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Alright, marketers, it’s time for a reality check.

Put yourself in your customer’s shoes for a second. Their inbox is usually flooded with unsolicited emails, each more irrelevant than the last, leading to them not opening, reading, or acting on any of them.

Yet, this same spammy strategy somehow creeps into every marketer’s tactics at least once. So, this is your sign to end the madness and prioritize personalization.

Here’s why:

Personalization is the Secret to Customer Appreciation

Have you ever received an email from a brand that felt like it was written just for you? That’s because it was. More than likely, they used personalized marketing to speak directly to their customers and address their needs and concerns.

When you prioritize personalization as a marketer, you’re not just sending messages, you’re having conversations. And guess what? People love feeling like the center of attention.

Don’t Come off Pushy, Less is More

Spam is the fast food of marketing: cheap, quick, and ultimately unsatisfying. Bombarding your audience with generic messages leads to frustration and higher unsubscribe rates.

The more you spam your customers, the more your brand’s reputation takes a hit.

Focus on delivering value with each communication. If it’s not relevant or helpful, it doesn’t get sent. Simple as that.

You Want Them to Want to Stick Around

When you personalize your marketing, you’re not just increasing sales but retaining customers. Customers are likelier to engage with brands that understand and respect their interests.

Be true to the content you put out on a consistent basis. The last thing you want is for your audience to think you’re a phony and only talk about certain things to draw attention.

Make their values your values.

When you personalize your content, you set yourself apart from competitors and grab the attention of your prospects. When customers receive messages that matter to them, they’re more likely to remember your brand and choose you over others.

It’s 2024, folks. The days of one-size-fits-all marketing are long gone. Stop spamming your customers and make them feel special because they are!

Ah, LinkedIn, the Facebook of the professional world. If your LinkedIn profile still looks like a dusty old resume from 2010, it’s time for a major upgrade. In 2024, a killer LinkedIn profile isn’t just nice to have, it’s your golden ticket to successful networking, dream job offers, and endless business opportunities.

Here’s how you can spruce up your profile!

Make Your Headline Hook Catchy, Clever, and Clear

Your headline is your first impression, so make it count! Ditch the boring job titles.

Instead, create a headline that is catchy, clever, and clearly states what you do.

Yes, Your Photo Matters

Skip the vacation selfies and opt for a professional, high-quality headshot. You want to look approachable, confident, and ready to conquer your next endeavor. Remember, this is LinkedIn, not Tinder, save those looks for elsewhere.

Show Your Expertise, Don’t Just Tell Them

List your work experience, but don’t stop there. Use bullet points to highlight your key achievements and contributions in each role. Amplify your impact in these roles by using numbers and metrics (if you have them). Instead of saying you “improved sales,” say you “boosted sales by 30% in six months.”

Social Proof Matters

Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and clients for recommendations. A glowing recommendation is a five-star review for professional brands. It adds credibility and shows your strengths from different perspectives.

Don’t be shy, ask for feedback!

Flaunt Your Credentials

This may be a given, but list your educational background and any relevant certifications. If you’ve taken any courses or earned certifications highlighting your expertise, show them off. This is not the place to be modest. Continuous learning is attractive to employers.

Be an Active Participant

Don’t be a LinkedIn wallflower. Engage with content, share intriguing articles, and comment on posts in your industry. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions. Networking is about giving as much as receiving, so be generous with your time and knowledge.

The Finishing Touch, A Custom URL

Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it clean and professional. Instead of a string of random numbers, go for your name. It’s easier to share and looks much more polished.

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is about presenting the best version of your professional self to the world. So, get out there, spruce up that profile, and watch the opportunities roll in.

In 2024, you might wonder if blogging is still worth your time. The answer is a resounding yes! Blogging remains one of the most powerful tools for building your brand, engaging your audience, and driving business growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting your journey, blogging offers strong opportunities to connect with your audience, showcase your expertise, and stay ahead of the competition.

But what makes blogging so essential? Let’s take a look at just a few reasons!

It’s All About the Learning Experience 

Blogging is the best example of “fake it till you make it.” Many successful bloggers started with zero expertise—just a passion and a keyboard. Think about your favorite blogger, I bet if you went back months or years into their content, you will see that they started their website as a fun hobby and turned into experts in their niche.

Your blog is your laboratory, and your experiments are your new posts. It only gets better with time and experience.

It’s A Playground for Your Creativity

Let’s face it: we all need a creative outlet. Blogging can be that outlet.

Think of it as running your own magazine without an annoying editor cramping your style. It’s a place to share your creative ideas, opinions, and unique passions.

