world, and while they are a wonderful option for many businesses, there are plenty of smaller, localized options as well, including your own local Chamber of Commerce.

Regardless of how you choose to go about growing your business with referrals and networking opportunities, we hope you'll look into somehow incorporating the above techniques into your plan for the coming year. We've seen so many clients experience the excitement of growth by simply building a group of referral contacts. We've also seen business owners grow in big ways by taking time to invest in their business and intentionally work on building their brand and getting their name out in the community. Newton Peach Marketing specializes in customizing digital marketing plans for businesses of all sizes, and we tailor everything to your needs, your budget, and what YOU want for your business. How can we help you and become part of your network? Give us a call for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Can Videos Grow Your Business? Why We Are LOVING YouTube for Small Business Marketing

YouTube is, perhaps, one of the most quickly growing platforms in the world of social media and digital marketing, yet many small businesses discredit it as something only for "big companies" and therefore pass it by when developing their plan for business growth and advertisement. However, YouTube actually caters to small businesses, by giving them a chance to reach a much larger audience, connect with potential sponsors or collaboration partners, and build their brand beyond their own community. In addition to the free platform, YouTube now offers a variety of monetization options, meaning you can make profit from your video content!

Here are three reasons why Newton Peach Marketing loves YouTube, and why you should consider it for your own business plan!

1. It's FREE! Did we mention, YouTube is free? That's right, there is no startup fee, no registration cost, or subscription service required to take advantage of YouTube for your business. All you need is a Google My Business account (attached to your gmail) and you are ready to set up a profile on YouTube for your brand and start putting out content so you can connect with your audience faster. Very few platforms that offer the options available with YouTube are free, so we think this is a huge perk.

2. You can make money with your regular content! YouTube works with lots of big brands who want to advertise to the millions of viewers who frequent YouTube each day. What does that mean for businesses like you? Well, YouTube will give you the option of monetizing your business, which means advertisements can be played before, during, or after your video content. Because your video is used to pull in viewers, you get paid for allowing these big brands to advertise. It's basically free money! Note: your viewers are not forced to watch these advertisements. They often have the option of "skipping" the ad after a few seconds, so no worries about tricking your audience into watching ads they didn't ask for.

3. You can get sponsors for your business and your brand! Companies are constantly scanning YouTube for businesses and brands that represent something similar to, or related to, their own product or service. These companies will usually reach out asking if you're interested in reviewing their product or service, and will likely ask you to make a video about said product or service if you liked it during your review. These collaboration or sponsorship videos are a great way to not only meet other names on YouTube, but can also grow your own following (since fans of the other company will likely follow you due to your connection).

Newton Peach Marketing is happy to work with clients who are interested in incorporating YouTube into their advertisement and marketing strategy. We work with you to come up with content ideas, seek out resources for creating that content, and then building and managing your YouTube account for optimum exposure. How can we help you grow YOUR business?

The Package Deal: Social Media Management vs. Posting Alone

Social media is one of the, if not the, top means of advertising your business in today's technology-driven world. Because of this, marketing consultants and firms often advertise social media as one of their services, and when you outsource your marketing to these providers, they typically guarantee X number of posts per week/month on your selected social media platforms. While posting in and of itself is important when building your brand online, it doesn't completely cover your bases in the world of social media. That's why Newton Peach Marketing offers full social media management. 

What's the difference? 

Well, picture your business's social media presence like a retail shop. While it's important that each department run well, if you only focus on one department and ignore the rest, the store just won't work. The same is true of your social media platforms. Posting alone is only one portion of keeping your platforms running. Engaging with followers and commenters, keeping up with messages within each platform and responding in turn, overseeing job postings and applications (if applicable), making sure contact information is kept up to date and current across all platforms, and routinely maintaining visual appeal are all key parts in making sure your social media profiles are representing your business in the best way possible. Newton Peach offers all of this and more. Instead of simply posting for you on a schedule, we place ourselves in your shoes and operate the social platforms on your behalf. This includes engaging your customers and followers in the messages and comments section, changing out content and artwork (profile pictures, cover photos, etc.) with seasonally appropriate options or content of your choosing, routinely updating contact information, and so forth. 

When it comes to the posting itself, we are proud to customize content for each of our clients, including fun designs, a variety of both informative and entertaining verbiage, and linking over important items from your own website and/or blog to improve traffic between your various points of contact online. When you trust Newton Peach Marketing with your social media you are getting the package deal, and can rest assured knowing your business is in good hands. 

Give us a call for a free quote and find out how we can help you grow your business and build your brand! 

Making the Sale: How Realtors Can Use Marketing to Increase Profits

The real estate market is BOOMING! People are flooding into Polk County looking for the perfect location for their home and/or business. Realtors are scrambling just to stay on top of their current sales, let alone putting effort into growing their business further. However, we all know the adage: a business that isn't growing is...dying. Fortunately, that does not have to be you. A strong marketing plan is a strategic way to keep your business growing, and with modern day digital options, your choices are many when it comes to how, when, and where to advertise your real estate business.

