Episode #129: Playful and Creative Marketing Ideas with Deanna Seymour
Listen Now
Tap Play Below or Listen On Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Have you ever struggled with the idea of promoting your brand on social media? Well lucky for you, today’s podcast episode focuses on how to make social media marketing fun! Our guest is a graphic designer, and all around creative gal who knows the power of creativity and playfulness in marketing. Deanna uses humor and empathy to help her clients feel more comfortable being themselves while marketing their business and connecting with their ideal clients.
In today’s podcast episode we talk about the wonderful world of GIF’s and why they may be your next marketing tool for your toy business! During this episode we ideate on ways to get creative with the use of GIFs so you can potentially rack up a million views on your GIF’s like Deanna. By the time you finish listening to today’s episode you’ll know that it’s not about how fancy your design tools are, but it’s all about how you use them. Tap play to listen and learn with the latest podcast episode featuring The Toy Coach and Deanna Seymour!
EPISODE CLIFF NOTES
Learn how you can make marketing feel fun instead of a chore.
Why you should do what you love in marketing, and forget the rest!
What are GIF’s and how might they help you market your toy brand?
Why you don’t need the fanciest tools out there to have a high quality marketing. Discover the secret weapon that both Deanna and Azhelle use in their businesses…and it’s NOT Adobe Photoshop.
Deanna shares that the toy that blew her mind as a kid was a Teddy Bear with a snow globe on it…seriously!
-
This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.com
Follow Deanna on Instagram
Check out Deanna’s website to work with her or take her GIF workshop!
The Toy That Blew Deanna’s Mind As A Kid Is…
-
[00:00:00] Azhelle Wade: You are listening to making it in the toy industry episode number 129. Hey there toy people Azhelle Wade here and welcome back to another episode of the toy coach podcast, making it in the toy industry. This is a weekly podcast brought to you by thetoycoach.com. We're going to kick off this episode today with something special a client of Deanna's sent us an audio to tell us all about her.
[00:00:37] friend: Deanna Seymour's brand of creativity, just screams fun. It's colorful and vibrant and brings out a love of play. As adults that's really hard to hold onto because we've been told for so long to grow up dD represents the kind of creativity everyone should be exposed to. So we can all remember our own creative selves.
[00:00:55] Azhelle Wade: Today's guest on the show is the host of the podcast F that breaking the rules of online business. She's a graphic designer and all around creative gal, Deanna Seymour. Deanna Knows the power of creativity and playfulness in marketing. And that's what she's going to share with us today. Welcome to the show Deanna Seymour.
[00:01:15] Deanna Seymour: Hey, how's it going?
[00:01:17] Azhelle Wade: So happy to have you here. We're going to talk about graphic design and how you can make it more fun. This is going to be a good conversation for people listening to this podcast because newbie, inventors and entrepreneurs are always coming up with toy businesses, but they don't want to market them. They're like, oh, Azhelle do I really have to do social media? Do I really have to do reels? What do Why? So I feel like you can make it fun and you can inspire people to just get up and do it. So let's start this conversation off. Okay.
[00:01:43] Deanna Seymour: Yes, yes. Yes. It can be intimidating for a lot So people should know right away that if you feel weird about it, you're completely normal.
[00:01:50] Azhelle Wade: Yes. So first Deanna, tell us a little bit about yourself. What was your job before you became an entrepreneur?
[00:01:57] Deanna Seymour: Okay. So I actually was an art teacher for over a decade. So I've taught all grade levels, graphic design from graphic design to like getting messy with clay. And while I was a teacher, I feel like I had like a million different side hustles. So I'm also diagnosed as ADHD, which means I get that like excitement and hyper-focused on a new task and I'm like, I'm going to make cupcakes, like every kind of cupcake in the world for like a month. And then I'm like, oh no, I'm not. Or like, I should have a cupcake business. And then it was like, no. So I just feel like being a teacher, you have the summers off and I could like go on something new and then get back to teaching.
[00:02:32] And just all that experience and starting all these little side hustles. And then I was like, oh, the thing I love is starting new businesses, but they don't always have to be my business every time. I can get that same excitement, helping somebody else launch a new business and come up with all the design and all the graphics and all the fun stuff, which I consider the fun stuff that goes along with it. And so then I kind of landed here and I get to help people start their businesses over and over again instead of me starting new businesses for an over again.
[00:03:00] Azhelle Wade: I love that because I also love the beginning of things. I love starting new businesses. I totally understand what you're, where you're coming from and why you love to do that. So tell me about, I would love to hear about one of your most exciting recent clients. What was the most exciting project you worked on recently?
[00:03:17] Deanna Seymour: Okay. So I think this is actually to surprise you because I'm going to tell you that it was a financial advisor. Which is like.
[00:03:24] Azhelle Wade: Yeah. Why was that Yeah.
[00:03:28] Deanna Seymour: Well, it turns out he wants to like his ideal client is going to be gamers. People who like, I don't know, I'm still like, I don't know. I guess that's their job to like play video games. So he just was really open. That's why he chose to work with me. He was really open to not being the typical, like financial advisor and he didn't want to look like every other financial advisor. So. It was really fun. We have this really cool color palette. And I worked in, inspired by like a Mario coin into the spelling of his business name. And it was just really fun. Like I was really nervous going into it because it was like financial advisors, like not my thing really. And it was like, perfect. It was so much fun. So I guess you can make anything fun. You can make a financial advisor fun, do anything.
[00:04:11] Azhelle Wade: That is pretty cool. So what would you say to people that are just starting out and they're like, oh, I'm so nervous. I have this new business idea. Maybe it's a toy plush or something and they really want a logo, but they don't have any of those skills themselves. Do you think when someone's first starting out, they should go to someone like you right away to get all set up with their graphics or should they try to do something for themselves in the beginning and hire someone like you later on?
[00:04:36] Deanna Seymour: So I full disclosure. I usually work with people who are like freelancers and more. But I'm like all about in my business and in my clients' businesses experimenting to see what's going to work and what's not gonna work because I think a lot of people get stuck. Imagining what could go wrong or just overthinking and just being paralyzed by the fear of what if this doesn't work? What if this isn't good enough? I say like, toss something out there. See if it works, get some feedback and then it. But you're not going to like, be as open to if you pay somebody 10 grand.