Search Engines Will Love You 

If you want your business to be discovered, you’ve got to play nice with search engines. And guess what? They love fresh, high-quality content. Regular blogging gives you points with Google, pushing you up the rankings and getting you noticed. It’s the perfect SEO recipe: write, post, and watch your website traffic grow.

You Will Find Your Community

Every brand needs an audience, whether you’re selling products, promoting a charity, or rallying for a cause. Consistent, high-quality blog content is a magnet that draws people in who care about what you’re doing and writing.

These are your potential customers, supporters, or fellow enthusiasts. Your blog is where you share your message, market your offerings, and build credibility.

So, are you convinced yet?

With solid marketing, your brand can stand out and thrive, even in oversaturated industries. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

Let’s look at some brands crushing it in the marketing game using unique content and bold marketing strategies.

Patagonia Cares About Their Authenticity

Patagonia is a model of brand authenticity. The outdoor gear giant sells products and a lifestyle deeply rooted in respect for the planet. Its marketing strategy is a great example of tapping into its customers’ values and correctly addressing social issues.

Here is what they do right:

• They align their values with their customers. Patagonia’s messaging isn’t just about gear but a shared commitment to environmental change. They regularly share content about sustainability and environmentally safe ideas that have built a strong bond with their eco-conscious audience.
• They focus on building their community around their values. By creating a community around causes like climate change, Patagonia turns customers into advocates. This approach makes their audience 4-6 times more likely to buy from and advocate for them.
• Most importantly, they back up their words with action. You can talk the talk all you want, but it won’t build any goodwill with your audience if you aren’t prepared to walk the walk.

Here’s what you should learn from them:

First, identify the values your brand shares with its customers and survey your audience to understand how they want to see brands respond.

Use this insight to create messaging that speaks their language and encourages them to share their experiences.

Hootsuite Knows How to Leverage Influencer Marketing

Despite not being a household name like Patagonia (unless you’re a marketer), Hootsuite knows how to use influencer marketing to create buzz and drive engagement. Their strategy is the perfect blueprint for smaller, niche brands looking to make a big impact.

Here’s what they do right:

• They collaborate with influencers with substantial niche followings.
• Using their influencers, they deliver content that feels both relatable and authoritative, effectively pulling followers through their marketing funnel.

What should you learn from Hootsuite?

Identify influencers who resonate with your ideal buyer. Leverage their authority to create engaging, relatable content that amplifies your brand’s message. Consider strategies like white labeling to put ad dollars behind sponsored posts and reach a larger audience.

These brands show that successful marketing is more than just selling products, it’s about building relationships and communities around shared values and interests. By understanding your audience and creating content that resonates deeper, you can turn customers into advocates and drive long-term success for your brand.

Ahh, AI, the technology that social media blew up as the ultimate way for marketers and freelancers to create content fast and easily. Over recent years, many marketers have sworn by the idea of AI being a staple tool in marketing, but the truth may actually be something different.

Now that AI content comes in so many forms, it is beginning to cause issues (who saw that coming?).

These issues include the massive spread of fake news, a growing lack of uniqueness in brand advertising, and plagiarism. Hootsuite also conducted a recent study, the findings of which showed that 62% of consumers are less likely to engage with content if they know it was created by AI.

Anyone familiar with AI knows that the content it generates all ends up *kind of* sounding the same. On top of that, most of the information that AI uses to generate copy is taken from other websites on the internet, meaning you are essentially using someone else’s words as your own.

With all of this in mind, many social companies, such as Microsoft and TikTok, are implementing features to identify AI-generated content to encourage more transparency to their users.

They are doing this by tracking the image data of the graphics posted and adding a C2PA tag to these photos. This identifier is just the start of labeling AI-generated content on social media.

Soon, it won’t just be graphics that are tagged, but also copy and, eventually, videos. While some people may feel this isn’t necessary, this is actually great news for marketers!

These new policies make it more difficult for companies to use AI-generated content instead of hiring real creatives. It looks like the fear of copywriters being replaced with AI may have been unfounded.

This also means marketers can’t use AI to generate content, but they shouldn’t be doing that, anyway. It’s not necessarily a good look when your clients realize that the content isn’t written by you but by a computer.

What would be the point of hiring you in the first place, right?

Now, don’t get me wrong, AI is beneficial in its own way, and if you do want to leverage it as a marketer, here are some ways you can without sacrificing your creativity in the process:

• Use it to generate inspiration when you find writer’s block.
• Ask it questions when it comes to successful content creation.
• Let it help you outline your long-form content for more efficiency.

