Tag : instagram for business

A Tale Of Testimonials And Social Media Marketing

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22Nov

Starting a business isn’t easy. A fancy Facebook page is essential, but without backing from your local customers, you’re in trouble. It’s similar to the age old dilemma, how do you get experience when no one hires anyone without experience? We’ll let’s find out how Rachel Wilson did it…A few years ago, Rachel founded Wilson & Friends Bakery in Richmond VA, where she sold organic and all-natural baked goods. From croissants to cupcakes, each pastry or pie was handcrafted and made with love. Rachel was smart and knew to really succeed, she was going to need an online presence.First, she hired someone to make a website. A streaming carousel showcased pictures of all the baked goods available at her location. Still, everything seemed a bit stagnant online. A very wise friend told her to look into social media marketing, and she was amazed at how well small businesses like hers did on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 But how would she begin? The glaring sign of “0 likes” (or rather “2 likes after she and her husband liked it) seemed to drag the whole thing down. So, she decided to go after that engagement proactively.

She decided to post exclusive deals and contests on her Facebook. Since everything was homemade and organic, she posted the upcoming treats her growing customer base could purchase on that day. Her menu changed every day, which brought a new sense of life to her page. Since her following in Richmond was getting larger, she asked her regulars to give her 5-star reviews, like her page, share her posts, and check-in when they visited. Since most of them already frequented Facebook on a daily basis, they were happy to do it.

She knew she finally figured out this Facebook thing once good ratings started popping up on a regular basis. Not long after, she pursued the worlds of Twitter and Instagram.

Rachel is now opening up her third location in Virginia, and she attributes a majority of her success to social media marketing. Now, she posts her daily specials on Instagram Stories, and people wait outside her door before the open time.

Now that she has three stores to juggle, Rachel needs a team of professionals to bring her social media to new levels. That’s why she contacted us. We work hand in hand with Rachel’s growing team to ensure her story and brands are presented on social media in the best possible fashion. There’s only one problem… her pictures make us so hungry!

After studying Wilson & Friends Bakery’s social media history, it’s obvious that her growth was largely thanks to real testimonials from her customers. Even when there was a sour apple now and again that threw a 1 or 2-star rating, the 5-star ratings, likes, and wall posts outweighed any negativity.

Rachel’s success is one of those stories that makes us smile. It exemplifies the power of brand recognition and social media marketing’s effectivity.

Contact us today to get on board with a brand new social media marketing campaign!

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The 5 Mantras Of A Social Media Marketer

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21Nov

Every social media marketer can agree on a few things. For one thing, there’s nothing like going on Facebook bright and early and seeing a 5-star review. Or, it’s always a great thing to go onto Twitter to see yesterday’s tweet got a ton of retweets. Sure, some of us may disagree on some issues like the posting times, the best way to use live video, or the usage of hashtags, but somethings are just golden – like the following five mantras we live and work by.

1. “Know your audience.” Your intended customer cannot be “whoever has money.” No message, rather no good message, is that broad. Understand who would benefit from using your business or buying your product. Then, write for them.

2. “Do not fight change.” Social media marketing is organic. It changes with the wishes of the people. That’s why smart marketers constantly tweak their strategy and approach.

3. “Do not be an island.” Customer communication is vital to social media marketing success. Do not just send out content without being involved in the community, responding to messages, addressing complaints, and never reciprocating following.

4. “Never let a day of silence go by.” Post every day. Make sure there is a constant fresh supply of messages going out to your followers. Now, you don’t need to be online 7 days a week. Luckily there are plenty of scheduling tools available.

5. “Maintain a balance of text and visuals.” For every update, regardless of platform, there should be a body of text and a visual tool, whether an image, video, or GIF.

If you abide by these 5 rules, your social media marketing strategy will be better for it. The best social media marketers understand that this type of marketing requires a different type of approach. Make sure you have a professional on your side!

Contact us today to today to set up your social media marketing strategy!

