text: In a world saturated with social media influencers, models and content creators, it can be difficult to find unique ways to interact with your following. It is entirely natural to struggle with this, even seasoned veterans do! Here are some creative ideas to post on your social media platforms:
  Share your favorite book
  Being one of the first forms of mass media will always give good books an unexplainable lure about them. You have to assume that your followers will likely be interested in many of the stories you are, since they are following YOU.
  Remind people who you are
  Authenticity in everyday life is important, but on social media it is vital. You do not want to create separation between the content and the creator. You are the brand, manufacturer, and creator. Take a picture or video integrating your audience into your life.
  Share how you got started
  Much of your following may come from people seeing the best part of themselves in you. Sharing your back story will make you more relatable, thus drawing further interest in your product.
  Go behind the scenes
  Share with your audience your creative process. Entangle them in what makes your creative juices flow. This can be fascinating to watch, but also an inspiration to other creators who follow you.
  Share a personal story
  You are more than what you make and what talents you have. Therefore, it is important that you illustrate that to your following. Allow them to see you as a human being; because you are one.
  Post things that you’re excited to be working on
  To show the world your passion is tough, especially when you care deeply about it, but do it. Show how passionate and excited you are about something new. Passion and excitement is contagious, use that.
  ​
  Give your audience early access to a new project
  This is like opening one of your christmas presents on christmas eve. You know there is more to come, but in the meantime you cling to that little toy your parents let you open. Give your following a taste and they will be eager for the finale.
  Share a blog Post
  ​Blog posts are useful even if you aren’t a writer. Your words and thoughts are just as important as what you make. This can be the avenue in which you carry out some of the other suggestions.
  Go live with your followers
  Interaction is key. More than anything, most people just want to be seen, heard, and appreciated. This gives room for all those things and creates an organic chemistry between the observers and the observed.
  Share you new ideas with your audience!
  For some, new ideas can be daunting. This takes the pressure of it. Just spit it out and get it off your chest because your biggest idea might become even bigger when you tell someone about it.
  If you are still having trouble coming up with ideas, let us know! We're here to help.
  3 Comments
  Biggest Insurance Mistake I See People Make!
  6/30/2022
  1 Comment
  Enjoy the latest Guest Blog from Kory Wermerskirchen, who is in my networking group!
  I have been in the insurance industry for 10+ years, and continually the biggest mistake I see people make is with their liability limits. This is what protects you and your assets should you be liable (at-fault) in an accident. As the publicly traded online insurers have pushed to commoditize the insurance industry, the push for saving money in as little of time as possible has increased drastically. Besides the issue of spending less time on insurance than you do on your Amazon order, there is significant risk aligned with this quick decision. In MN if you don’t have sufficient coverage for an at-fault accident, nor the ability to pay out of pocket for damages exceeding your insurance coverage amount, they may garnish up to 25% of your wages until that debt has been repaid. Could you afford a 25% pay cut in perpetuity until your debt is repaid? I know my family couldn’t.
  Many companies advertise the price without much attention directed to what you are buying, and what money conscious person would select the $100/month option over the $90/month or $80/month option? Increasingly I see people selecting the $80 option, which often means they have the State Minimum Liability coverages of 30/60/10. When I chat with these same people and ask how long it would take to accrue $30k in Medical Damages at the Hospital, or how many cars on the road are worth less than $10k, they all unanimously answer, not long and not many. And they are right. Yet usually unbeknownst to them, that is exactly how much coverage they have right now.
  ​
  So if you really only have 15 minutes to spend on determining your coverages, spend it with a local reputable agent that can inform you of what you are buying and the potential risks associated with it. Or at the very minimum double check what you have, and determine if that is sufficient to protect you and your family. Your financial future may depend on it.
  Kory Wermerskirchen
  Marty Bothwell Agency
  Ph: (952) 937-5556
  Fax: (952) 975-9217
  kory.wermerskirchen.uvwt@statefarm.com
  1 Comment
  What is Wellness, and How can we Practice It? By Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD
  5/31/2022
  0 Comments
  Kourtney Johnson
  This month, I'm happy to share a guest blog post from Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD. I hope you enjoy!
  Wellness is a hot topic right now. Type the word into Google, and you’ll see results ranging from wellness centers to definitions to the different dimensions of it. But what does wellness even mean, and how can we implement it into our lives in a practical way?
  What is Wellness?
  When you think of the word “wellness” what comes to mind?
