105 – How To Go from Dream to Dream Job – with Jaclyn Harper (Part 2)

Announcer 00:00

Welcome to Elaine's Kitchen Table. This is where we share tips about business and parenting. Being a mom of three CEO of the award winning company Easy Daysies speaker and educator, you're going to learn the tips and secrets of successful and incredible people. Elaine wants you to be inspired, challenged and motivated and that person you want your kids to grow up to be this is real talk for real life.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 01:15

I'm gonna jump right into your expertise here you are so talented, like multi talented from like design to social media marketing. And I would love for you to share with our awesome listeners, three tips three strategies on how to really kick butt on a low budget or zero budget marketing in social media, what would you suggest? What are your top three?

Jaclyn Harper: 01:43

Okay so first of all, I'm going to say get on Tik Tok if you're not on Tik Tok already, because yes, we will talk about Tik Tok in a minute, I want to get back to Instagram because that is what a lot of people are using these days and Instagram is drastically changing. But personally, I've noticed right now we have the chance to become someone on Tik Tok. People can see with kind of a fair, like it's a level game at this point. And I have found I have just exploded on Tik Tok, and then all those people are coming to Instagram. So it's a great way to promote yourself and lure people over to your Instagram. All right, so we'll talk about Tik Tok in a minute. But when it comes to maybe you don't have any money for social media marketing. My favorite program to use is called Later.com. Have you heard of it?

Elaine Tan Comeau: 02:33

No, I have not.

Jaclyn Harper: 02:36

You got to check it out. Yep, it's just later because you can either schedule a post, or later, right. Okay. Yeah, it's pretty popular, but it's free. You don't have to pay a cent. And what I find is really nice about it is not only can I schedule so let's say on a Sunday night, my kids have gone to bed, I spend one hour, schedule my content for the week and auto publish. I didn't have to think about it that week. Wow. Now it is important to engage. Yes. But a lot of the time we'll get alerts once that post has already gone live, as opposed to, you know, just forgetting and then it doesn't happen. Because that happens all too often that we just don't post because it takes time.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 03:20

Yeah. And it's it is so important, like you said to engage and to post regularly. Because I think this statistics will show that it's about 86% of people check social media before they make a purchase. And yeah, and whether it's a service or a product, 86% of them will check and make their decision based on what they see on social media.

Jaclyn Harper: 03:45

I believe that. So again, that's just finding your system for being organized with social media, let's say. And then also with later you can see how your feed looks aesthetically. Oh, now that used to be really big Elaine. So like you could reconfigure they have a preview, you could reconfigure your photos to say, oh, I've got too many dark photos lined up side by side, or I want to have a photo of me. I don't want it all to be me. Yes, you just shuffle them around and save it, you can see what it's gonna look like.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 04:18

Is this just for Instagram, or is later.com for everything?

Jaclyn Harper: 04:23

later.com. I think it's just for Instagram, you can schedule Instagram stories, too, but I think they also do Pinterest. So there's a couple things you can manage. I know there's Hootsuite. And there's a bunch of other ones I personally use later. But in terms of the feed and the aesthetic of your feed, I'm kind of seeing this go to the wayside. Now I haven't fully tested it out myself yet because I'm a little wary of it. But I think Instagram is really hopping on the Tik Tok train. They're trying to be the new Tik Tok. So videos are key. This is my Tip number three, video video video. If you can film yourself even just saying, Hey, this is who I am, this is what I do. This is how I can help you - done in like a 30 second video, you will get so much more engagement than you would with just a static post.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 05:17

Wow. And with this be doing a video separately and then posting it or actually using that social media platform to make the video.

Jaclyn Harper: 05:26

So you can absolutely make it separately. So a great video app on your phone is called Inshot. It's also free, really simple to use. And if you create that video, you can upload it to Tik Tok and Instagram. Now, I just love Tik Tok so for me, I prefer to go to the Tik Tok app, film my video, put it all together and then you can save that video to your phone. There's a few ways to do it. For those of you that know Tik Tok, you can save it as a live photo and then go to your camera roll then save it as a video and it just gives you a little small Tik Tok graphic in the bottom that you can then crop out. Okay, otherwise you have the Tik Tok logo which is fine.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 06:08

Okay, so I have to ask why. Why Tik Tok? And I'm embarrassed to say I have not - I don't even know how to use it. Like I always thought it was for younger people and kids, am I totally wrong? Okay, so why Tik Tok tell us more. Now before we go there. I want to tell our listeners. This woman Jaclyn Harper, she is like a Tik Tok guru. She is sought out by Tik Tok. And I'm sure she's going to tell us more. So tell us why. Why Tik Tok. I don't even understand, how sad is that?