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How Social Media Revolutionizes Marketing: A Back To Basics Guide

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20Nov

Marketing has changed for the better. While our primary goal is still to present our brands and products in the most positive and appealing manner possible, we have completely revolutionized how we connect with our masses. Social media is the primary catalyst for this change. This is not only beneficial to the brand itself, but also the customer. There is a new level of honesty and transparency brought on by social media and how companies use it. That’s why over 80% of internet users utilize social media and blogging in some form. Is your business up to speed with how brands connect with consumers?

The Basics.

First off, what is social media marketing? You may be hearing all about Facebook, Twitter, and everything in-between without proper knowledge about what’s going on. Or perhaps you only know about the personal side of social media. Read on to learn the facts!

In a nutshell, the term “social media” defines a type of online network which allows users to view and interact with frequently updated content from friends, family, and businesses. They are avenues towards the most recent news, updates, entertainment, and knowledge. In essence, online communication centers.

Currently, the most popular social media sites are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+. Each one approaches social media in a unique fashion. For instance, Facebook has a broad appeal that incorporates text, visuals, audio, and other forms of consumable content. Instagram focuses on spreading messages through eye-catching visuals. LinkedIn is exclusively for professional networking and is ideal for companies trying to connect with each other or individuals attempting to establish themselves in their industry. Nearly 2 billion users are active on Facebook alone, and hundreds of millions of people use the other platforms in a variety of different contexts. Contact us to learn the fine-tuned details about each platform!

So, how does marketing get involved in all this? Social media marketing is essentially brand representation in a professional and approachable manner on popular platforms which raises a business’s credibility through regular customer communication.

Just like an individual, a company of any size, shape, or industry can have a voice on social media. Although instead of posting personal material like vacation videos and pictures of pets, a company’s marketing team can post information relative to the brand.

Why Does Social Media Marketing Work So Well?

A key defining factor that distinguishes social media marketing from older forms of promotion is the type of content marketers produce. While there are plenty of advertisements online, this medium allows us to reach our ideal customer base like never before. As a result, our “promotions” aren’t ads at all. Instead, they are pieces of compelling content that targeted users actually want to see. Imagine that. People wantto see your ads!

Let’s use Megan’s Cupcake Company as an example. Social media allows Megan to connect with the right audience in many different ways. Perhaps she’s trying to reach out to a certain geographical location, a particular age range, gender, income level, or even only those who have shown an interest in baking. It’s possible with social media.

Keep in mind that social media marketing isn’t just about promotions. It’s also about sharing engaging content with your online fan base. For instance, Sunny Shores Senior Living Community shares caregiving tips, health news, inspiring quotes, even gift ideas that are perfect for your elders. Those who are looking for assisted living solutions would want to read that information, as opposed to scrolling past it.

These are but a few reasons why over 50 million businesses already use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites to connect with previously existing customers and potential leads.

What Can Your Business Expect From Social Media?

At The Go! Agency, we help hundreds of companies in a broad range of industries succeed. No matter if the client is a one-person business trying to hit the ground running, or a large international brand trying to reach out in new ways, there is a place for them on social media.

Many companies go into social media marketing with certain expectations. Many express their goals as the following:

– Increased revenue

– Increased leads / referrals

– Increased sales

-Increased network connections

If done correctly, social media marketing can achieve these goals. However, you need to have a team of professionals who are capable of delivering a personalized approach and executing a successful strategy.

As you can see, social media is an entirely different animal than other marketing methods. It requires a new level of analysis, customer communication, and attentive management. After a brief period of implementing a customized marketing campaign, our clients notice the above “returns,” but also these added benefits:

– Online expert status

– A significantly improved online presence

– A major improvement in customer relations

– Steady increases in website visits and online transactions

– A vastly expanded professional network

Why Your Business Needs A Pro.

As you can imagine by now, social media may be effective, but it requires effort. To have an energetic, engaging, and effective social media presence, you need a team of professionals that has your back.

We take the hard work away from our clients so they can enjoy the results. This type of marketing requires a creative approach and a balance of entertaining, promotional, and business-centric content. Marketers should be adaptable, but also experts in the field due to years of experience studying trends and strategies. Thanks to our quantifiable results, our clients appreciate the scale of our efforts’ effectivity, and how social media marketing allows them to reach a mass of people that would be otherwise unattainable.

What are you waiting for?