  Maybe you see someone at the gym, covered in sweat as they run on the treadmill, or possibly you’re envisioning someone dutifully eating all five recommended servings of fruits and veggies each day. However, it’s also feasible that you picture something completely different.
  But what is wellness, anyway? According to Merriam-Webster.com, wellness is “The quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”
  This is a broad definition that doesn’t just apply to eating certain foods and exercising. After all, health encompasses many areas including mental, physical, spiritual and emotional, and there are a variety of practices we can implement to improve each area.
  How can we practice wellness when it’s so broad?
  I get it! You’re a busy entrepreneur who wears multiple hats and pours your energy into business, so adding one more thing to your plate might make you cringe. Plus, the idea of wellness is overwhelming.
  But you know what they say: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you’re an entrepreneur, let alone a solopreneur, you are the face of your brand. It doesn’t operate (or at least very well) without you. That’s why implementing a wellness routine into your life is crucial.
  And yes, while the concept of wellness might seem overwhelming as it encompasses many areas of health, having a routine in place doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are a few suggestions for prioritizing wellness to increase your chances of having good health so you can continue living out your dreams.
  How to Prioritize Wellness in your Busy Life
  1.Audit your time.
  It’s easy as an entrepreneur to feel as though you have no extra time and that you eat, sleep and breathe your business. However, if you audit your time over one week during what is a normal period of time for you, you’ll see there are gaps in your days where habits to be added to improve your health.
  2.Consider your goals.
  What do you want to achieve by having better health? Maybe you desire to stop feeling exhausted each day and wake up refreshed, so sleeping for at least seven hours each night is a must. Perhaps you’d like to decrease the amount of stress you feel, and seeing a therapist would help you achieve that. Or it’s possible you would rather read a book for 30 minutes before bed instead of scrolling mindlessly through your phone, which results in thoughts racing through your head as you try to sleep.
  3. Be realistic.
  What are practical ways you can implement wellness into your life? Maybe in an ideal world, you’d wake up at 5:00 AM and head to the gym, but you know yourself and realize that won’t happen. However, maybe there is a walking group that meets over the lunch hour which you would actually attend and truly enjoy being a part of.
  4.Make it fun!
  When we think about how to increase the amount of wellness in our lives, it sounds boring. But it doesn’t need to be! Again, find an activity you enjoy if you hate what your workout routine is now. And if you don’t know what you like, try different activities! If you goal is to read before bed, choose a book with a friend and hold yourself accountable by scheduling a book discussion on a certain date.
  5.Be flexible.
  If after some time you’re not making progress toward your goals or not enjoying the process, determine how you can switch it up. Where are you getting stuck? What don’t you like about the routine you have? It’s ok to mix it up!
  There you have it: five ways to implement wellness into your routine and reap the benefits of better health. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and you are your company’s greatest asset. Take care of yourself!
  Kourtney Johnson is a registered dietitian and the owner of Intuitively Nourished. She helps women go from hating their bodies to appreciating and properly caring for them; in addition, she guides ladies from feeling guilt or shame for eating certain foods to enjoying their food and moving on with their day. You can learn more about Kourtney and her work at Intuitivelynourished.com.
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  We're Hiring a Digital Marketing Assistant
  4/4/2022
  6 Comments
  We work with many different industries throughout the U.S. to help with their digital marketing needs. From Realtors to Chiropractors, to local restaurants and museums, you will play a vital role in the content we provide for our customers and helping their businesses be seen online.
  You will also serve as an internal advocate for client needs, helping to bring about better service to clients and contribute to the overall customer experience. This is a part-time, remote, entry-level position with room to grow. Communication and creativity are key with this position.
  Duties Include, but are not limited to:
  Tracking growth across platforms for a wide variety of clients.
  Help prepare reports for analysis to present to clients.
  Develop original and engaging text, image content to help promote client brands on social media, email marketing, and websites.
  Assist with uploading already made content to YouTube channels for clients.
  This position requires great communication skills.
  Other duties as assigned
  This job starts at 5 to 10 hours per week at $25 an hour and is an independent contractor with room to grow. We are willing to train as well for the right person.
  ​
  Please submit a sample of writing when you apply. A sample should include one original social media post for a business of your choosing or a sample blog post.
  Please email us your resume!
  6 Comments
  New Year, New Wardrobe, New You!
  2/2/2022
  1 Comment
  Have you ever had a moment where things in your life just don't "fit" any more? Whether it's something you're doing, the places you go, or even your wardrobe...?
  I've been experiencing that with the clothes I wear. Between health issues and working from home full time, it's real easy to get into a rut. It's even easier to not get out of leggings for three days. I'm not against leggings or being comfortable, but there are times when I've wished I could take things to the next level.