[00:05:05] Yeah. Which, by way, I'm not 10 grand, but even there are, you know, like it can get really pricey when the branding world, like, the more you invest, the more you're going to be like clinging on to that. Cause you have like invested in it and you're like, ah, I don't know. I don't know if I want to change it and I don't have another couple grand to change it. So I think for me, and you're, you're the toy expert. So tell me if I'm like way off base but I think. I would say sort of like toss out some ideas and like even split testing, you know what I mean? Like, this packaging seem like it's working or does this, like, I don't know what it, what do you think is that, that it was that bad.
[00:05:36] Azhelle Wade: I know, I love to get other people's perspectives. Cause if, if any of my students are listening, they already know that I, I teach them. I teach them Canva, which you know, well, and I teach them to DIY everything as much as possible, especially in the beginning when they're not making any money. Right. But once, but there's a couple of brands that I've seen over the years where they evolve and they change their logo. So in the beginning it might just be a simple font that they like put colors on and they figured out themselves.
[00:06:01] But then when they gain a little bit of traction, they have a little bit. Then they come in, they hire an expert like me or you. And they say, make our logo ready for Walmart or target ready for the big time. And then they refresh it. And that's perfectly acceptable. I actually, now that I'm saying this recently did a podcast episode on logos in which I mentioned like your logo doesn't have to be the same thing forever. Like you can evolve. Right.
[00:06:25] Deanna Seymour: Yeah. I mean, I feel like we can tell like an old timey Dorito bag. Right? So like, even dorito, like we're like, oh, stranger things out now. It's like, cool that they're doing the retro bag because it's it's changed. So you're absolutely right. Like even Doritos.
[00:06:38] Azhelle Wade: Yeah. Hasbro's changed Mattel Barbie, all these logos have changed and it's okay. If I had tried to wait till I had like the perfect, the toy coach logo, I would still not be launched at all. And I still don't feel like I have the perfect logo and I don't. I'm like, you know what? One day I'll get someone to do one day.
[00:06:55] Deanna Seymour: Well, I doubt, I mean, we'd have to pull your students, but I don't think that were like, I don't know if I want to hire, I I don't know if I want to hire her. Like, let me look at the logo. Yes or no. And I'm not saying that logos don't matter, but I don't think it's like make or break. There's like a lots of elements that go people, like understanding what you do. And that's part of the words and the packaging and all the things. But it's funny, you mentioned that too, because I've recently started working with people where they can watch a little workshop, make their own logo, and then.
[00:07:24] Maybe hire me to like, look at and tweak it. So that's like pulling straight from my art teacher background, like turn in your homework, like watch this video, you try it, give it to me. And I can give you feedback, which I think is also sort of a cool hybrid of like do it yourself, but also get a little bit of, eyes on it to kind of get feedback. Cause, cause it can be. Yeah. It's like, sometimes it's hard to, for people like me, who've been in the art world, your whole life.
[00:07:48] And you're following like there's things up in my brain that I'm just doing intuitively that are really hard to translate to a quick online or, or a quick canvas course, because it's just, I mean, I could teach you the elements of art and the principles of design, but I'm just like intuitively using those at this point. And it just isn't as easy Yeah. taking a full few years of art in high school college or wherever. So it's, it's sort of a good hybrid. I think I kind of came up with.
[00:08:15] Azhelle Wade: It is, that is a good idea because like it is 10 years. 20 years of experience that people don't realize when you hire someone like us to make some graphic or product design for you, it's literally not just, you know, using the skill of being able to draw a plan drawing, or being able to put together a logo. It's 10 years of seeing. Creating logos, revising logos. And like it's, it's just years of information we've got, and that is why sometimes we are expensive. Right.
[00:08:44] Deanna Seymour: Yes.
[00:08:47] Azhelle Wade: So let's get into a little bit of a conversation around gifs. Do you have a gif course? Or do you just have like gif
[00:08:54] Deanna Seymour: Yeah, Yeah, a little, I got 'em started calling them workshops.
[00:08:56] Azhelle Wade: Okay, so first. What is a gif?
[00:08:58] Deanna Seymour: Okay. Oh, what is a gif? So a GIF is basically if you're, if you're old, like me, it's like a little flip book. Did you ever like draw a little animation or something and you flip it Then when you play them altogether, like mix a little loop. And so gifts like also loops. So they keep going and doing fun stuff. So it can be like clips from your favorite TV show. It can be little animations. It could be just like your podcast cover your logo does moving, doing a little shimmy. And usually people share them on media. Like you respond to a comment on a Facebook group with a gift or put them on your and Instagram, it's like a fun moving sticker.
[00:09:33] Azhelle Wade: What do you think is the benefit of using like a GIF and like your marketing or in your podcast logo, opposed to like that static image?
[00:09:39] Deanna Seymour: Well, first of I'm like old school. So I'm like kids today in 2022. They just need to be like razzle-dazzle all time. I feel like the movement, like, okay, people like here's your little animation. but I also think the fun thing is. so Giphy is like the big place where usually all the gifts hang out and there other websites, but give he's the big one. And that's sort of where they're held when you search on Instagram stories, searched, you know, the name of my podcast, it like would come up, but you to to be a brand channel. And that's how do that.
[00:10:12] So you have to have five gifts and you have to like and I'm saying apply. Cause I'm not sure how picky they but you do have to like fill out a form and then they let you on there and then people can search So I that's one of the big benefits is that if somebody comes on in as a guest on podcast or someone buys your toy and they can search it on the Instagram stories and find some stickers to choose the odds of them. Using those stickers are way increased.
[00:10:38] Cause it's not like you have to send them a file and they have to save it and upload it. Like they just search, Barbie and then there's like Barbie gifts to choose from. And they're like, oh, these fun. These cute. And so I think it's a great way to get people involved in marketing business. And the more people you can talking about your cool stuff is like social proof and more shares and more and more people talking about so I think fact that they're searchable is like the real cool thing.