Feel free to have a conversation with us about this topic on X!

The headline may be a bit deceiving because some creators have been calling out shady brand practices for some time now on Instagram and YouTube. Recently on TikTok, creators have been maximizing this by naming the companies that encourage creators to do inauthentic things to make sales.

It has even gone as far as creators reading out the contracts these brands provide them, stating that they wanted to promote false information to make their products look desirable.

Yikes!

One thing you can appreciate about Gen Z is that they do not stand for inauthenticity. Luckily, platforms such as TikTok have given them a stronger voice to try to make a change in the creator community.

Many creators today aren’t eager to compromise their integrity for a brand or a paycheck. This means marketers need to approach creators with genuine campaigns and focus on building positive relationships with them.

Building these positive relationships is another way to reduce the risk of being called out on social media. In addition to unethical practices, brands known to be rude and dismissive to their creators shouldn’t be surprised when they have a harder time finding the right ambassadors.

Creators aren’t afraid to lose money over a brand deal that doesn’t align with their values. They would prefer to lose out on the contract and be transparent with their audience than lie to them for a paycheck.

So, this is a friendly warning for marketers and brands to be better and listen to their creators’ feedback. All it takes is one viral video speaking negatively about your brand to damage your reputation.

Millennials and Generation Z make up the majority of today’s social media users, with the latter being a top focus today. Many brands have seen great success when they tailor their marketing more toward a younger audience, but there’s one thing you need to remember if you want to succeed:

Gen Z and Millennials are NOT the same.

First things first, let’s use some of Gen Z’s language. From this point forward, we’ll refer to them as Zoomers.

Zoomers aren’t afraid to speak their minds, and they’re no strangers to social media. They expect certain things from the brands they interact with, so let’s go over a few of these expectations.

Create a Strong Personality

Gen Z can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. To win them over, your brand needs to be bold, unique, and unapologetically real.

Think of it this way: if your brand were at a party, would they be the one telling hilarious stories or the one awkwardly hovering by the snacks? Be the life of the party! Your brand’s voice should be clear, memorable, and always true to its core values.

Don’t be afraid to show some attitude or wit—after all, Gen Z loves a brand that knows how to have fun and isn’t afraid to be itself.

Be Authentic About Your Stance on Social Impacts

If we have learned anything over the last few years, Gen Z isn’t afraid to take a stance on what they care about. This means they expect the same energy from the brands they invest in.

I’ll say it again: authenticity is key. If your brand takes a stand, make sure it’s genuine.

For example, if you want to show your support for Pride Month, don’t just make a single post once a year and think that is enough. Gen Z wants your commitment through actions, donations, and policies.

Even more importantly, they want to see your brand stay true to its words when it isn’t easy. If you take a stand on a social issue, know that you’ll likely spark some controversy and be prepared to stick with it. No flip-flopping.

Be transparent about your efforts and willing to share your journey. This honesty builds trust and shows you’re in it for the long haul, not just the likes.

Keep Them Entertained First

Gen Z has grown up in a world of constant entertainment, from TikTok challenges to on-demand shows and movies. To capture their interest, you need to entertain first and sell second.

Think engaging content, like funny memes, interactive stories, and relatable videos. Use humor, surprise, and creativity to make your content shareable and memorable.

Once you’ve got their attention, you can then weave in your brand message.

The key is to make them smile before you make them buy.

They Will Listen to Creators Over Brands

In a world of content creators, it’s no surprise that Gen Z responds better to real people than brands.

That means it is essential that brands partner with the right creators who align with their brand values and can authentically represent their products.

Keep all collaborations natural and not forced. It’s not hard to spot a phony partnership these days.

Acknowledge Your Mistakes Don’t Hide From Them

No one’s perfect, and Gen Z doesn’t expect you to be. What they do expect is transparency and accountability. If your brand makes a mistake, own up to it. Fast.

Trying to sweep it under the rug or spin the narrative will only backfire.

Instead, acknowledge the error, apologize sincerely, and explain how you will fix it. This approach shows that you respect your audience, and Gen Z values brands that are honest and human enough to admit when they’ve messed up.

As marketers, we are always looking for inspiration for content creation. So, if you’re wondering what types of content are seeing results on TikTok, get ready to take some notes!

It’s All About Collaboration

One of TikTok’s best features is the ability to duet or stitch videos.

This function allows users to collaborate creatively by adding their own spin to someone else’s content. It’s a brilliant way to expand your reach and engage with a broader audience.