  Part of the problem is that shopping has always scared me. I was always intimidated by the clerks in the stores, what to try on, what even looks good on me. So at some point, I sort of stopped trying. There is a silver lining.... when I joined my networking group 2 years ago, I was introduced to the fabulous Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting and she's made such an impact on my life. I never knew I could wear the things she's helped me try on. I always felt stuck in a rut. Stuck with what ever clothing fit the fruit my body resembled instead of finding pieces I love and being able to pair them together. What a concept!
  If you are looking to gift yourself something amazing this February and give yourself a real boost of confidence, let a consult with Nancy be it! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Not only is she amazing to work with, Nancy is also one of the nicest humans I've met on this planet. Plus, she helped me pick out this jacket.
  Want to get in touch with Nancy? Visit her website.
  ​
  Photo courtesy of The Divine Group.
  1 Comment
  What's Your Word For The Year?
  1/12/2022
  1 Comment
  Photo Courtesy of The Divine Group
  I'm not one to pick resolutions, it's always seemed weird to me that at the beginning of the year we start new and can reinvent ourselves. That at the stroke of midnight, we somehow get a magic restart. Why not reinvent yourself whenever you need too or start a new goal each day or each week? Why not just strive to be a better version of yourself every day?
  One of my clients recently mentioned that she picked a word for the year, to sort of define what the year would mean for her... and that resonated with me. It's like a guiding principle to help keep things in perspective as you reinvent yourself or start new goals. What a concept! I had heard it before, but for some reason, never took to the idea until now.
  This year, I've decided my word is "balance". It's not a word I've felt really worked for me, especially in the past year and half. I'm one of those people that works to find balance, it somewhat feels out of reach. Not sure if you can relate. Between all of the things that the world throws us at us, how are we suppose to achieve any sort of balance in life? This year, I think it's something good to work towards and I really feel like it's time.
  I'm talking balance of all aspects of my life- work, relationships, health and self-care, travel, all of it! I know it's going to take some work, but I'm up for the challenge.
  If you have a word for the year, I'd love to hear it and the reason behind it!
  And thank you to Nancy Dilts from Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting for sparking a little creativity.
  1 Comment
  Should You Start a Blog?
  10/15/2021
  0 Comments
  With all the competition out there, how do you stand out in a crowd? How do you get more views and leads to your company’s website? Many companies have embraced the power of blogs, writing about their businesses, their employees, and things that matter to their brand. How do you know if writing blog posts is right for your website?
  What goals are you trying to reach with a blog? Is it to build your online brand? Is it to inspire your potential customers? Or maybe to make a connection with your consumers and seem more accessible and not a faceless corporation. Think about what you would like to achieve and consider if a blog will help you reach that goal.
  Blogs can establish online branding. By creating lots of content on the same type of subjects, the more of an expert you and your business can become. Soon people will seek out your blogs to find the latest recommendations or information your company is talking about. Becoming an authority in your market helps to become recognizable, building your online brand.
  Reaching people through the power of inspiration. Write blogs about inspiring topics that are important to you and your company. Talk about what your employees are up to and their latest successes. Talk about what your company is doing to help other people, like fundraisers or causes you may be a part of. People love to be inspired and to see that companies they are supporting are doing great things for their communities.
  Blogs can personalize your business. By writing blogs, you can show off your company’s personality. People love to feel like they are a part of something. If you are reaching out to customers in a way that they feel like they can connect with, then you’ll create interest and potential loyalty to your business.
  Now, with all the positive aspects of creating blogs, are there any downsides? There are always multiple sides to everything we do. Blogs can potentially be a lot of work and are time consuming to actually create the content for, but don’t let that stop you from putting out content. A few things to think about on this front. You should pick a schedule that you can live with and can live up to. If you have limited time, don't worry about writing a weekly blog, instead try out a one time a month schedule. Figure out what works best for your company and the time you have available. Whatever you choose to do, you should absolutely create your own content and don’t link to an external blog. The blog should be incorporated into your website, so that all the traffic drives to your site.
  Considering all the pros to writing your own blog, you may also be thinking that writing a blog is just one more thing to stack on my already full plate. If you are in need of assistance and professional guidance, contact Spotlight Business Solutions to see what is right for your business. We’re always happy to help!
  Happy writing!
  0 Comments
  5 Ways for Single Moms to Thrive While Starting a Business from Home
  8/31/2021
  2 Comments
  -Guest Article written by Kelli Brewer.
