Social: Christy Laurence on how to PLANN a great brand story

Marketer, artist, and entrepreneur Christy Laurence started PLANN, an Instagram app, because people wanted help creating impactful, on-brand Instagram profiles. Images that stood together as a gallery, not just a random collection of one-offs. Posts that served strategic goals. And, above all, ways to tell their brand's visual story that didn't take up all of their time. Christy was kind enough to share some of her Instagram expertise with us today, namely on how to use this tool to tell a story (and why you should be doing so).

Some of Christy's top storytelling strategies:

• BEHIND THE SCENES: Give followers a glimpse of what you're doing
• COMMUNITY: Show your human side; be a little more vulnerable, less perfect. It's more relatable.
• INSPIRATION: ...at the same time, sometimes giving your followers something to aspire to isn't such a bad thing. Just be sure the inspirational shots you post are in line with your brand.
• EDUCATION: What can you teach your followers about your process, your mission/vision, your product, your area of expertise? People are more likely to look kindly upon you - and buy from you! - if you've taught them something.

Social: who are you?

Those of you who follow me on social media know I spent this past week at #INBOUND17, soaking up insights from HubSpot's assembled team of experts from both within & outside of the marketing realm.

You likely also know that I tend to live-tweet the hell out of these things - which is how I met Jessie-Lee Nichols of Impact, whose thumb is apparently even more limber than my own. We discussed our favorite speakers (a list which includes Michelle Obama, Rand Fishkin, Piera Gelardi, & Brene Brown) and how their recurring messages of culture and identity spoke to each of us.

I'll be putting my own tweets from the conference into Storify threads, which will, in turn, be presented in a series of blog posts next week - keep your eye out for them!

I'd also be remiss if I didn't remind you all to register for Strike Up The BRAND - my eCourse on finding your personal brand, then rocking it out - ASAP! Course begins October 2. #tootyourhorn

Social - Vassar Reunion Edition!

What's a girl to do when her college reunion overlaps with her weekly Facebook Live show? Find a fellow alum to chat with, of course!

Bruce Mendelsohn of The Hired Pen and I discussed brand storytelling, social media, PR, building your email list, social media contests, and excessive lighting woes, all from the stunning Rose Parlor at Vassar College (i.e. where I spent half of my time from 1998-2002, rehearsing 6-7 hours a week with The Night Owls, with whom I'll be singing this weekend!).