[00:11:04] Azhelle Wade: Okay so we're going to have to roll back, slow down, reiterate all of that because I believe you just gave a lot of information. People didn't know. So, so giphy.com, if you don't know, giphy.com is where a lot of people go. A lot of marketers go to steal gifts. I did not know that the gifts on Facebook and Instagram were pulled from a site like GIF or pulled from giphy.com specific.
[00:11:28] Deanna Seymour: I don't know if they have than one, but they definitely Giphy is what I know and like what use. And I'm a big fan of like, once you learn one thing, that's working, stop learning. Stop learning. So GIPHYs, he's my, go-to. Yeah.
[00:11:40] Azhelle Wade: So you're saying So a toy entrepreneur looking to promote their product using gifts could apply to be a brand on Giphy so that their gifts will pop up on Instagram or Facebook when someone searches for all.
[00:11:55] Deanna Seymour: Yup. Yes.
[00:11:56] Azhelle Wade: How do you do that? do you do that?
[00:11:58] Deanna Seymour: Well, it's all in my course. Just get my workshop, which by the fifty bucks.
[00:12:02] Azhelle Wade: Okay. We'll put the link in the show notes.
[00:12:05] Deanna Seymour: If you're like, this girl is pushing this thing hard, don't worry. It's not too much. so essentially you could like take some photos of your toy. Do you have like, what toys should I be talking?
[00:12:14] Azhelle Wade: Let's oh, okay. I have one here. This is a Marmal. This is, it's like a fidget. You can you can paint them like, like color on them with washable markers, so you can actually wipe this away. Oh my gosh. They like snap together. So you can like change their positions and their feet and their hands.
[00:12:31] Deanna Seymour: I mean, do you see my face? I'm like, ooh.
[00:12:33] Azhelle Wade: Friend of the show, Jeff Lawber created these, that's a patent patented system of these like magnet little feet guys. And he has so many there. They're beautiful. Anyway, so it's all about like your creative expression. Cause normally they're white and then you like draw on them.
[00:12:48] Deanna Seymour: Okay. All right. So we have a marble and we could like photograph it, put it in Canva, remove the background, right. So it's just the little Marmol. and like tweak it and move it or do a little stopping animation could be really fun. Like now that now I'm like, Ooh, this could be cool. Like reposition his legs and arms. And then you have this like you. Save it as a gift. You upload it to giphy.com after you have an account. So it's like you know, marvel.com and the other cool thing. Is that on. Giphy, You have to put in a site. If people go to giphy.com and click on that gift, it will bring them to your website.
[00:13:24] So it's also a great, like for SEO, like it, yeah. I mean, I think I'm not trying to brag, but I think my gifts have like over a billion views something, but that's because I have. some, I mean, it's because people are always on there searching and I have some for podcasts that say like just new episode or new posts or new reel, but for twin makers, like put those, things that you need, make them in your brand colors. So matches your stories and it looks awesome.
[00:13:50] But other people are searching for another, like I've gone on before and just typed a new post. And you're just like, find one. But like on the website it will link back to the original creative. So I'm not saying it's like the best way to drive traffic to your site, but it's like a fun way to have your name out there and your stuff just being seen by people. but also like if your toy has a tagline or something.
[00:14:11] Azhelle Wade: Was just thinking quotes like taglines. Yeah.
[00:14:15] Deanna Seymour: Yep. And especially if it's things that people would maybe search organically, but mostly you want people who like buy your toy to post a story, hopefully. But then also, like, I think it's intuitive for some people who are used to using stickers to just like, this is what I'm doing. Let me see if they haven't like, I get real mad. I love the real Housewives everywhere. And like, for some reason, like salt lake city doesn't have good gifts and I'm always like, what what is happening? Like I know. And then there's like some Housewives that don't have very many. And I'm like, I wonder if they like get mad or they don't think they're flattering or something, but for me, someone who likes gifts, like, I'm always like, oh, if I'm talking about this person, like I'm just going to search it and see what comes up.
[00:14:55] Azhelle Wade: Now I'm even thinking with like, Marvel. 'cause they have like little hats and stuff. So I'm like, oh, I guess if you have a toy that should be decorated, you could, create gifts of the things that would decorate the toys so that if somebody just posts a picture of a Marmo, they can search like marble hat and like put the hat on him. Right. That would be fun. And then that could be a whole like competition you're like, or take your Marmol use gifts and like put, decorate it and we'll choose the best decorated Marmal like from an IgE story or something.
[00:15:25] Deanna Seymour: Yes. And tag us, you know what I mean? Cause you're saying like, okay tag us. And that means anybody who sees their story is also like, what is the school thing? And there, and then you're tagged and then they're clicking on you. And they're like, well, I need a normal, like I want to participate in this thing. And it's the idea of making it more fun, more interactive and getting more people to talk about it.
[00:15:45] Azhelle Wade: Yeah. I love that. I might have to take your course. I just want it do it.
[00:15:50] Deanna Seymour: You do need, you do need Canva pro I'm always like, I'm such a snob at CAMBA. because I love canvas so much that I'm like, who even doesn't have PR like I'm such a like canvas snap. So that's the little caveat, but it's on the, it's on the page,
[00:16:03] Azhelle Wade: So I want to ask you, did you, were you like a full on graphic designer using illustrator Photoshop and all those programs?
[00:16:11] Deanna Seymour: I am learning illustrator. Cause I'm old. Like you have to remember that. I went to college when we dark room. So like, you know.
[00:16:18] Azhelle Wade: Oh my.
[00:16:18] Deanna Seymour: But that wasn't even in college. So, I'm really used to like that's where I learned most of my stuff. And where like, when I with businesses before I just used Photoshop. Again, like I was saying with Giphy, it's like, that's the thing I know. And so I myself to like learn illustrator, but always like, oh, this will be so much faster than Photoshop. So I do like a procreate my iPad photos, photoshop, canva little hybrid. I can't do, I'm like, okay, to do this. So when I make gifts for clients, I do them in procreate.