  ​Starting a business from home while sharing childcare duties with a partner is already a challenge. There are countless articles, blogs, and hashtags devoted to organizing and managing remote work while parenting children with someone else — but what if you are a single mother? The constant advice given about splitting childcare duties with a partner may not apply in your situation, especially if you have recently separated from your partner or are starting the divorce process, which is overwhelming on many levels.
  Single moms can do more than survive their work hours while trying to entertain small children. Read through these tips from Spotlight Business Solutions to learn how to better manage your unique work-life balance as a single mom who is starting a business from home.
  Transfer Your Skill Set
  Many single working mothers have successfully transferred their corporate skills and other talents to their startup or entrepreneurship endeavor to spend more time with their young children. This is especially true during the pandemic, which has seen a rise in COVIDpreneurs — entrepreneurs who have used the time at home to develop ideas into money-making ventures. Working as a freelance consultant is often ideal for a single working mom who wants to build a successful business from home. Additionally, flexible hours mean you can get jobs done and still be available for your kids when they need you.
  For example, if you worked in the medical field, consider writing for medical sites or blogs that translate medical information to simpler terminology to make it easier for people to understand. If you have a background in finance, look into consulting, tax preparation, or other roles that allow you to start a remote freelance business using the skills you have.
  You can also refine your skills by going back to school, which can increase your chances of making more money and advancing in your career. Universities like WGU allow you to earn a degree online, so you can complete your education from home while juggling parenthood and business ownership. Degrees like accounting can put you a step ahead from the competition and give you the skills needed to qualify for top positions in business and finance.
  Complete Your Legal Paperwork Online
  If you’re a COVIDpreneur starting a business from home, you’ve likely already signed your name to dozens of documents. If you haven’t begun to file papers yet, complete this checklist of requirements before the launch of your business. Tips to remember include choosing a catchy name for your business, purchasing your domain name or website address, registering your limited liability company (or other small corporation) with your state, and paying your yearly dues.
  Know When to Hire Talent
  You may have received advice concerning hiring web designers and digital marketers to begin expanding your business's reach. Hiring these professionals can free up your time for your kids, but refer to your business plan to ensure that you hire the right people at the most effective time. If you don’t have a solid website with regularly published content, you probably don’t need a digital marketer’s help just yet. Similarly, if you understand marketing but your website is a little untidy, consider hiring an expert to elevate your site’s look to a more professional level before you show it to potential clients. Either way, Spotlight Business Solutions can offer you expertise in website design, social media marketing, and a range of other services for your business.
  Recruit a Trustworthy Sitter or Nanny
  Single moms may find it difficult to care for children in the early stages of starting a business, especially if their children are at home with them all the time. If you notice that you’re feeling frazzled while balancing kids’ activities, crafts, and mealtimes with your new venture, consider hiring help. Even asking a part-time nanny or a teenaged neighbor you trust to stop by for a few hours a week can be lifesaving to parents with no outside assistance. Any of the children’s grandparents who live nearby may be willing to babysit on a regular schedule as well.
  Find a Mentor
  When branching out on your own to start a business, especially in our disconnected digital age, a mentor is worth her weight in gold. Find one through a network or reach out to someone you know. When possible, look for single parents who can understand your unique position.
  An old friend from high school may have just started an online business, or perhaps an acquaintance posts regularly on social media about success with her startup. Reach out to ask for any notes or advice they are willing to offer.
  Starting a business from home, whether you wish to freelance, consult, or develop a solid client base, can be done with perseverance and time management. If you go slowly and steadily, you can soon reap the rewards as a COVIDpreneur with a dependable source of income you can count on and continue to build from your home.
  Spotlight Business Solutions is dedicated to helping business grow. For more information about our marketing and design services, give us a call at 651-373-1185 or email amy@spotlightbizsolutions.com
  2 Comments
  The Value of Hiring a Professional Accountant for Your New Business
  8/3/2021
  4 Comments
  As the new entrepreneur of a budding business, you may have entered your field because of a novel idea or great service you want to share with the world. You may even have confidence in your management abilities, as well as the organizational and people skills to successfully take your business to new heights.
  However, very few entrepreneurs are proficient in accounting and bookkeeping, nor do they have the time to take on all the financial duties running a business requires. According to Wasp Barcode, only 40% of owners claim to be very or extremely knowledgeable when it comes to their general understanding of accounting and finance, and 82% of businesses fail due to cash flow problems. Despite these numbers, many small businesses don’t hire an accountant or bookkeeper.
