Amanda Weinraub is a branding powerhouse. Not only does she own a few businesses, but she helps business owners establish theirs by offering copywriting and website services. When I needed a website re-design, I sought out her assistance through Facebook. I thought I was just getting a new website but I got so much more. I got a “mentor” who helped me with branding and finding my voice. I was naïve about marketing and branding my business but I am so glad I got her to help me through that challenge. She just “gets” me and I’m sure that others that work with her feel the same way. I can never thank her enough for starting me on this journey towards finding my brand identity and learning how to speak to my target audience. When you’re a business owner, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, or frustrated. However, Amanda will give you more than just a website, she will put you onto game of branding and marketing your small business, the right way!
Thank you Amanda for giving me the opportunity to interview you. How did you get into the business of branding and website design?
My husband Justin and I have both owned various businesses through the years. He had always created our websites for us, and they always looked great and performed well. We then started having other business owners ask if we could help them. So, with my marketing/branding expertise and Justin’s design and copywriting expertise we decided to partner up and help other businesses grow.
If someone requests your business for branding and website design, what should they expect?
We really help guide and educate our on branding and messaging and what is needed to have a successful website. From there we have a streamlined process that helps our clients avoid stress and gives them an amazing website that will help them draw in more business.
I hope that you enjoyed the last installment of our People that Inspire series as much as I enjoyed doing it. There are so many talented folks out there and I know that my series only scratched the service. However, I do hope to do more interviews like this in the future but I will be charging for features such as this. 2023 is the year I plan to take Book2inspire to another level and I am not going to be as free with my time as I once was before. If you are interested in being featured to bring exposure to your business, feel free to reach out to me via my website by filling out our interest form.
Recently, you decided to also get into social media management and are receiving mentorship for it. What things are you learning during the mentorship process? Why do you feel mentorship is important?
I actually recently decided to step away from managing social media for others so that I could solely focus on branding and web design for our clients. However, I do feel mentorship is important in any business. We are all too close to our businesses and need fresh eyes and ideas from someone that has the experience and expertise.
For a business owner who is starting out on social media for the first time, is there a particular strategy you recommend? Are there certain platforms that are more user friendly?
There are many things to consider when answering this question. I highly recommend traditional networking when first getting started, which means focusing more on networking with other like-minded business owners, while also staying connected online through social media. You will want to be active on the platforms that your audiences are active on. This typically includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and even TikTok. Also, remember you DON’T have to be on ALL the platforms. Start with one, master it, and then move on to the next. Eventually, once you are making $10,000 or more per month in your business you will be ready to hire a social media manager that can really help you grow.
If you have a business or personal brand, why is a website so important vs. just relying on social media for customers?
You don’t own your social media accounts. You can be locked out at any time and they can be taken away from you. However, you do own your own website and email list. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong online presence and focus on growing an email list while growing your business.
How do you create a brand identity? What are common mistakes people make when doing this?
Creating a brand identity encompasses many facets. You want to understand your mission, your values, your brand personality, and of course your target audience. Your branding is about you, but it is also very much about your audience and what resonates with them. I see many business owners make the mistake of jumping to making a logo and choosing colors. That’s what they think branding is. However, branding is so much more than that. Branding is all about creating a feeling through images, words, color, and tone of voice.
I’ve heard of some small business owners hiring people to be the “face of the business” because they are too camera-shy. What do you think about this? Is this good business?
Yes, this is definitely a thing. Major corporations certainly do it. As a small business owner, it can be done, but I generally feel that a small business’s potential customers would rather get to know the people behind the business.
How important are collaborations in business and in what ways can collaborations help your personal brand or business?
Collaborating with other like minded business owners is really crucial and something most of us don’t do enough of. Think about it, if you work with other business owners that already have an audience and clients, you are being exposed to new audiences and potential clients. It also helps expose your clients and audiences to other aspects of business they may need help with. All in all, you are serving your audience and clients in a powerful way when you collaborate.
What are some parting words you would like to leave those who may be feeling frustrated or overwhelmed with not growing like they want on social media and thinking of exiting left? What free online resources are out there to help someone with branding and social media marketing?
Social Media Marketing can be so frustrating and the important thing to remember is you do not need a huge following in order to be successful and do well in your business. I recommend you be consistent, but do what you can. If you can post only 2 times a week, then do that. Focus on quality over quantity and remember to be yourself. People buy from people that they know, like, and trust. Remember that Social Media is really all about building relationships. There are so many free resources out there from podcasts, to YouTube Videos, to Instagram posts, and more. I highly recommend hiring a good social media strategist to help you. They can save you so much time, heartache, and stress. They will hone on what you need to do and where you need to do it, so you can be laser focused.
If someone wants to contact you about your services, how can they reach you?
https://connectwebdesignstudio.com
www.instagram.com/connectwebdesignstudio
www.facebook.com/amandakayweinraub
I hope that you enjoyed the last installment of our People that Inspire series as much as I enjoyed doing it. There are so many talented folks out there and I know that my series only scratched the service. However, I do hope to do more interviews like this in the future but I will be charging for features such as this. 2023 is the year I plan to take Book2inspire to another level and I am not going to be as free with my time as I once was before. If you are interested in being in a feature to bring exposure to your business, feel free to reach out to me via my website by filling out our interest form. I am more than happy to assist by having your business featured in my blog which can be a great opportunity to grow your brand.
In the meantime, stay tuned for future blogs regarding all things mental health and autism!