At Newton Peach Marketing, we are passionate about helping local businesses in and around the greater Winter Haven area grow to their full potential, and that includes you. If you're a realtor who knows you need to put effort into growing your brand, but don't know where to start, this post is targeted at you. Here are just a few ideas you can jumpstart business growth and establish yourself in the area:

• Use keywords in all online content. Blogs, social media posts, your website, and even miscellaneous posts on real estate platforms will increase your hits online, and will result in more exposure for you. City names in your area where you work, real estate terminology, and even specific area attractions are great to include since they'll get more search hits that directly correlate with your services and your business. In other words, the more times your name gets tagged with these words, the more likely you'll be to come up in search results when people Google things like "great realtors in the Central Florida area" and that means more clients (and profit) for YOU.

• Share posts from the social media pages of area attractions, local restaurants, unique local businesses, etc. Not only does this help "build your brand" of supporting other locals, but it also showcases what your area has to offer and why people would want to buy there. The goal is to make your area look as attractive as possible, because once you get people interested in the region, you can interest them in the various homes or properties that you have for sale through your real estate business.

• Stay engaged and active on your online platforms...especially social media! Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be huge assets to realtors if you know how to use them properly. These platforms require solid content that's entertaining and concise, eye-catching pictures, and quick response time to offer maximum benefit, but if you're willing to put that effort in, the results can be surprising. You'd be surprised how many current home buyers found the house they're purchasing through an online platform. Be sure that you're including current, featured listings in priority spots on your social media pages, and then SHARE THEM! Making a post shareable (or encouraging people to retweet it) is a nifty way to spread awareness of what you have available and increase your reach.

• Spend money on the photography...it's worth it! Good HDR photos can make or break how many prospective buyers you pick up when marketing your brand online. Hiring a photographer, or investing in a top notch camera and learning how to take professional grade photos yourself, will make it much easier to get the look you want and pick up more buyers with each listing/post/etc.

• Have a pro come in and help with Open House events. You can't be everywhere at once. Having marketing personnel there to help you oversee greeting visitors, making sure materials are in the hands of buyers, and refilling any water coolers, refreshment trays, and so on is a great impression on those who take the time to come to the open house, and frees you up to talk business with seriously interested buyers, or visitors who need a little extra attention from you as the realtor.

• First impressions matter. Materials such as flyers, online ads, posters and signage, etc. need to be well-designed, eye-catching, and consistent to make the best impression on your audience and hopefully draw people in. Quality materials directly reflect your business, and you want to give off the right impression.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed with all that info? We know that all of these tasks and ideas on top of your current workload can seem impossible, and you probably think that hiring in-house marketing or a marketing agency would be out of your budget...but don't jump to conclusions just yet. Newton Peach Marketing offers services tailored to each individual client, meaning we take your needs, your goals, and your budget into consideration when formulating a plan. There are no prepackaged marketing plans here...just one local business trying to help another, with skills and connections we've acquired through our years in the marketing world. Take some time and chat with us about your own unique business, and how you want to promote it to the people in this area. You just might be surprised how we can help you achieve that goal at a price you can afford. We can't wait to work with you and help you make the sale again and again!

Green and Growing: What Newton Peach Marketing Does for Winter Haven Businesses

Spring is here, and many of us are thinking of things green and growing. However, while you are picturing flowering plants and colorful blooms in pots or as part of beautiful landscapes, we are picturing businesses, and the clients we represent. For Newton Peach, green and growing is what we set up as a primary goal for each customer that comes to us requesting assistance with a website, creative solutions for their social media accounts, or even an eye catching piece of print in the form of business cards or flyers for local events. How though, do the words "green" and "growing" tie in to these things?

Well, "green" refers to what we want to see in YOUR hands in the form of increased profits for your business. We aim to bring in more customers for you by targeting your audience in direct ways, and getting your name in front of the very people that need your product or service. We build your online "presence" and brand and over time, this gives people a sense of knowing you and feeling confident in choosing you for their needs. So, while green plants and blossoming flowers are beautiful, the green we want will show up in your wallet.

"Growing" is our main task when it comes to your business. Growing in size, growing in influence, and growing in efficiency and profits (as mentioned above) are just a few of the things we strive to help you do, and by utilizing the techniques mentioned above, and many more, we have seen this happen for businesses throughout the greater Winter Haven area. Clients all over Polk County have let us step in and walk alongside them as they make their mark in our area, and with each one, we are reminded of how much we love cultivating growth, much like gardeners and farmers enjoy the dirt on their hands and the joy that comes with harvesting fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers throughout the year.

Do you feel like your business is thriving? If not, it might be time for some fresh perspective! Newton Peach Marketing is ready and waiting to help you grow this year. Take that step forward and give us a call!

Show Your Favorite Businesses Just How Much You LOVE Them This Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is all about showing those around you how much you care. Giving gifts, acts of service, or a simple "I love you" to remind someone that they are important to you are all ways we share the love around this holiday. Have you thought about showing your favorite local businesses just how much you appreciate them, and care about their success in the community though? They might not be your first thought when Valentine's Day rolls around, but there are many ways you can show them some love and help boost their presence in the community not just on holidays, and EVERY day. 