[00:16:50] Because it's a little bit, I will say it's little bit better quality, but the workshop I made like we were saying before, like I'm all about being scrappy and stuff done in your business for the buck, like watching that line. So I wanted to something of like, can you do it in Canva? And then there's some other free tools I where you can like remove backwards backgrounds from video. Like it's, it goes into it, but, I like love, I guess it's like or like being scrappy or finding a way around something.
[00:17:16] Like, I And I'm true believer, like as an art teacher, like taught a lot of schools that didn't have, a of funding or the parents, like we didn't have huge PTA budgets and lots of stuff. So I'm like, you can make something really cool with crayons. Like can melt them, you can like, how can we make this really cool? Like, we don't have money to buy the fanciest tools. So how can we work with like what we have. So always about being scrappy.
[00:17:37] Azhelle Wade: I asked that question because since high school have been learning, like illustrator Photoshop. Super pro expert on those programs. But when I found Canva, I was resistant for a long time. I was like, no, this isn't like the pro program. I need to use illustrator, Photoshop, and then eventually I got to the point where I realized, I was actually making more work for myself because I was insisting on doing things in illustrator that the program was just too complicated for.
[00:18:01] Simple social media posts that really didn't need the depth of precision that you get from illustrator. I didn't need thousands of fonts. I didn't need a pixel lineup, whatever. I didn't I didn't like limitless color palette. I really didn't. And then it was taking longer to load. Hundreds of designs for all the social media posts. It was taking longer to share it with my team, everything was just falling apart. And then made the switch to Canva for social media posts. And oh my gosh, it saved so much time. sharing files with other freelancers, working on things remotely.
[00:18:34] I never had to copy a file again take it with me anywhere I'm traveling. The professional tools that artists use to be professional graphic designers, or even sometimes presentation designers,
[00:18:46] Deanna Seymour: you can use
[00:18:47] Azhelle Wade: something as simple as Canva to accomplish almost the same thing. So.
[00:18:52] Deanna Seymour: Yeah, well, and I think too, like, just cause you have a fancy tool doesn't mean it's going to be good. there's people that could probably make something way cooler in Canva than maybe someone else with a different skillset in adobe illustrator.
[00:19:03] Azhelle Wade: Yeah, there's a lot more decisions. You have to make an illustrator to like Canva has so many templates, whereas an illustrator, there's some templates, but you're mostly starting with a blank canvas. So if you really don't have that 20 years of art background, you're like, what, what do I, where do I even Whereas Canva, there's like a, you can just pick a template, start with it and then just change things. It's a little bit easier, a little bit of a jumpstart.
[00:19:24] Deanna Seymour: And also like, time is money, right? Like when you own a business, there's so many different things have So in Canva, when you have your brand kit ready and you have your fonts there, like, brand and like quickly, copy paste, copy paste. And have like stuff for the whole week done way more than looking fancy with a big name program.
[00:19:44] Azhelle Wade: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's so true. So true. Okay. So I love the whole gif story. Do you have any other just suggestions for where people might incorporate gifs like creative places that maybe you encourage people to use gifs that maybe they're not thinking about?
[00:19:59] Deanna Seymour: I love putting them in emails. I mean, you have to know your audience a little bit because, like some people don't like them, so I'm always like, I feel like my first. I know there's people I've, I've heard of them. I'm not gonna name names, just getting, I don't know their names. It's just, I can face in Facebook groups. I've seen people like like, interesting. What is wrong? but I remember like my very first welcome sequence,
[00:20:20] So a welcome sequence is when someone joins your email list and then you just send out a few emails that like telling people what to expect from your list, like how often you'll email them and what can like get from your email list. So it's just like a little, few emails to say, Hey, what's up? here's what you joined just to them. And then usually, honestly, if we're talking like letting them know you have to sell, cause that's the point, right? Like introducing them yourself.
[00:20:45] So I used to apologize for too many gifts and now. Whatever, that's my thing. So if people don't like it, can leave. But I do think like in your email, signature could be fun. I've seen that done really well. also I, in the workshop, I about making like reaction gifts for emails from you. So when people sign up for like something of mine, There's one. That's like, yes. You know, it's like me and it's like says yes at the bottom. So it's that personal connection where it's like me, of course you could go on Giphy and find one that's, you a housewife or somebody. Yeah.
[00:21:20] And I do those sometimes because I also think even the ones that you personally make that connection, when you use things like the office or whatever other popular show when you use those, then people are like, oh, we have something in common. It's like being on that first date being like, oh, you love the office. Oh my gosh, I love the office too. So I think there's like a good balance of your own gifts and popular gifts to communicate that, like we have things in common, you know?
[00:21:45] Azhelle Wade: Yeah, I have to say, like, struggle with that too, because I get the gifts of yourself, but I also think gifts of other shows and other celebrities make people feel comfortable, you know? Cause they know those people more than they know you. They know those shows more than they know you. And it also triggers what you're trying to trigger. Like if it's a wow gift, they remember that moment in that show when that wow moment happens.
[00:22:11] It triggers that emotion a little bit better especially if you, as the person in the gif is not a good actor, I've seen some gifts where people it's like supposed to be like a wow gift of like the person who owns the company, but they're just like really timid. And they're like, oh look, it's like, you're like, don't. Yeah. You don't look excited at all. What is that? So, yeah, I think it depends on if you really have the chops for the acting and the GIFs.
[00:22:36] Deanna Seymour: Well, that reminds me, watched the Bernay brown Atlas of the heart special on HBO. And she, in that, presentation uses a lot of movie clips to show the different emotions that she's talking about. So I think you're onto something because you're right. you see that clip, you think of the entire story behind it and all the emotion that like academy award winning actors have brought it. also, I think there's a little bit of the element of. it. You know, when people say like, oh, any friend of hers is a friend of mine. when you put someone up there, like here's Lizzo.
[00:23:05] And then you're like, oh yeah, girl, like, if you like Lizzo and I like, like we're too. Cause we have that common bond. And figures like lizzo means something and represent something that automatically translate when people see that. So I think smart. I think you're right. I think you're. right. But your toy, like your toy like, you know, dancing at the bottom of your email just reminds people constantly, like, you know I am, I'm this person with this toy, like, don't forget, you wanted buy that toy.
