You have 8 seconds to get someone´s attention before they decide to listen to you or not.

A gold fish has a 9 second attention span, yes, more than humans!

So, How are you going to use those 8 seconds?

Research carried out over the last few years state that human attention span has decreased from 12 seconds before the year 2000 to just 8 due to the overload of information our brain is constantly bombarded with.

I have to disagree with this, at least on Social Media, our attention span is reduced to merely 4-5 seconds. You can test this yourself. Scroll down any facebook wall:

How long do you spend on each post?

What makes you stop and pay more attention?

Live streams are beginning to be boring, there is no novelty anymore, since everyone is doing them-look, even I am!

And remember also people usually have their audio off, o they cannot listen to your great message at the beginning, they are just seeing you.

I know very well what makes me want to stop and watch or read something.

There are two situations:

1- You know the person already and you know what type of content they put out. If you already, and notice I am saying already, know them and have the certainty they give value or they make you giggle, you might be willing to pay more attention.

However,

2- If you don´t know the person, you have no idea whether they give value or not, whether they are amusing or not, whether that live streaming will be useful or just a waste of time…

In my case it is clear, if I don´t see anything in their backdrop* that makes me think they have something interesting to offer, I will scroll down. I won´t even give them 8 seconds. And it is not just me, we all do it.

Remember we are VISUAL beings, so you need to give your viewers a VISUAL STIMULUS or they will leave you…

So what can you do if you only have 8 seconds to captivate your audience? Take into account their audio might be turned down also…

Options: paint your hair green…

It´s an option, but that is not even original any more…

How can you make sure they´ll want to stay on longer, turn their audio up and actually watch you?

Here is where having a well designed backdrop comes in.

What is a backdrop*?

It s the area behind and around you that people see when you are on screen.

Your backdrop has the ability of enhancing or breaking your message.

It cannot do everything for you , you will still need to have a good message, your expertise but it can help A LOT!

So this is what you can do today.

Decide on a spot you will use for you next live stream. Add one element that represents your business and place it somewhere where your audience can see it.

Tell me how it goes.

Watch the facebook live I did on this topic:

You can join the facebook group I mention in the video here.

Would you like to learn how to do this correctly?

I have a course that is perfect for anyone doing videos, online courses and live streams.

In just 3 weeks , you will learn all the power of a backdrop,

How to use it as a marketing tool,

How to use it as a branding tool

And how to create it

With one-on-one help

In a fun way, easy, step by step instructions.

You can totally fit it into a busy schedule.

Get it right from the start. Your backdrop is the most powerful marketing, branding and communication tool you can use in your online presence. Start paying attention to it.

Are you working towards making video your #1 marketing tool? (By the way you should, video is going to be huge over the next few years).

Does your online image speak to your audience while making you stand out as an expert in your field?

Does your video backdrop enhance your message?

Does your backdrop show the level of excellence you have reached in your field?

If you are using Facebook live, video, online courses, skype or zoom calls in your business, you need to be using your backdrop as a branding, marketing and communication tool.

But first of all… what is a BACKDROP?

A backdrop is the space behind you and around you that your viewers can see in your videos.
It should enhance your message and show your expertise.
It is a very powerful communication, marketing and branding tool!

Are you showing your viewers a polished , professional backdrop that enhances your message and tells your story?

Or will they leave your broadcast feeling confused because your message doesn´t match your setting?

Too often I see videos where the message is excellent, the broadcaster really knows their topic, however, they are in the wrong setting, the colours, the feel, the style does NOTHING for their message, quite on the contrary, it is actually diluting the message:

Your backdrop can make or break your message.

If you want to be seen as an expert, a valuable professional, you must start paying attention to your backdrop.

You have worked hard to get to where you are in business, now you need to make sure your backdrop is up to your high standards too.

A branded backdrop will make it easy to get your audience´s attention and enhance your message, amplifying it to reach a bigger audience.

Start looking professional, your business and YOU deserve it.

With my IN A BOX design service, you will be getting expert advice and solutions to all your backdrop needs, not only that, you will be feeling more confident, inspired and productive in your office as a BONUS!

Did you know that?

• Branding your broadcasts will make it easier to find your tribe.
• You can easily solve many branding needs just by styling your backdrop, I will show you how.
• Your brand will instantly become cohesive, powerful and stylish.
• Your videos will become  immediately recognisable in a crowded and saturated feed.
• You will be seen as an expert.
• You will provide the proof of your success as your setting represents your business.
• All your online communication (video, livestreams, skype or zoom meetings, courses, ads) will be branded, looking professional and stylish and visually appealing.