How? 

Give them positive reviews. It's easy (and common) to leave a negative review. When we receive goods or services that are less than satisfactory, we want a sense of justice, and often, leaving a scathing review makes us feel somehow validated in our displeasure...and we totally understand that! After all, that's what reviews are for, right? They are the modern day "comments box" for businesses, and they give other potential customers insight into what they can expect from a particular business or brand. How often do you leave a positive review though? Taking those extra few minutes of your time to leave a review letting a business owner know how much you were impressed by their product, their service, or even their staff is a great way to show them some love, and send other customers their way. 

Make them your first choice. How often do we say we like a local business, but the first time a shopping need comes up, whether for a gift, a home service, or simply something for your home, you jet off to the big box store down the street simply because it's convenient? Taking the extra time and effort to utilize local small businesses as your first shopping choice not only makes them feel loved, but makes them successful, and that benefits everyone in the community. Cities where businesses are growing and thriving have better economies, and higher employment rates. What's not to LOVE about that? 

Refer your friends. Word of mouth is a key way to grow small, local businesses, and any marketing expert will tell businesses owners how vital it is to get people talking about their brand and name within the community. A business card, a social media post, or even a booth at a downtown fair or market are definitely key points in growing a business and brand, but even those who visit the booth, see the Facebook ad, or receive a business card might not follow through and become a patron unless a friend or family member can personally attest to the quality of the goods or services offered. That's where YOU come in. If you love a local business, tell people about it! Share their posts on Facebook and throw in a personal reference for your contacts. Did someone comment on that great piece of jewelry you're wearing from a local boutique, or ask you how you've landscaped your yard so beautifully for the upcoming spring season? It's ok to name drop! Spreading the names of small businesses will help them immensely, and will ensure that your treasured goods and services that they offer will be around for years to come. 

Newton Peach Marketing is committed to making sure our local businesses in and around the Winter Haven area thrive and grow. By customizing plans for each individual client we ensure quality services at a price they can afford. When you put your business growth in our hands, you are given the freedom to pay only for what you need, and nothing more, unlike pre-determined packages with larger marketing firms. That means you're left with more money to invest back into your business, allowing you to continue to expand...and nothing makes us happier than seeing you succeed. Interested in what we can do for you? There's a simple two step process: give us a call, and tell us how you want to grow in 2019. We do the rest! 

New Year, New Plan: Top 3 Resolutions for Marketing YOUR Business in 2019

We are officially through the first week of 2019, and with a new year come new resolutions for a better “us." Health and wellness goals, a better self-care regimen, or even something as simple as finally tackling that unorganized closet in your bedroom of stuck on Post-Its, written in planners, or otherwise noted to remind you of what you’d like to accomplish throughout this coming year. As a business owner though, have you thought about how those resolutions could pertain to your company? 

Having specific goals and annual aspirations for your business are a huge part of not only keeping vision within your staff, but are also key to growing your business in the long term. We’ve all heard the saying “if your business isn’t growing, it’s dying”, which is why setting quantifiable and attainable goals for your business is a great way to kick off each new year. 

Not sure where to start? How about these: 

1.    Improve your marketing strategy. Perhaps you’re doing absolutely nothing to market your business currently, or maybe you have a budget that allows for multiple marketing platforms, but whatever you are (or aren’t) doing, we can guarantee there’s a way for you to improve upon it. Ideas can include upgrading your website, investing in social media content and engagement, participating in community events, or even purchasing fresh business cards for 2019. Basically, take what you’re already doing, and try to choose at least 3 additional things you could do to reach more people on behalf of your brand. Already have a website? Try a quarterly email newsletter to go along with it! Updating your Facebook page monthly? Weekly is best, and adding Twitter, Instagram, or even LinkedIn to the mix is even better. Just make it a goal to do something to improve your marketing strategy this year. 

2.    Do a website review. Your website is the face of your business in the online world, and a poorly done one will leave a bad impression of your business and will lead to losing customers over time. Take time this new year to look closely at your existing website, and note changes that could make it more user-friendly, visually appealing, and streamlined. For even more perspective, ask friends and family to offer feedback as well with fresh eyes and new ideas. 

3.    Implement a customer feedback policy. No one knows how to improve your business, or how to encourage you with what you’re doing right, than your own customers. Implementing a customer feedback policy this year will give you valuable insight to what customers are happy with, what they’d like more of, and which things weren’t their favorite. Feedback can be done by way of reviews through pages such as Facebook or Google Business, they can be done through email newsletters, through your website, or even in person with a pen and paper system if you prefer. Just giving your customers the opportunity to give their opinion on the products and services you offer makes them feel like they matter, and that will keep them coming back for more. 

If the ideas above seem great, but overwhelm you, we have a secret…

You can meet your resolutions without having to do any of these things yourself. 

Surprised? It’s simple! Newton Peach Marketing provides all of these services and more to clients throughout the Winter Haven area and beyond. We are happy to serve clients from long-distance, without sacrificing customized and personal service and regular communication. Local clients trust us to manage all of their business marketing needs, because OUR resolution is to see your business be the best it can be in 2019. Give us a call and see how we can help you grow! 