Dance Videos Never Stopped Being Popular

If there’s one thing TikTok is known for, it’s dance videos, and even years later, they are still a fan favorite on the app.

Exclusive Sneak Peeks

Everyone loves a glimpse behind the curtain, and “day in the life” videos offer just that. These clips create a sense of exclusivity, inviting viewers into the daily routines of their favorite creators and brands.

Branded Hashtag Challenges

Launching a branded hashtag challenge is the best way to get your followers involved.

Creating a unique hashtag and encouraging your audience to put their own spin on it is a great way to increase engagement and user-generated content.

Storytime Videos

Storytimes may be one of the best pieces of content on TikTok today. Everyone loves a good story, and with the right mix of suspense and humor, storytime videos can become incredibly shareable content that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.

The best thing about TikTok is that brands don’t have to choose between being entertaining and professional. On TikTok, you can be both bold and surprising while still being silly and unpolished.

The best TikTok content blends creativity, relatability, and entertainment. The key is to keep it fun and authentic.

The digital transformation of the last two decades has completely reshaped marketing and its career paths.

The Rise of Freelancing

One of the most significant shifts is the rise of freelancing and side hustles.

Marketers now have the freedom to work independently, offering their expertise to multiple clients or projects. This entrepreneurial freedom allows for greater creativity, autonomy, and control over your career path.

Whether you specialize in content creation, social media management, SEO optimization, or digital advertising, freelancing in digital marketing offers a flexible and lucrative avenue for professionals to showcase their skills and build their brands.

Work From Anywhere In The World

Another significant shift has been the location of workplaces. More dependency on online platforms has given marketers the opportunity to work from anywhere, whether it’s at a home office or a local coffee shop.

Remote work options and flexible schedules provide a better work-life balance, allowing marketers to manage their time more effectively and avoid the challenges of a traditional 9-to-5 job.

This flexibility not only enhances productivity and job satisfaction but also attracts top talent from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations.

The Opportunities are Endless

Another great opportunity is the ability to explore new skills and positions within a marketing team. New trends and technologies, such as influencer marketing and AI, are opening up more doors for professionals to expand their careers and learn new skills that will benefit their teams or brands.

This continual learning environment creates more innovation and growth in the field.

Digital marketing offers a wide range of roles and specializations. There is no limit to what you can achieve.

The great thing about this field is that marketers can pivot between roles to gain additional experience, leading to a more rewarding career path.

We are not quite halfway through the year, and we have already seen some major shifts in the digital marketing space. So, here are some content marketing trends you don’t want to forget about in your 2024 strategy.

Social Media as a Search Engine

Social media platforms are becoming more than just networking spaces – they’re becoming the place society turns to for answers. Yep, social media has started replacing the search engine.

It used to be that we got our news from broadcasting channels, newspapers, or Google. Now, social media has become the place many turn to for current events, personal issues, and advice.

Why is this? Because people want to stay informed.

So, as a marketer or a brand, you want to stay on top of this new shift in social media.

Create content that answers common questions or provides valuable information, catering to users who use social media for research and information gathering.

Embrace the Demand for Video Content

The demand for video content shows no signs of slowing down. Even with the threat of TikTok going away, we still have Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Plus, some smart cookie will see TikTok’s potential ban as an opportunity to build their form of TikTok for the U.S.

So, needless to say, video marketing isn’t going anywhere. If you haven’t started focusing on video marketing or you think it isn’t right for your brand, think again.

It’s not all about funny dances, jokes, or filters. Short-form videos can be insightful, educational, and compelling.

It’s all about who your audience is. Once you decide what will appeal to them, start building your video calendar.

Employee Ambassadorship for Brands

You’ve heard of influencer marketing, but have you heard of employee ambassadors?

Your employees know your brand best, so it makes sense for them to be your biggest advocates as well. This can be done on their own channels (if their following is good) or on your company’s social media.

Have them try out products for themselves and rate them. Ask them what product they wouldn’t leave the house without, or get their opinion on their favorite flavors.

This is an easy way to create user-generated content for your brand and humanize it. Showing a positive and fun work atmosphere is a great way to attract more consumers and build trust.

Only People Can Make Good Content

While AI is a great tool for productivity in content creation, the fact is that good and authentic content marketing lies within human connection.

The emotions created in the content can only be generated through real people with real experiences, not computers. Authenticity cannot be replicated by AI alone.

The winning formula will mix human touch with AI-powered ideas.

While AI can assist in content ideation, distribution, and repurposing, it should complement rather than replace the human element.

Incorporating these trends into Q3 and Q4 will be beneficial if you want to see success in your marketing before the end of the year.