Tag : social media 101

A Crash Course In Social Media Copywriting

Voz-1169
24Jan

Ever since the early days of the newspaper, people have studied the power of the headline. Writers carefully selected each word so their paper would pull in readers. Social media marketing has evolved this concept. Thankfully, we don’t need people shouting “Extra!” on street corners. Instead, we have to make sure our updates are noticeable on the web.

Now, there’s one BIG difference between normal copywriting and social media copywriting. With social media, you write a lot. And by a lot, I mean our copywriters have to crank out tens of thousands of words a week for our clients. And guess what? They STILL have to be creative and original. Quantity AND quality are absolutely essential. With that in mind, you might ask which strategies work the best for social media users? The following categories are proven ways to raise engagement:

1. Lists. Whether your post is “Top 10 Restaurants in Nashville” or “The 5 Most Important Documents For Estate Planning,” people love lists. They are easy to read and get right to the point.

2. Definitions and industry terms. Does your industry have specific terminology?Share them with your audience! For example, “The Legal Terms You Need To Know!” is an excellent way to spread a wealth of knowledge for attorneys.

3. Casual tone. Today’s consumer likes a casual and conversational tone for marketing. “Check out these…”, “Come see our…” further strengthen your brand’s approachable feel.

4. Questions. “Could These Foods Help With Alzheimer’s?” Crafting a social media post in the form of a question is always a good way for readers to click and search for the answer.

5. Powerful vocabulary. Finally, no matter what way you craft your message, your words need to pack a punch. Don’t waste room on weak words. Instill a sense of urgency and importance.

Does your marketing team have writer’s block? Contact us! Our copywriting department will be able to craft your brand’s message into a professional and effective piece of marketing.

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The 10 Traits The Best Social Media Marketing Campaigns Have

The 10 Traits The Best Social Media marketing campaigns have
22Jan

Do you want to have more engagement online? Do you want your follower count to double or triple? So does everyone else. The truth is, some marketers are able to tackle the world of social media a little better than others. Why is this? They’ve taken the time to perfect their strategy. The good news? So can you. Here are the top traits that the best social media marketing campaigns have:

1. Focus. Your content should be specifically relevant to your industry and type of work. This doesn’t mean every post should be about your business. Instead, post articles and interesting posts that your followers will enjoy.

2. Passion. How are people supposed to be interested in your company if you’re bored with it? Trust me, your lackluster effort will show in your content. Get pumped up! You should be proud and passionate about your brand.

3. Professionalism. Social media is about casual communication, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a professional. Keep it classy, fellow marketers.

4.Authenticity. People can spot a scam a mile away. The internet is already full of cheesy marketing tactics and empty promises. Make sure you stay honest and true to your brand.

5. Consistency. You never want an excessive amount of time to go by without sending out a post. A day is understandable. Two, you’re going to start to suffer. A week, and you will need to wipe away the digital dust. Keep your publishing schedule consistent and reliable.

6. Communication. When a customer, client, follower, or fan contacts your company, you have to abide by three things. Friendliness, timely responses, and a satisfactory answer to their inquiry. Make sure you stick to the basics of customer service and communicate with a cyber smile.

7. Positivity. There’s enough bad news in the world, in particular on the internet. Make someone’s day by spreading some joy through a post. Whether it’s a quote, tasty recipe, or a fun image, your social media content should have a fun factor.

8. Integrity. Don’t take advantage of bad news for marketing gains. Don’t post inappropriate or controversial content. Don’t curse. Don’t fight with dissatisfied customers. Once again, keep it classy.

9. Entertainment. One of the defining factors of social media is that people use these platforms for FUN. Make sure people actually enjoy seeing your tweets, posts, and pins by studying what is trending and most engaging.

10. Patience. This trait combines a bit of everything. You need to be consistent, have a focus, stay positive, and use your exceptional communication skills. All the while, it may take time, but don’t let the quality dwindle. Don’t forget that social media takes time. Do not give up!

