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7 SEO Challenges (And How to Overcome Them)

Let’s be real: SEO can feel like trying to win a race while the finish line keeps moving. It’s not easy, and there’s no magic formula. From getting your boss to understand why SEO is important, to keeping up with Google’s ever-changing mood swings, SEO presents plenty of roadblocks. 

But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this blog, we’re breaking down the biggest SEO headaches you’ll face and offering up some simple, actionable tips to help you tackle them head-on. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into the world of SEO challenges (and how to kick them to the curb).

1. Getting Buy-In From Stakeholders

SEO can work wonders for business, but getting your higher-ups on board is often easier said than done. Why? Because results take time, and some people just don’t get how SEO makes an impact.

How to Overcome It 

Here’s your strategy: Speak their language. Talk about how SEO impacts things like revenue, customer acquisition, and market share. Show how your efforts align with business goals (who doesn’t love a good business goal?).

Give them a timeline and measurable KPIs (key performance indicators) like organic traffic growth, keyword rankings, and conversions. These are numbers they can get behind.

And hey, if all else fails, point to the competition. We’ll be honest: your competitors are likely optimizing their websites (and you should be too). Don’t believe us? You can use a tool like SEMrush to check it out.

2. Keeping Up With Google Algorithm Updates

Google’s algorithm updates feel like that friend who’s constantly changing their mind. You think you’ve got it figured out, and then—bam—another update rolls through. These changes impact your SEO strategy and can make or break your search visibility.

How to Overcome It 

Stay ahead of the game by following reputable SEO news sources like Search Engine Land or Google’s own Search Central Blog. When a new update drops, keep an eye on your site’s performance. Drops in traffic or rankings could signal that the update has affected you.

Use Google Search Console or Semrush’s Position Tracking tool to keep tabs on how things are shifting. Pro tip: Set up alerts to track keyword rankings in real time, so you’re never caught off guard.

Don’t panic when things dip! Give it a few days to see if the fluctuation is temporary. If it doesn’t bounce back, take action. Identify the pages that took a hit and compare them to the pages now outranking you. Review Google’s guidelines for the latest update, revise your content, and fill in the gaps.

3. Standing Out in a Sea of Similar Content

Google search results are like a crowded party, and everyone’s shouting the same thing. You’ll find a ton of content covering the same topics, often in a very similar way. It’s like trying to stand out at a karaoke bar with the same old song everyone else is singing.

How to Overcome It You need to make your content pop—and that means offering something different. Here’s how:

  • Focus on Information Gain: Do original research, provide in-depth analysis, or include expert commentary to give your content that extra edge.
  • Find Your Unique Angle: Go beyond the basics. Offer a fresh perspective, or dive deeper into the topic. Ask, “What’s missing here, and how can I fill that gap?”
  • Satisfy the Search Intent: Answer the exact questions users are asking. If you understand what they want, your content will hit the mark.
  • Visual Appeal: A picture is worth a thousand words—so add infographics, videos, and even GIFs to keep things interesting.

4. Adapting to Zero-Click Searches

Zero-click searches are the SEO equivalent of a party crasher. Google now answers many queries directly on the SERP (Search Engine Results Page), so users don’t have to click through to your site. Goodbye organic traffic, right? Well, not necessarily.

How to Overcome It

 Zero-click searches may sound like a nightmare, but there are still ways to snag attention. Google’s AI overviews and SERP features (like featured snippets and People Also Ask boxes) are great opportunities if you know how to play the game.

For featured snippets, structure your content in a way that’s ready to be snatched up by Google. If it’s a paragraph, give a concise, direct answer. If it’s a list, use bullet points. If it’s a table, make sure it’s well-formatted and easy for Google to pull.

Don’t worry about AI overviews. Just follow Google’s regular search guidelines, and you might just get your content featured in those handy overviews.

5. Earning Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are like the currency of the SEO world. But for newer websites, it can feel like you’re a broke college student trying to find the best deals. Earning quality backlinks from trusted sites is tough, especially when bigger sites have the resources to attract them effortlessly.

How to Overcome It 

You’ve got to get creative. Create “linkable assets” that people want to link to. Think original datasets, in-depth guides, or interactive tools. These types of content are perfect for grabbing the attention of other websites that want to reference your work.

Once you have a solid resource, be proactive. Reach out to other relevant sites and tell them how your resource can benefit their audience. Tools like Semrush’s Link Building Tool can help you identify potential link opportunities.

6. Effectively Using AI

AI tools like ChatGPT are a game-changer, but let’s be real—not all SEO professionals are using them right. Sure, AI can churn out content, but often it’s generic and, let’s face it, a little boring.

How to Overcome It 

Use AI tools as a creative partner, not a content generator. For example, have AI generate a draft, but then add your own unique insights and edits. Fact-check everything (because AI is not always accurate) and make sure the content fits your brand voice. If you’re using AI for keyword research, always double-check search volumes with a tool like Semrush’s Keyword Overview.

AI can help with brainstorming, generating content outlines, or even rephrasing text to match your tone. But remember, AI is just a tool—your expertise is what makes your content shine.

7. Growing Competition

The SEO battlefield is more crowded than ever. Whether you’re in a niche market or a highly competitive industry, chances are your rivals are gunning for that top spot on Google. And they probably have bigger budgets, dedicated SEO teams, and more resources at their disposal.

How to Overcome It

 While you can’t eliminate competition, you can make sure you’re playing the game smartly. One key strategy is to focus on long-tail keywords. These more specific phrases may have lower search volume, but they also come with less competition and are easier to rank for.

Next, analyze your competitors. You can use a tool such as Semrush’s Organic Research tool to spy on their top-performing keywords and pages. If they’re ranking for keywords you haven’t targeted, it’s time to step up your content game. Create better, more relevant content, and watch those rankings rise.

Need a Little Help With Your SEO?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this SEO talk? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. After all, if Google were easy, everyone would be ranking number one!

Enter Digital Storyteller.

Our outsourced digital marketing agency is here to help create content, optimize your site, and make you more relevant to search engines on all social fronts. To develop an organic content marketing strategy with the SEO you need to make your business thrive, reach out to our diverse team of marketing experts today!

Any questions? Check out our guide to SEO, here.

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10 Actionable Digital Marketing Trends for 2025

Today’s B2B buyers are more informed and demanding than ever. They want transparency, personal touches, and content that’s right on target. Cold calls and vague mass emails? Those are so last decade. With information overload at an all-time high, buyers are on the lookout for genuine value.