Jaclyn Harper: 06:47

It's okay because I'm going to get you on the train, it's addicting. I say the reason why for Tik Tok is right now it's this level playing field where on Instagram you've got the mega Instagram celebs and it's just so hard to even keep up. But with Tik Tok, the way that the algorithm works is every video that you post has the exact same chance of going viral, and you can go viral very, very easily. So a few of my videos have gone viral. I think I have a couple videos with over 5 million views on Tik Tok at the moment. And I'd say once I reached about 60,000 followers, Tik Tok reached out to me from LA. And so I've got an account manager in LA for my Tik Tok profile. They had me partner up with them on something called the creator fund. And you just had to commit to sharing 50 videos where you shared educational content. So for anyone listening right now that's maybe afraid to get into Tik Tok. Think about what you could offer people on Tik Tok. And I mean, it still is heavily teen. But I just use that as a way to teach them like it's a learning opportunity. And then moms started hopping on and going, Oh my gosh, how do I stlye this bookshelf or Jackie, teach me how you do your hair. Like you start to build this, like fan base. And then they follow you on Instagram and then they come and check you out on YouTube. And they're your biggest supporters.

Jaclyn Harper: 06:48

Really great. Okay see you I was totally not clear on what Tik Tok was. I thought it was like temporary videos that go away.

Jaclyn Harper: 07:33

No, there's so much so I call my niche interior design Tik Tok. So everything that I post is related to interior design. It's a lot of tips and tricks, how high to hang your lights, where you should put your faucet that kind of stuff. And room reveals. But there's so much like for you. I could see you teaching so much. You could even put clips from your podcast on your Tik Tok. So like a teachable moment.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 08:57

What. I got to check this out. And I might have to like email you and say, I don't understand.

Jaclyn Harper: 09:06

I got you, girl. I got you. You can call me anytime. I'll teach you.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 09:10

You are brilliant. You are absolutely brilliant. And I have to say that I'm sure my listeners are asking this question. How on earth do you make a viral video? And besides not being Jaclyn Harper?

Jaclyn Harper: 09:22

Oh my gosh. No, it's not just me. It's quite easy to go viral. So when I first started, I mean, I didn't really know what I was doing. But I noticed that on the Explore page, similar to Instagram, but it's a main page and it shows you the trending hashtags. Look at those hashtags. Watch the video see what other people are doing. Maybe it's a sound saying honestly this just happened. It was like No, no, no, no, no. And then I made a video of it walking into my clients room. And I don't want to offend anybody but I had seen what I said was a client with just a ton of family picture frames on their console table at their front door. And I used the audio and I went, No, no, no, no, no. And I said, instead, try this with making a spin on on a pop on a trending hashtag, or trending audio, like use a viral song. And I find that that can really helped to boost you.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 10:23

That is very smart, great tips. So as you're saying this, I'm like, Oh my gosh, this, that must be what I'm seeing. Like, even on Instagram, I see like, these short little videos. And then I see the different person using the same, like pointing audio bubbles. And I'm like, how are they all using the same thing, but I guess this is Tik Tok? Okay I fell like, so on a different planet. And on Tik Tok.

Jaclyn Harper: 10:49

Oh gosh once you get on there, you'll see it. You're welcome. Call me any time, I'll give you more tips.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 10:55

You are amazing. Okay, so here is a question. I know my listeners and I want to know. You worked with a two people who many people are fans of and they are the Property Brothers. Tell us a little bit about that.

Jaclyn Harper: 11:12

They are international superstars. Let me tell you, in person when you meet them, I was completely starstruck. I feel like the room was dead silent. Everyone's just watching every move they make.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 11:26

They're from here, just over here in Maple Ridge, British Columbia is where they started.

Jaclyn Harper: 11:31

Wild. So what was amazing about that was when I first started in interior design, and I worked under that designer, actually, the way that I found her was she promoted herself as a designer for the Property Brothers. And I thought, How cool is that? I wouldn't mind to work for her. And then so working for her I was brought on the show. So I did. As I mentioned, I ran her social media. I did a lot of her photos and videos. So she took me to some of the previous homes that she had designed on the show and I photographed them all, we restyled it was really cool.