There are plenty of businesses who have all ten of these traits. There are also MANY who have none of them. Make sure you keep these in mind when you pursue your marketing ventures. If you do this, online credibility and brand awareness will be yours!

Contact us today to learn more about the best strategies for social media for your business and how you can implement them!

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Online Marketing: Social Media AND Websites Working Together

online marketing
19Jan

Online marketing is a broad term that encompasses both social media and a company’s website. Because of this, these two need to work symbiotically. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the other platforms need help from your website, and vice versa.

There is a bit of quid pro quo in online marketing. Some social media content should send the reader back to the website so they can read informative web pages, fill out forms, etc. On the other side, a website needs to be designed with those social media icons proudly being promoted in a prominent space. There are so many websites out there that tuck away the links to its company’s social media page and even if you wanted to find their accounts, you wouldn’t be able to! It is very important to have those buttons right where viewers can see them.

Your website will generally stay the same. It tends to be a steadfast, unwavering piece of marketing as opposed to social media which is constantly updated with news, sales, articles, etc. You can see why both these elements are very important to a successful online presence.

When promoting separate pages on social media, do not always link back to your home page. Share the wealth of attention to other pages that can provide the customer further insights into what makes your company tick. One of these important pages is your blog.

A blog can be one of the most important parts of your website. It is the one section that is typically regularly updated, albeit not as quickly as your social media. By promoting your blog on your social media pages, you will bring attention to your website, which is a valuable resource to your company. What’s that? You don’t have a blog? You need to start one up ASAP!

A business’ website and social media pages are both integral elements of online activity and as such, a good marketer knows how to take advantage of both.

Contact us today to learn about our social media AND web services!

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How Should A Business Use Hashtags?

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18Jan

An essential element of social media marketing is to spread your content as far as possible. To achieve this goal, we have hashtags as a handy tool. We’re firm believers of hashtags, as we’ve seen them significantly improve a content’s reach. That being said, these little guys need to be used in the right away. Hashtags are easy to learn but can take some finesse to master. Here are the best ways to make the famous internet tool work for you!

Know your platform’s limits. Do you think all the social media platforms are the same? Think again. The way each site uses hashtags is completely different. You should not use more than three for Facebook. There isn’t a limit on Twitter, but you still have that 140 character limit hanging over your head. LinkedIn and Pinterest don’t use hashtags at all, rather utilize keywords. Instagram, on the other hand, is the king of hashtags. Be professional, but 10-15 hashtags max is recommended.

Do your research. A hashtag will only do its job if someone is actually looking for it. You need to figure out what is trending. Luckily, you have tools. Facebook and Twitter both have trending sections that allow you to see what all the buzz is about at the time.

Don’t be too specific. #FacebookSocialMediaMarketing may not get as many hits as #Facebook, #SocialMedia, #SocialMediaMarketing and #Marketing. Getting is just right is key for hashtags.

Don’t be too broad. On the opposite side of things, you want to make sure your hashtag isn’t going to drown in a sea of the same. #California may work, but if you are trying to get San Diego residents to pay attention, #SanDiego will work better. Otherwise, people who are looking for things pertaining to San Francisco may also see your post and it will be a waste.

You need a little bit of imagination, research, and common sense to master hashtags. The symbol that used to be called the pound symbol is now your best friend in the social media world, but you need to know how to use them!

Contact us today to jump on board with social media marketing!
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5 Ways To Save A Dying Social Media Page

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14Jan

It’s kind of ironic- transparency is one of the best parts about social media, and the most frustrating. When things aren’t working the way they should, the lack of engagement shows up like a red flag. While social media has proven to be the most effective avenue for online brand awareness, there are times when the online public doesn’t seem to accept you. Still, there’s always hope.

With nearly 2 billion people actively logging onto Facebook alone, it’s never too late to try new tactics and push forward. Even the most successful social media campaigns have to tweak their approach from time to time.

Try the following great ways to shock the life back into your company’s social media efforts.

1. Add new visuals with new colors. Sure, you want to stay consistent with your company’s branding, but the right graphic designer knows how to turn the pre-existing material into something new and exciting. Find a way to create new pictures, videos, live broadcasts, GIFs and more.