  While limited funds may have you convinced that you can do without professional accounting services, hiring someone to help you take on the financial organization of your new business and prepare taxes correctly can set you up for success in the long run.
  Avoid Common Accounting Errors
  When business owners have too many irons in the fire, accounting errors are bound to happen at some point. Issues with data entry can have serious consequences, such as:
  Missing invoices and incurring late fees
  Reporting expenses incorrectly
  Overstating or understating cash flow information
  Over-reporting income
  Overlooking embezzlement or fraud
  Hiring a professional accountant who is aware of the best accounting practices, has a deep understanding of accounting programs, and has a well-established system in place to quickly detect errors can take the responsibility off your shoulders. This will allow you to focus your attention on other areas of the business.
  Get the Most Out of Your Tax Return
  If you want to spend less time trying to sort through your taxes and ensure you come out with the best refund possible, hire a small business tax accountant to prepare your taxes for you. These professionals can take care of every step of the process, ensuring you are benefiting from every deduction available to you, filing your taxes, and offering advice on how to better your tax strategy for the future. According to AllTopStartups, because accountants know the ins and outs of taxation, they will be able to save you from any penalties and fines.
  Enlist Help With Payroll
  If you have a full-time accountant taking care of the general finances for your business and filing tax returns, he or she may take care of payroll for your company as well. To make managing payroll easier, consider investing in an online payroll service to help streamline the process and improve your employees’ experience.
  When searching for the right payroll software, look for a service that includes automated payroll, calculating your employee’s wages while factoring in any other circumstances, such as overtime, insurance deductions, benefits and bonuses. Employees will also appreciate having an online portal to access using their computer or phone to easily see and download pay stubs, tax forms, or other reports. This also saves you the hassle of having to track down and provide information to your employees any time they need to reference their pay.
  Streamlined payroll is incredibly important because it helps your employees feel appreciated. Paying your employees on time will encourage them to keep working hard, and this will benefit your business in the long-run. Your employees are the lifeblood of your company, so you should ensure they are satisfied.
  If you’re not as adept at handling finances for your business as you are at managing your employees and strategizing ways for your brand to grow, a professional accountant is an invaluable addition to your team. Ensure your business is on the right track financially and free up more of your time to take care of other critical areas of operations.
  Does your digital marketing strategy need revamping? Spotlight Business Solutions can handle all your web design, social media marketing, blog writing, and SEO needs. Call 651-373-1185 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation!
  Article courtesy of Kelli Brewer.
  4 Comments
  Tips for Small Businesses on Using Social Media
  7/6/2021
  0 Comments
  Photo courtesy of The Divine Group.
  Got a small business and struggling to keep up with what to do with your social media channels? It can be a challenge to figure out what you should be doing with it all, especially on top of your already mounting tasks to keep your small business running. Not to worry, here are a few tips to keep your social media accounts fresh and enticing by expanding your reach to target audiences to increase your sales.
  ​
  Find the Appropriate Social Media Platforms for your Business - Figure out which platforms suit your target audience. If you’re looking for a particular customer base, then looking into different media platforms demographics will help choose which one is right for your business. Facebook and YouTube are the most popular platforms currently, with Instagram and Snapchat being used by a larger amount of younger people. A social media company can help you determine what target audience you should be aiming for with your business.
  Post Consistent, Engaging Content Regularly - Keep up on your social media posts with consistent content that is relevant to your business. Creating your own content for your posts is key, but you can also share things from other sources. You should post one time per day on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, but Twitter it’s recommended that you post more times throughout the day. Can’t do that? Start with 3 days a week and see how that goes. ​Include posts about your employees and if you have time outside the office creating a fun environment for your company. You can create posts about your products or projects that you are working on, but remember to keep the sales pitch to a minimum. Ask a question at the end of your posts to get people to engage and have fun on your social media platforms. Interaction is key, and your post will pop up more in people’s feeds if there is more engagement happening.
  Link your Website to your Social Media Accounts - Make sure you have links to your social media accounts on your website and vice versa. Your social media account should have your website listed on there as part of the basic setup, make sure you have filled out that part. But it’s also good to have your social media accounts links on your website. Add the icons for each social media presence that you have on your site, so that it’s linked to each one. Request that people follow or like your pages as well.
  For more insight on how to reach more customers and for creating exciting content, contact Spotlight Business Solutions to keep your social media current and engaging.
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  Author
  Amy Lauria, the president of Spotlight Business Solutions, has been working as a digital marketing maven since 2005.