[00:23:32] Azhelle Wade: I love that idea. Like having your toy, just like dancing, like even a normal stop motion, like walking by or at the end of your email could be super cute. Right. Totally. great idea. Great idea. I'm loving this. I'm loving this. So where else, like in emails? I guess social media posts, I'm just trying to think, more creative places that people might be using, be able to use these GIFs that may be, to encourage them to do it is what I'm thinking.
[00:23:56] Deanna Seymour: I put them on my website. I think when you go to my website, it I'm a graphic designer for, and I could never like pinpoint. Exactly. I mean, I a lot about your ideal clients and how, for me, like, I'm so I'm like, it's a lot of people. I can't just pick person. So I made this whole list of like, who do I want to appeal to? So it says, you know, think it says like quirky rebellious, creative. Yeah.
[00:24:18] Azhelle Wade: So like that in a webinar of mine. And I was thinking of adding it to my website too, because I agree. I cam like there, I have like three people, not like so many as you, but I'm like still those people all matter.
[00:24:29] Deanna Seymour: Yes. Yeah. And so I think also it's just a fun way to like kick off my website. And for me, it fits with my brand. so I think that's fun. And also I think fun place to sprinkle them as the, page you send somebody after they buy something or like sign up for your email. Like the confirmation page is like, usually like a whoo. You signed up for or I'll see you then. or It's on the way or here's what you can expect next. I think those are all a fun, personable of touch to put on those pages.
[00:24:58] Azhelle Wade: Love that.
[00:24:59] Deanna Seymour: I'm trying to think.
[00:25:00] Azhelle Wade: Well, no, those are great. I actually have a question. Are there cause you're a GIF queen. Are there categories of GIFs? Like do you categorize them in certain ways? Like, I don't know, like celebrity, real life GIFs, animated GIFs, texts GIFs, like, do you categorize them? The way that you teach.
[00:25:16] Deanna Seymour: Oh, oh, I'm not in charge all the gifts in the world. Wait what?
[00:25:21] Azhelle Wade: You're an expert.
[00:25:22] Deanna Seymour: So just talking about the workshop, like I call them react. I think I call them reaction GIFs, and then just text, like we were saying, like quotes, like where you can kind of build, make it say something. And then just like, everybody needs. Just their logo, animated somehow, like getting bigger and smaller or like jiggling or, you know, fading in fading out or something, because I just think that's a missed opportunity for people in their stories, sharing you. And they should just be able to say coach and add, like, if they want to say something about you, there should be a branded way for them to do that.
[00:25:54] Azhelle Wade: We'll talk after.
[00:25:55] Deanna Seymour: Yeah.
[00:25:56] Azhelle Wade: So reaction GIFs, brand GIFs, texts GIFs. And then I would say, I guess pop culture GIFs would be the next one.
[00:26:03] Deanna Seymour: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. For sure. Like finding those on Giphy, like a lot of times, I mean, I'm like my brain likes a system, so a lot times too, just for my emails, I usually tell a lot of stories in my emails. So I'll start like a photo from real life or something. Like I have a folder on my desktop. That's like stories I could tell in an email when I come across stuff. or, I talk about my kids sometimes and crazy stuff. So I usually like have the photo and then later I'm like, What's a reaction.
[00:26:30] Like, what's something funny that could either be me or a lot of times on my emails, I do use the ones that I just think are funny from pop culture, just to like drive it home. I don't know. It's like a little format I use of like a picture, a story then like when I get to like, the, not or like selling, but you know, like what's the point of the story? Like Deanna, we get at. You're amazing.
[00:26:50] And you're funny, but why are you telling us the story? I feel like a like you were saying, cause it's like they say like, know, a picture's worth a thousand words, but it does help tell that whole story when like, it's like this, it's like this time in the show when this person did this thing. I don't know. I think I just rambled. Sorry, but that's another place that's like back to email. I'm like, whoops, I did it.
[00:27:10] Azhelle Wade: Here's the best. I love it. I love it. Okay. So one of the last topics I wanted to touch on is how do you keep marketing light and fun? I don't know if you still have this, but you did have like a real course at one point. And your whole focus of this was to not make reels, stressful and to not pay me, people feel like they have you know, have a viral, real, they have to follow this trend. They have to do that. And I know a lot of toy entrepreneurs out there struggle with doing social media at all, because it just feels overwhelming. It's like not fun. How do you keep it fun? What do you do?
[00:27:44] Deanna Seymour: Again, we have to take this with a grain of salt, cause I don't usually work with people with product based businesses, but I just think do what you want. Like, I feel like that's why my podcast is like F that breaking the rules of online Like I just think everyone always about you have to be consistent. You have to consistent. And I started realizing on Tik TOK, you have a million followers, they are very, very consistent, but they're also like weird. Some of them, like, they're just like doing whatever they want and they like it and they enjoy it.
[00:28:15] So it's easy for them to be consistent. They're not. listening to someone says, here's what you should post here's when you should post it. Here's how you should post it and also be consistent and do it all the time, because you're going to be like, you're like a kid in high school and you're like, I have to do my homework again. Like, this is not fun. Like they're me do this. And you want to. So I would say like, what I try to help people do is out what do you want to do?
[00:28:38] So to answer your question, I sort of changed that with like a real membership, but I kind of changed it into another little workshop. That's like how to figure out how to do Instagram, your way. Like, what does that mean? Like how can, okay. We'll do it my way, but what does that even look like? And so it's like a audio series and workbook to try to help you figure out, like, don't do what you don't want to do. Like. Take it with a grain of salt, but I just like to give people permission to be like, I don't want to do that.
[00:29:02] I mean, and if you look at all the people who've gone viral, everybody's doing different. There's like a billions of people on social media platforms. There's plenty of people who are going to respond, I think to what you up doing. But when you like it, it's going to show so much better. Like it's to be more fun for people to watch. You're going to be more consistent and it's going to come through and people are going to want to watch it. If feels like. Okay. I have to make a real point point.