Spreading Christmas Cheer in The Workplace

The Christmas countdown is on, and with just a few short weeks until the big day, businesses are in the rush to wrap up unfinished tasks and to finish the year strong. Unfortunately, this can often lead to a feeling of hurriedness and stress, and will suck the Christmas cheer right out of your office. Not only is this not a pleasant environment for you as the business owner, but it also decreases staff morale and does nothing to boost spirits in the workplace. Just like your home, your child's school, your neighborhood, and even our own downtown Winter Haven have been bustling with holiday cheer through decorations, concerts, parties, and other means of celebration, your work environment can reflect the fun of the season without sacrificing efficiency and/or productivity.

How?

Try a few of these ideas to bring the spirit of Christmas to your office this year:

• Staff Christmas party. The themes are endless, from Ugly Christmas Sweater parties to a white elephant gift exchange. A party doesn't have to be expensive! Ask each staff member to bring a treat to share, provide some coffee or drinks, and let the fun begin. Plan the party around everyone's lunch break, or specifically lay aside an hour during the regular work day to enjoy the party and to let your staff enjoy it too. Can't make a party happen during the day? An evening party works as well. Ask everyone to bring a heavy "snack" (finger foods work best) and/or a treat, and gather for an evening of socializing and celebrating the season.

• Encourage giving. Christmas is about giving to others and finding joy in it, so what better way to spread cheer in your workplace than by offering an easy opportunity for everyone to give? This could be giving within your own workplace through something like a "Secret Santa" matchup between employees, adopting a local child or local family who can't afford a holiday celebration, or even choosing a local charity as a group and bringing in donations (specific items, gift cards, or even cash) that can be delivered as a group. No matter how you choose to give, there's no greater joy than bringing a smile to someone else at Christmas.

• Competition! Everyone loves a good (friendly) competition. Plan a gingerbread contest and dividing staff into "teams" that can compete for a simple prize, or have a "cubicle decorating contest" that allows each employee to display their own unique creativity. Friendly Christmas competitions build team spirit within your workplace, and celebrate the holidays at the same time!

No matter how you celebrate the season with your staff, we hope the season brings you peace, happiness, and all the things you love. We wish you growth in the new year, and success in your business endeavors, and are here and ready to help if you want to break out of the mold and try something new for your business this year. Outsourcing your social media marketing is a great way to reach a new audience and establish your brand, and it's a wonderful way to make your business known in your own community and beyond. Newton Peach Marketing offers customized social media content for each individual client, in addition to blogs, graphic design, unique marketing materials, and anything else you need to make your business the best it can be.

Merry Christmas from Newton Peach!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...for Bloggers

Blogging is a huge part of the marketing world, and really, for the world in general with today's technology and social media involvement. Whether you utilize a traditional "diary" style blog to document your own personal life, have a sponsored blog with lots of paid content, or choose the more tech-savvy video blog, known as a "vlog,” producing content that your followers want to read and/or see is key in building an audience and creating your brand. This is true for businesses even more so than individuals, since an audience leads to customers, and increased customer base means more profit for you over time. 

When it comes to blogging, coming up with relevant content that is creative enough to capture the attention of internet-goers can be hard. That is, until the holiday season rolls around. From October, with its bursts of pumpkins and Fall and Halloween fun, to Thanksgiving in November, and well into Christmas and New Years, coming up with trendy content that ties in with your business and your market becomes much easier when you have the plentiful topics surrounding these holidays and seasons. There are a few important things to keep in mind when using holiday and seasonal topics for your blog...

• Remember your keywords! Search online, and you'll quickly be able to come up with a list of popular keywords (and hashtags) that tie in with various holidays and seasons. Tying these into your blog posts and social media content is a great way to make sure your content is found during searches.

• Make it relevant. Anyone can write a post about safety tips for Halloween, or how to pick the perfect gift for your loved one at Christmas, but you don't want to be just anyone. Knowing how to spin these topics into a post that also weaves your business and your goods/services into the content is vital in making your blog appear professional and unique. So, for example, a local orthodontist could write about the safest candies for braces-wearers, or a local retail store could offer insight into the 5 hottest items flying off their shelves around Christmas and why they'd be perfect for your family. Knowing how to put these pieces together and form them into a marketing work of art is a huge part of becoming a "blogger" on a higher level. 

• A catchy title matters! The title is essentially how your blog "puts its best foot forward" for readers. Something catchy and fun, or informative and full of relevant keywords, is a great way to pull in an audience and lure them into the rest of the content. 

We know that blogging for your business can be intimidating, especially since your schedule is busy running the business itself. That's why Newton Peach Marketing offers blogging services. We customize content for each individual client, using the tricks above to make sure you are seen, your brand is developed, and potential customers connect with you. Whether you're simply looking for routine blogging services, or a full-scale marketing plan to include your social media, printed materials, and more, Newton Peach Marketing is the #1 choice for small businesses. Call us and see how we can help you build a better brand. 