This is what Emily B. had to say after working with me:

“ THANK YOU Melanie!! My eyes are open to new and wonderful things I can add into my backdrop.  I would highly recommend working with her to anyone who wants to skyrocket their brand and image through the way they design their space”.

Disclaimer: I must advise: there is a likely chance that during our time together, you will turn into a styling addict! It has happened before…

So, if you want to get your backdrop looking professional, while making it part of your office space, let me help you.

My IN A BOX design service is perfect for you if:

-You already have an online presence but you feel your office space and backdrop is not at that same level of excellence as your work.

-You are doing or want to do videos, live streams or any other type of online communication (courses, webinars, etc).

-You need to get your message out in a bigger way, people need your product or service, you owe it to them.

-You are done with playing small in the visibility field and you are ready to shine online.

-You are a successful entrepreneur or business owner and you need to prove it in your videos.

-You see other big names out there with beautiful video sets and you want one of your own too!

-You want to start feeling inspired, confident and focused in your workspace.

-You ant a bigger audience to trust you immediately.

-You want to bring your branding to your videos but you just can´t figure out how.

-You need a solution to your video backdrop pronto!

I will design the Perfect Backdrop for you and your business.

This is a bespoke service, you will get a 100% tailored design that will match your style and personality, that will enhance your expertise and show your field of expertise.

How it works:

1- Initial consultation.

Via email zoom or skype where we will get clear on your needs, style and budget.

2- Assessment and design.

I will then assess your space and I will start working on your bespoke design. I will find every detail you need to include in your backdrop and will take care of everything. At this point, you just sit back and relax!

Note that in our Initial consultation, we will establish your budget for props.*

3- Delivery

I will get everything ready, I will put it all in a beautiful box and…voila you will soon have it at your doorstep. I have thought of every little detail to make your experience unforgettable…

4-Walk-through styling session

We will meet again via zoom or skype, you will unbox your props (if you have´t done so before, which I don´t think has ever happened!) and I will walk you through each and every prop to tell you exactly where to place it and how to style it.

Once everything is perfect, you will have your own branded, stylish, stunning backdrop and it will be your time to shine online!

*No props or materials are included in the price. We will set that budget beforehand, in the initial consultation. Every case is different , we need to take into account your needs, budget and area to style, so establishing a one size fits all is not possible, however, as a guideline, boxes start at $150 + shipping.

**Please allow about 2 weeks for completion of design and report. (2 weeks from initial consultation). Shipping time  not included.

Book this service. An appointment calendar will be sent to you once payment is cleared.

*This service is highly demanded, so please bear this in mind when booking.

Your surroundings are
a key factor
in establishing trust with
your clients/audience.

How can you use your surroundings to establish trust with your customers and your audience?

I reckon you will agree that trust is one of the pillars on which the customer-business relationship stands. Once you get this right, your efforts to market yourself and your business become so much easier.

Your audience will become loyal , and don´t we all yearn for a loyal audience?

Everything seems to be revolving lately around alignment, every post, every coach, they all recommend us to be in alignment as the only way to have a meaningful and successful business.

Well, TRUST is exactly what alignment represents.

Social media audiences are not newbies any more, they don´t buy the fake life that some public figures were trying to sell. People are savvy, they immediately know whether you are living the life you preach about or whether it is just another sly marketing tactic. They can “smell” a put-on personality and a fake lifestyle.

As serious entrepreneurs who are in this because we have mission and because we want to make an impact as well as a living, trust becomes a must, a non-negotiable feature we need to strive for.

The most successful entrepreneurs and I am not just speaking about numbers here, but those with the most loyal followings have achieved that loyalty because they come across as trustworthy, you can clearly see that their life matches their speech, their speech is in alignment with their life and business.

However, it is not an easy trait to communicate, or is it?

You must be thinking, but surely it takes months, even years to build trust, you must prove time and time again that you are the real deal, right?
Well…although time will reinforce the trust you are able to establish with your customers and your colleagues, there is one thing you can start doing today that will help you communicate and build that trust!

I am going to give you a key piece in order to ultimately build trust with your audience. It will immediately make you appear more trustworthy, it goes without saying you should be honing your message and really living your message every day.

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Your surroundings are a key factor in establishing trust with your clients.
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As we have learnt in previous weeks, (you can read previous posts in our BLOG), your space and your backdrop are a very powerful communication and marketing tool. When they are not in alignment with your message, you won´t come across as professional, trustworthy and you won´t be able to be seen as an expert.

Let me put it simply:

What you say you can do for your clients and what they see in your surroundings matches, it is cohesive, it speaks the same language, expresses the same message, in the same style and voice.

What you say and what they see, fits perfectly.

