Video Marketing Made Easy

Posted on April 26, 2013 by admin

11537656_mWhen you think about content, don’t box yourself in and only consider words on a page. The world of content is much bigger than that. In fact, visually stimulating content presented in the form of relevant images and video marketing is a great way to sustain and increase viewership of your site. Therefore, it’s no surprise that sites like Facebook and Pinterest have become staples for many companies when it comes to sharing important information.

But many marketers shy away from video marketing because they don’t feel they have the talent or necessary resources to produce such content. Good news! A good portion of viral videos were not shot by professional videographers. If you’re looking to expand your video marketing repertoire, consider tips from a recent blog posted by Socialmedia Today.

Start with unique content

If your video is to make a splash in a sea of big fish, you have to get creative. There’s a reason that PSY’s video for “Gangnam Style” gained so much attention – it’s interesting, it’s funny, and the memory of the horse dance will forever be ingrained in our minds. It’s less about the quality of the video here and more about the underlying concept. Ask yourself a couple of questions. 1) Is the video engaging? 2)Will your target audience relate or find the content worthwhile?

Customize your video marketing

Use a variety of platforms to promote your video marketing content, and if possible, change up your material to cater to different groups.  Each conduit is suited to a particular audience and by altering your video delivery, you increase the likelihood of making a connection. Sites like YouTube are very informal, so short videos that present product demos, highlight innovative designs, or convey information with humor are appropriate. Vimeo, on the other hand, requires a more creative and artistic spin.

Make a video from still images

Sites like Animoto allow just that. The resulting short video can then be uploaded to new apps like the Vine, which is hot right now on Twitter. Currently the medium is not saturated, so it’s a good time to jump on board.

Need more video marketing ideas? We won’t let you down.

Posted in Video Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Go Big or Go Home: How to Optimize Your Marketing

Posted on April 25, 2013 by admin

10383269_mIf you’re the owner of a small business, you might have found yourself wondering if it’s worth the extra time and money it takes to optimize your marketing. While there’s nothing wrong with word-of-mouth, if you’re relying on a passive marketing strategy, you’re probably missing big opportunities to grow and develop your brand.

As a busy entrepreneur, you may want to optimize your marketing and grow your business but aren’t sure how. A few tips outlined in a recent blog featured at Socialmedia Today will help point you in the right direction.

  • Investigate Key Phrases. Check out sites like Google Adwords or SwissMadeMarketing .com to find the most common key phrases your potential customers are using to seek information from your industry. Also, expand your keyword search to fields that are similar but not directly within your scope of business. For instance, if you sell children’s apparel, you may also want to uncover popular search terms for fashion in general or photography since these areas are closely related.

  • Get Blogging. Blogs are a great way to optimize your marketing by unobtrusively sharing fresh information and ideas with your followers. In other words, they help continuously circulate traffic back to your site. And the better your content, the more likely it is to be shared with others.

  • Gain Exposure though Guest Posts to Other Sites. Using the previous example, maybe you could create content for the local newspaper to highlight trendy kid’s styles in the fashion column. Another option would be to partner with a photography website to showcase apparel options for family pictures. Don’t forget about the exposure you can also gain by posting your content onto Pinterest!

You may feel that the investment required to hire someone to help optimize your marketing is a cost you cannot afford. However, the long-term return on investment will be the proof when new clients suddenly come knocking at your online door as a result of more assertive marketing efforts. If you’d like to learn more about how to optimize your marketing, give us a call.

Posted in Marketing Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Creative Blog Writing is An Important Tool For Any Company

Posted on April 24, 2013 by admin

The best creative blog writing is often inspired by the world around us. There are many ways to cultivate your techniques. For starters, take some time each day to tap into the day’s top news. Keeping up with both local and national news can provide you with the ammunition to connect to your readers.

More often than not, this simple task can offer many opportunities for your blog, you may even be able to get more than one blog out of a single piece of information. This can alleviate much of your writer’s block and get those clever juices flowing.