Neighbors Know No Distance: Supporting Those Preparing for Hurricane Florence

Just a year ago, Hurricane Irma pounded the entire state of Florida with powerful winds, heavy rains that resulted in flooding, and major damage to homes and businesses alike. While much of our state has recovered, or are in the process of recovering, we are no stranger to the catastrophic impact of a hurricane on daily life of residents in the path of the storm. In our time of need, states surrounding us offered a helping hand and support, whether it be countless linemen that gave their time and efforts to restore our power more quickly, relief organizations that sent food, water,r and clothing, or simply friends and neighbors out of state that offered a place of refuge for those who chose to evacuate. Now, Hurricane Florence is threatening our neighbors to the north, and we have a chance to pay back some of the kindness shown to us last year. So, how can we help those preparing to go through a storm of this magnitude?

First, a friendly word of encouragement and some advice based from experience can go a long way. If you have friends or family who have never ridden out a storm like this before, let them know they'll likely be ok, and offer some pointers on preparing. No one knows hurricanes like Floridians! Tips like stocking up on more water than you think you'll need, non perishable food items, flashlights and batteries, etc. as well as charging all devices ahead of the storm are very helpful for those who have never had to do anything like this in the past. Additionally, your advice could help them get ahead of the game and purchase their supplies before the stores are overrun and shelves empty out. Offer a listening ear if they're feeling anxious, and give insight on ways they can best feel prepared and ready for Florence to come into town.

If you have the means, offering your own home as a place of safety is often appreciated. Many people haven't budget for multiple days in a hotel, and if you pair that with the gas money needed to travel, they might be tempted to ride out the storm even if in an unsafe location. By offering your home, you take away the financial obligation of evacuating, meaning they're free to make the safest choice, not just the most affordable. For those of us here in Central Florida, we are (for once) a safe distance from the storm's impact, which means many locals could offer this gesture of kindness. 

Donate and volunteer. If you can, volunteer with local relief agencies in your area to pack trucks with water and other needed supplies. These organizations often go in after the storm to help with recovery efforts and to assist those who are running out of supplies and are unable to get more. In addition to your time, donating monetary gifts, or donating actual supplies like cases of water, canned goods, diapers, etc. go a long way in helping them help other people. In Winter Haven, Lakeland, and surrounding towns, call your favorite local missions, churches, and relief organizations and find out if they have plans in place to offer support before and/or after the storm. If not, you could be the catalyst that starts a drive for needed items in our community! 

Finally, practice kindness. While we might not be preparing for the storm this time around, we remember well the stress and anxiety that come along with a hurricane of this magnitude. Instead of getting frustrated by heavy traffic caused by people feeling the storm, take a minute to let some people in front of you on the highway. When you're tempted to complain that your store is out of a particular item because the excess was shipped up north, instead be thankful that your home and community isn't threatened this time around. There is always a way to practice kindness, and that is perhaps the most important thing you can remember during any type of crisis. 

Newton Peach Marketing is proud to be a small business in the heart of Winter Haven, and we believe in supporting our neighbors, our community, and other local companies and brands. We are trusted by locals because we are locals. As a marketing company based in Florida where severe weather is commonplace at certain times of the year, we have an extra dose of compassion for those preparing for Florence in the coming hours and days. Good luck to our friends and neighbors up North! You are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Social Skills: Maximizing Your Social Media Posts for Your Business

Social media is a huge part of marketing your business and building your brand both on the internet as a whole, and within your own community. However, if you're unfamiliar with utilizing social media for anything more than sharing cute pictures of your kids and pets with friends and family, or keeping up with sports or local news, it's intimidating when you're faced with insights about reach and post visibility, creating ads on social media, etc. Even creating basic posts can seem difficult since your content has to represent your business, not just you as a person. So, where should you begin? 

Newton Peach Marketing has a few key strategies to help you make the most of your social media posts, and some ways to use different options within various platforms to grow your business without ever leaving the comfort of your office. 

Get engaged! 

Social media post engagement is a huge part of increasing your presence online. When people comment on, share, or like your post, it shows up on hundreds of other newsfeeds connected to those friends. Think of it as free advertisement! The trick is figuring out how to encourage people to engage with your post. Humorous content that's relevant to your business or field of work, such as a joke or a cartoon, is known for getting lots of interaction, as people enjoy a good chuckle as they're scrolling through countless posts about sports, news, politics, and their cousin's best-friend's wedding photos. Pro tip: include images with your posts as much as possible. Posts with images get almost 3x as many likes as those without. 

Give back. 

Hosting giveaways is a great way to add page likes, gain shares and comments on your posts, and make a name for yourself within the community. It doesn't have to be major! While some businesses give away large-scale items like a cruise or a smartphone, something as simple as a gift card to a coffee shop or token-sized gift is enough to make people perk up and look at your post. Make the giveaway visually appealing by advertising it with clever wording, "advertisements" about the prize, etc. It's a very effective way to share about your business across multiple platforms! 

Link up. 