So, how do you keep up? By embracing the trends that’ll shape digital marketing in 2025. Here’s a look at what’s coming up and how you can stay ahead of the game:

1. Rise of the Machines: AI and Automation

Say hello to your new digital coworkers! AI and automation are shaking up the marketing world and making life a whole lot easier. In 2025, expect AI to be everywhere, from chatbots that answer customer questions 24/7 to smart tools that whip up content while you take a coffee break.

Action Tip: Let AI handle the grunt work like personalizing content, fine-tuning email campaigns, and scheduling social media posts. You’ll have more time to focus on the fun stuff, like brainstorming your next big idea.

2. Hyper-Personalization at Scale

Personalization isn’t new, but the level of precision and depth is evolving. In 2025, hyper-personalization will go beyond just using a customer’s name in an email. Marketers will harness data to offer tailored content, recommendations, and product offerings based on specific buyer behaviors, preferences, and real-time actions.

Action Tip: Get serious about data analytics and CRM tools. They’ll help you keep tabs on your customers’ every move and craft experiences so personalized, your audience will feel like you’ve read their minds.

3. Video Dominance Continues

Video has been a dominant trend for years, and in 2025, it’s going to take center stage. Whether through live streams, interactive video content, or short, engaging clips, video content will be the go-to medium for B2B marketers to engage audiences and drive conversions.

Action Tip: Mix it up with product demos, customer success stories, and expert insights. And don’t forget: make sure your videos look great on mobile and across all platforms. Your audience is watching, so give them something worth their time!

4. Interactive Content Takes Off

In 2025, interactive content will be all the rage. Quizzes, polls, and calculators aren’t just fun—they keep your audience engaged and coming back for more. These interactive elements let your buyers dive in, making their experience with your brand more engaging and memorable.

Action Tip: Spice up your landing pages, email campaigns, and social media with interactive features. Not only will they keep people engaged, but they’ll also give you some great insights into what your prospects are interested in.

5. The Power of Conversational Marketing

In 2025, expect conversational marketing to become your best friend. Buyers want quick answers and genuine conversations, and AI chatbots and real-time messaging are here to deliver just that. These tools help you chat with prospects in real-time, answer their burning questions, and guide them smoothly through the sales funnel.

Action Tip: Set up chatbots on your site to tackle FAQs and steer leads to the right spots. Use conversational marketing platforms to provide personalized support that scales with your business.

6. Data Privacy Becomes a Differentiator

In 2025, keeping your data practices above board isn’t just good manners—it’s a competitive edge. With privacy regulations tightening, respecting user privacy will set you apart from the pack. Businesses that are clear about how they handle data will build trust and stand out in the crowded digital space.

Action Tip: Make sure your marketing complies with GDPR and other privacy laws. Be upfront about how you collect, use, and protect customer data to win over your audience.

7. Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Gets Smarter

Account-based marketing will remain a top strategy in 2025, but it’s going to get more intelligent. With enhanced data analytics and AI, marketers will be able to target accounts more precisely, delivering personalized content to key decision-makers at the right time.

Action Tip: Refine your ABM approach by investing in tools that allow you to segment high-value accounts, track their behaviors, and create personalized outreach plans.

8. Voice Search Optimization

Voice search is gaining momentum as more people use smart speakers and voice assistants to find information. By 2025, optimizing for voice search will be a critical part of SEO strategy. B2B buyers will increasingly rely on voice search for quick answers, so marketers need to ensure their content is ready for this shift.

Action Tip: Optimize your website content for voice search by focusing on conversational keywords and long-tail phrases that mirror how people naturally speak.

9. Social Media Becomes a B2B Powerhouse

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even emerging platforms like TikTok are becoming key channels for B2B marketing. In 2025, social media will continue to be essential for building brand awareness, engaging with prospects, and driving thought leadership.

Action Tip: Develop a robust social media strategy that includes content sharing, influencer collaborations, and targeted advertising to reach your ideal audience.

10. Sustainability and Ethical Marketing

Buyers are becoming more socially conscious, and they want to engage with brands that reflect their values. In 2025, companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical business practices will have a competitive edge.

Action Tip: Showcase your brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical marketing by highlighting eco-friendly initiatives, social responsibility, and transparent business practices.

Final Thoughts

The future of B2B marketing is all about leveraging technology, personalizing at scale, and creating meaningful, value-driven engagement. As we move towards 2025, staying ahead of these trends will help your business attract the right customers, build trust, and drive long-term success.

Start adapting these trends into your strategy now, and you’ll be ready to thrive in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Looking for help navigating these trends?

Our team at Digital Storyteller specializes in helping businesses like yours implement cutting-edge digital marketing strategies. 

The goal of an outsourced digital marketing agency is to understand your business and your brand voice to then let the world know how awesome you are.

We start every engagement with a Brand Storytelling Session where we identify your unique brand voice. Then, our team uses bi-weekly client calls, and shared content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening.

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick-a** creative team from a relationship built on trust. Because that’s the beauty of digital marketing.

For those who are interested in learning more about the difference between outsourced marketing and in-house marketing, read on here.

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The 5 Essential Activities Your Sales Team Needs to do and How to Track Them

If you Google what the 5 essential sales activities your team needs to be doing you’ll get this (or some derivative):

Prospecting:

Identifying potential customers through outreach methods like cold calling, email campaigns, networking events. 

 

Qualifying leads:

Assessing whether a prospect has a genuine need for your product/service and fits your ideal customer profile. 

 

Presenting solutions:

Demonstrating how your product/service addresses a prospect’s specific pain points and needs. 

 

Closing deals:

Negotiating terms and securing a sale with a prospect. 

 

Nurturing customer relationships:

Maintaining ongoing communication with existing clients to foster loyalty and potential repeat business. 

This is solid advice, but let’s be honest—it’s vague. It doesn’t give a young salesperson the roadmap they need to go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to consistently meeting their quota.

So, how do you choose the right activities and hold your team accountable in a way that’s motivating and productive? Let’s break it down.

From Confusion to Quota: A Sales Leader’s Guide

Now that we’ve covered the basic activities, let’s get real: it’s not enough to just do these things and hope for the best. 

As a sales leader, your job isn’t just to tell your team to hit their numbers—it’s to show them how. That starts with turning broad activities into specific, measurable actions and helping your team stay on track.

