The human face of social media
Matthews Steer’s Women In Business network wrapped up another exciting and informative year with our annual cocktail event on November 29.
Held at the Melbourne Events Centre in Essendon Fields, this year’s festive networking event featured a Q&A with Charlotte James, a digital and communications specialist working across a variety of industries including sport, entertainment, luxury brands and small businesses.
Charlotte, who has worked on the world stage in communications at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Wimbledon, the Australian Open, for an array of TV celebrities, runs her own business 'Charlotte James Communications' and has been our digital communications advisor here at Matthews Steer since 2015.
She’s always been passionate about helping small business in the social media space, and was delighted to share some of her knowledge in a chat with our General Manager Catherine Duncan.
Charlotte explained to the assembled guests that Instagram offers a significant opportunity for small businesses to connect with their customers and clients, tell their unique story, and control their brand image.
“Instagram used to be dominated by mummy bloggers, ‘influencers’ and wannabe fashion models, but that tide is turning,” said Charlotte. “We’re seeing a real backlash against inauthentic content and too excessive self promotion, and that creates space and opportunity for businesses and brands to find their tribe, connect, and tell their own meaningful, authentic stories.”
Charlotte said that whether a business offered a product or a service, there was equal opportunity to leverage Instagram and generate connections.
“It’s all about putting a human face on what you do,” she said. “If you’re selling a product, share beautiful pictures of people using that product, to add context and evoke an emotional response. If you are selling a service, share imagery of how that service helps people or solves a problem, how you go about delivering your service, or expertise that might helps someone overcome a challenge for themselves.”
Charlotte encouraged our event attendees to utilise all four channels within Instagram: ‘the grid,’ Instagram Stories, Instagram TV and Live, and recommended focusing on four key purposes when deciding what sort of content to share on Instagram: information, education, entertainment and inspiration.
Our Women In Business network departed the event fired up and inspired to go out and dominate on the 'Gram’!
Thank you to everyone who has supported Matthews Steer’s Women In Business network in 2019. The team looks forward to bringing you more insightful and entertaining speakers, and meaningful exchanges of experience and wisdom in 2019.
You can stay in touch with what is happening at Matthews Steer by following us on our fledgling Instagram account @MatthewsSteer, and tagging your Women In Business photos #MatSteerWIB throughout the year.
And, if you haven’t yet attended one of Matthews Steer’s Women In Business networking events, and you would like to join us in the New Year, please email info@matsteer.com.au