[00:29:29] Azhelle Wade: Yeah.
[00:29:29] Deanna Seymour: Like, it's not interesting. It's a bummer for you. Cause you're like forcing yourself and nobody wants to watch it. we're like, Ooh, who made them this? Like, it's just, the energy is not.
[00:29:38] Azhelle Wade: It's so true. I've seen some friends of mine. They're like, oh yeah, I made this real cause I have like a social media manager who told me to do it. And they're just like standing there, like this like point eyes open point. Look, sorry. Like, and it just looks so uncomfortable and it's like, just it's not going to work for what you want it to work for. If you're not being true to yourself. And I have to say, I did the same thing with social media when I was first starting I honestly did not want to do any social media.
[00:30:04] I was like, I don't want to be one of those people is posting all the time. I don't want to be stressed out about hashtags. I want to do it. And then eventually I was like, well, I have to do it. If I want people to know who. So little by little, I was just trying to figure out what I felt like posting. And it does make for a pretty ugly Instagram grid, but it's not pretty, it doesn't match everything's people are like, I thought your brand colors were purple. I'm like, Nope.
[00:30:29] Deanna Seymour: Not
[00:30:30] Azhelle Wade: all over the place. I don't care. I just do like what I need to do in the moment.
[00:30:37] Deanna Seymour: Yeah, well, and also like, I mean, and it changes all the time, so you can't keep like, you know, are hot right now. It's so funny. feel like recently too real. I don't who told people that maybe the Instagram guy, whatever people come out and they're okay, now they want where people talk like original audio, lip-syncing. And I'm like, okay. But then my feed that day was just being like, Hey, here I with a quick tip, dah, dah, dah. Like it changed overnight. People were like, oh, okay. Now I have do this.
[00:31:06] Azhelle Wade: Seriously.
[00:31:07] Deanna Seymour: I'm like, oh, the poor people who just got comfortable. Lip-sync it like, like, and maybe if you like that, I say like, keep doing it. Cause people are gonna miss it. Like, I think it's funny when people lip sync, like if everybody switches then lips, thinking's going to be cool again, because nobody's lips thinking like, let's go back to look like, and then you're just like a robot who has to keep following the rules. So I say, just make your own roles and how fun with it. And I think you're onto something you have to experiment see what's working.
[00:31:37] And what, like also what works for you. I feel like also talking about filling your first. Like, that's a big thing. I don't know, in, in the world right now. And I think it's like in mom too, like you're supposed to put on your mask first and fill your cup and take care of yourself, but also like and all that talk is like really prevalent. I feel like. But then when it comes to business, We're trying to like, do everything for everybody, exactly how we're supposed to. And I'm like the different Like what do you doing? What do you want to do?
[00:32:07] And a little bit, like, obviously if you have this product, do you need to like,
[00:32:10] if you're selling like a baby doll, we were probably not like smoking and drinking and you're in your real, you know what I mean? Like know, within you have to figure out like what would work for your brand, but also what sounds fun to you and if getting in front of the camera and trying to make a real is like giving you a panic.
[00:32:26] Azhelle Wade: Right.
[00:32:27] Deanna Seymour: Skip it. Like also people like to scroll through Instagram and look at images. Like there's people, I know who don't like reels, so it's okay. Like maybe those are your people or whatever. So I think. it's more important to do something that you are really excited about, and that will
[00:32:44] Azhelle Wade: Yeah. What would you say to people? Because this was me that are like, I'm not excited about doing any.
[00:32:49] Deanna Seymour: Anything.
[00:32:52] Azhelle Wade: I don't want to do, I don't want to do, any of it at all. Can you do it for me?
[00:32:58] Deanna Seymour: Hmm. well, I mean, I still think maybe I would just say you have to keep experimenting until you find something you like and it is like, you know, I don't like doing my taxes in my business, but I have to do that part, you know, like being organized on some stuff. and to be honest, sometimes I'm not the best at social media, because it does feel like a never ending. Like you can't just check it off and be done with it. Right. It's like forever.
[00:33:19] Azhelle Wade: Yeah.
[00:33:20] Deanna Seymour: Keeps coming. So, I mean, I think too, we overpost, I think people feel the pressure to post like five times a week. Oh, seven times a week. Oh, I'm going to grow and I to do this, even all up to, I think it's important to have when people come to your Instagram, they see who you are and they like, you know, when you look and you're like, oh, I haven't since 2019. You're like, are they even in business? Like it needs to be like kind of fresh.
[00:33:42] I don't know that it's, I think sometimes we think it's the only way to let people know that we exist. And then it's like a crutch where there's exciting things you can do, like being on and reaching out to people and collaborating with people and doing something fun and, and other ways to market. Like we just think like marketing is social media and. are things to do.
[00:34:01] Azhelle Wade: Honestly, I have to say like I've, since, you know, I just got back from vacation and while I was gone, I really didn't plan all these posts for every single day. I planned, I think like I had like two or three posts go out while I was gone for a week. And now that I'm back, I'm like, you know, I don't really want to post every day anymore. And I don't know that I think that it's necessary anymore. I think there is certain time in your growth or when you're promoting something that you do want to post every single day.
[00:34:32] But like you said, I think it's like overwhelming for people when you're constantly just like bombarding them with information, like. Info. It's like a lot. And sometimes people just need a post of like, here's a Palm tree from my vacation. Like, you know, like let's all just Marvel at this photo of this Palm tree and not do work today. You know? Like let's, let's chill.
[00:34:55] Deanna Seymour: In the like long captions. Like it's, it's like people a whole blog post and I'm like, niece was visiting and she's 15 and she me like scrolling and I could see her eyes be like, And I was like, I was like, I know doesn't that seem too long, who would she was like, nobody, know rents those captions. Cause they're like 15. I'm sure it's like all emojis, Yeah. but I was like, yeah, do we need, do need many? Like, that's a lot. That's a lot in the capture. A big fan personally of hanging out in the stories. Like I watch stories.
