Social Media Marketing

The rise of social media stories on Instagram and Facebook has skyrocketed. Originally an exclusive Snapchat feature, the popularity of sharing temporary images or videos to your followers has revealed a new preference for the social-media savvy generation: real-time authenticity.

Before stories were a thing, social media users would post images or videos from their lives that were chosen and edited with care. Only long after they were shot in real-time did their sterilized portrait of life get uploaded. Now, the growing trend of stories has absolutely changed what it means to present your life online. Users have been given the opportunity to share real-time, authentic (or at least seemingly so) snapshots of their lives.

The growth of this new channel brings a ton of opportunity for small business, and when done right can be used to build massive follower growth and engagement! And this engagement is exactly what you need to tackle your business goals and increase sales.

Now, why are stories such an amazing growth tactic for your business? [Read more…] about 3 Reasons Facebook and Instagram Stories Could be the Secret to Social Media Success

Social media is no longer about pushing specific products or services to your target market. Gone are the days of excessive promotional posts, overly sales-oriented copy, and click-bait headlines. Now, it’s all about authenticity. Simply selling your brand, or claiming that you’re the best, just doesn’t cut it anymore.

It all makes sense when you think about it. Why would anyone want to follow a brand that’s constantly in their face? Now, brands have to ask the question: What else do I have to offer my audience?

This is relevant for most market segments nowadays, but it is especially true for those brands who want to reach Generation Z, a group notorious to marketers for being unreachable. But don’t worry, there’s nothing to fear! This generation and all the others can be responsive to the right content, and become loyal advocates of your brand. All it takes is the right strategy. [Read more…] about How to Build Customer Trust Through Social Media

As they say, there are three things in life that are certain: death, taxes, and change. Since the digital marketing landscape is constantly changing, I try to attend a marketing-related conference at least once a year. (There’s not much I can do about death or taxes.) Learning from industry experts and networking with other professionals is one of my favorite things to do! This year I attended Digital Summit 2018 in Washington, DC. Here are a few of my key takeaways. [Read more…] about 5 Key Takeaways from Digital Summit 2018

Anyone who markets a small business in 2018 knows that social media is vital for survival. However, with a million things on the to-do list of busy business owners, organizing and scheduling social media posts can be quite a hassle, especially on a tight budget!

Creating posts is already a time-consuming process… but delivering them efficiently and effectively is a whole other logistical issue. But, before we get into the “how” of scheduling social media scheduling, let’s start with the” why.”

Posting consistently not only helps you stay on top of your content, it also:

• It says a lot to your audience. When your followers see you posting on a consistent schedule, they learn to expect your posts… they might even look forward to them! This builds up a consistency that, over time, helps build professionalism and loyalty.
• It helps you reach as many users as possible. When you post consistently when your followers are more likely to be online, you know for sure that your social media marketing efforts are being followed through efficiently.

Now that you know why you need to post consistently, how exactly do you do it? [Read more…] about Your Guide to Scheduling Social Media Posts on a Budget

The best mobile apps do one thing extremely well.” –Motley Fool

What mobile apps do you use the most frequently? My guess is they are simple and serve a single purpose. (Like Netflix.) Facebook decided to focus on the mobile experience a few years ago, which is why they have so many different mobile apps. Each one fulfills a specific need. But which ones do you need? [Read more…] about 5 Must-Have Facebook Apps for Small Business Owners