If you think of your blog as a marketing tool, which it is, then look to develop content from that angle. Your customers want information. Whether that’s product reviews, industry summaries or case studies, they need to feed that part of their lives. You, the blogger, can be the answer they are looking for.

Blogging is a great way to improve your SEO numbers. Google loves content and blogs offer up more of a selection than just your website. Improving your blogs can definitely improve your SEO ranking. Delivering fresh and unique blogs on a regular basis can obviously drive more traffic. But don’t get too far ahead of yourself, creative blog writing is harder than it sounds.

Try to find forums where you can tap into conversations about what consumers are talking about. Find out what they are looking for and what answers they seek – then blog about it. Another tip is to re-post a popular or relevant blog. A hot topic can often show itself again and again. Don’t be afraid to share it with readers more than once, if the demand is there.

Blogs are a unique marketing source that identifies with the consumer and engages them with a particular product or service. To find out more about creative blog writing, contact Susan J. Campbell Copywriting Solutions.

Posted in Blog Writing, Consistent Customer Communications, Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Website | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Online Content Developer

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

17668095_mOpening up a discussion on the rules against API to a forum filled with developers is like opening Pandora’s box. Last week, one bulletin board did just this. Online content developers have long had a strong opinion on whether or not their work should be gauged toward content or ad revenues. Social platforms, like Twitter, have created a perceived hostile environment solely driven by advertising or ad-related revenues.

For the online content developer, the perimeters of business models that revolve around advertisers is tiresome. Open platforms aren’t living up to their expectations since the terms of their use change without much warning. This is wreaking havoc on new and upcoming businesses.

Unlike iOS, Twitter hasn’t solidified itself as the platform most of you had wanted it to be. But that wasn’t always the case. Twitter had initially planned to establish itself using real-time API, according to this article. Nearly 23 percent of Twitter content was coming from its third-part clients. But revenue got the best of them and, instead, focused on its revenue gamble of advertising.

Since then, Twitter has setting up service boundaries which limits communication with other social network channels. For example, LinkedIn users aren’t able to publish updates via tweets and Instagram subscribers are forced away from Twitter’s API to connect with “friends”.

Developers are looking for APIs, not ads. It’s become a revolution of sorts, all waging war on the best business model. Some examples of successful API business models are the payments API, Stripe, or Google Maps API which gives a steady revenue stream.

In every sense of the word, you want to be a social platform. As an online content developer, you want to be the base that businesses can build upon and not change things midstream. This is a business model not only links websites but enables communication as well as social interaction. You need to be a platform that is dependable and not heavily invested in ad support. We can help you with your content at Susan J. Campbell Copywriting Solutions.

Posted in Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Website | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monday Morning Coffee with Hillcrest Traditional Housing

Posted on April 22, 2013 by admin

hillcrestThe numbers about Hillcrest Traditional Housing may surprise you, so hold on to your coffee.

The average age of a homeless person in the state of Missouri is 7 years old. During the 30 years that Hillcrest has been operating, it has produced a 95 percent success rate among families who complete the intensive 90-day program and remain self-sufficient for five years following graduation (the length of time Hillcrest tracks program members).

Hillcrest Traditional Housing is a nonprofit organization operating in several Kansas City Metro region counties, as well as Buchanan County. The philosophy is different than many housing assistance programs in that the goal is self-sufficiency, rather than a temporary housing solution — and the requirements toward reaching that goal are quite clear and deliberate. Adults in the program are required to maintain employment of 40 hours per week. Both adults and youth in the program are required to attend four to five life skills or budgeting classes, which are offered at times that accommodate their work or school schedules.

It’s a formula for success that serves local families well, demonstrated by the 95 percent success rate. Another key element of the Hillcrest program is that youth who participate must have a goal toward their education, whether it be completing high school or a GED program, and hopefully a technical training program or college. They must also be willing to find ten to 15 hours per week of employment. The age range of local youth served is 16 to 21, and participants can receive support toward their self-sufficiency goals for up to two years.