Linking over your blog, your website, relevant content from other businesses, etc. is a great way to offer some variety to your social media platforms, and get web traffic for your business site. While you can over-do this (don't completely forgo custom content for linking over third-party ideas), occasionally including a link to something interesting or important is a good idea for any business. 

If you're tired of trying to keep up with the demand of managing your social media, creating content for your various online platforms, and relaying to hours of comments, messages, and inquiries, Newton Peach Marketing is the help you've been looking for. We not only offer social media set up and management for businesses of all sizes, but we can take over your existing pages and pick up where you left off. We handle Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more. You can feel confident with your place your business in our hands. Give us a call and see what we can do for you. 

Red, White, and Glue: How Social Media Pulls Together Your Marketing Strategy

Happy Independence Day from Newton Peach Marketing! As we celebrate our many freedoms here in America, and reflect on what it means to be part of this country, those of us who own and operate small businesses take a little extra time to appreciate the freedom to pursue success and wealth through our own hard work and creativity. Starting your own company, and then nurturing it past the beginning stages into a phase of growth and prosperity is both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Exciting, because it gives you first glimpses of success, but terrifying since it means you have to continue to "up your game" to keep that growth going. There's a saying though, "Work Smarter, not Harder." that can easily apply to small business growth if you know how to analyze it. 

Small businesses require you to build everything from the ground up. Building your brand, building your audience and targeted customer base, building your reputation, etc. are all key in becoming successful in your community and the surrounding area. While there are many ways to do this, and the exact formula will vary from business to business, modern day companies are realizing the worth of social media, and how it ties all other marketing strategies together. For example, consider some "traditional" means of marketing your business. Email newsletters, paper/print advertisements, business cards, and even blogging (which is still quite relevant by the way!) can benefit from having a strong social media presence, more so than if they stand alone and isolated. That email newsletter can not only link over to your online blog and/or website, but it also has the capability to link over to social media pages where readers can access a constant flow of information about your business, and from your business, rather than a once a week/month/period newsletter that give short blurbs about a handful of selected topics. Your business cards do the same. If they offer recipients a means of finding you online (social media icons, URLs to your various social media pages, etc.), then you've suddenly opened up a line of potential communication rather than a chance handoff of a simple card. In essence, social media is the "glue" that holds your entire marketing strategy together. 

Additionally, social media is such a diverse platform, that you can pull together print ads and then post them in digital form, offer specials and coupons right there online, target your posts and interactions at your preferred audience, etc. all of which are important in growing your client base. You can build your brand by tailoring your content to a specific end-goal concept that you've envisioned for your business, and then use that branding to establish your reputation with clients and customers. 

We know that discussing marketing strategies, business growth, etc. can be intimidating, especially when your days (and mind) are already full with the day-to-day tasks required to operate your company. That's why NPM is here to serve business owners like YOU. We help you formulate a plan to grow your business, and meet both short and long-term goals for your company. We offer a variety of custom packages tailored to fit exactly what you need, from social media management and curated content, to ad design and printed materials. We'd love to talk to you about making your dreams come true for your business, so give us a call! 

Run Your Business, Sustain Your Health: Celebrating National Fruits and Veggies Month!

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month, and for those that spend a lot of time in the great outdoors with personal farms or gardens, or who have a highly flexible schedule allowing them to eat healthy and do continual shopping and meal prep, it's easy to celebrate this "holiday.” However, for business owners with busy schedules and a mile-long to-do list, making healthy eating a priority isn't easy. Too often, we are forced to turn to convenience foods (or run through the drive-thru) to give us energy throughout the day between meetings, business errands, and trying to maintain life outside of work, but unfortunately, this will negatively affect your energy levels over time, and is terrible for your blood pressure, cholesterol, sodium levels, and more. So, what can you do to get those daily doses of fruits and veggies in, while keeping up with your busy lifestyle? 

• Plan ahead. By looking ahead and your week and having a plan for your meals, you're more likely to incorporate healthy options than "eating on the fly" and picking up food last minute...or cleaning out your fridge by dining on leftover Chinese takeout. There are lots of ways to incorporate healthy eating into your weekly routine by having a meal plan. For example, there are lots of ideas online about prepping various salads for the week, and then you simply throw the jar into your lunch bag along with the dressing, grab a bottled water, and you're set to go! This can even be mixed up and eaten while out and about between client consultations and picking up kids from soccer camp! Another idea is to plan out healthy dinners during the week, and cook enough for leftovers for your lunch the next day. Not only does this help your whole family practice healthier eating, but by having your lunch packed and ready to go the night prior, you'll save time in the mornings without sacrificing health. 
• Make sure your meals (and snacks) pack a punch. Need a breakfast on the go? Instead of reaching for a bagel or a granola bar, why not plan for 10 extra minutes of prep and whip up a smoothie? Smoothies are a wonderful way to get in several servings of fresh fruits (and veggies if you add spinach, carrots, or other mildly flavored options in!) without having to take time to sit down and eat a large breakfast. You can whiz up a smoothie in the blender, throw it in a transportable cup with a straw, and you have a healthy breakfast to sustain you throughout your morning commute. Keep the same thing in mind for lunches and snacks throughout the day. Reach for fresh options like carrot sticks instead of potato chips alongside your sandwich, or an apple instead of a cookie when the afternoon slump rolls around. 
• Shop local! Yes, we know fresh produce, especially if it's organic, can be a bit pricey in the grocery store when compared to convenience options. That's why we encourage you to shop local. Right here in our own county, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and surrounding communities have weekly, or bi-weekly, farmers markets and street fairs during the summer where local gardeners put out their produce for purchase. You know you are getting fresh, top-quality fruits and vegetables, and you're supporting a neighbor and fellow business owner. It's a win-win. Plus, by buying fruits and veggies that are in season, you know they'll taste better, and likely have a higher nutrient content. 

