Unlock Social Media Success with Free Resources from Willow Academy

What challenges do businesses face in social media marketing? Promoting your business on social media can be tough. Many entrepreneurs struggle to find frequent and engaging content to share. How can you ensure your posts get the attention they deserve? At Willow, we've already helped you with scheduling tools and coaching. Now, we've introduced Willow Academy, a new knowledge hub. The best part? All Willow Academy blogs and e-books about social media are available online for free.

How does Willow Academy support entrepreneurs? Willow provides affordable social media services to entrepreneurs. Alongside our innovative scheduling tool and coaching, Willow Academy offers a treasure trove of knowledge to improve your social media skills. This hub serves as a comprehensive resource, drawing from our years of expertise. Importantly, it is accessible to everyone—whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting.

Why is social media often neglected by entrepreneurs?

Do entrepreneurs lack time and knowledge for social media? "Many entrepreneurs find themselves short on time or expertise when it comes to social media," shares Esther Van den Eynde, our creative marketing specialist. This is particularly true for service-oriented entrepreneurs like accountants, real estate agents, or lawyers. What can be done to change this? Many clients hesitate to engage with social media due to challenges in content creation. Those who do dive in often see their efforts dwindle over time. Hence, we aim to merge all of Willow’s insights into one comprehensive online resource.

Many entrepreneurs find themselves short on time or expertise when it comes to social media.

What practical knowledge does Willow Academy offer?

How can Willow Academy help you improve your social media skills? At Willow Academy, you can find actionable resources like the Social Media Fundamentals e-book. This extensive guide spans ten chapters, covering essential topics like defining your social media strategy, growing your audience, designing engaging visuals, and optimising for Analytics, LinkedIn Ads, Google My Business, and SEO. It’s a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their online presence.

What is the significance of the six pillars to social media success? Virginie Dardenne, a social media expert at Willow, highlights our e-book on the 6 Pillars to Social Media Success. This comprehensive guide offers a six-step plan for social media success that includes Consistency, Value, Content mix, Engagement, Personality, and striking a balance between Organic and Paid content. Each section is packed with insights and practical advice, making it a must-read.

What additional resources are available in Willow Academy? To celebrate the launch of Willow Academy, we introduced a new e-book: the Personal Branding Playbook. This guide addresses crucial questions surrounding personal branding. It explores its importance and how it can significantly add value to your business, providing practical examples to inspire readers.

How many resources does Willow Academy provide?

What kinds of blog posts can you find? Willow Academy boasts over 100 blog posts tailored to each reader, from SMEs and entrepreneurs to HR professionals and consultants. "In total, we offer around 12 hours of reading material: 5 hours of e-books and 7 hours of blogs—and it’s still growing!" Esther notes. These resources cater to every level of social media user, providing insights derived from our team's extensive expertise.

How is content developed for Willow Academy? The entire project has been crafted remotely, under the guidance of the Willow Academy project team: Virginie, myself, and Bert Beauprez, our Product Manager & Designer operating from Norway. Willow’s flexible and remote working strategy strengthens our customer service, allowing us to operate seamlessly across distances.

How can you effectively manage social media posts?

What options do Willow’s customers have for managing their social media? Willow customers can opt to solely use our tool, which allows them to plan posts and receive inspiration and ready-made articles tailored to their interests. This tool also provides clear statistics on post engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares. Our tool is continually evolving, driven by user feedback.

What can you expect from coaching by social media experts?

What advantages does coaching provide to clients? Coaching is an additional service offered to our clients. Each client receives a personal session with one of our Willow social media experts. They can also connect with us via email or live chat for ongoing support. We tailor our advice to meet clients' needs.

How does coaching influence the development of Willow Academy’s content? The practical insights gained from these coaching sessions are invaluable in creating our Academy materials. Virginie explains, "My colleagues Mirelle, Jessica, Laura, and I regularly communicate with various Willow clients. We collaboratively explore ways to optimise their social media presence. This iterative approach ensures we address common obstacles and challenges faced by many entrepreneurs.”

What role does employer branding play in social media strategies?

Why do many entrepreneurs hesitate to utilise personal content? Many still resist sharing personal content on LinkedIn, fearing it dilutes professionalism. Esther highlights that a personal touch enhances profiles, attracting potential employees. It’s crucial to show the human side of your company.

A personal touch on LinkedIn is important for attracting new employees.

How can social media impact employer branding? When announcing job openings, your online presence is vital. Candidates need to feel familiar with your company before applying. Social media plays a pivotal role in employer branding. Therefore, clearly define what you aim to achieve with your social media strategy—be it lead generation or increasing brand awareness.

How can you balance buzz and visibility with realistic expectations?

Is it possible to achieve immediate results with social media? Not every goal is instantly attainable, and Willow is upfront about this. "Our focus is on organic reach over paid campaigns. While you might not see a surge of new leads immediately, a sustained social media presence builds visibility over time," explains Virginie. Always view your social media efforts as a long-term investment. Organic engagement fosters buzz, even if it’s not quantifiable in the short term.

Don’t focus merely on likes; value engagement instead!

How should you approach your social media posting schedule? Establishing a robust social media presence takes time. While six months might seem slow, initial efforts lay a solid foundation. "Many entrepreneurs feel daunted by posting frequency. We advise starting gradually; even casual engagement is invaluable. Having no online presence can be more detrimental than sporadic posts," suggests Virginie.

Is quality more important than quantity on social media?

What should you focus on in your social media strategy? Avoid the trap of posting just for the sake of it. "It’s better to share high-quality content three times a month than to flood your feed with meaningless posts," Esther advises. Prioritising quality over quantity is crucial. Initiating your presence allows for growth. Each interaction provides insights about your audience.

What makes a social media post captivating?

How can you create eye-catching social media posts? Virginie emphasises the importance of targeting your audience. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of posting solely for themselves, often neglecting their audience’s interests. During coaching sessions, we work with clients to pinpoint their target audience. Even in personal branding, understanding your audience remains essential.

What balances personal passion with audience interests? The key challenge is identifying the intersection of your passions and what interests your audience. This balance lays the foundation for successful social media engagement. Prioritise interaction, creating diverse, original, and 'thumb-stopping' content to maximise your reach.