This support model also has a clear formula:  families can receive housing without a rent or utility payment, but they must sign a written agreement stating that they will follow the program guidelines and attend the weekly life skills classes. The volunteers who coordinate Hillcrest go a step further, offering a network that includes help getting cars back on the road, assistance with food needs, medical help, and even dental assistance. Haircuts, new glasses and clothing for employment are also offered to participants who are honoring their agreement. All of these are critical toward finding and maintaining employment, and working together, can remove critical barriers toward self-sufficiency.

The communities in which Hillcrest has an affiliate have been strong supporters of the Hillcrest mission and work. Volunteers continue to advocate for the Hillcrest philosophy, and a website features easy-to-find facts and criteria about the program, with personal stories coming soon. Special events are also a marketing tool Hillcrest uses to build awareness, but the true story of the program circulates because of its straightforward plan toward measured success.

Today SJC thanks the volunteers and board members of Hillcrest Traditional Housing, including our own Susan Campbell. These are volunteers willing to come alongside — step by step — as individuals achieve the goal, the blessing and the basic human need of a place to call home. It is truly a hand up = not a handout.

Posted in Monday Morning Coffee, Success Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Six Tips for Making Your Mark on the Content Marketing World

Posted on April 19, 2013 by admin

11718512_mThe content marketing world is one that is meant to be shared, and it’s always interesting to see what others in the industry are saying and doing. In fact, sharing content is a great way to pass along tips and tricks that each of us has discovered along the way. By partaking in the content marketing world, we learn what works and what doesn’t without personally having to bear all the risk. It’s also easier to avoid making the same mistakes twice.

A blog featured at Social Media Today offers this insight for those new to the content marketing world:

  • Focus on quality and not quantity. Producing content for content’s sake is not going to get you any brownie points with followers. In fact, it may turn them off when they realize you’re adding to the already insurmountable pile of crud that they’re regularly forced to sift through. Instead, stick only to content that offers something of value.

  • Limit your social channels. You don’t have to be active on Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, and Instagram. Not all channels will be a good fit for your brand, so verify which ones are producing the best ROI and laser-in on them.

  • Unbutton your top collar. The content marketing world is anything but stuffy – remember, your readers are not attending a lecture here. You can still relay important information in a very human way and deliver a big impact.

  • Forget the sales pitch. Instead, use your content to build a loyal and trusting relationship with your fans. If they view you as a credible and trustworthy source, they’ll want to do business with you without having to overtly sell the brand.

  • Make content interactive. Avoid “talking at” readers, and instead “speak with” them. Encourage their input, and quickly acknowledge any thoughts and feedback. The comments section is great place to begin the conversation.

  • Avoid passive content marketing strategies. Be assertive about promoting your content to the outside world; don’t assume that they’ll just stumble upon it. If you have something worth hearing, let people know about it!

For more ways to successfully break into the content marketing world, give us a call. We write so you can shine.

Posted in Blog Writing, Brand, Consistent Customer Communications, Content Marketing, Copywriting, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing, Social Media, Social Media Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Blogging: It’s What’s For Dinner

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

4412026_mAn amuse-bouche of communication no longer, blog writing now has become the main course for businesses that want to beef up their company’s bottom line.  Here’s the skinny: a business that is not utilizing blog writing is essentially leaving empty seats at its marketing table.

Let’s say that your business and Google sat down at that table for dinner.  Like all dates, Google would spend most of the evening sizing you—or rather, your business—up.  It used to be that Google and its search engine friends would simply scrutinize a business’s keywords, or words a business uses to market itself and how frequently its website uses them, to deem it worthy or unworthy of high rank on their sites.  But now new technology has upped the ante.

In her article, Nichole Beachum explains that Google and other search engines now analyze how often a business is posting new information and how good that information actually is.  If the new content is relevant and interesting, Google’s opinion of that business improves and so does its ranking.  On the other hand, if the new content proves irrelevant and uninspiring, you can bet that Google will leave that business sitting at a back table—alone—in dim lighting.

Clearly, the best way to make your business visible (and keep in Google’s good graces) is to keep your website updated with current and compelling information.  Blog writing is the best way to do this—if you have the time.