By maintaining healthy eating habits this summer, your body will thrive and you'll see your energy increase and your strength improve. In the same way, Newton Peach Marketing is ready to help you maintain healthy business strategies to increase your client base and grow your brand! Through a customized blend of social media engagement and content creation, blogging, local advertisement, and more, we target a specific audience for your company, to keep you growing and expanding within the community and beyond. 

Happy June! Stay healthy and happy! 

Diversifying Your Marketing for Optimal Growth

The saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket” is as easily applied to your business as any other situation, yet this passive warning is rarely heeded by owners, particularly those of the small business variety. Logically, you wouldn't put all of your financial resources into the work trucks and none into your office building when you start up, nor would you put all of your efforts into ordering materials and little to no effort on staff training. Why, then, do business owners feel that it's ok to invest in only one or two marketing or outreach efforts and then stop? 

Failing to diversify your marketing not only limits your image and brand in the community, but it also harms your business growth. Some common areas where we've noticed businesses "putting all their eggs in one basket" include: 

Limiting their social media presence. 

The more you're online, the more likely you are to be seen. It's just plain logical sense, yet many owners choose to pick only one type of online platform (most often, Facebook) and leave out other valuable opportunities for potential customers or clients to see their business! By investing in content creation and marketing efforts through Twitter, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, and other resources you're multiplying the amount of times your business name and services offered are being presented to the public, and that means more customers for you! 

Print is not dead. 

Printed materials in marketing have definitely lost popularity with the development of social media and online opportunities, but that does NOT mean they are irrelevant in the advertising world. The trick is knowing how to use certain types of materials and which ones will be reach your target audience and therefore benefit your business. For example, some well-placed custom business cards that are eye catching and out of the ordinary can bring much-needed exposure and set you apart from your competitors. In the same way, mailers, flyers, local ads (like the Coupon Book of East Polk County) and even banners or signs are all great options that will help you grow if, and only if, you are targeting the right audience with materials they will actually see and appreciate. 

Be a part of the community you want to market to. 

One of the best ways to encourage people to use a business is by building a relationship with the very consumers whom you want to serve. That can't be done unless you are actively involved within the community where your business is located! Volunteer at local charities or non-profits, invest in business sponsorships for local events, sponsor a local children's sports league, etc. and you'll root yourself into the position of being "one of the locals" and that will have huge benefits for your business. 

Newton Peach Marketing knows how, where, and when to target the audience you need, and how to custom design a marketing strategy plan for you to get maximum results. We take away the worry of diversifying your outreach efforts (and all that comes with them) and instead step in to do the hard work for you. Our goal is to hep you meet YOUR goals, and growing your business is our job. Give us a call and see how we can help you! 

Spring Break Blues: Tips for Finding Childcare When The Kids Get Spring Break...and You Don't

Spring break is HERE and that means kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement about 5 days of no school, and free time to enjoy some rest, some fun, and time away from the books. Some families use Spring Break to take vacations, travel, or even stay home and enjoy time together, but if your budget doesn't allow for that and you have no paid time off of work, how do you handle a break? Childcare can be hard to find, but here are some solutions to consider if your kids get a break, but you don't. 

Family 911

If your spouse works from home, has more vacation time than you, or can afford a few "sick" days, it might be worth asking him/her to take over the kids for the week. If that isn't an option, nearby family members are often happy to help (especially grandparents!) and could be a good option for the week of Spring Break. It's worth asking before you look for alternatives outside of your close-knit relatives.  

Friends helping friends. 

Friends are your next line of defense when it comes to facing a week of no childcare. If you have friends who work a different schedule, or who stay at home during the week, they may be willing to help you with childcare. Good etiquette is to offer payment, or at the very least, swapping out reciprocative childcare or another service as thanks for their help. Many times friends are willing to help with no cost at all, but it's never polite to presume. 

Find a quick fix.

Knowing that Spring Break is hard for working parents, many local churches, childcare centers, after school programs, and day camps have special programs running during this time. Some are free and others require (usually minimal) payment, but it's a good choice if you are stuck with nowhere for your kids to go and have to report to your boss. For very young children and babies, daycare centers sometimes have first come, first serve pay-per-day options so call around to programs in the Polk County area to find one near you. 