2.  Try a different type of post. Perhaps you’ve become too sales-driven and need to add some fun? Or maybe you need to add some blogging? Or quotes? Or recipes? Either way, diversity is a great way to turn heads.

3. Invite your audience to participate! It is social media after all. You want people to start talking! You can do this in the form of polls, quizzes, and other various calls to action.

4. Utilize your industry’s community. Share material such as news, quotes, and trending topics that will grab your readers’ and potential customers’ attention.

5. Advertise! A little bit of advertising will go a long way. A lot of advertising can propel your brand to new heights. Social media marketing isn’t as free as you might originally think, but you will quickly see results in a big way with this method.

Did you know that The Go! Agency expertly manages hundreds of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+ accounts on a daily basis? Our staff is certified and trained in the most effective marketing techniques and researches what online audiences respond to the most. On a daily basis, we fine-tune our strategy so every client reaches its full potential. Isn’t it time you stand out on the internet?

Contact us today to see how The Go! Agency’s team can make Facebook work for you!

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5 Ways Companies Are Using Live Video Right Now

Go-Agency-Blog-Template-2-1-200x300
12Jan
Ok, it’s a new year, and that means new strategies need to be integrated into your marketing plan. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms now feature live video broadcasting capabilities. The social media gods have spoken, and it’s pretty obvious that live video is destined to become an essential cog in the online marketing machine. We’ve already seen huge brands utilize this service and have reported back with big smiles on their faces. It really is effective, and people are flocking to these fun, innovative avenues of communication. So, as you might imagine, it’s time to act for your own business.
To promote their services, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter give prime real estate on their timelines and news feeds to live video broadcasts. Users even get notified when someone goes live. Sounds good, right? Well, first you need to learn what exactly you should do when the cameras start rolling. You can’t just smile and wave to the camera. Well, you could, but your followers will “change the channel” in a heartbeat.
These are the top ways companies have already been using social media live video:
Entertainment. Many people use social media for fun posts. You’ve already incorporated this strategy into your traditional posts (or at least you should’ve), and your live video is no different. Make sure those who star in your videos are fun, personable, and can hold an audience’s attention.
Behind the scenes. If every single company created a behind the scenes video stream, every single broadcast would be different. Show the human side of your business by demonstrating how your team makes everything happen!
Exclusive Unveilings. Many companies use live videos as a way to reveal new products. These new tools are excellent avenues to positive publicity, as well as ways to let your Facebook or Twitter followers feel like they’ve “seen it first.”
A new level of engagement. Sure, customers will get a response through a direct message on social media, but being able to ask the people that are live streaming a question is almost like a face-to-face conversation. Imagine that!
Exclusive deals. Some companies have used this new tool as a special way to reward their loyal customers. They can provide a code for special discounts, or even freebies. It’s just a new way to pull in your community and thank them for their support.

Live video has just begun. More and more companies are being drawn to its potential. Social media is evolving, as it always has. Marketers need to do just that!

Do you have questions about live video? Contact us today to see how you can become an internet movie star!

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5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Twitter