When you are in alignment with your business, you transmit trust. Every piece fits in, there is no deceitful feeling about what you say or do.

On the contrary when what you say and what your audience perceives or sees clashes, when it does not “sound and look” the same, your audience is confused. They do not trust that you can actually deliver what you say you can deliver in a way that will benefit them.

To give you an example: a website designer who states they can create a sleek, clean looking, easy to navigate, up to date website that will attract high end clients for your business but who happens to work from a messy, shabby space…well, you would have a difficult time trusting that they can really deliver what they say.

However, if their workspace is clean, tidy, sleek…then you can definitely picture them delivering the perfect website.

So what can you do to start building trust with your audience? Here is an easy test you can do:

Look at your surroundings;

-Do they show your expertise?
-Do they match your level of knowledge?

-Do they communicate your unique way of doing business?

-Do they reflect your success and your clients´s successes?

-Are they able to attract your ideal client?

If you cannot decide for yourself, you can do this simple test:
Without giving any information about what you do, post a picture of your space and ask these questions:
– What do you think the person who works in this space does?
– What would you say is their expertise?
– What would you say is their level of success?
– Would you say they are a well-established business?
– Would you trust them to do business with?

In order for this exercise to work, avoid saying this picture has any relation to your business. A good way of testing this is to post in a group where they don´t know who you are, maybe a group where you have been quiet, or you just joined.

Would you like to let your surroundings speak for you in front of your clients/audience?

Download my FREE CHECKLIST and get all the elements you need in place to create The Perfect Office.

Did you know that your Backdrop can have Superpowers when styled properly?

Today, you are going to learn what you can do to infuse your space and backdrops with your personality, your style and a taste of what you do.

I will be giving you all the facts (for the scientist in you) about WHY you should be paying attention to your backdrop.

THE POWER OF A BACKDROP

What you show and say on camera speaks to your viewers on two different and complementary levels.
Both are fundamental to get your WHOLE MESSAGE across.
Only master one? And you are left limping.
Master both and you have the most powerful communication tool at your disposal.

I like to call these levels:

-Level 1 communication power
-Level 2 communication power

Here´s what each level does, that is, the power that each level has:

1- Level 1 communication power:

What you say, your message, your knowledge, that´s the focal way of communication going on at that moment.
It consists of:
-Your words
-Your voice
-Your tone
-Your speech
This level triggers the audio threshold in your viewer.

2- Level 2 communication power:

What your viewers see when they listen to your message.
It consists of:
-Your setting
-Your backdrop
-Your colour palette
-Your lighting
-Your props
-The set-up of those props
-Your personal image
This triggers the visual and emotional threshold in your viewer.

Your surroundings are the perfect complement to make or break that message.
The right setting that adds to what you are saying, gives you double the impact!

And the huge power of visuals is that they can trigger both the sight and the emotion, it is a two-for-one effect!

Can you see how very important and powerful this is?

Level 1 + Level 2 = Total communication

You can communicate on two levels, at the same time!!!

So here is an easy and fun task that will help you better understand this concept. It will make you aware of things around you and it will probably (I cannot be held responsible) turn you into a decor freak (it has happened before).

Look around your home or office, or even go out to decor stores. Keep your eyes wide open and try to:

Find objects that reflect who you are and your business:

-Look for objects in your business colours

-Objects that represent your field of business (an abacus for a business strategist or an accountant, some nice perfume bottles for a cosmetics consultant, food ingredients or cooking tools for a culinary blogger, a nice picture in your business colour…)

– Objects that represent your personality and likes. What makes you special and unique? Do you love music, show it! Do you love fairy tales, show it! Do you love dogs, show it! Do you love wine, show it…but don´t overdo this one! Lol!
– Objects that show where you acquired your expertise or your background, for instance books, a souvenir from Tibet (if you are a yoga or meditation teacher who went there to live with the monks and grow as an instructor), a product you created (creams, make up, jewellery, cakes, a painting…).

We are trying to get your “level 2 communication power” ready!

For example, on one of my shelves, I have a Vogue Magazine issue because my Cleopatra choker was featured in it- it shows my work and achievement. Besides being an interior designer and stylist, I am a jewellery designer.
On another shelf, I have interior design books, that show part of my training, I also have jewellery books and wedding books as they all reflect what I do.

The list could go on and on about things you can find, just give it a try, it is a fun way of starting to create your Perfect Backdrop.

Show me what you come up with.
Have a lovely and stylish day!

Melanie x

Copyright Melanie Falvey 2016. All rights reserved. No sharing is allowed without crediting the author.

If you would like to learn how to create The Prefect Backdrop for your videos, enroll in our Course.