Tag : social media for business

Are You Guilty Of These Big Blogging Blunders?

Are You Guilt of These Blogging Blunders
29Jan

Does your company have a blog? If not, there’s a hole in your online marketing strategy. Look at your online presence as a multi-layered, but a unified machine. Just like a real machine, there are cogs, gears, engines, and more that all contribute to one working system. Your website, email blasts, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and even your Angie’s List page should all work together. But if you don’t have a blog, you’re missing a huge professional piece.

If you’re about to jump into the blogging world for the first time, you need to realize that this just like social media, there are some rules to consider. Many bloggers fail because those who manage them make critical errors. Here are the biggest blogging blunders you should avoid:

1. Going in blind. One of the greatest crimes of blogging is leaving massive gaps of time between posts. It’s the best way to lose all your followers. The most common reason for this is a lack of strategy. You just don’t know what else to write! While that’s understandable, it’s not acceptable. Before you publish that first blog, get a calendar and plot out a few weeks to a month’s worth of content. Don’t run out!

2. Isolating your blog. Remember what I said about your brand’s online marketing being a multi-layer, albeit unified machine? Don’t forget to promote your blog on your other avenues. Post about your new blogs on Facebook and Twitter, have a link on your website and spread the word via email blasts.

3. Being a copycat. Yes, everyone needs a spark of inspiration at times and tends to find it by reading other people’s work. But do NOT plagiarize their info. That’s a road to trouble. If you need to reference another’s article, do so in a courteous and professional fashion.

4. Sloppy writing. I’m not just talking about typos or grammatical errors. (although you should definitely check your work. Have you tried Grammarly yet?)  Before you hit the keyboard, get your thoughts straight. Stick to a solid plan, get your point across, and get your idea in order.

5. No “take away.”  What do your readers get out of reading your blog? Don’t waste their time with meaningless blogs. Share knowledge, tips, tricks, and facts. Data always dominates (but make sure it’s correct). Whether people realize it or not, a blog tends to have an educational element at its core.

Are you ready to start blogging now? It’s an integral part to a company’s online presence and can give your brand a professional and influential appearance in your industry’s community.

Not a big fan of writing? No worries! The Go! Agency’s experienced copywriters create powerful and knowledgeable articles for our clients every single day!

 

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The Worst Way To Write Social Media

The Worst Way To Write Social Media Content
28Jan

There are tons of articles out there about how to write a good social media post. But what makes a terrible post? We all know them when we see them, but sometimes we just can’t put our finger on what’s wrong. Whether they look to be a scam or spam, it’s easy to spot a lack of quality.

Some of this cyber garbage seems so ridiculous that no one would fall for it. Well, sure enough, there is someone out there that is really proud of that content and is waiting for the engagement to come flooding in. Is your content sabotaging your brand due to poor quality?

There are two facets to a social media post and both of them can be done wrong.

First, wording and phrasing. Copywriters try their hardest to sound as organic and professional as possible. By being overly enthusiastic, making wild promises and claims, and showing fantastic results without evidence are the top ways. That being said, even an overabundance of exclamation points could ruin an update. You need a copywriter with subtlety. Think about your own experiences with junk mail and advertisements. What immediately turned you away? Whatever it was, you should veer away from that as well.

Secondly, imagery. Please, for the sake of the internet, stay away from corny pictures. There’s already so much out there. If there is an overabundance of text on static pictures, they look overly promotional. On a side note, text-heavy photos will not be allowed to be used for Facebook advertising so steer clear. You should also be sure your images or videos are high-quality. If your visuals are blurry, pixilated, and distorted, people will not take you seriously.

Creating junk is easier than you think. Social media marketing is about quality. Perfect your content strategy, make it look legit, organic, and engaging, and the followers will come!Contact us today to learn how we can create you an effective social media strategy!

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Up Next In Social Media Marketing…

Up Next In Social Media Marketing
26Jan

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. Becuase of 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 competiiton. 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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5 Steps To Becoming A Twitter Marketing Master

5 steps to becoming a twitter master
25Jan

Twitter has always been about RIGHT NOW. When businesses have press releases, we see journalists tweet every time there’s something noteworthy happening. If a celebrity does something stupid, it’s all over the Twitter-verse in a matter of moments. Even if there’s a new movie trailer, news spreads like wildfire. Twitter has truly become a HUB for online news.

Those in charge of the social media giant understand that they manage the go-to spot for what’s happening right now. They’ve taken advantage of this with their recent smartphone feature, Explore. It’s the ultimate “trending hub.” What are people excited about? What are people complaining about? What are people ready to riot over? You can find all that in the Explore tab.

With more people using Twitter every day, social media marketers can now use the Explore tool to learn which content will raise their engagement levels. But finding out WHAT to write about is only half the battle. You need to harness trending topics and craft compelling content for your company. Here are some of the most efficient steps to becoming a Twitter pro:

1. Stay away from opinions. With the new Explore tab, you’ll be sure to see tons of political and controversial topics. Stop right there and step away. You’re a business, not a political commentator. Steer clear of controversial subjects and mentioning hot button issues that will cause an angry mob to attack your brand online.

2. Watch what you retweet. Thanks to Explore, you’re now going to see lots of interesting topics. But they’re not all relevant to your message- or in line with your code of ethics. Sharing something on your Twitter feed means you’re letting that content speak for you. Make sure you agree with it, and it actually makes sense for your brand to talk about. This is the time for common sense. Finally, before retweeting you should click any links to make sure they aren’t promoting a competitor.

3. Proofread. Sure, you need to move fast on the internet, but that doesn’t mean you should have sloppy spelling and grammar. Also, ensure your hashtags are correct. Otherwise, they will link to nothing.

4. Don’t hijack hashtags. Have you ever looked up a hashtag only to be greeted by a plethora of irrelevant content? It happens more than you might think. Don’t be one of those annoying Twitter accounts. If you use a hashtag, make sure it relates to your content. For example, you might find through Explore that the Super Bowl is trending. Well, you don’t want to use #SuperBowl and promote something completely unrelated like a conference. Instead, craft your content around trends, so it’s still appropriately utilized. The best way to do this is to reflect trends’ impact on your industry or line of work.

5. Don’t be headstrong. If your strategy isn’t working after some time, then you might want to go back to the drawing board. Don’t keep hammering your audience with unwanted content. Try to add diversity by adding polls, videos, and unique content.As Explore helps us find the best content to use, these five rules will help keep any social media manager at the top of their game.

At The Go! Agency, we follow these rules and many, many more to ensure our clients’ social media accounts are in the limelight and looking right!

Interested in revamping your Twitter marketing? Contact us today!

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A Crash Course In Social Media Copywriting

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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

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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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