At one point in time, social media was just about sharing selfies with your college friends. Not anymore. It has evolved into one of the most efficient methods to not only establish online brand recognition but to develop lasting relationships with customers on the sites they visit the most.

Don’t let another day go by without a powerful and professional social media strategy. Contact us today to join the millions already online!

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Harness The Holidays On Social Media (And Not Just The Big Ones)

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19Nov

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of the massive marketing machines revving their engines. The holiday season is about to go into full swing, and if you don’t have your marketing strategy in play by now, you better get a move on. But holiday engagement isn’t only exclusive to late November to the beginning of January. Far from it….

Did you know March 11th is World Plumbing Day? What about the fact that May 15th is Chocolate Chip Day? I bet you didn’t know that June 30th is Social Media Day! I’m not trying to impress you with trivia, but rather trying to emphasize that every day is a holiday, which is quite significant news for marketers. Every single industry, field and profession have days to celebrate. A little bit of research (or a knowledgeable social media marketer) can go a long way in letting you know how to use one of these bizarre holidays to your marketing advantage.

You may find that some days are just silly. For instance, Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day may not be your cup of tea. (It’s on August 7th if you want to know). Instead, use content like On This Day In History, local events, and even birthdays to make the most mundane days something special.

It’s the gift of a marketer to spin “blah” into “spectacular.” These holidays will be able to help! Never look at a blank space in your social media marketing schedule the same way again!

Contact us today to learn how to spice up your ordinary days!

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Where Will Facebook Stand In 2017?

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17Nov
To put it lightly, 2016 was interesting. This is especially true in the world of social media. We’ve seen its power demonstrated by spreading the word of movements, charities, and new businesses. Without social media, some companies wouldn’t have been able to make it. Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest “movers and shakers” of this busy year was Facebook. What’s in store for the social media giant’s future?Facebook continued to revolutionize itself and reshape its structure to appease the needs and wants of the users – just like the marketers that use the platform should do. Due to these changes, 2017 will most certainly be an exciting year for the site. These are the biggest changes we will see next year.1. Continued e-commerce integration. Thanks to chatbots and interactive ads, people have the opportunity to begin and complete a transaction entirely inside Facebook. This is ideal for marketers and a company as a whole because it brings a new level of convenience to the site and online shopping. The new and innovative tools will allow people to see a wide catalog of available products and handpicked just for them based on their browsing history and interests. It just got even easier to sell online.2. Video. As any online market analyst can tell you, social media’s video aspect is booming and is only projected to become even stronger. Facebook Live and Facebook 360 are two ways that the site will continue to develop the medium into their format. However, we may see even more extensive changes such as timeline shifts towards video and added editing tools. In 2016, we saw Snapchat dominate on the mobile side of social media. Facebook took notice and already copied a few features from their competitor via Instagram and Facebook Live. Get ready for a video war!

3. Marketplace. Recently, Facebook released the Marketplace, which is meant to compete with eBay, Craigslist, and LetGo. Users have been widely receptive, and we predict further developments of this new side of Facebook.

4. Facebook-native content. It’s no secret to anyone who is involved in the social media marketing industry that Facebook likes for its users to stay inside its walls. That’s why uploaded videos take precedence over YouTube links and Instant Articles appear more prominently over links to news articles and blogs. We will certainly see more of this, and a smart marketer knows his or her way around this.

For a long time, Facebook was the undisputed king of social media. Now, they have quite a bit of competition. Regardless, they aren’t going down anytime soon, and these updates prove they are willing to go the extra mile for their users.

Don’t wait! Contact us TODAY to create an effective and engaging Facebook marketing strategy!

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An Important Rule For Franchisees And Social Media Marketing

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16Nov

Its hard to find a business that doesn’t have some form of social media marketing these days. Whether it’s a Facebook page, Twitter account, or even a YouTube channel, many professionals understand the benefits that come with these powerful tools. Franchise owners are included in this. Yet still, there is one thing that some owners of franchise businesses fail to grasp…

Whether you run a franchise restaurant, home improvement store, or even a chapter of a charity, your individual location needs to be represented with its own independent social media account. Often we will see franchise owners just social media marketing off to a corporate marketing team. Sure, they may cover the broad, umbrella content, but there’s no personalization, no local marketing, and no location exclusivity. You’ve officially become a number with no unique online representation.