Like a good meal, a good blog takes time and talent to create, and both are best served fresh.  If you don’t have time to do blog writing for your business, it is smart to save time and hire a professional.

A professional can put what you want to say into the right words for your audience and has the know-how to utilize your business’s blog to its fullest potential in the digital world.  Working with the right professional, your business can reach more clients than it ever has before.  And that’s something every business wants to sink its teeth into.

 

Posted in Blog Writing, Consistent Customer Communications, Content Marketing, Copywriting, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Website | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Checklist for When You Choose a Branding Consultant

Posted on April 17, 2013 by admin

16828414_mHow do you choose a branding consultant? Do you meet a few for an “it’s just lunch,” or do you look online to see who likes what you like? 

Trying to choose a branding consultant is not all that unlike choosing a companion or a new friend. Your branding consultant should have similar goals as you do for your brand – to see it grow and succeed. They should also be just as enthusiastic as you are toward the product or service you offer.

Making a checklist of what you want when you choose a branding consultant can help:
1. Identify the areas of your brand strategy that you’re succeeding in on your own. Also identify
those areas where you know you need help.
2. Think about finding a professional who can help you evaluate exactly what the perception of your brand currently is … and this will help you identify where you’d like it to be. Look for a professional with the capacity to do some perception-based research along with your branding efforts.
3. Look at the specific marketing and content creation tools a consultant can offer to beef up your brand. It’s a process that involves several tools working simultaneously; you can’t succeed merely on branding strategy alone.
4. Consider how you’ll measure whether or not your branding efforts with a consultant are working, and identify specific measurement tools you’re after. As the client, you get to start with the end result in mind and let the consultant help guide the process to get to those results.
5. Identify across your team what level of internal buy-in you’ll have. Some teams are ready to work with a consultant bi-weekly or monthly; others are ready to move more slowly.

A branding consultant should help you reestablish the best places for your brand to be, and the specific feelings or reactions you want your brand to evoke from your audience. You may be surprised at who you assume your brand is working with, only to find out the reality is that you’re reaching a completely different audience. When you know what you want, you can let a branding consultant help you create a brand super-power while you remain focused on the tasks you do best.

 

Posted in Brand, Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Content: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Posted on April 16, 2013 by admin

Is it gift-giving time? It always is when it comes to content to promote your business. Is it time to consider your strategy? Take a look and see how you can plan your next step.

Posted in Content Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monday Morning Coffee with St. Joe Day of Prayer Inc.

Posted on April 15, 2013 by admin

dop2Have a cup of joe today with a non-profit group of volunteers who are working hard to honor a tradition that’s more than 50 years old:  the National Day of Prayer. Events will soon be happening at our nation’s capital on Thursday, May 2, as well as across the nation to honor the day officially set aside by Congressional leaders in 1952 to recognize the power of faith.

On a local level, the St. Joe Day of Prayer Inc. formed in 2011 as a group of volunteers to help coordinate a special event each year honoring the National Day of Prayer. Last year, the group brought a packed house to hear national best-selling author Todd Burpo speak about his popular book “Heaven is For Real.” Although he spoke in what many consider a small town, Burpo isn’t a small name. He has captured coverage on Good Morning America and others for his story and book.

This year, the group is bringing Retired Lt. Colonel Steve Russell to speak in St. Joseph Mo., on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday May 2. Russell will share the story of his role in the location and capture of Saddam Hussein and how his faith played a role in the process. He has been featured on the Wall Street Journal and many other national sources for his book, “Wet Got Him.” Once again, the committee has rallied enough support to bring in a big name with a big message.

Event promotion and outreach is handled on a grassroots level for the annual prayer breakfast event, with committee members speaking in-person to local groups and organizations. Volunteers also employ classic tactics of sending letters and flyers. Attendance proves that while Facebook event marketing and other tools are effective, a certain audience still responds to real, actual letters and pieces of paper. The message is simple:  Know thy audience if you want to fill thy seats.

Today SJC thanks the volunteers of St. Joe Day of Prayer, Inc., and all involved in bringing this event about the power of faith so successfully to our city.

 

Posted in Monday Morning Coffee | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment