Tag : marketing strategy

6 Inexpensive Visual Tools For Your Social Media Marketing

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28Nov

For a long time, Adobe Photoshop had a tight grasp on the graphic design world. While it’s a very helpful tool that’s equipped with tons of features, it costs a fortune – often times way too much for businesses to afford. While Photoshop is still a dominant force, companies do not need to spend hundreds of dollars for this software. Thankfully, there is new software that anyone can use at a fraction of the price.

We’ve tried the following tools and they’re quite impressive! As you create imagery for your social media marketing, try the following tools available at little to no cost:

Piktochart– Infographics are all the rage these days. They are simple and creative solutions for dishing out a ton of information into fun, digestible chunks. Piktochart is a great tool to help you make your own stylish infographics, complete with fun vector illustrations.
Social Media Resize Tool – One annoying aspect of social media marketing is that every platform requires different image dimensions. If you don’t pay attention to this, an important part of your graphic, logo, or cover image may get cropped. This handy program will adjust your imagery to fit the platform you’re currently using.

Make A GIF– Are you looking to make unique and engaging GIFs? It can be trickier than you think. This new program makes it easy and provides a simple layout and toolbox full of creative goodies.

Smush.it– You want to use high-resolution images so your blog, Facebook, and website appears crisp, clear, and professional. However, with high resolution comes huge files. With huge files, comes slow load times. With slow load times, come impatient customers. Smush.it is your answer. It will compress images in a way that doesn’t take away quality.

Paint.net– Ah, remember when Windows 95 came out and we were all blown away from the Paint program? You could doodle on that thing for days! Go back to the basics with this free download that has the simplicity the old Microsoft Paint used to have, albeit with a touch of advanced options.

Recite– I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – a perfect social media post needs a balance of text and imagery. Now, you can take that balance even further with Recite, a quick and easy program that allows you to make awesome visuals that incorporates quotes or other bodies of copy into the design.

You need visuals in your social media marketing. It’s just a fact. But, you don’t have to break the bank in order to achieve creative greatness. Try these programs today!

Are you lacking the creative gene? Our graphic designers can create eye-catching visuals for our clients every day! Contact us today to get on board.

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How Social Media Helps Brick And Mortar Stores Compete With Online Giants

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27Nov

It’s not easy to have a traditional, “brick and mortar” store these days. The power of Amazon, eBay, and the other online giants are almost too much to compete with. But there is hope. While the internet seems to be the enemy, it’s just a tool. And if those big guys can use it, so can you.

Social media marketing has the power to level the playing field a bit. Millions upon millions of people use these platforms every single day and are fed content in the forms of updates and advertisements. Your business can harness the power of the internet’s popularity for its own marketing.

Regularly post content that advertises your inventory, sales, and giveaways. Be as active as possible and explain why your customers should choose your store over the online guys or your other competitors.

Inside your store, your employees should promote your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and let your customers know about social media-exclusive deals that they can use in store. They can even present it on their smartphone at that minute!

Testimonials and user-generated content are always huge. Ask your customers to give you 5-stars on Facebook or a positive mention on Twitter. The more engagement, the better!

Finally, the big guns. Invest in social media advertising, and you can narrow your scope to the geographical region your store is located in. There’s no need for people across the country to see the ad, so sharpen your focus and promote with boosted posts, “page like” campaigns, and more. Need help with advertising? Contact us!

The world is becoming more technology-driven, there’s no denying it. But instead of fighting it, you can take advantage of this opportunity and promote your store through social media marketing. Your store can stand up to the online giants with no problem!

Did you know The Go! Agency offers consultation packages for professionals who are just starting out on social media? Contact us today to begin your journey!

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5 Social Media Marketing “Grinch-worthy” Acts

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26Nov

It’s time for your social media marketing A-game. Everyone is flocking to their closest screen for the latest deals, sales, and holiday goodness. Your brand will receive a lot more attention simply because more people are roaming the internet and social media platforms.

Making sure your content is on point is essential. This is not the time to make silly mistakes and hope no one will notice. If it’s true that nothing ever dies on the internet, then make sure your brand avoids these errors!

1. Broken links. Just imagine. Your business posts an incredible holiday season sale. All your customers have to do is click a link, and a new gift will be under the tree in no time. Only, they get hit with a giant “Page not found!” roadblock. Or, they are taken to a far off and obscure page of your website that has nothing to do with the sale. It happens more than you might think. Make sure you take a note from Santa – make a link and check it twice!

2. Click Bait. “Your holiday won’t be complete without this deal! Click here to find out what it is.” No, no, no. Be transparent. Don’t make people follow you down a rabbit hole only to be disappointed. That’s a surefire way to lose fans.

3. Controversy. Yes, 2016 has been full of controversy. But it isn’t your place to comment on touchy subjects. You’re representing your brand, not an ideal. Even when the clock counts down, and you post “The Year In Review” content, don’t mention things people would rather forget.

4. Typos. “Mary Chistmass” is cute when your toddler writes a card, but not for your marketing efforts. Read over everything and ensure that there are no problems at the most fundamental level.

5. Ignoring the holidays. Perhaps one of the biggest Grinch-worthy crimes you can commit on social media is to ignore the holidays altogether. Sure, your business may not be the most festive, especially if you’re in a B2B industry, but you should at least post something. After all, social media is your way of communicating with your customers. Send out good tidings!

Remember, everyone is watching! Make sure your marketing efforts are cranked up to eleven and that even the “non-holiday” content is professionally crafted.

It’s not too late to jump on board with social media marketing for this holiday season. Contact us today to learn how to be festive and effective online!

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The 5 Social Media Marketing Pros You Need

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23Nov

To get the job done, your business is going to need a social media marketing team of experts. Just like in those heist movies, each member of your team will play a certain role, each one equally as vital as the others.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other platforms need special planning and a certain set of skills. These are the pros that are right for the job:

-The Writer.
Of course, the basis of most posts is a written message. You need a creative copywriter with the know-how, imagination, and experience to create one-of-a-kind copy.

– The Artist.Just like a creative copywriter, an artist is needed to breathe life into each post. Whether they create images, videos, GIFs or even memes, you’ll need this creative employee to rock your social media profiles.

– The Analyst.The brains of the operation. Someone needs to study the numbers and see which posts rock and which flop. Without studying your marketing strategy’s data, you’ll be flying blind.

– The PR Rep.
Every team needs a people person, someone who converses with clients or customers and they do it fast. Did you know that Facebook rates your business on the amount of time it takes to respond to a post? That’s why you need to have genuine and positive responses.

– The Spy.What is your competition doing online? Your social media managers need to study what at least 3-5 competitors are doing. How are they handling holiday seasons, sales, etc.? Your “spies” should have easy access to this information thanks to social media.

As you can see, some people in your company can wear multiple of these hats at once. Regardless each role must be fulfilled and approached in a unique fashion as opposed to treating it like traditional marketing. So what are you waiting for? Gather up your team and score marketing gold!

Contact us today to use OUR team of experts for your business!

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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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