Create a specific strategy that incorporates your corporate messages alongside individualized content. Much of this depends on what type of business you manage. Still, no matter what industry you work in, there are always three unique factors that will make your location stand out – location, employees, and customers/ clients. Promote deals only available at your spot, showcase customers, and make your employees feel appreciated by showing off their hard work. It’s important that you provide reasons as to why your business stands out above the other chains. Are you contributing to a local cause, charity, or organization? Show your efforts online. Are you doing something special for the holidays, show it off! This level of attention and caring will go a long way!

Did you know that we handle many franchises on the corporate and branch level? Contact us today to learn how your business can shine online via social media marketing!

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Spectacles by Snapchat- What This Means For Marketers

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15Nov

Snap Inc., the umbrella company of Snapchat, has recently placed its video-camera-infused sunglasses simply known as Spectacles into consumer hands in Venice Beach. The unique delivery method, a bright yellow, cyclops-like vending machine, sold out by 8:00am the day they first appeared. People absolutely love the devices and are using them with the hugely popular social media platform.

It seems that these special sunglasses are going to be hard to get your hands on. They’re being actively hunted by the young audience they were intended for. As marketers, we need to take a step back and see exactly what this means.

For one thing, it’s proof that Snapchat is one of the big boys now. Facebook tried a few small efforts in the retail game, specifically partnering with a smartphone company to make a social media specific phone. However, nothing quite soared like these Spectacles. You can actually buy a physical item from a social media platform that enhances the experience. That’s pretty extraordinary.

Secondly, this shows just how important video is for social media. It’s changing how we market in a fundamental way. Video is now coming in a multitude of forms, whether it be regular, live, or 360 videos. Every social media marketer should take note that this is the time to learn the ropes and start creating engaging material.

As Snapchat booms, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram are trying to get an edge on the competition. 2017 will be the year of video. Are you ready?

Contact us today to take advantage of video in social media marketing!

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5 Twitter Secrets Your Marketing Strategy Needs

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14Nov

Many businesses have been using Twitter for marketing purposes for quite a few years now. Over 310 million people log into the microblogging platform, and as we have seen, no platform keeps people notified with second by second updates like this one.

While many businesses use Twitter, some marketers may be surprised that there are some lesser-known features that they aren’t taking advantage of. Like every platform, Twitter has some “hidden” tools that could benefit your strategy. Check out these top secrets:

1. Advanced Search. Twitter is all about connecting with a larger community. While you want people to follow your brand, you should reach out yourself. Twitter’s advanced search is a handy tool that helps you hone in on accounts from a particular geographical area, tweets containing VERY precise phrasing, or even positive or negative messages.

2. Lists. What’s a Twitter list? It’s, well, a list of Twitter users. Seems simple, right? People use lists to categorize their favorite accounts into recognizable categories like “My Favorite Stores,” or “News Sources.” How could a business benefit from this? They could understand how people view their brand by knowing which lists they are a part of. On your profile page, click “Lists,” then “Member Of.” You will be able to see where people placed you. You can also subscribe to other people’s lists so you can have a new resource of possible leads, news sources, competitors, etc.

3. Stickers. Following Snapchat, Twitter now allows you to add fun graphics to your pictures. Sure, this will add some fun, but it will also help you appeal to your audience if you use these correctly.

4. Character-free images. Speaking of pictures, did you know you can upload up to four images per tweet? That’s pretty good considering visuals no longer count against your character count. The fact that you can upload this many pictures, and incorporate text into these files, allows you can practically tweet a whole book.

5. A full Tweet archive. Twitter can provide you with a full list of every piece of activity your company’s Twitter account has ever done. Your life in Tweets! Whether you’re trying to study which Tweets worked and which didn’t, or you are seeking to strike up some inspiration from your previous works, an archive can prove invaluable.

From lists to archives, your Twitter account is just waiting for you to take advantage of these excellent features!

Contact us today to fly high on Twitter thanks to our experts!