Jaclyn Harper: 12:08

And then we had the opportunity to style for one of their newer, I think, no, it wasn't forever home. It was buying and selling Property Brothers Buying and Selling. And that was an experience. I mean, I'm used to TV, but it was cool. We, it was three days, you know, you show up, we're styling the place, the contractors are still there. Because in TV, it looks like it's the magic of TV that happens in three days, it literally like is transformed in three weeks. It's nuts. Crazy. And I remember like the contractor were still assembling the light in the dining room. But we were filming within 24 hours. That had to be done so we could get the dining table under so we could style everything. We were cleaning the floors. Like that's how wild it was. And then on the day we were filming. Oh my gosh, listen to this Elaine. I had just had my daughter. So she was one month old. And I'm working. Doing styling for the Property Brothers. And I remember I brought my pump. I don't know if I can say that on here. I had to sneak away. I just sneak away during filming. And I'm upstairs in this bathroom using my breast pump. I left the milk I pumped on the front door for the reveal.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 13:26

I love it. I love it.

Jaclyn Harper: 13:29

I realized after the fact and was like how? How embarrassing. Oh my gosh, I love it. Nobody knew it was but like, that is a working mom. Yeah, working mom a month after it was an opportunity. Like I will never forget. And I could not not go to. So you just make it work. But it was incredible. It really was amazing meeting the brothers, seeing behind the scenes. And then we were tucked in the basement for about honestly, it might have been 40 minutes to an hour watching them film the reveal. So it was the owners coming home and seeing everything for the first time.

Jaclyn Harper: 14:05

It was awesome. It was really great. They had to do a couple takes of a few things. And then they walk through and they saw all the hard work that we had done over the, you know previous weeks.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 14:05

That's my favourite part.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 14:21

And you were so sweet. You are so humble saying you got to meet the Property Brothers. Well, they got to meet Jaclyn Harper.

Jaclyn Harper: 14:27

Oh gosh. I don't know if they I don't even know if they'd remember me with how many people that they meet on the daily. But um, it was an honor for sure.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 14:36

I love that you had your own Game of Thrones moments and remember how I don't know if you know that big TV show? Yeah, they had a little glitch where someone left a Starbucks cup on one of those fight scenes in the castle. You know there is no Starbucks in that era. And there's a Starbucks cup on the table!

Jaclyn Harper: 15:03

Oh my gosh. I had my moment. It didn't make the cut, thankfully. But I remember thinking, Oh my gosh, it's there.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 15:18

I love it. Now that is a true mom entrepreneur. Right there. Yep. And while I have you, I wanted to ask you this. What is one thing you can do for your home, like if you are working and you have your spouse working and the kids are working, and you're feeling that your space is really small, what is one thing you can do to just brighten it up to make it feel more spacious, even though you can't knock down the walls? What is one thing you could do?

Jaclyn Harper: 15:49

So honestly, this is the easiest answer. And maybe if you're listening, you would be able to say the same but just paint, there is so much gratification with a fresh coat of paint. And lighten it up. If you want the space to feel bigger definitely use a light and airy paint. And actually, for outdoors, this is a great tip Elaine. If you're looking to make things feel bigger, add some up lights on your trees in the back of your yard. So if you've got a very small backyard, but you still want to use it through the winter, that gives you the illusion that draws your eye up, you make things feel bigger than they are, the opposite effect happens in a dining room or even outside. If you want some hanging lights, it makes things feel cozy and intimate and a little bit smaller. So for thought, as you change things around in your home.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 16:40

I love it. And they're great and they're practical. And we can actually do those things without hiring a contractor to knock down a wall or, or pull out trees. So thank you. Great tips. As always, thank you, I would love to end like I could talk to you forever. But I can't do that because you are also a very busy lady and mom. And I wanted to ask you so create better is the theme of the podcast and how to create better family, how to create better health, how to create better business, and better self. Like whether it's self improvement, self love, self care. But I would love for you to give one quick tip like just like top of your mind, what is something that would be a tip for how to create better family?