Let’s hear from Andrew Marr, sales expert as well as Owner and CEO of Digital Storyteller.

  1. First Things First, Get Your Ducks in a Row

Before your team can dive into sales calls and start reaching out to prospects,  they have to get your ducks in a row. And by “ducks,” we mean knowing exactly what your company does, how to talk about it, and understanding the numbers behind it all.

Equip them with:

  • A Clear Value Proposition: What does your company do, and why does it matter to the customer?
  • Key Selling Points: What sets your product or service apart?
  • A Sales Cheat Sheet: This could be a one-pager or a playbook specific to their vertical that includes answers to common objections and key benefits.

Without this foundation, your team is just guessing—and guessing won’t close deals.

So, first step: get with marketing and create or refine these resources.

But here’s where things get interesting.

  1. Walk Your Quote Backwards

Hitting quota starts with knowing the numbers. Help your team understand their goals by breaking them down step by step.

Let’s say the goal is to close 2 deals a month per person:

  • Close Rate: Your team closes 40% of proposals.
  • Proposal Rate: They propose on 30% of conversations.
  • Conversation Rate: They convert 50% of outreach into conversations.

Now, work backward:

  • To close 2 deals, they need to make 5 proposals.
  • To make 5 proposals, they need 17 conversations.
  • To get 17 conversations, they need to reach out to at least 34 leads each.

When you break your quota down like this, it becomes crystal clear. Your team has to be talking to people—lots of people—if you want to meet your goals.

3. Conducting Discovery Calls

What to Do:

Discovery calls are your team’s chance to uncover the real story behind a prospect’s challenges, goals, and pain points. These conversations aren’t about pitching—they’re about listening and understanding. Encourage your sales reps to ask open-ended questions, dig deeper into responses, and truly empathize with the client’s needs.

Key strategies include:

  • Prepare Thoroughly: Equip your team with client research before the call—company background, industry trends, and known challenges.
  • Structure the Call: Teach your team to guide the conversation without being robotic. A framework like the BANT method (Budget, Authority, Need, Timeline) can help.
  • Focus on Building Rapport: Discovery calls are as much about creating trust as gathering information. A comfortable prospect is more likely to share candid insights.

How to Track:

Sales leaders need to make sure their teams are optimizing discovery calls, and tracking is critical to that process:

  • CRM Tracking: Log metrics such as the number of calls, call duration, and key outcomes (e.g., identified pain points, timelines, and decision-makers).
  • Qualitative Data: Review call notes for depth—are reps uncovering actionable insights or staying surface-level?
  • Call Recordings/Coaching: Listen to recordings or join calls periodically to coach reps on how to ask better questions or respond more effectively.

4. Creating Customized Proposals and Presentations

What to Do:

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all sales proposals. Today’s buyers expect tailored solutions that demonstrate a deep understanding of their unique challenges. Encourage your team to craft proposals and presentations that align directly with the prospect’s goals and decision-making process.

Key strategies include:

  • Highlight Relevant Benefits: Focus on the aspects of your product or service that address the specific pain points uncovered during discovery.
  • Use Visuals: Make proposals more engaging with charts, images, and data visualizations that demonstrate the value you bring.
  • Involve Stakeholders: Collaborate with technical experts, marketers, or other team members to ensure the proposal is comprehensive and compelling.

How to Track:

Customized proposals should be a key performance metric for your team:

  • Proposal Metrics: Track how many proposals your team creates and how many result in next-step meetings or calls.
  • Conversion Rates: Measure the proposal-to-deal conversion rate to identify areas for improvement.
  • Feedback Loop: Gather input from prospects—why did they accept or reject a proposal? Use this to refine future proposals.

5. Follow-Up and Objection Handling

What to Do:

In sales, persistence pays off. Most deals aren’t closed on the first attempt, making consistent follow-up and skilled objection handling crucial. Teach your team to view objections as opportunities—not obstacles. A well-handled objection can strengthen a deal rather than derail it.

Key strategies include:

  • Timely Follow-Ups: Prospects appreciate responsiveness. Set a standard for follow-up timelines (e.g., 24-48 hours after initial contact or proposal delivery).
  • Address Objections Strategically: Train your team to probe for the real reason behind an objection and respond with evidence or success stories that build confidence.
  • Personalize the Follow-Up: Generic follow-ups don’t work. Encourage your team to reference specific pain points or discussion points in their outreach.

How to Track:

Keeping tabs on follow-up and objection handling is key to maintaining momentum in the sales cycle:

  • Follow-Up Metrics: Track how many follow-ups are made, the timing, and the response rate.
  • Objection Logs: Use your CRM to document objections and how they were addressed—this creates a valuable database for training and future calls.
  • Outcome Tracking: Monitor how many follow-ups convert into meetings or closed deals, identifying gaps in timing or messaging.

Any Questions? We Have Answers!

At Digital Storyteller, we’re all about making sure your sales team is equipped to hit those numbers and smash those goals. Ready to take your team’s sales performance to the next level? We’ve got answers, and we’ve got the expertise to help you succeed.

Read on to learn how we help our clients shorten their sales cycles. 

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WTF is SEO?

Who doesn’t love a good, long acronym, right? But what the f#$%  is SEO, and why should you care? It’s true, that people often try to sell SEO as this incredibly complex concept, but let’s break it down to its essence.

Amanda Rogers, Owner and Chief Creative Officer, and Andrew Marr, Owner, and CEO, dive into all the details in the video below:

Read on to learn what the F*#% SEO is, why you should care, and how you can use it.

First, WTF is SEO?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). In simpler terms, it’s about making your website more visible to users searching for relevant topics on search engines like Google.

At its core, SEO involves various techniques and strategies aimed at improving your website’s relevance, authority, and user experience. From keyword research and on-page optimization to technical SEO and link building, there are numerous factors that influence your website’s performance in search results.

Why Should You Care About SEO?

Today, nearly 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. So, having a strong SEO strategy is essential. Here’s why:

Increased Visibility

Ranking higher in search results means more visibility for your website, leading to increased organic traffic and potential customers.

Credibility and Trust

Websites that appear at the top of search results are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy by users, boosting your brand’s reputation.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Unlike paid advertising, SEO offers long-term benefits without the ongoing costs. Once you’ve optimized your website, you can continue to attract organic traffic without additional investment.

