Boost Your Network: Top Trends & Connection Hacks! 🚀 (8/7/24)

Author

Jenna Kaplan
August 07, 2024

Feeling like your networking efforts are falling flat? You're not alone! We all struggle to keep up with the latest social media trends, community events, and endless connections. From the hottest TikTok sounds to effective networking strategies, staying on top of everything can be overwhelming. But don't worry! Today's email has practical tips to help you get ahead. Let’s dive in and explore how you can transform your networking game, discover trending social media topics, and keep your business thriving, even when unexpected challenges pop up.

In Today’s Email:

  1. What to Know:

    • How to design a system to track your connections and move beyond your first meeting

  1. What's Trending:

    • Trending sounds on Instagram & TikTok

  1. What to Use:

    • Social media strategies for navigating the bridge closure

  1. What to Try:

    • August community building and networking events

In Partnership with CTD Creative Consulting LLC

What to Know:

How to Design a System to Track Your Connections and Move Beyond Your First Meeting

In our fast-paced entrepreneurial world, effectively managing business relationships is vital for success, leading to new opportunities and valuable partnerships. Creating a structured system, such as a client relationship management (CRM) system, is essential. CRMs help organize contacts, interactions, and follow-ups, ensuring no connection slips through the cracks. They enable personalized communications, timely follow-ups, efficient time management, and the projection of professionalism.

To set up a CRM system, choose the right tools, organize and categorize contacts, track interactions, and set reminders for follow-ups. By maintaining such a system, you can enhance networking efforts, build stronger connections, and drive business success. It's crucial to focus on personal connections rather than relying solely on automation.

Ready to spice up your social media game this August? Instagram Reels are where it's at! With fresh trends popping up every week, there's no better time to jump on board and connect with your audience in fun, creative ways. We've rounded up a few of the hottest Reels trends for this month, along with some inspiration tailored just for your business.

Trend: Kiss of Life

Trend Recap: Carrie Bradshaw who? This throwback song provides the perfect backdrop for your main character moment.

Audio: Kiss of Life - Sade
Current # of Posts: 386K

Content Ideas for Your Business:

  • Boutique Clothing Stores: Showcase a new outfit collection with "Kiss of Life" playing in the background. Give your followers a mini fashion show featuring that perfect "main character" look for summer outings.

  • Cafes and Restaurants: Create a day-in-the-life video from the perspective of your most popular dish. Show its journey from kitchen to table, capturing those swoon-worthy moments in slow motion.

  • Real Estate Agents: Highlight a property with a cinematic tour that makes viewers feel like the star of their own house-hunting adventure.

Trend: Sweet Dreams

Trend Recap: Beast mode: Activated. Use this audio to showcase your WOD (workout of the day), productivity hacks, or hidden talent.

Audio: Sweet Dreams - Golden Salt
Current # of Posts: 31.1K

Content Ideas for Your Business:

  • Fitness Studios: Record a high-energy workout session featuring your instructors and clients. Show off those beast-mode moments with dynamic exercises that inspire your audience to hit the gym.

  • Tech Startups: Share productivity hacks or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team's innovative work. Highlight the tools and strategies that help your business thrive in the digital age.

  • Craft Breweries: Capture the brewing process in action, showcasing your team's skill and dedication. Use this trend to celebrate the creativity and craft behind each pint.

Trend: What Gave You the Confidence?

Trend Recap: Some may call it delusion, but we prefer manifestation. Take this as your sign to create that content, write that caption, and smash publish.

Audio: Original audio - martinisandmascara
Current # of Posts: 133K

Content Ideas for Your Business:

  • Beauty Salons: Feature a transformation video with before-and-after shots of your client's new look. Share tips on how your services can boost confidence and celebrate individual beauty.

  • Small Business Consultants: Share your journey as an entrepreneur, from challenges to triumphs. Encourage others to pursue their dreams and highlight the steps that led to your success.

  • Local Artists and Creatives: Showcase your latest masterpiece and explain the inspiration behind it. Let your passion shine through and invite your audience to engage with your artistic vision.

If you're looking to boost your social media presence, there's no better way than hopping on these trending sounds.

