Why Coworking Works

Coworking spaces are disrupting the work place as we know it and your 9-5 just became that much better.  Most start-ups are strapped for cash and can't afford to make a mistake or miss out on valuable information that could help grow their business.  

If you're looking to start your own business or get out of the house, a coworking space is a great option.  Here are some reasons why coworking works:

1. Flexibility
   Many coworking spaces have different options for different people.  Not everyone works the same way so it is important that you find a coworking space that works with you and not against you.  Maybe you only come into the office a few times a month - it wouldn't make sense for you to be locked into a 6-month lease.  A lot of coworking spaces offer memberships just like a gym so you do things on your time. 
2. Cost-Effective
   Coworking spaces have a mix of offices within their space.  Many coworking spaces include things like utilities and internet, so that's one less thing you have to add to your bill.  Also, you can do things like print at a fraction of the cost for you to maintain a printer, buy the toner/ink, etc.  You have to worry about running your business.  You shouldn't have to worry about maintaining an office and coworking spaces let you get back to the important things.
   
3. Space Features
   Coworking spaces are generally considered "cool" because most of them come equipped with high-tech gadgets and technologies designed to help you work smarter.  From Smart TV's to white boards, it is important for a coworking space to have attributes that add to a member's experience.  You want to know that the space can handle high network speeds or can handle a presentation you're going to show.  
4. Space Benefits
   The benefits of being in a coworking space are also important.  The cost of moving your office can be high so ensure that a coworking space is equipped and ready to help you make that transition.  Some coworking spaces come with the benefits of marketing help or they can put you in touch with administrative help. 
   You have to ask yourself is this a place you want to go to every day?  Is this somewhere you can be productive and feel good about the work and people you interact with?  Your coworking space becomes a part of the work you do.  
5. Collaboration
   Coworking spaces are notorious for their collaborative environments.  Even the layout of the spaces are usually open and welcoming.  The other companies you work along side with come from different backgrounds and the people you meet within them have a lot to offer the environment - just like you do.  When you work in a collaborative work space, you have access to other people's knowledge, experience, advice, and network.  You never know who can help you get to where you want to be. 
6. Educational/Social Programs
   A lot of coworking spaces offer programs to their members for free or for a very discounted price.  The educational programs are often facilitated by respected leaders in a certain industry or they can be through an organization offering training for workers.  Coworking spaces are not shy to holding their own social events as well - many coworking spaces hold happy hours where members can get together and mingle.  Free beer is great too. 
7. Food and Coffee
   It is no secret that food brings people together.  Many coworking spaces understand this and provide snacks and drinks to their members as a part of their membership.  Forgot your lunch?  No problem, open the fridge.  Either way, you should enjoy yourself while you're working.  

Coworking spaces continue to dominate the work place and there's no signs of them stopping.  They promote collaboration and entrepreneurship, and they add value in the industry.  If you're thinking about joining a coworking space community but still aren't sure, contact us today and we'd be happy to help you. 

Marketing Predictions for 2016 from Industry Experts

As 2015 comes to a close, industry experts predict the trends that we're going to see in social media - from content creation to SEO rankings.  Here are some of our favorites we've read so far.








B2B Beat: The B2B Marketing Trends That Will Define 2016, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Blog

This blog post features the opinions of 10 marketing leaders and advertising agency executives.  The suggestions range with some of the experts predicting that they will see an increase in targeted customer marketing.  Others talk about content and how that content will take shape (video) and how it will be produced (through managers and executives who will oversee social media decisions).

10 Marketing Tactics to Plan for in 2016, Inc. 

The key influencers who were quoted in this article were asked to answer what marketing tactic they were going to implement in 2016.  My personal favorite is how one company plans to make their brand voice stronger. 

Experts Predict 9 Ways Internet Marketing Will Change in 2016, Inc. 

For the second article from Inc., this focuses on the opinions of experts in the internet marketing field.  Some of the experts are predicting a heavier shift in transparent communication which includes videos and live-streaming apps.  Customers want to know they are benefiting from showing their vulnerability to companies by those companies returning the favor. 

5 Online Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2016, Inc. 

Another Inc. article where online marketing is the topic.  The most important thing to take away from this article is the fact that website design and efficiency is important and will play into SEO rankings.  A website being mobile friendly is important in 2015 and will continue into 2016. 

7 Marketing Trends You Need to Know for 2016, Inc.

What I like most about this article is its positioning for businesses to think about the trends mentioned as part of their marketing investment.  The trends still continue to anticipate high quality content but that will come from better writing skills and more personalization.

6 Game-Changing Social Media Trends for 2016 – The Influencer’s View, Business to Community

This is another article that talks about the predictions of social media marketing trends for 2016.  It also highlights the importance of personalization of content for customers as we now have more ways to target our audience. 

HubSpot’s Brian Halligan on The New Sales Playbook of 2016, Impact Branding & Design
 

The blog post itself is brief but you have the option to sign up for Impact's mailing list.  If you do, you're awarded with the option to download their 46 page, "16 on 2016 - Inbound Marketing Predictions from 16 Industry Experts." It's an easy-to-read PDF of experts who share their thoughts on all things marketing come the new year. 

As each article differs, one thing can be for certain in the new year: content is still king when it comes to Google preference and SEO results.  Video marketing boomed in 2015 and will continue to solidify itself as a content piece especially with live-streaming options like Periscope.  

It is also important to continually identify your customer's pain points when it comes to creating content.  Long-form content is predicted to be favorable and more so when it addresses a specific problem.  

We hope these articles help you figure out your marketing tactics and goals for the new year.  Have any suggestions of your own?  Let us know! 

Quora Marketing

#MarketingMondays

The reason why a company is in business is because they feel they are the expert in that particular field.  They feel they are the solution to their customer's problem. 

For social media content, it is important to capitalize on this.  You should be pushing content that shows you are a knowledgeable company and your customer can trust what you're talking about. 

This is especially important in the B2B (business to business) marketing world.  These businesses can't capitalize on a tangible product - they aren't going to generate instant gratification that way.  They must build up their customer's trust by showing they know what it is you are looking to solve and that they are the ones who can make that happen.  

One not-so-common (or rather, instantly thought of) way of spreading your knowledge is through Quora. The question and forum website allows users to post a question to a particular thread, and can get answers from the average Joe, to CEO's.  Their mission is to, "share and grow the world's knowledge." You can be apart of that.

You will increase your visibility even if it's just by a few people but you're still generating a presence and that's what is important.  It's also a cost-effective way to market yourself online (because it's free!)  As a small business, you want to cut costs and maximize your efficiency.  

The more questions you answer, the more you will become synonymous with that topic area.  On the right hand side, Quora will also list the most viewed profiles.  Taking just 10-20 minutes a week to do this can help you and your business on your quest to generate awareness.  

Do you have other ways your business identifies itself as an expert?  Let us know!

Smile! You're on Instagram

#MarketingMondays

It is no secret now that most people are digesting their content online through video and pictures.  Have you been on Facebook lately?  I'm sure you have a whole folder dedicated to the newest (and delicious) cooking tutorial that Buzzfeed posted.  

But Instagram is the photo-sharing social media app that is a force to be reckoned with.  Instagram's active user base has grown by 64 percent.

It is the app both individuals and businesses are using to capture audiences.  It is easy to use and has a sleek, modern design.  It is the app that you should be getting onto now.  

Instagram is a great way to market your business because it gives you a chance to take your customers behind the scenes of the day to day operations.  Behind the business is a person and that helps you connect with your customer on a more personal level (see benefits verses features marketing).  

So now that you are ready and willing to get onto Instagram, what should you do next?

Identify what your company stands for and post a visual representation of it.  

We wanted to show that we welcome new visitors, that we believe in collaboration. We also wanted to show the uniqueness of our members.  

Once you have some pictures posted, you want to identify the keywords you want your company to be associated with on Instagram.  Once you have them picked out, utilize Instagram's search feature:

It will return to you the keyword and how many posts are associated with it, and other forms of how your key word is being adapted.  

Now you're posting pictures and hash tagging like a pro!  But you want to create awareness of your brand by interacting and following other users.  When you click on the respected hash tag, it will show you all posts that have the hash tag in their description.  This helps you find accounts to follow.  

But what do you post now?  

Instagram is a great way to showcase unique parts of your business and describe it in-depth.  One thing you must remember is that this is another platform for your business to connect with your customer.  What is your objective on Instagram?  Is it to build brand awareness? Make sure you know why you are posting on this social media outlet.  