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11Jan
Twitter is like a sports car – no excess baggage, lightning fast, and has the ability to turn heads. It’s become one of the central hubs for social media professionals to promote a consistent and contemporary brand to their target demographic. But does your business need Twitter? You better believe it.
Think of Twitter as Facebook’s hyperactive, social butterfly of a cousin. News flies quickly on this platform. When I say quick, I mean like, lightning fast. With over 320 million people logging in, you can see that it’s quite a busy site. Still, many companies think that Twitter isn’t for them. Here’s why your business needs to start flying on this fantastic platform today:
  1. A large, talkative community – As I’ve said, there are hundreds of millions of people that use this site to follow their favorite businesses, celebrities, and those who they know in real life. It’s a powerful tool thanks to its large numbers, but also thanks to these people’s receptiveness. It’s not uncommon for a tweet to receive hundreds of likes and any number of retweets.
  2. Shareability – Retweeting and quote tweeting are two of the most useful social media tools available today. Your content has the ability to go far and wide thanks to Twitter’s chatting community and their tools. If someone likes your stuff, they can share it with all the people that follow them. You can see the potential here, right?
  3. Resources – When our team crafts and curates content for our clients as a whole, Twitter is the first place we look for exciting and engaging content. It’s a gateway to so much knowledge, information, and content that can be used in a plethora of different ways. There’s no question the amount of content shared by reputable sources is one of THE reasons many people go on Twitter.
  4. A fair playing field – Facebook is essential. We all know that. However, their algorithms tend to be a challenge for marketers as we have to work around certain restraints. For Twitter, social media goes back to an even playing field. Your business’s content comes up in the same fashion that everyone else’s does. This isn’t to say that Twitter doesn’t have an algorithm of its own that supposedly helps people see what “they want to see,” but it’s a much easier hurdle to tackle.
  5. Convenience and speed – Twitter allows 140 characters of text and one piece of imagery per tweet. If you’re about to say “I can’t work under these conditions!” you need to change your perspective. This is actually a HUGE benefit for marketers because the message can be delivered quickly before the reader’s attention wanes off.
Twitter has become a central element in social media marketing efforts. It opens up new avenues that other platforms cannot. Marketers need to realize, however, that Twitter marketing is an entirely different animal than Facebook. It requires a quick and powerful message, hashtags, shortened links, and more. Contact us today to let the pros handle your Twitter!

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The 5 Essential Pieces Of A Perfect Social Media Post

The-5-Essential-Pieces-Of-A-Perfect-Social-Media-Post-200x300
10Jan

Have you ever assembled a piece of furniture? You know when there’s something missing, don’t you? Whether it’s a leg or knob or slab of wood, it’s pretty obvious when things aren’t as they should be. Social media updates are the same. You need certain aspects integrated into the anatomy of the post to make things right. Without them, you will most definitely notice something wrong, even if you can’t pinpoint it. Here are the essential pieces of a perfect social media post:

1. Copy – Obviously, the main skeleton of a social media update is the text-based message. Make sure your writing is professional, snappy, unique, and as “to the point” as possible.

2. Links – Your update should prompt the reader to go deeper, learn more, and ultimately engage with the content. Links should guide your readers to the next natural step and bring them more information and details about your brand’s message.

3. Hashtags – Depending on the platform you’re using, a hashtag is an essential cog in the “social media machine.” Add “#” to a keyword or phrase to help improve search results. #Automotive is ideal for auto repair shops, or #NewYork for those based in the Big Apple. Additionally, you will notice that certain trends pop up via the hashtag tool such as #ManicMondays, #ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) or #QOTD (Quote Of The Day). It’s important to note that Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are the best sites to use this tool on. Others either rarely use them or are not compatible.

4. Tagging- Tagging people or pages is an excellent way to grab their attention. For example, you could add @thegoagency to your tweet, and we would get notified that you’re either talking to us or about us.

5. Imagery – Last but certainly not least, visuals are needed as the final “cherry on top” for social media. Pictures, videos, and GIFs will make the ADD-stricken masses pay closer attention to your updates.

You might not need an instruction manual to make a social media marketing post, but you certainly need to pay attention and focus on the message that you’re trying to convey. If one of these pieces are missing, it will most definitely be noticeable not necessarily in the way the update looks, but rather how it performs.

Contact us today to learn how our social media writers can make amazing posts for your business!

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Social Media: New First Impressions For Businesses

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9Jan

Ah, the pre-social media days…when someone’s first interaction with a business was either asking a friend about their experience or simply using their services or products for themselves. Remember when online reviews were not immediately accessible and you didn’t know what a place of business looked like until you pulled up to it? You even might have had to try out a company on faith alone! Well, social media has changed all that.

It’s a lot harder to pull the wool over consumers’ eyes these days, and that’s great for both customers and honest businesses. A company’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other profiles are representations of its work, customer relations, and good standing within the community.