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Get Your Social Media Marketing Ready For After Thanksgiving Madness

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13Nov

Remember when November meant we all looked forward to Thanksgiving? It seems that we’re all looking forward to Black Friday a tad bit more lately. We can set aside the social commentary on that for another day and instead, let’s learn the best strategies for marketers.

For those who are trying to raise brand awareness like myself, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday should be embraced by their overwhelming effectivity. Everyone is paying attention to all the sales and deals they can strike. This is the time of year when people are actively seeking promotions, so you need to be ready. Social media marketing is one of the best ways of handling this.

Promote your doorbusters on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. One of the best ways of getting the word out is boosting posts and sponsored ads. This is the time to utilize that advertising budget so that you can be seen on all platforms!

People are going to be searching for deals on the run. If the deal is on your website, make sure it’s mobile friendly. This will come in even more into play on Cyber Monday, which I will cover in a moment.

Social media is one of the most effective ways of reaching out on Black Friday. Since this event is all about timing, many companies host “social media exclusive” flash sales. Just be sure your servers are ready to handle the extra traffic!

Make sure your business participates in Black Friday at least in some respect. This is especially true if you are a B2C company. Even if you are a “service” business, you can promote discounts on the variety of packages you offer. However, if you are a smaller business, your work doesn’t end on Friday night….

Small Business Saturday is an increasingly popular event that takes place the day after Black Friday. Since most consumers flock to big box stores on Friday, small businesses can shine on this day. Make sure you’re ready. Promote your deals heavily on social media, show off what sales your customers can take advantage of, and focus on the promotional side as opposed to news, quotes, etc.

After the dust settles, get ready for one last hurrah. Cyber Monday tends to shake the internet to its core. Are you an eCommerce site? Then rev up your engines. Start promoting early and make people interested. As I stated for Black Friday, this is one of those times that you will want to take advantage of premium advertising options offered by Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This isn’t just a day for Amazon to roll in the dough. Make sure your site shines! You can accomplish this via social media.

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are the heaviest shopping days of the year. However, it’s just the grand opening of the Holiday season. Don’t let up! People want to see your sales, promotions, and showcased deals. Get festive by putting your business in the limelight on social media.

Don’t let this season go by without social media on your side!

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A 5-Step Recipe To Awesome Instagram Videos

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12Nov

At one point, Instagram only allowed tiny 15-second videos. Granted, it was still almost triple what Vine allowed, but it was still ridiculously short. Now, we have up to a full minute of time allotted to create a powerful and original message. What are you going to do with all that extra time?

A minute sounds like a blink of an eye, but when you keep in mind the attention span of the average internet user, it’s more than enough time. In fact, if you can manage to get your word out in a shorter period, go for it! These five steps are helpful ways to utilize the medium of Instagram video.

1. Create your “film studio.” What resources are available for your business’s marketing? Do you have actors, props, or eye-catching locations? Perhaps you can only transform static images into a slideshow or animation via third-party software? Even if you only have a few pictures, it’s up to your marketing team to turn it into gold.

2. Subject. What will your video be about? As you may have seen, instructional videos, “how-to’s,” and DIY guides fare particularly well on Instagram. Keep in mind that there is a certain culture on Instagram. Try to keep things young, energetic, positive, and informative whenever possible.

3. Text. Whether your video is founded on video footage or a compilation of still images, text has become increasingly popular. Did you know that over 80% of social media users watch videos on mute? Incorporating text is an effective way to make your message is delivered.

4. Creativity. Even though videos can be compelling and engaging, people have the ability to skip over them easily. Make sure yours stands above the rest! Find creative and enticing ways to create fantastic imagery and your marketing will benefit.

5. Engagement strategies.
After the credits roll and the lights go up, you want your audience to stay inside the world your video has set up. Insert a link in the caption section so users can move forward. Also, at the end of your video, you should have a call to action. Ask viewers to comment, like, share, etc. You will be surprised how effective call to actions are.

Instagram is all about visuals. The most popular medium of this content has unanimously become videos. Don’t go another day without incorporating this popular content into your social media marketing strategy!

Contact us today to learn how we can create engaging and creative videos for your Instagram page!

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