Such was the case for 32 year old Nick Fisher who, before the pandemic, had a thriving new furniture business which supplied the hospitality sector across the country with anything from bar stools to brick-a-brack.
However, after the first lockdown business dried up overnight and prompted the father-of-two to seek new ways to promote the brand.
Nick said: “I knew of friends who have been really successful with their business through Instagram and thought we would give it a go, it’s great because it really works on word of mouth, people liking posts, reposting and followers.
“When Olivia submitted the sales request, I said to my wife, “Is she a friend of ours?” as her name seemed familiar. Frankie, who’s a big fan of Love Island, thought this was very funny and instantly made the connection. I quickly sent Olivia a direct message and she got back to me straight away and said she loved our products.”
Through chatting online, Olivia then posted her chosen Still and Bloom product onto her home account, @Bowenhome, and followed the company. This seemingly small act then spurred a huge reaction.
“It went nuts,” Nick said. “I had nearly a thousand new followers within a minute and my phone was beeping continuously with notifications.”
The power of Olivia’s influence soon translated into a boost in real sales and a staggering 900% increase on views on both the Still and Bloom website and Etsy page.
Lee Peck Media’s social media expert, Natalie Richmond helped to bring this inspiring local story to the attention of the mainstream media. She said: “Instagram isn’t just for teens or twenty-somethings showcasing their latest holiday snaps or foodie pics – it is one of the go-to places for retail businesses.
“You can find likeminded communities who tag local companies and in return boost your brand exposure with likes and followers. The truth is getting spotted by an influencer is largely down to luck but the important thing is to make the link and then make the most of the opportunity. By discovering Still and Bloom, Olivia has introduced the company to a much larger audience – something that is a huge bonus in these difficult times.”
For more information on Still and Bloom, please visit www.stillandbloom.co.uk.
To find out how Lee Peck Media can help boost your brand exposure, drop us an email on info@leepeckmedia.com.
Nick delivering to Olivia