Once you do that, some fun ideas of photos could include taking a photo of a client meeting or showing that it's someone's birthday in the office.  You want to make your photos vibrant and eye-catching - give people a reason to connect! 

Here are some additional articles that can help you on your quest to Instagram greatness:

• http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/peteschauer/2015-05-31/5-easiest-ways-grow-your-instagram-following

• http://pegfitzpatrick.com/instagram-productivity-tips-how-to-create-a-workflow-that-works/?utm_source=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_medium=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_campaign=socialmediaexaminer.com 

Let us know your Instagram tips and follow us on Instagram! @Incutate

Back at Work After a Long Holiday Weekend

#MarketingMondays

Getting back on the grind after a long holiday weekend.  

Let's face it.  It's not easy to get back to work after spending time away from the office.  Projects you've put off now become your priority and you're a little slower at getting into the swing of your routine.  

With social media, you don't feel out of touch with your customer or what's going on - everything is documented in real time.

Every company is different and how they execute their social media is different.  The main thing to do is start the engaging conversation early.  Ask your customers/followers how their holidays were.  While you wait for their responses, plan out your week.  Identify what goals you wish to achieve and have a plan on how to make that happen.

Rome wasn't built in a day so don't feel you need to rush to get everything done.  Prioritize your projects and tasks.  They will get done but not if you are rushing to do so.  

Did you mean to make a post over the weekend and forgot to do so?  You can use the "backdate" option on Facebook.  You have your posted scheduled for when it should have been posted. 

Long weekends are great.  Getting back to the work world might not feel so great at first, but with the right planning, you'll be back into your routine in no time.  

Help us spread the word by sharing this on Facebook!

Features Verses Benefits Marketing

#MarketingMondays

Marketing:  Features Verses Benefits 

Features are great.  They are what differentiates itself from the competition.  But selling your product or service solely on features may not be enough for your customer.

Take Incutate for example.  We have really great features (which we call amenities) like wifi, storage, kitchenette, areas to lounge around in - our list can grow further. 

Okay, but why?

There needs to be value.  What is your customer going to gain from your product or service when they choose you?  Time and money are valuable things and for your customer, they want to know that they money they invest into your business is going to not only produce the results your company says, but help them solve the problem that caused them to seek you out in the first place. 

Benefits are going to satisfy the customer.  While it is important to explain what your product or service does, it is even more important to explain what the product/service will do.  You have to answer when the customer asks, "What is your product going to do for me?"

We answer that question with community, collaboration, and business resources for your success.  Sometimes, the best selling points are not that are tangible.

There is something called "pain points" that your customer is looking to alleviate with your product/service.  It is the "why" in their decision to buy.  You need to be a solution to your customer. Doing this and you will find there is more clarity and understanding in your campaign to target your customer.

Like' us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Incutate 

Follow us on Twitter with the handle @Incutate

Google My Business: What It Is + October Results

A brief introduction if you aren't familiar with what Google My Business is:

Google My Business is an important tool when it comes to social media analytics.  Release June of 2014, this feature helps bring customers and businesses together under one roof using Google Search, Maps, and Google+.

What it looks like:

Say if you google search "Incutate," here's what's going to come up:

Your Google+ business account is so important when it comes to customers finding your business online.  You want to make sure that you are listed under your company's niche or field.  We orgionally were under "Office Rental Agency" and had to change when we weren't coming up under "Coworking Space" - lesson is choose wisely!

"Website" takes you to the website and "directions" makes it easier to route your commute/location.

Here's what it looks like when you google search "Coworking spaces south jersey":

 There we are!!

The ease of convenience for a customer to be able to interact with your company through finding your website, social media outlets, and being able to contact you is so important. 

How to get started with a Google+ page:

> https://accounts.google.com/signup
> Follow the prompts to creating your new account
> Note that you must verify your business before you will have a registered Google+ account.  Google will send you a pin you must use to register your business.  After that, you're official!

When making your Google+ account, realize this is now another social media outlet for your business.  Make sure the information you use is consistent across all platforms.

October Results:

Once your Google+ account is up and running, Google is kind enough to send you monthly statements - the interaction a customer had with your platform.  Here's what it looks like:

Google My Business is on your side to help your business grow organically.  Utilize these free tools to help kick-start your social media and Google search presence!

More information about Google My Business: www.google.com/business
                                                                           Google and Your Business
                                                                           Blog post on Search Engine Machine