Jaclyn Harper: 17:29

Okay, well, this is something that I'm personally working on and I'm not an expert in. But for better family is - mamas all you business owners out there. I know that's who's listening. We have to make time for ourselves in order to have a better family. So I struggle with that. I don't know if you do as well Elaine, we are busy we are go go go. I want to make time for my kids. I want to be mentally present. And in order to do that on my in my Passion Planner. My big goal right now is to make time to work out, to make time to meditate so that I can be emotionally stable and present for my family.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 18:08

I love that so so beautiful, right? Like you do like whether it's you know waking up an hour earlier so that you have your quiet time or a hot coffee. Like I'm holding this mug here that says "Mom Time" and I made this mug for moms and like you're the first one to ever see this. But it keeps your coffee like hot for hours because I used to put mine in the microwave and then I'll find it tomorrow, and it's just disgusting! And I don't get to even ever have a hot coffee. But I think I should send you one of these mom mugs.

Jaclyn Harper: 18:46

I think so too. I nuke my coffee like four times a day. Oh my gosh Elaine!

Elaine Tan Comeau: 18:51

You need a Mom Time mug and I'm gonna get you one honey. And so yes, it's going to be in my, I have a special surprise box that's for moms coming out in 2021 and that mug will be in it and of course the daily visual organizers for kids.

Jaclyn Harper: 19:12

I need to get myself some of those too I'll be buying some of those for my kids. they look incredible.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 19:16

I'm honored, thank you. Yes so wake up an hour earlier right so that you feel refreshed and happy when you're waking up your kids instead of tired and angry or frustrated because you need to get ready they need to get ready and everybody needs mommy. Oh there's my dog but yes right having you time so that you can have happy family time right? And so yeah, a tip and advice for how to create better health.

Jaclyn Harper: 19:49

Drink more water always which I struggle with on the daily. Me too. Yeah, drink more water.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 19:55

Great advice. Great advice. Drink more water. Third one, how to create better business one quick tip.

Jaclyn Harper: 20:03

Hire somebody, get some help, whether that's admin, or it's just someone helping you do something with your business? Absolutely. Or helping you build your website. It's time for some help. Don't try to do it all yourself.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 20:18

Yes, please don't do it all yourself. And I also like what you said earlier, got help too late, is what I'm thinking, but do it, it's never too late, though. So do it. And even like, I have a virtual assistant. And she is amazing. I've had her for four years. And I could not live without her. So yes, there's so many ways to do it. And the last one is how to create better self. So that can be self love, self improvement. What is your one tip there?

Jaclyn Harper: 20:50

Get a Passion Planner. Not sponsored, not sponsored. I just love mine so much. And it's helped me in all aspects of my life. So if I could highly recommend this passion planner, I will any chance I get.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 21:07

I love it. I gotta check this out. You are lovely and wonderful. Jaclyn, I'm so honored to have you share your beautiful story. And so many incredible strategies and tips for all of us, I learned so much. And I cannot wait to apply some of that. And I do need to ask for more help. So I will take that and put that on my list. And chunk time stick to your business hours. Especially if you are an entrepreneur who's working from home. You know, if a store can have office hours, you should too right? Respect yourself, respect your family. And when you do...

Jaclyn Harper: 21:45

Because if you don't, your clients won't.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 21:47

Your clients won't right? And when I first started out, I'd be replying to people, clients at like 11 o'clock at night, and on Sundays and why? Why am I doing that? I don't think I should be doing that.

Jaclyn Harper: 22:02

I think we've all done it. We all do it. It's hard to really put a firm deadline on five o'clock. I'm done. What I say is sometimes I'll just write my email and I'll save it as a draft. So it's ready the next morning. Absolutely. Yeah. Don't let your clients walk all over you. Once you set that precedent that you can answer them that at night. Why wouldn't they email you?

Elaine Tan Comeau: 22:24

Absolutely. And then they'll wonder why you aren't replying in the next night on Friday at 10pm.

Jaclyn Harper: 22:27

Exactly. Exactly.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 22:29

Yes, Jaclyn, you are lovely. And just so wonderful. And please do find Jaclyn. Now Jaclyn, if someone wanted to contact you and find you right now, where is the best place for them to go? Where would you like them to go?

Jaclyn Harper: 22:43

Well, you can come to my Tik Tok or you can you can find me on any of my platforms at Jaclynhdesign. And you'll see me on there. I'd love for you to follow along.

Elaine Tan Comeau: 22:55

Perfect. I will have all of her social media handles and her website on our show notes. So I just want to say thank you for joining us as our listeners. And I'm just so honored that you took this time to be with us. And I know that you also learned some great tips from this beautiful person here. So Jaclyn, thank you. Thank you for joining us today.

Jaclyn Harper: 23:18

Thanks for having me, Elaine I so appreciate it.