The Power of Social Media

In this wonderful age of technology, most people view social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as social networks, not marketing machines. Because of that fact, they’re less likely to see what you post as an advertisement and will be more likely to hear what you have to say.  It's also a very simple way to get people's attention. 

This is also part of what makes social media marketing so powerful.  You get to interact with your customer base while getting insight through their tweets and status updates. By taking this information into consideration, you can begin to find your target audience.

Once you find out what your target audience is, you then have to figure out what to say to them. While social media has made it easier for people to market to people, there are still some rules to live by. One simple thing to remember is the 80/20 rule.  80% of your posts should be social in nature and engage people while only 20% should pertain to your products or services. If you are constantly trying to sell people something without giving them real content to engage in, you will lose them...and FAST! 

That being said, it isn't always a simple thing to post on social media. Sometimes posts catch people's attention and sometimes you might miss the mark.  Here are just a few simple you can use to make sure you maximize on those social media posts. 

• Market across many social platforms: Marketing across multiple social media platforms ensures you are seen and keeps your top of mind with your followers. Just remember to not take on more than you can manage. 
• Optimize your visual content with links: Post pictures to accompany your information and include a link to your website when you can. The important thing is to get people back to your website where they can call you, purchase your product, or fill out your form! 
• Deliver consistent content: If you have a schedule, make sure you stick with it. Posting 3 times a week for a month and then stopping because you are busy running your business, doesn't do you any good. Find a schedule you know you can work with or hire someone who can help.  We can think of a few people who might be able to help you manage your social media platforms:) 
• Engage With Your Audience: Your social media audience is made up of fans of your business, your content, current and potential customers so you want to create posts that engage these groups of people. The traditional rule of thumb is 80/20. Eighty percent of your content should be for you audience and 20% should be about your business (i.e. sales, marketing, self promotion). By engaging your audience and encouraging them to be a part of your online community, you become a resource! 
• Become a resource on Facebook: By becoming a resource for people on Facebook, they will look to you for content and enjoyment. Make sure your posts entertain, educate, inspire, and inform. Think about what you post before you put out there into the world. Make sure you have the proper links and hashtags to really get your message seen by others. 

Remember, these are just a few tips to help you maximize on what you are already doing with social media. Don't be afraid to try something new and get your audiences attention. 

Holiday Gift Guide

It's been far to long since I've written a blog post for myself! I always tell my clients that once they commit to a schedule of doing blog posts, they need to stick with it, but sometimes it doesn't always work out that way!

I thought it would be great to start with a Holiday Gift Guide to get back into the swing of things! So many of my friends and colleges have amazing businesses and what better way to give you a taste of a few of them in one fell swoop, so here goes:

My friends at Hemlock Films are at it again with another wonderful series called Beyond the Powder: The Legacy of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race. The documentary follows a team of two women air racers during the 2014 Air Race Classic, to mirror the story of the original Air Race of 1929 (also known as the Powder Puff Derby).  Hemlock Films worked with Squadron Posters to put together an amazing poster or canvas print (which ever you prefer)!

I personally cannot wait until the documentary comes out! The women behind the first women's cross country air race made history and I so hope the new documentary (and the poster) inspires women and young girls to achieve their dreams!

The next gift is really a gift of natural beauty. I recently met with a lovely woman named Amy Hejny who is a rep for a company called Beauty Counter. I'm sort of a sucker for trying any kind of new makeup, but this one is different- it really is all natural. They have a whole list of chemicals they do not use called "The Never List", which shares all of the things they never use in their products.

The idea behind the products is to offer luxurious beauty products without the harsh chemicals that can make us all sick! What's even better is that they actually work.

While the products are bit more expensive then your local drug store brand, they make you feel beautiful inside and out. The make up is put in recycled packaging (which you would never know by how cute it looks) and makes you feel like you are in an old Hollywood movie.

Don't just take my word for it, call Amy to set up a time to try the products for yourself or for someone you love before the Holidays. They would make great stocking stuffers!  Click here for more information

Pretty little yellow flower:)

Now that we have exceptional artwork for your wall, amazing products to help you look and feel your
best...let's round it out with ....flowers! That's right, I said FLOWERS.

I went through a phase where I didn't much care for flowers.  I always blamed it on my allergies or being a waste of money.

One of my new clients owns Lindskoog Florist in Minneapolis, MN and I went on a shop visit.  When I first walked in, the way they displayed the flowers really caught my attention and I was immediately taken with a pretty little yellow flower...still can't remember what it is called! The ladies put together a great little vase with my yellow flower, which I prominently displayed once I got home. I liked it so much, I've let the flowers dry to be a semi-permanent display piece and reminder of a cheerful day!


I couldn't remember the last time something so small made me smile so good! Who wouldn't want that this holiday season.  While Lindskoog Florist is local to the Twin Cities, they can deliver outside of Minnesota through Teleflora (which is so worth it). They creativity of each person who works there is truly a gift and they will create a heartfelt sentiment for you!

I suppose three gifts is a good starting point for now. I hope you have enjoyed my holiday gift guide and remember, when you can, shop and support local businesses!

Holiday Gift Guide

At Spotlight Business Solutions, we wanted to share some of our "go to" gifts with you for the holiday season and give a shout-out to some of favorite businesses. Many of the gifts are under $100, so they easily fit into most budgets. We hope you enjoy what we have put together. 

1. Help give history a future with this amazing story from Hemlock Films. The Restorers; They Were All Volunteers is just one episode from the new exciting television series about warbird and vintage aircraft restorers and the planes they resurrect from the graves of history. The series is based on and inspired by the Emmy Winning original 2004 film, The Restorers (which can also be purchased on their site). 

The story of the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing's B-25 Bomber and their amazing journey to 65th Doolittle Raider's Reunion can be purchased by clicking here. 

While you are there, check out the other amazing shows Hemlock Films has to offer.

2. Give the gift of creativity with a gift certificate from Promising Palette for one of their stellar painting classes! 

Whether you have never put a brush to canvas or are a skilled painter, these classes are fun, educational and a great way to spend time with the special people in your life. Promising Palette provides the paint, canvas, and inspiration for you to take home a unique painting to be proud of! Enjoy an evening with a friend by getting two seats or purchase one as a stocking stuffer for your favorite artist! Check out the calendar of events for more information.

3.  Who could resist something sparkly for the holidays, especially when that purchase helps give something back? That's why we love Cayetano Legacy Collection and all they stand for. The three Cayetano sisters are first generation Filipino Americans and wanted to bring worldwide attention to the beauty of the Philippine Islands with their creative and innovative jewelry designs.  

Their jewelry doesn't only sparkle, it's a statement piece like no other. Cayetano Legacy Collection also actively supports Filipino programs to train its citizens to source and manufacture all of their products. Their amazing work has created jobs and economic growth! 




4. Give the gift of flight and a unique look into the past with a gift certificate from the

Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing for a ride in one of their authentic WWII aircraft! They offer experiences in a variety of aircraft from a PT-22 Trainer to a B-25 Bomber. Prices range starting from a very reasonable $95. 


All flights include a pre-flight briefing with one of their experienced pilots, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the aircraft and its history.

 All flights are conducted in the spring, summer and fall, but they can be booked at any time and make a great gift. 

5. The holiday season can be really hard on us all between the stress of getting everything done, over eating, winter colds, the weather, and who knows what else.  Its hard enough to eat healthy the rest of the year, but it's virtually impossible during the holidays. 

Why not make it easy on yourself or for someone you know with a gift of food from Bonicelli Fresh Meal Delivery.  There are several plans to choose from to fit anyones needs, especially this time of year. 

No time to cook? No problem. With the "Friend in Need" or any of the meal delivery options from Bonicelli Fresh Meal delivery, it's all taken care of. Chef Laura Bonicelli and her team cook fresh meals with local ingredients and deliver them right to your door. Heck, even if it's a gift for you- you deserve it for working so hard putting together all those fabulous gifts! 

Promising Palette

I met Carol O'Malley a few years ago while teaching children's art classes together through a program called Young Rembrandt's (a very cool program that teaches children that they can develop the skills to be able to be an artist).

Carol O'Malley with one of her works of art.

Carol recently started her own painting class,but for adults! She has a wonderful background filled with artistic talent!  The class settings are unique locations all over the Twin Cities like O'Garas Bar & Grill, Gabes by the Park and Caribou Coffee. In this type of environment, you can have a glass of wine and enjoy food, while connecting with friends (maybe even some new ones) while you paint!

Painters hard at work!

The canvases are outlined for you so that you can really get into the creativity of painting, brush strokes and techniques, and mixing colors! The cost is only $35 per person and that includes supplies (drink and dinner are separate . I know, it's almost too good to be true. 


I am personally very excited for the upcoming class on May 20th, as Carol has asked me to be a guest artist! I am always looking for time to paint and create things and to share my knowledge with people. 

My style of painting is very different from Carol's, but I promise it will be just as fun. I do a lot abstract paintings with tons of bright colors, so get ready for something different! 

To register for the class, click here

Bold colors and shapes. Me with the painting I did in a Promising Palette Class!

Spotlight on Solo By Bonicelli

I am almost always on the go. Between business meetings, classes, and volunteer work I don't always have time to eat properly. For people who don't suffer from food allergies,  it's not a life or death issue, but then there's me...
I was blessed about a year and half ago when I met Laura Bonicelli of Solo By Bonicelli at an event at Parc Boutique in NE Minneapolis.  I didn't know it then, but Laura's food would change my life.

Laura and I started working together on her Marketing and Advertising and it wasn't long before her fresh meal delivery program became a regular staple in my diet. As I made the transition to a gluten free AND dairy free diet, her meals changed with me. It wasn't just about the food, it was about the emotions that accompanied the change. I felt like I was suffering alone. That's not the case any more. When we get the meals, I'm always excited to find out what we are having this week and know that I can eat it without worry.

I couldn't imagine my life without it.  If you or someone you know is interested in making a change in their life, contact Solo By Bonicelli today. Visit the website and take a look at all of the Fresh Meal Delivery options to help you accomplish your health goals! I did and I wouldn't change it for anything.

For more information, please visit the website at www.solobybonicelli.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/solobybonicelli 

Spotlight on North Country Wood Craft

It's amazing how time flies when your busy! I can't believe it's been so long since our last spotlight! Since it is the holiday season, we decided the best company to spotlight is North Country Wood Craft.

One of our favorite bowls!

Jim Berg, the owner and creator behind all of the wonderful hand crafted wood items has become not only a valued client, but great friend of ours over the past year.
His unique talent to take what one persona can dream up and make it into something special really makes his custom gifts a must have for the Holidays (or any occasion)!

Racing car with moving parts

Working with all of our companies, Jim has designed spa spoons and soap dishes to accompany Twilight Soaps & Gifts all natural bath products, jewelry boxes for raDesigns jewelry, and so much more!

You can check out all of North Country Wood Crafts items on his website, facebook, and the new Etsy site!

Hand crafted keepsake wine box

Spotlight on Rat Rod Magazine

About a year ago, I started working with Rat Rod Magazine out of Shakopee, Minnesota. My purpose was to assist them with selling ads in their magazine. Being heavily involved with WWII airplanes, I had an immediate appreciation for the cars themselves and the pictorial vibe of their magazine. The pages are covered with stunning shots of  custom built Rat Rods, pin-up models, all with a wonderfully artistic aesthetic.

The MN Wing advertised in this issue! 

As with the WWII airplanes I hold so dear in my heart, it can sometimes be a tough to get people to really see the vision of what you are pitching to them, so I wanted to take the time to post some of the amazing photo's that fill the pages of Rat Rod Magazine for you to get a feel for yourself.

I don't think many businesses out in cyber space realize how great a magazine Rat Rod is to advertise in. I hear a lot from people who say the image they portray doesn't fit with their business belief's (which is fine, everyone has a different perspective), but have those people actually had a chance to see some of the stunning photos and articles within the pages of the magazine?!?

Rat Rod Magazines following on Facebook and in actual sales in remarkable- just imagine having your ad in the hands of millions across the nation for a tiny fraction of the cost of other publications...can you really pass this up? I think not!

Either way, take a look at their site, their pictures, and get a feel for what they do and how much of an artistic process goes into producing this high quality visual journal into the Rat Rod Culture!

Enjoy,
Amy