[00:35:26] Sometimes I through stories more than scroll up and down through feed I respond to people's stories. And I'm like, sometimes I don't even really know who this is, like, oh man, it'll be like, usually like a thing that I'm relatable. Yes. mess whatever. But makes like, first of all, if we want to talk about like algorithm and stuff. Teaches Instagram that I have a solid connection with this person. maybe it's to know like who you're responding to, but somebody, I follow that obviously interested in, but get to start interacting with your stories, it's just teaching the algorithm this person likes you.
[00:36:01] Like you're, you're more friendly and having little stickers and polls. And I your idea like contest and the gifts. Like for me, and goes 24 hours. So that's pressure, I put, put two three maybe in your grid for the week and then hang out in stories and to like real humans. Cause I think we forget that, that, it's people on Instagram and feel like stories is where feel most comfortable to do just respond. And not where comment. You know, just like, Hey, that's funny. is cooler.
[00:36:35] Azhelle Wade: of want to say like, people that see my stories, like don't be afraid to like write words back. Cause sometimes people will use emojis. Cause I think. They feel they're intruding. And I'm like, no, if I put it in my story, like you can say words back. Cause I think I'll respond in words to their emoji and be like, oh my God. Hi. And I'm like, yeah, like let's talk. I thought voice memo, I really make it intimate.
[00:36:59] I love a voice memo all day long. So I can really think through what I need to tell you. And not just like when I'm typing, I'm like, how can I say this in as few words as possible? hate typing on my phone so bad at it, but I also have to say like, don't you feel? with social media? people feel the need to post so much that they're not really posting quality anymore. Yeah.
[00:37:23] Deanna Seymour: Yeah, I was going to say that I was going to say, like, quality over quantity. Yeah. Have like two a week. And maybe it is like a longer caption cause you're you don't have to write seven. You're like, oh, I don't even care. This is too much due to that you really care about. And then like post it on a Monday, share it to your stories on a Tuesday. Boom. That's like a second post, you know, post, something on Wednesday, share it on Thursday. And then maybe on Friday, post a Palm tree to your stories. Boom.
[00:37:50] Azhelle Wade: And quality doesn't mean it has to be a tip. Like quality just means that it is something that somebody who follows you would like to see in their day, which it could be inspiration. It could be motivation. It could be a tip, but it doesn't always have to be like, here is a tip.
[00:38:04] Deanna Seymour: I know. Well, cause everyone says you have to serve, serve, serve, serve. And I think we think, we think that means educate and it can, like you said, also for me, the ones I care about the most are the ones that make me laugh. Cause that's just like my personality and I'm silly. And honestly, when I'm Instagram, I'm not in like learning mode. Like if I want to learn something I'm like at my computer and I like purchase something or specifically Google something and I'm like, ready to learn when I'm scrolling Instagram, I want to be like crying cause it's like a good, good news movie. Like whatever one account is like somebody got reunited with their dad after however many years or to.
[00:38:40] Azhelle Wade: Like dig into someone's life like a stalker.
[00:38:43] Deanna Seymour: Yeah. Yeah. There you go. Stocking laughing. Like it's just, there's more than way to serve. And, And, also sometimes it's like, for me getting a little sassy or like calling something out that maybe other people in your industry like don't with. And then other people are like, oh my gosh, I felt that way too. And that's like wait, you think that? I think that too, you know, so it's tricky. cause they say serve and then I think most people think, okay, I have to teach.
[00:39:06] Azhelle Wade: Yeah, don't in the toy industry. I feel entrepreneurs, if you go to a trade show and you had a really rough day, like don't be afraid to make an image or a graphic. That's just like, oh my gosh, when it's finally the last day of the trade show and you just want to, whatever, I don't know, like something that's more relatable and not necessarily a lesson, but just about how you feel in your experience without naming names.
[00:39:27] Of course. So you don't make enemies, but like how you feel in your experience. Yeah. I, I th I think that is so valuable. Plus let's be real with social media. Most of the time, if you're not discovering someone on there from a real or a story, you're likely on a social media profile, because you know about this brand from somewhere else, someone told you about it, or you went on their website or you found it somewhere else, and you go on Instagram to say.
[00:39:49] Oh, let me look up what this brand is up to. Or you saw a reel and you're like, oh, let me find their profile. most of the time that is what's happening. So that's why, like you said, you want your Instagram, grid to be more informative as to who you are, because people are probably just coming there to stock a little yeah, figure out what's going on than discovery.
[00:40:10] Deanna Seymour: So, yeah, and I feel like stories is a great place too. Like if had a bad get on there and be like, oh, this is what happened. Like, duh, like, you know, you don't want to make it like a total, like all the time. You're just like complaining. But like if you had a rough day and you want talk about it, do that. And it goes away in 24 hours. But also if an hour later, you're like, why did do that? delete it.
[00:40:33] Azhelle Wade: it. It's done. It's done.
[00:40:35] Deanna Seymour: Just try it out. Yeah. And I think too, when I've like opened up more and been a little bit more vulnerable, people reach out and have had similar experiences. And then that It's like a real human experience. And I think when we get too bogged down in how many times a week have to post, how many hashtags, what do I have to do? Dah, dah, dah, dah, it's very robotic, like you're just checking off the boxes and you forget that it's just people who have already clicked following They're Like, Hey, we want to hear what you have say.
[00:41:04] Just start talking to them and worrying about growing, growing, growing, growing, growing, because there's already people like, signed up. It's like if you had a party and a bunch of people came to your party and you were still at the front being like, I can't wait some people get here. Like your people in living room would be like we're already here. Can we have some snacks? Like, where's the drinks? what are you doing? I we're not good enough.
[00:41:27] Azhelle Wade: That is the best analogy ever. That is gold. Oh, that'd be good.
[00:41:33] Deanna Seymour: And also commenting back. Like i, one thing I see, cause I do help people. I make graphics for people and help them do their thing and I'll be scrolling and like see a graphic I made and I'll see somebody who's like commented and the person hasn't commented back and like, oh man, like being at a party. And you're like, hey, what do you do? And when they respond, away. You just walk away and they're like, what just happened? And then they don't want to come in again because. It's embedded. Yeah.
[00:42:00] Even though it seems silly, it's just a comment on Instagram. You taught them like, not interested, like They're They're not going to do that. They're probably going to do that again. So it's important. I remind people when you post like, be available. So I usually do it in morning, which I don't know what Instagram told me when to Poe. I don't know my ideal times for posting, but for me, the person it's like around 9:00 AM I'm like at my computer and working and drinking my And then as I'm like working my phone lights up and can like respond to people.
[00:42:30] If I posted it, when they tell me to, I could be changing the diaper or making dinner or doing whatever I need to post when I can be available to continue the conversation. So again, Just doing what you want to do, like me deciding this is when I can post. This is how many times I to post. It makes it so much better. Cause also then you're just not mad. You're not like I don't want to post right now. I don't want to post that many Cause that's then you're mad who wants to keep doing it?
[00:42:54] Azhelle Wade: Nobody. does. No, I love it. This is great. Okay. I'm going to ask you our closing questions. You ready Deanna?
[00:43:01] Deanna Seymour: Yeah, I'm ready.
[00:43:02] Azhelle Wade: What is the best piece of advice that you received in the first year of being an entrepreneur?
[00:43:08] Deanna Seymour: Oh, my gosh. I even know. I'm like when it's my first year, I feel like I was like selling pine cones to my neighbors in first grade. I'm like wait with glitter, on them in this business and this business. Oh I'm trying to think. Cause you know, my journey's a little Rocky and I had some like, not the best advice in the beginning. So I think, my coach, Kathleen, oh, is the one who's like giving me permission to experiment and be like, I don't know. I that's, maybe that price is too low, but like try it see what happens. So I think just embracing that, like try it and see what happens spirit was the best advice.
[00:43:45] Azhelle Wade: I love that. Yeah. I honestly love that you tried. The low prices to see what works, because I think too many people try high prices first to see what works and it's like, mm.
[00:43:57] Deanna Seymour: Yeah. Yeah. just of just, you can raise them. It's okay. You can raise them because like what you said. I think the people with high prices ended up stuff on sale. Cause they're like, nobody's buying it. Like let me put it on sale.
[00:44:08] Azhelle Wade: And the people who have low prices are confident and they're like, listen, you can join if you want, if you don't want to join, you're doing me a favor because this is a
[00:44:15] Deanna Seymour: Yeah. well, and you know what else it's like when you raise the price, can send out that email. That's like, Hey, just so you know, I think I priced this low and I'm going to raise the price on this date. So if you want it now, which is totally the, like flips the sale on its head where you're like, you're getting this for this price, but you're not like, de-valuing, you're like, hey, I just realized thing is awesome. The price going up. And so the vibe is different, but it's essentially kind of the same thing. So I love it. I love it. Yeah.
[00:44:46] Azhelle Wade: My last question for you. What toy blew your mind as a kid?
[00:44:49] Deanna Seymour: Oh, my gosh, what toy blew my mind as a kid. I know why this just popped in. So this is like, what does that call like, association? So I'm going to go with it and we're probably going to get off this podcast. I'm going to think of like other toys that I'm like, why didn't I talk about, do you remember papos?
[00:45:05] Azhelle Wade: Oh my God. The loves Papos. Nobody knows pebbles. When I talk about it, I love the movie. The movie, do know the movie?
[00:45:14] Deanna Seymour: I don't know if I know the
[00:45:15] Azhelle Wade: Nobody knows the movie.
[00:45:17] Deanna Seymour: We're gonna watch it. There's going to be a family movie night at my house. Now there's a couples movie, so we're gonna find Yeah, I like I like, now the, oh, you think this is just You think this is what now? It's a Papa, like crazy. Yeah. I feel like there was also kind of like pop holes and the nose had like water in Like like you squeeze it. Remember those old toys that you would squeeze. You would play a game in hoops would go on something, but it was like in water. Yeah. I was like a bear and its was kind of like one of those and he would like squeeze its stomach and like play a game its nose. Maybe I'm I might be making up. I think they're called like nosies.
[00:45:55] Azhelle Wade: Did up toy just make up a toy on the podcast? Nosy? Nosies I don't know. I've never heard of that. Oh my gosh. I just googled it. It's real.
[00:46:07] Deanna Seymour: I knew it. I had one. Yeah, Z. I remember that, but that was like kind of a hole was like.
[00:46:14] Azhelle Wade: This is so weird. What is this? Oh, we will put a link in the show notes because this, this needs to be seen. Oh my goodness. Who made this? the logo on this old box that I'm seeing. Looks like it says no, no, no, an old box. It is made by place school. Oh my gosh. What is this madness? Oh, wow. Thank you bringing this to my attention.
[00:46:51] Deanna Seymour: You are welcome. I feel very good about my answer now.
[00:46:55] Azhelle Wade: Oh, this is so funny. Okay. I'm done. Thank you so much, Deanna, for being on the show today and for that amazing favorite toy introduction. So thank you.
[00:47:07] Deanna Seymour: Thanks for having much fun.
[00:47:09] Azhelle Wade: It was a pleasure and I know I'm about to go make GIFs, so thank you.
[00:47:13] Well, there you have it toy people. My conversation with Deanna Seymour. We talked a lot about GIFs and that is going to be your action item today. I want you to go to giphy.com, make yourself a profile and play around with making and uploading some GIFs and even sticker.
[00:47:32] I'd love for you to tag me on Instagram and show me your new GIFs once they're uploaded to Giphy and you can find them on Instagram and let me know that you put in the work to market your toy brand. you can find links to connect with our guests today@thetoycoach.com forward slash 1, 2 9 and if you love this podcast, but you haven't yet left a review, what are you waiting for? I get a notification every time a new review rolls in and it puts a huge smile on my face and keeps me coming back week after week as always. Thank you so much for spending this time with me today. I know your time is valuable and that there are a ton of podcasts out there. So it means the world to me that you tune into this one until next week.
[00:48:19] I'll see you later.
-
🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy® by clicking here to visit toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.
Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. Click here to join.