Customers can share real and honest reviews and add pictures or videos of them using products and services that the business offers. For marketing professionals, this user-generated content is gold. It shows that a free-thinking and unsolicited individual took the time to share their experience with the public. While the thought of people talking about your business online can be daunting, realize that online engagement is that pathway to new eyes, new fans, and more sales.

Beyond customer relations and reviews, social media is the perfect avenue for logistics. The “where, when, why, how, etc.” should all be answered by visiting someone’s Facebook page. A complete and properly executed account has open hours, address, phone number, mission statement, website link, and so much more.

Your posts should also showcase the best of your business. Amongst other posts like news stories, inspirational quotes, and more, you should show off what customers should expect when they use your business. Whether you run a bakery or an investment firm, there’s a place to brag on social media. Most importantly, show the real deal! When clients stop by our office for consulting, training, or classes, they say “wow, it’s just like the pictures on social media!” That’s because we’re proud of our work, and show it in the most accurate light possible. Leave the customer unsurprised (in a good way) when they finally decide to do business with you. 

So, what happens if you choose to forget the whole thing and say social media isn’t for you? First of all, it isn’t going to stop anyone from talking about your brand. You’ll never know what people are saying (even though everyone else will), but most importantly, you won’t be able to respond and offer the professional convenience that comes with online visibility. Additionally, it will be your business seem amateurish and “out of the loop.” It’s a bit of a “head in the sand approach,” right? Just because you refuse to participate in the fastest growing trend in business today doesn’t mean others are. People will be annoyed when they see you’re not anywhere to be found on social media. Trust me, we’ve seen the lack of an online presence become a deal breaker for some companies.

When today’s billions of social media users are in need of a product or service, they use the same sites they use to communicate with their friends and family to discover the best-rated and most prominent companies. Don’t miss out on your chance to stand tall online!

Contact us today to skyrocket your social media marketing company today!

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The 5 Unspoken Rules of Social Media Marketing

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8Jan

It seems like this social media marketing thing just clicks for some people. Their content is perfect, they connect with the best people, there are “likes” aplenty- you get the idea. For others, however, it takes more time and effort. Some people just can’t seem to grasp some of the most elementary concepts when it comes to Facebook, Twitter, and the other platforms. And that’s OK. If anybody – even those who are social media masters – say they’ve learned it all in a single day, they’re lying.

The sad truth is that there isn’t an official “Social Media Marketing How-To Manual.” We’ve all figured out what works and what doesn’t through trial, error, and a TON of hands-on experience.

Luckily, my team and I have been there and done that. I can say that there are many unspoken rules of social media and how things work, but these are without a doubt the most essential. So let’s get started on everything you need to know.

1. Don’t like your own content.
It’s nice to pat yourself on the back every once in a while, but don’t do it on social media. If your only engagement is from yourself, well, that will look a tad pathetic, won’t it?

2. Respond to customers ASAP.
Don’t forget, it’s SOCIAL media. That means these are channels of communications between you and your customers. Keep things positive, informative, and professional.

3. Be involved in the community. Apart from having good customer service, you need to be social in other ways such as sharing other business’s content (as long as they aren’t competitors). You should also be hosting engagement-heavy content like contests, polls, and Q&A sessions.

4. Abide by platform rules. Each social media platform connects people in different ways. LinkedIn is all about professional networking. Instagram is heavily focused on images. Twitter does best with news and current events. Make sure you “do as the Romans do” and shape your content to match what people flock to.

5. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use an image. It’s been proven time and time again that social media updates do significantly better with some form of visual. Whether you want to use a picture, video, GIF, 360-video, live broadcast, or whatever is next in the world of marketing, you need something to compliment your copy.

So, while there isn’t any go-to manual, these rules are a great starting point for marketers who are trying to hit the ground running with social media. As you abide by these unspoken laws, take the time to plan, write, create, strategize, and revise your methods. Trust me, your efforts will go a long way.

Contact us today to learn how our social media marketing professionals can help your business!

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