U.S. National Anthem Remix - Clara

Trend Insight: With the Olympics dominating social media, this remix of the national anthem offers a fun way to join the conversation. People are using it to humorously lament their lack of athletic prowess, claiming they missed out on the 2024 Olympics due to “poor performance.”

How You Can Use It:

  • Fitness Studios: Create a playful video showcasing the “Olympic training” you provide, ending with a light-hearted moment of “not quite making the cut.”

  • Local Sports Shops: Highlight products that might just make you “Olympic-ready” next time.

Tell Me How It Feels - Tshami🌻

Trend Insight: This trend is back with a bang! The sound features a two-part skit: in the first half, you pretend to argue with someone or something, and in the second half, you show what (or who) can calm you down.

How You Can Use It:

  • Cafes: Showcase a morning rush and the magical moment when your coffee soothes the chaos.

  • Pet Stores: Feature a cute pet or animal-related product that brings peace to a hectic day.

Today I Am Doing a House Tour - Caroline Ricke

Trend Insight: This is all about testing your memorization skills. The 58-second monologue is perfect for a comedic and engaging tour of your space.

How You Can Use It:

  • Real Estate Agencies: Give a virtual tour of a property with a funny and engaging narration.

  • Bed & Breakfasts: Offer a quirky tour of your establishment’s unique features.

Presented by Rhode Island Energy

Energy Efficiency Made Simple with Rhode Island Energy’s Home Energy Assessment

An EnergyWise no-cost Home Energy Assessment helps you learn about your top energy-saving opportunities in an easy, convenient way. An Energy Specialist will assess your current energy use, help you develop a plan to make your home more energy-efficient, and educate you on rebates and incentives. Learn more information online at RIEnergy.com.

What to Use:

Social Media Strategies for Navigating the Bridge Closure

We know that the Washington Bridge closure has thrown a wrench into your plans, but don't let it grind your business to a halt. While traffic might be at a standstill, your marketing doesn't have to be. Social media is your new best friend, ready to help you bridge the gap with your customers (pun totally intended!). From creative content to virtual events, here are some tailor-made strategies for different small business sectors to keep your business bustling during this bumpy ride.

Retail Stores

  1. Virtual Shopping Tours: Host a live-streamed shopping event on Instagram or Facebook where you walk through your store and showcase your latest products. Engage viewers by offering special discounts for online purchases made during the stream.

  2. Daily Deals and Contests: Keep your audience engaged with daily deals posted on social media. Encourage followers to participate in a "best traffic story" contest, sharing their commuting adventures for a chance to win a gift card to your store.

  3. Collaborative Promotions: Team up with nearby businesses to create a “local love” social media campaign. Share each other's posts and offer bundled discounts for customers who shop at multiple stores, making it worth their while to brave the traffic.

Restaurants and Cafes

  1. Traffic-Relief Specials: Create a social media campaign around “Traffic-Relief Specials” – limited-time menu items or discounts for customers who mention the bridge closure. Use fun hashtags like #BridgeBites or #TrafficTacoTuesday to spread the word.

  2. Behind-the-Scenes Content: Use Instagram Stories to show behind-the-scenes content of your kitchen and staff preparing meals. Offer a glimpse of new dishes or drinks that people can look forward to trying on their next visit.

  3. Drive-Through or Delivery Deals: Promote special offers for drive-through or delivery orders on social media. Encourage customers to share their experiences and tag your business for a chance to win a free meal.

Fitness Centers and Studios

  1. Online Classes and Challenges: Host virtual fitness classes and create social media challenges that encourage your followers to stay active at home. Share user-generated content of participants doing workouts and offer incentives for completion.

  2. Traffic De-stress Tips: Share quick and easy workout routines or mindfulness exercises that commuters can do at home to relieve stress caused by the traffic chaos. Use engaging graphics and videos to catch your audience’s attention.

  3. Referral Programs: Launch a social media-driven referral program where members can earn rewards for bringing in friends and family. Encourage them to share posts and tag your business to spread the word.

Service-Based Businesses

  1. Informative Content Series: Create a series of informative posts or videos on social media that showcase your expertise. Whether it's a home improvement tip or a legal advice snippet, engage your audience with valuable content they can share.