Working while parenting is hard. Running your own business while parenting is next to impossible. Hopefully the tips above can help you overcome the challenges of spring break, and still manage to get in a few minutes of fun time with your kids while they're on vacation from school. Newton Peach Marketing is here to help give you even more free time by taking away the familiar strain of growing your business through exposure. We take care of making sure your company and brand are known to the community, and are seen by the right people to increase your profits and help your business take off. We are Winter Haven's trusted local business marketing firm, and it's our goal to help you reach YOUR goals. Give us a call, and enjoy your spring break! 

Show Your Business Some Love!

With Valentine's coming up quickly, love is on everyone's mind. For business owners, a significant other isn't the only one who might need some extra TLC; your business could likely use a bit of love too! Taking time and making an effort to think through your current business practices, and coming up with ways to improve them and/or increase profits, is a great way to "love" your company, and also to show love to your own family as your business helps support them each day. One of the best ways to improve the reach and success of your business is through marketing, and there are several ways you can utilize this outlet to better your business, including: 

Social Media

It's not good enough to just have a social media page. If you aren't maintaining your social media presence, it's doing you little or no good, and could actually hurt your business. People who check a business page on Facebook or Google+ are looking for updated information, and good response time from the owner, and if they don't see that then they'll move on to another business offering what they need. That's money taken right out of your pocket. To make the most of your social media presence, aim to post engaging, informative, and/or entertaining content relative to your business at least once a week (preferably 2-3 times weekly). Also, check in weekly and look for any comments, questions, or other interactions on your page and posts. Responses to these are key in building a relationship with current and potential customers. 

Websites

Most business owners understand the importance of a website in today's world, but all sites are not created equal. Having a website done in a DIY fashion with standard stock photos, generic, themed information, and little personalization won't make your business stand out from the competition, and it certainly won't get any points for creativity. Websites are blend of content targeting your audience, engaging and personalized images, and dynamic portions that are continually updated or changed (like a blog!). These elements make your site unique to your business, keep current information within easy reach for customers, and offers a "first impression" of your brand for potential clients. 

Creative Content

Content is a key element in all of the outlets mentioned above, and then some. Social media platforms, websites, Youtube channels, blogs, printed materials, etc. all require content, and the more you customize it and make it applying to readers, the more it will benefit your business. Coming up with creative content without plagiarizing other creators is hard, yet vital to the growth and success of your brand. 

If you like what you've read above, and could see it benefitting your business, why not go ahead and show your business some love! If you really want to show your business you care this year, give it the gift of outsourcing your marketing needs to a professional. Newton Peach Marketing is proud to serve clients in and around the greater Central Florida region with top-quality marketing services. We offer content creation for both social media and blogging purpose, website design and maintenance, graphic design for printed materials and digital platforms, and more. If it helps your business grow, WE are ready to do it. We're just a phone call away...and your business will appreciate us a lot more than a box of chocolates! 

Ready, Set, Take-Off: Boosting Your Business (and Staff!) in 2018

Now that Christmas and New Years is behind us, we are all looking at the rest of 2018 on the horizon and gearing up for everything it brings with it. Preparing for the coming months has many people making resolutions about health, finances, personal growth, or even items to check off of their bucket list, but for business owners, ringing in a new year involves other types of preparation as well. When you are the head of a business, regardless of the size, you know that the upcoming year means not only managing yourself, but also a team of employees, and all of the personal and financial efforts that come along with them. However, it's key to remember that your staff is worth that effort, because they are the heart and soul of your company! 

There are many ways you can give your staff a much needed (and likely appreciated) motivation this coming year, to ensure they are happy, efficient, and ready to help you continue to be successful and grow throughout 2018 and beyond. Ideas to consider include: 

• A facelift! Giving your office space a facelift can be a huge morale boost for you and for your employees. Whether it's sprucing up the bathrooms, adding a new break area, or giving your employees better desk and seating options, making the area where you must work each day more inviting is a great way to kick off a new year.
• New Incentives. Everyone loves incentives, from small children receiving stickers for their efforts, to adults working hard for their next work bonus. There are many types of incentives you could use to keep your staff energized and excited about their daily work. Perhaps you could offer a special staff lunch for quotas being met on time, or give an employee a day off for reaching a certain number of sales/calls/etc. for a particular time period. Whatever you choose as the motivation, your staff will be sure to perk up and work harder if they have some type of reward to look forward to. 
• Make your staff feel appreciated. Holidays aren't the only time you should recognize your staff as people outside of the work they do each day. Hosting periodic business breakfasts, taking your employees out for dinner, or simply picking up a surprise box of donuts for the break room are all ways you can remind you staff that they are noticed and appreciated. 
• Motivational training. Consider having your entire office (YOU included!) take some kind of motivational training. Learning together about topics such as teamwork can offer tools for making your business stronger from the ground up. 

We hope these ideas help spark a plan for your business this coming year. We know your goal is to grow and thrive, and that's our goal for you too. Newton Peach Marketing makes it easier by doing the hard work of getting your business in front of the people who need it, and growing your customer base for you. That lets you focus on the important things, like managing your business and taking care of your staff. 

Give us a call to let us set up a custom marketing plan for you in 2018, from social media optimization to designing your new business cards. We've got you covered!