  2. Client Spotlights: Feature satisfied clients in your social media posts, highlighting the work you've done for them. Encourage them to share these posts on their own profiles, expanding your reach.

  3. Virtual Consultations: Offer virtual consultations or webinars to connect with potential clients. Promote these sessions on social media and use interactive features like Q&A to engage your audience.

Museums

  1. Virtual Tours and Exhibits: Bring your exhibits to life online with virtual tours. Host live-streamed walkthroughs of new or popular exhibits, sharing stories and fun facts that viewers can enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

  2. Art and History Challenges: Engage your audience with creative challenges, like “Create Your Own Masterpiece” or “History Quiz of the Day.” Encourage followers to share their creations or answers using a unique hashtag to foster community engagement.

  3. Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Share behind-the-scenes content that gives followers a glimpse into the daily operations of the museum. Feature staff members discussing their favorite pieces or upcoming projects to build a personal connection.

Hospitality

  1. Staycation Packages: Promote special staycation packages for locals who want a mini getaway without the long drive. Use social media to highlight the unique amenities and experiences you offer that set you apart from the usual escape.

  2. Guest Spotlights and Testimonials: Feature guest reviews and experiences on your social media platforms. Encourage guests to share photos and stories from their stay, offering incentives like discounts or upgrades for participation.

  3. Local Attractions and Partnerships: Highlight nearby attractions and partner with local businesses to offer exclusive packages. Share these on social media to encourage followers to plan a trip that includes a visit to your hotel or inn.

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

What to Try:

Discover Exciting Networking Events in Rhode Island This August!

Looking to expand your professional circle while enjoying some of the best that our state has to offer? August is brimming with fantastic community-building and networking events that provide perfect opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, learn from industry leaders, and have some fun. Here's a roundup of can't-miss events happening this month.

Business Networking and Food Truck at Good Working

  • Date: August 7

  • Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Location: Good Working Co-working Space

Join Good Working, a local co-working hub, for a lively evening of networking paired with delightful food truck eats. This event is free to attend, making it a no-brainer for those looking to mix business with pleasure. Here's why you should mark your calendar:

  • Connect with Local Professionals: Meet and mingle with other business owners and professionals in a laid-back, informal setting.

  • Enjoy Great Food: Just across the street, treat yourself to a mouth-watering selection of dishes from local food trucks.

  • Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music from The Bad Habits while you network and nosh.

  • Relaxed Outdoor Setting: Bring your picnic blanket, chairs, and lawn games to savor the summer vibes.

For more information, visit the Good Working event’s webpage.

Business is Brewing: Networking Pop-Up

  • Date: August 14

  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

  • Location: Providence Brewing Company, 10 Sims Avenue, Unit 110, Providence

Hosted by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, this event is a must for anyone eager to grow their professional connections. Enjoy local beer and wine from Trinity Brewhouse while you network with business professionals of all stripes.

Pricing:

  • NRICC Members – $20.00

  • Non-Members – $30.00

Additional Information:

  • Outside alcohol is not permitted, so leave your coolers at home.

  • Smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are prohibited for the comfort and safety of all attendees.

  • Pets are not encouraged at the event.

  • Help us care for the environment by recycling and taking recyclable items home.

For more information, contact the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce website or at (401) 334-1000.

Rhode Island Business Networking Mixer

  • Date: August 22

  • Location: Providence, RI

Kick off your networking journey with the Rhode Island Business Networking Mixer! Hosted by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, this event is your ticket to connecting with business leaders from a variety of industries. Whether you're looking to expand your network, collaborate on new projects, or simply enjoy an evening with like-minded professionals, this mixer is the place to be.

For more details, visit the Rhode Island Business Networking Mixer​ webpage on Visit RI.

As you dive into this month, remember that every connection counts and every trend is a chance to grow your influence. With these tips and insights, you're ready to tackle the vibrant world of entrepreneurship, from riding TikTok waves to tracking your network like a pro. Keep building relationships and trying out new strategies. Who knows? Your next big opportunity might be just around the corner!