Better User Experience

SEO isn’t just about pleasing search engines; it’s also about enhancing the user experience. By optimizing your website for SEO, you’re creating a seamless and intuitive browsing experience for your visitors.

How to Use SEO: A Practical Guide to Optimizing Your Content

So, you want to leverage SEO to enhance your online presence and attract more visitors to your website? Let’s dive into practical steps to help you maximize your SEO efforts effectively.

1. Understand the Core Concept

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, boils down to creating content that resonates with your audience and structuring it in a way that search engines can easily comprehend. It’s about writing relevant content and optimizing it for search engines to find.

2. Craft Relevant Content

Start by producing content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Conduct thorough keyword research to identify the terms and phrases your audience is searching for, and incorporate them naturally into your content.

3. Organize Your Content Effectively

Structure your content with clear headings and subheadings (H1, H2, H3 tags) to enhance readability and navigation. Utilize descriptive headings to outline the main topics and key points of your content.

4. Optimize Meta Tags

Craft enticing meta titles and descriptions that accurately represent the content of your page and encourage clicks. Incorporate relevant keywords into your meta tags to improve your page’s visibility in search results.

5. Prioritize User Experience

Ensure your website offers a seamless browsing experience for visitors. Optimize page speed, enhance mobile responsiveness, and prioritize intuitive navigation to enhance user satisfaction.

6. Build Quality Backlinks

Acquire backlinks from authoritative websites within your industry to enhance your site’s credibility and authority. Focus on fostering relationships with other website owners and producing high-quality content that naturally attracts links.

7. Monitor Performance

Regularly track your website’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Analyze key metrics such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates to gauge the effectiveness of your SEO strategies.

8. Stay Informed and Adaptive

Stay updated on the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes to remain competitive in the digital landscape. Continuously explore and experiment with new strategies to optimize your website’s visibility and performance.

Need a Little Help With Your SEO?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this SEO talk? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. After all, if Google were easy, everyone would be ranking number one!

Enter Digital Storyteller.

Our outsourced digital marketing agency is here to help create content, optimize your site, and make you more relevant to search engines on all social fronts. To develop an organic content marketing strategy with the SEO you need to make your business thrive, reach out to our diverse team of marketing experts today!

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Top 10 B2B Marketing Trends to Watch in 2025

B2B marketing is changing fast, and companies are finding all kinds of new ways to reach clients and stand out. 

The focus? Making marketing feel more personal and less like a hard sell. These shifts are all about connecting with people in smarter, more genuine ways—and they’re set to make a big impact in the next few years.

If you’re looking to keep your business ahead, here are ten trends worth watching.

1. Podcasts Are Booming in B2B

Podcasts are no longer just for entertainment—they’re now a big deal in B2B marketing too. With businesses like HubSpot seeing millions of downloads for their podcasts, it’s clear that companies are tuning in. 

In fact, Edison Research reports that podcast listening has more than doubled since 2014. How can you use podcasts to get in front of B2B customers?

You have two options: create your own podcast or you can advertise on podcasts that your target customers listen to. 

2. LinkedIn is Making a Comeback

People are doubling down on LinkedIn. Searches for “LinkedIn followers” have jumped 143%, and businesses are seeing its value for B2B marketing more than ever.

LinkedIn might not be the next TikTok or a one-size-fits-all platform like YouTube, but for B2B, it’s tough to beat. It’s the only major social network purely focused on work and business—meaning that your clients aren’t just “on” LinkedIn, they’re in the right mindset for professional content when they’re there.

Why the resurgence? First, LinkedIn has added new features to keep things fresh. Video posts, for example, give users a way to connect in a more dynamic, engaging format.

Another reason: LinkedIn’s organic reach is still strong. Posts here tend to get more visibility compared to platforms like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), meaning content goes further with less effort.

3. Video Is Still on the Rise

A study found that 92% of marketers see video as essential for their marketing efforts—and it’s not hard to see why. Video is versatile and can reach B2B audiences in all kinds of ways, including:

  • YouTube videos
  • Facebook Live streams
  • Webinars (live and recorded)
  • LinkedIn videos
  • Explainer videos

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for B2B video marketing. It really comes down to what your business offers and where your customers spend their time online.

Successful B2B companies often use video in multiple ways. For instance, Business Insider has built a strong presence on YouTube, reaching their audience with a steady stream of valuable content. The key takeaway? Try different formats to see what connects best with your audience.

4. Content Marketing Is Getting Competitive

Content marketing has been a staple of B2B marketing for years, but over the last few years, its popularity has really skyrocketed. That’s made the space more crowded and expensive.

According to the Content Marketing Institute, 56% of B2B marketing teams are investing more money into content creation. A big part of this budget is aimed at scaling up production, but a significant portion (36%, to be exact) is being spent on making sure their content stands out in a crowded market.

So, how can businesses create B2B content that actually drives traffic?

BuzzSumo recently analyzed 50,000 B2B articles and uncovered some important insights about what makes content successful. Their findings?

  • Evergreen topics tend to get more shares and keep performing better over time compared to trendy news items.
  • Content with specific headline phrases, like “The future of…” performed the best.
  • Long-form content (more than 1,000 words) got more backlinks, shares, and engagement than shorter pieces.

In short, the more relevant and detailed your content, the better it will perform.

5. AI Tools Are Boosting Ad Campaigns

Artificial intelligence is starting to change how B2B businesses run their PPC ad campaigns. Take Google’s “Smart Bidding” feature, for example. Over the past decade, search interest in Smart Bidding has surged by 3,700%.

Smart Bidding automates much of the work involved in managing a Google Ads campaign. By analyzing numerous variables simultaneously, it can often optimize ad spending more effectively than humans.

That said, human input remains essential. AI isn’t yet capable of crafting compelling ad copy or designing eye-catching creatives from scratch. However, as ad platforms continue to integrate AI into their offerings, more B2B businesses are likely to leverage this technology to enhance their PPC campaigns.

6. Chatbots Are Becoming Essential

Chatbots might’ve seemed like a trend when they first appeared, but they’ve clearly become a key tool in B2B marketing, especially for turning website visitors into leads and sales.

They’re now a common feature on many B2B websites.

Why? Because chatbots help with “the last mile” of marketing. Here’s how it works:

You’ve already brought someone to your website through a piece of content or an ad. They’re checking out your plans and pricing pages. But a lot of visitors still need that little “nudge” to take the next step.

Sure, you could hire a 24/7 support team to handle live chat, but that can get expensive.

This is where chatbots come in. While they may not act exactly like a human, they’re infinitely scalable. And thanks to AI, they learn and improve over time as they interact with site visitors.

For example, chatbots helped the B2B company SalesRabbit boost leads from their website by 50%.

But chatbots aren’t just for lead generation—they’re also great for supporting existing customers. Available 24/7, they enhance the customer experience, answering questions, handling account upgrades, and even assisting with retention marketing.

7. Marketing Automation Is Getting Simpler

Marketing automation has been a major trend in digital marketing over the past five years. Google searches for “marketing automation” have more than tripled in the last decade. 

 When implemented correctly, it can lead to higher email open rates, more clicks, and increased leads.

However, setting up marketing automation can be complex. In fact, 41% of B2B businesses report they’re not fully leveraging their marketing automation tools, and half are seeking more affordable alternatives. 

This has led many B2B companies to turn to simpler, cost-effective funnel tools. These tools offer a streamlined approach to marketing automation. One notable example is ClickFunnels, which reported an annual recurring revenue of $160 million.

8. Repurposing Content Is Key

Creating new content constantly can be exhausting and expensive, so many B2B brands are finding ways to repurpose what they already have. Got a great blog post? Turn it into a LinkedIn article or a quick video. Repurposing helps you get more mileage from the content you create without reinventing the wheel every time.

9. Customer Personas Help You Target the Right People

Customer personas are crucial for any company’s marketing, but they’re especially important in B2B. They help you visualize the exact decision-maker you want to reach. This could be a CEO, a C-level executive, or the head of IT.

Creating a persona allows you to pinpoint the right person to target, choose the appropriate marketing platforms, craft messages that resonate, and write copy that appeals to that specific individual.

For instance, ShipBob tailors its messaging to appeal directly to its target customers—direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce brands.

10. Storytelling Makes Brands Memorable

Storytelling marketing has become a big focus for B2B companies, with a 69% increase in interest over the last five years.

Traditionally, most B2B marketing focuses on product features and positioning your company as the best option. On paper, this makes sense—after all, the goal is to convince decision-makers that your product is the best choice.

But in reality, it’s not always that simple. Just like in B2C, B2B decisions aren’t made purely with logic. There’s a lot of emotion behind the choices, too. That’s why more and more B2B businesses are turning to storytelling to make their products stand out, be memorable, and ultimately close deals.

Take Salesforce, for example. They use storytelling to show how their CRM truly benefits customers, making the product feel human and relatable rather than just a set of features.

Another good example is Storybrand, a company that’s seen impressive growth by helping other businesses weave storytelling into their B2B marketing strategies.

Storytelling isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven way to connect with potential clients on a deeper level, creating lasting impressions that help businesses grow.

We are not new to storytelling—if you didn’t catch that from the name of our company. In fact, it’s what we do.

We start every engagement with a Brand Storytelling Session where we identify your unique brand voice. Then, our team uses bi-weekly client calls, and shared content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening.

Looking for Help Navigating These Trends?

At Digital Storyteller, we specialize in helping businesses like yours implement cutting-edge digital marketing strategies. The goal of an outsourced digital marketing agency is to understand your business and brand voice, then share your story with the world.

Our creative team is here to bring fresh ideas to the table, building a relationship based on trust and collaboration. That’s the beauty of digital marketing—your success is our success.

For those who are interested in learning more about the difference between outsourced marketing and in-house marketing, read on here.

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What is the ROI for Organic Marketing

ROI of organic marketing

ROi for organic content marketing

Read more
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Favorite Holiday Traditions from the Digital Storyteller Team

The holiday season is a time to unwind and celebrate with family, friends, and familiar traditions. We asked the team here at Digital Storyteller to share some of their favorite holiday rituals, and here’s what they had to say. From matching pajamas to a family baking day, these rituals make the season feel a little brighter every year. Here’s a peek into how we celebrate.

Kosche’s Family Color Theme

Kosche’s family keeps things interesting each year with a coordinated color theme. According to Kosche, “My favorite holiday tradition is that every year, my family would decide on a color that everyone would wear. Last Christmas 2023, we opted for Red and White, then the year before that we all wore pajamas.”

Taylor’s Christmas Pajamas and Family Games

Taylor shares, “Every Christmas Eve, my family unwraps a new set of pajamas, and the next morning, we wear them to open presents. After gifts and breakfast (with mimosas, of course), we head to the movies in our PJs. Later, we gather with my dad’s side of the family for a night full of food, games, and endless laughter—like blindfolding ourselves to pick up cotton balls with a spatula. It’s always a fun, unforgettable time.”

Thirdy’s Celebrations at Home

For Thirdy, the holidays revolve around family and tradition. 

He shares, “My mom’s birthday is on December 23. When I was a kid, we always celebrated her birthday with a Christmas children’s party in our front yard. My cousins, titos, titas, childhood friends, and neighbors were all invited. We enjoyed karaoke, fun games, delicious food and drinks, and gift-giving. As the years passed and the kids in our neighborhood grew up and moved away, the children’s party tradition came to an end. Nowadays, we celebrate my mom’s birthday in a more intimate setting but with the same joyous energy we had as kids. It has become my personal tradition to always come home for Christmas and New Year, despite living far away from my family. I also have the honor of cooking the Christmas ham.”

Magdi’s Christmas Eve Game Night

The holidays bring joy in many forms, and for Magdi, it’s all about laughter, games, and cherished family moments.

She shares, “One of my favorite holiday traditions is spending Christmas Eve with my dad’s side of the family, where we always have a blast playing fun, lighthearted games. Quarter Pass with dice is a classic, and it often leads to tie-breakers, doubling or even tripling the winner’s pot. When someone finally wins, they get a jackpot of money! We also play a hilarious blinded marshmallow scoop game, which can get pretty competitive. Between the laughter, jokes, and prizes, it’s impossible not to have an amazing time!”

Maddie’s Sugar Cookie Decorating

For Maddie, holiday prep isn’t complete without a cookie-decorating day.

She shares, “One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking and decorating the famous Tomasek sugar cookies. As a kid, we’d crank out dozens, spend hours decorating them with detailed designs while blasting Christmas music, and then pass them out to friends and family.

Now, as a seasoned (self-proclaimed) cookie decorator, I get to share my expert skills with my nieces and nephew—who seem to think more frosting automatically means better cookies. It’s messy, chaotic, and everything I love about the holidays.”

These holiday rituals are simple, but they add meaning and connection each year. However you celebrate, we hope this season brings you time with loved ones, good food, and a few laughs along the way.

Happy Holidays from everyone at Digital Storyteller!

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How to Leverage Your Business Using LinkedIn

person holding their phone at desk using linkedin application

LinkedIn is more than just a place for inspirational quotes and flexing your job experience… This platform—primarily used for professional networking and career development—is also a great place to leverage your business.

The best part? You don’t have to rely solely on paid advertising when it comes to LinkedIn! (That’s a win in our book). While organic marketing on LinkedIn takes more time and effort, the results are well worth the investment.

Interested in learning more? Here are our best tips on how to leverage your business using LinkedIn.

What is Organic LinkedIn Marketing?

First, what is organic LinkedIn marketing? Simply put, organic LinkedIn marketing is your ability to reach a desired target audience without using paid ads or marketing (i.e. no pay-per-click, also known as PPC).

Now, let’s dive into how to do it.

Connect with Individuals in Your Industry

When it comes to organic marketing, it’s absolutely essential that you have a social element driving your marketing efforts.

This means making connections with individuals who are in similar industries and/or positions (aka individuals who will actually care about the information you put out!)

Why? Your content will resonate even deeper with these connections.

So, how do you start building your network? The search bar on LinkedIn is a great tool that can help build connections. Using the search bar, you can search for:

  • People
  • Companies
  • Groups
  • Posts
  • And more!

Don’t Shy Away from Thought Leadership

LinkedIn is known for rewarding those who engage in thought leadership. But what is thought leadership? Thought leadership is defined as “the expression of ideas that demonstrate you have expertise in a particular field, area, or topic.”

Use your industry knowledge to your advantage; become a thought leader! This effort can have an even bigger impact if you’ve grown your social network intentionally as mentioned above (this means all the right people will see your awesome insights!)

Use Video Content to Your Advantage

We’ve said it a million times over… Video content is GOLDEN—especially in today’s day and age! Why? Video is a great attention grabber. Plus, it keeps things authentic and personable!

Think: Would you rather read 300 words on a page or watch a real person speak for one minute on camera? We’d choose the latter. So, use video content you have to your advantage on LinkedIn.

Interested in learning more? Read on in our article “Want to connect with your prospects? Use video.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Engage

You want people to engage with your content, right? So, don’t be afraid to do the same… Practice what you preach!

Next time you’re scrolling through LinkedIn, consider: Is there a piece of content that you think your audience would like? If so, share it and add some of your insights or thoughts in the caption. Have you enjoyed something that someone posted? Let them know in their comments!

Comments and reshares are a fantastic opportunity to showcase your own expertise while also getting your business’s name out there.

Use Hashtags

Just like any other form of social media, hashtags are a great tool you should be taking advantage of on LinkedIn. Using hashtags can increase your chances of showing up on someone’s feed as well as the ability to be found by search.

For example, in a piece on the importance of SEO and content marketing, hashtags might include #SEO #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Marketing and so on.

Let People Know You’re on LinkedIn

Shout it from the rooftops! People should know what social media platforms your business is on. Let people know that you’re on LinkedIn by cross-promoting it on your other profiles (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc).

Define and Maintain Your Brand Voice

Every brand has its own unique voice. At Digital Storyteller, we believe that each of our clients has a primary and secondary brand voice, split 90% to 10%. The 12 brand archetypes are as old as Greek tragedy (sadly, we can’t take credit for making them up…) and include:

  • The Innocent
  • Everyman
  • Hero
  • Outlaw
  • Explorer
  • Creator
  • Ruler
  • Magician
  • Lover
  • Caregiver
  • Jester
  • Sage

Want an example or two? Harley Davidson is a great example of an outlaw brand voice, whereas Disney is the magician archetype. An example of a ruler is Rolex; Chanel would be a lover.

Make sense? Not quite? Read on to learn more about our unique Brand Storytelling Sessions that we conduct to define brand voice.

Post Consistently

No one wants to follow an account that posts for Thanksgiving and then not again until Christmas. Make sure that you’re posting consistently to LinkedIn (and all of your social media platforms, for that matter!)

To reap the rewards of organic content marketing, you have to be consistent. At Digital Storyteller, we estimate that it takes between six to 12 months to see the results of organic marketing. This is why so many people today decide to go the paid route instead… They are impatient and in search of a quick fix.

Our best advice? Whether you’re posting once a day or once a week, create a content calendar and stick to it.

Don’t worry – We’ve made it easy for you. Click the link below to download our full content calendar template!

Download our FREE Content Calendar Template

Still feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to our team today! When you partner with Digital Storyteller, you gain access to an entire team of marketing experts at a fraction of the cost. Think content specialists, a client success manager, graphic design team, social media team, SEO specialists, and more!

Want to learn more about what a partnership looks like? Read on to learn what to expect when working with an outsourced digital marketing agency (including how much it costs!)

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Is Email Marketing Dead?

Your deliverability numbers are great—ZoomInfo takes care of that. You’ve got the right DMARC and DKIM records in your DNS, your domain authority is impressive, and you don’t have too many links (3) or images (1) in your emails. You’re doing everything right, but your reply rates are dismal.

What gives?

The $50,000 question on every marketer’s (and financial service provider’s) mind is: Is email marketing dead (or dying a slow, painful death)?

Before we dive into the grave, let’s take a deep breath and clarify: email marketing isn’t dead – but it is different. Gone are the days of sending out boring subject lines and waiting for the leads to roll in. 

That’s right—email marketing is evolving. To keep it alive and thriving, we need to adapt our strategies. Read on to discover why your email marketing may be falling flat, how to adjust your approach, and why combining email with other marketing channels gives you the best shot at success.

Why Aren’t They Replying?

So, what’s the deal? Why aren’t people hitting “reply” like they used to?

Overcrowded Inbox: Let’s face it; people are inundated with emails daily. Your carefully crafted message might just be lost in the shuffle. 

Bland Subject Lines: If your subject line doesn’t grab attention faster than a cat video, chances are it’s going straight to the “delete” pile. Make it catchy, intriguing, and show what value you provide.

The “Who Are You Again?” Factor: If your audience can’t remember who you are or why they signed up for your emails, you’re in trouble. Personalize your outreach and remind them of the value you bring. A little recognition goes a long way.

Content That Doesn’t Resonate: Even if you’re following best practices, if your content isn’t relevant or engaging, you might as well be sending blank emails. Take a good look at what you’re sending and ask yourself: Would I reply to this?

The Disconnect Between Expectations and Reality: If your emails promise one thing but deliver another, people will feel duped. Make sure your content lives up to its promises—if you’re selling a solution, show them how it works, not just how great it is.

Making Email Marketing Work for You

Now that we’ve established that email marketing isn’t pushing up daisies, let’s talk about how to breathe new life into your campaigns:

  1. Refine Your Audience: Make sure your list is full of engaged subscribers. Scrub your email list regularly to remove inactive addresses. Quality over quantity is key here!
  2. Craft Compelling Subject Lines: Your subject line is your first chance to make an impression. Make it interesting! Use a bit of humor, spark curiosity, or create a sense of urgency to get readers to open your email. A good subject line can make all the difference.
  3. Personalize, Personalize, Personalize: One-size-fits-all emails are a thing of the past. Use segmentation to customize your messages for different groups within your audience. The more relevant your email is, the more likely your subscribers are to engage. Everyone likes a little personal touch.
  4. Value-Driven Content: Provide content that offers real benefits. Whether it’s useful tips, helpful resources, or solutions to problems, make sure your emails give your subscribers something they need. If they feel like they’re getting something valuable, they’ll be more likely to read and act on your emails.
  5. Call to Action (CTA): Every email should have a clear call to action. Tell your readers what you want them to do. Make it simple and obvious—don’t make them guess. A clear CTA can help improve your engagement and guide your subscribers to the next step.
  6. Test, Analyze, Repeat: Try different approaches and see what works. A/B testing subject lines, types of content, and sending times can show you what your audience responds to best. Be ready to adjust based on the results—that’s how you’ll keep improving your email marketing strategy.

Email Marketing Works Best When Supported by other Channels

Email marketing shines brightest when it works alongside other marketing channels. Think of it as part of a well-coordinated team rather than a lone ranger. Here’s how integrating email with other channels can help you achieve better results:

1. Social Media Boost

Use social media to drive email sign-ups. Promote exclusive offers or sneak peeks of your email content to entice followers to subscribe. When they see the value you provide in their inbox, they’re more likely to engage.

2. Content Collaboration

Link your email campaigns to your content marketing efforts. Share blog posts, articles, or videos through your emails and direct traffic to your website. When people see valuable content in their inbox, they’ll trust you more and be more likely to respond.

3. Paid Advertising Alignment

Paid ads can give your email marketing a boost. Use targeted ads to drive traffic to your email sign-up page. Retargeting ads can remind potential subscribers about the valuable content they’re missing out on, nudging them to join your list.

4. Event Engagement

Hosting webinars or live events? Use those opportunities to collect email addresses. After the event, follow up with attendees via email, thanking them and providing additional resources. This not only nurtures leads but also keeps the conversation going.

5. Feedback Channels

Create feedback loops by encouraging engagement across platforms. After sending out an email, prompt readers to engage with you on social media or fill out a survey on your site. This helps you gather insights and keep your audience involved.

Final Thoughts

So, is email marketing dead? No. But we have to adapt –  it’s all about creating connections that resonate. Keep your content relevant, provide value, your approach fresh, and you’ll find success in the inbox.

With that being said, however, we know cold emailing isn’t easy—which is why we’re here to help. Our team is here to help you navigate the complexities of email marketing and beyond.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into digital marketing, check out our Ultimate Guide to B2B Marketing for Financial Services Companies here (Trust us, you won’t want to miss it!)

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What Are Algorithms—and How Do They Work?

Algorithms

If you have social media of any kind, chances are you’ve heard people talk about “algorithms” pretty regularly. When someone posts content and it performs poorly, whether they be a business, an influencer, or your Average Joe, you might hear them blame it on the algorithm.

“Oh, the algorithm hates me… I can’t figure out the algorithm… The algorithm is always changing, I can’t keep up!” And so on and so forth.

At Digital Storyteller, we recognize that there is some truth in these statements. Algorithms are always changing. But first, what are algorithms—and how do they work?

What is an Algorithm?

While the word “algorithm” is thrown around a lot today, it can be hard to fully grasp what this term even means.

Kristien Matelski at Vizion puts it perfectly. An algorithm “is a pattern or set of rules that problem-solving operations (especially computers) use to make calculations.”

Let’s dive into what this definition means for Google and social media specifically.

The Google Algorithm

The Google algorithm is “a complex system that allows Google to find, rank and return the most relevant pages for a certain search query.”

Like we mentioned, algorithms are constantly changing. In fact, Marketing Whiz Neil Patel shares on his blog that Google makes minor changes to its algorithm daily!

Google “might even release multiple updates in 24 hours,” says Patel. “These changes are usually small, and you probably won’t notice a drop in search page rankings due to these updates alone.”

However, knowing that the algorithm can literally change overnight (and multiple times at that!), it can feel impossible to keep up. (We know our social team at Digital Storyteller works hard every day to stay fresh with new updates and trends you can’t ignore.)

Google holds over 70% of the search market share and therefore, is the most popular search engine, according to Hubspot. This considered, how can you use the algorithm to your advantage? What does the algorithm take into account when ranking content?

Well, you’re in luck! According to an explainer video posted by Google titled “How Google Search Works,” there are hundreds of factors that go into determining what pops up on a search engine. Here are a few.

  • Keywords: Keywords play a significant role in the optimization of your content. You want to ensure you’re paying close attention to the keywords you choose to use. For example, if you own a smoothie bar in downtown San Diego, you probably want to rank for “good smoothies San Diego” or “downtown San Diego smoothies,” as opposed to keywords like “pizza” and “tacos!” For more on keywords, visit our article on how to optimize your content for search.
  • Meta Descriptions: Keywords aren’t the only thing Google looks for when curating a search engine results page (SERP). Meta descriptions, sometimes called a meta description attribute or tag, “is an HTML element that describes and summarizes the contents of your page for the benefit of users and search engines,” according to WordStream. Write meta descriptions carefully, as you only get about 155 words to show off what your content is about!
  • Images and Alt Text: Google LOVES images, and so do humans! Think, if you’re looking up a recipe on how to make the ‘World’s Best Lasagna,’ would you be more likely to click on the recipe with or without photos? Alt Text, or alternative text, is also important. It’s a short written description of the image that Google can read to help rank your page.
  • Title: Your title needs to be well thought out and something people would actually search for. Your title should summarize your content and include your target keywords.
  • Meta Tags: “Meta tags are invisible tags that provide data about your page to search engines and website visitors.”
  • Backlinks: The Google algorithm also looks for backlinks. Backlinking is the action of linking back to another external site on your own and is an extremely valuable tactic to use in sharing your site content. Backlinking helps position you as a trustworthy, authoritative source. For more on backlinking, visit our blog titled “PR vs Backlinking Strategies: What’s the Difference?”
  • Site Health: A site with a score of 80% or above is typically considered “good” site health. Site health is determined by the number of errors and warnings found when your site is crawled.
  • Site Authority: Google also cares about your site authority score. Authority is built slowly over time but is determined by your site’s backlinks and organic keywords. For more on how to build your domain authority, visit our article to get the secret sauce behind improving organic search rankings.

For our friends who are interested in watching Google’s quick explainer video for more information on how Google search works, here it is.

Social Media Algorithms

So, what’s a social media algorithm? “A social media algorithm is the mathematical calculation that sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and [Snapchat] use to understand user habits and to customize the social experience,” says Matelski.

“Social media algorithms work seamlessly behind the scenes, optimizing the user experience without them knowing the system is at work.”

No two algorithms are identical but they all use similar structures to determine what content you see, to organize the way you see it, and when you see it. Here are a few elements to consider.

  • Social Signals: Social shares, likes, tweets, and pins on search engine rankings have been shown to increase SEO through several case studies. Social sharing helps boost your SEO ranking significantly if you stay consistent with organic content and ask people to share your content. For two more content marketing SEO tips, read on here.
  • Hashtags: Hashtags help categorize your content and will help users discover your business. Using hashtags in your social posts can also place your content higher in SERPs.
  • Captions: While it may be trendy to keep your captions simple (*cough cough* influencers who write one-word captions or only use emojis!), this is not the best practice for SEO and algorithm purposes. Great captions are engaging, SEO friendly, and memorable. Great captions take time and effort. Don’t underestimate the power of a great caption!
  • Video Content: We all know that video content is the number one media being pushed right now. So, get your business ready to push out some awesome video content if you haven’t already—Instagram reels, TikToks, explainer videos, testimonials, culture videos, the list goes on. Bonus tip? Use trending music in your videos to rank higher!

For those of you whose business is ready to take advantage of the benefits of video content, check out our article on Instagram Reels to learn how video content supports your social strategy.

At Digital Storyteller, digital marketing is our specialty, and we know that staying ahead of algorithms can feel like a full-time job. Whether it’s Google or social media platforms, algorithms determine how your content is ranked and seen.

Understanding and adapting to these changes is essential for success. From keywords and backlinks to hashtags and video content, each platform has its own rules—but we’re here to decode them for you.

If you’re ready to take your digital marketing to the next level, reach out to our team.

Interested in learning more? Check out our guide, The Linkedin Algorithm Explained: How to Make it Work for You, here.

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How to Use ChatGPT with Integrity: A Guide for Marketers

Whether you need a quick idea for your next campaign or want to draft content in record time, ChatGPT can seriously lighten your workload. But before you start pumping out copy faster than you can say “Is this even ethical?”, let’s chat about some important guidelines.

Think using ChatGPT is cheating? We have to disagree. At Digital Storyteller, we see it as a handy tool— if you play by the rules. We believe you can use AI with integrity and still produce authentic content that reflects your unique voice.

So, how do you make the most of this powerful tool while keeping your marketing efforts above board? Let’s dive into the do’s and don’ts of using AI responsibly. Plus, we’ll share some examples of how we use this tool ethically at our marketing company.

Avoid Plagiarism

It might be tempting to copy and paste paragraphs of what ChatGPT generates, especially when it seems to fit perfectly. 

But trust us, plagiarism isn’t just frowned upon; it’s a slippery slope that can seriously damage your credibility. When you pass off someone else’s words as your own, you risk losing the trust of your audience, who expect authenticity from you. Plagiarism can lead to severe consequences, including legal issues, professional disgrace, and more.

Instead, use ChatGPT to spark ideas, then put your spin on it. Your voice is what matters most, and your audience wants to hear from you, not a machine.

Protect Sensitive Information

When you’re using ChatGPT, remember to keep sensitive information private. Just like you wouldn’t spill the beans about your company’s secrets to a stranger, don’t share confidential data with AI. Keep your private matters private—your business will thank you!

Fact-Check Everything

Fact-check everything—yes, we mean everything. If you’ve ever seen ChatGPT flub some basic math or get a historical fact completely wrong, you know it can’t be trusted blindly. That’s why you need to fact-check everything, no exceptions.

In the marketing world, accuracy is non-negotiable. Using incorrect stats or claims can not only embarrass you but also mislead clients, and that’s a no-go. So, before you roll with whatever ChatGPT serves up, take the time to verify the facts. Trust us, a little diligence goes a long way in protecting your credibility.

Maintain Ethical Standards

Always prioritize ethics in your marketing efforts, especially when using ChatGPT. Know your company’s policies and the industry standards that apply to your work. If you’re using AI for client projects, make sure your clients are informed and agree to it.

Maintaining high ethical standards protects your reputation and builds trust in your marketing practices. Being transparent about how you use AI is essential for fostering positive relationships with clients and audiences.

Use It for Collaboration, Not Replacement

Think of ChatGPT as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement. Sure, it can generate ideas and draft content quickly, but it can’t replicate your unique insights and expertise. Your creativity is what sets your work apart, and that’s not something AI can replicate.

Use ChatGPT to enhance your work by bouncing around ideas or refining drafts, but don’t let it overshadow your own voice. The best results come when you combine your knowledge with AI-generated suggestions, ensuring your content remains authentic and engaging.

How We Use ChatGPT Ethically in Marketing

At Digital Storyteller, we like doing things efficiently. This means using ChatGPT for most members of our team – from proofreading webcopy, SEO keyword lists to brainstorming, here is how we use ChatGPT ethically.

First as a Tool, Not a Crutch

In our team, we treat ChatGPT as a helpful assistant, not a replacement for our creativity. It’s there to support us in brainstorming or refining ideas, but it won’t do our jobs for us. Our unique insights and expertise are what make our work stand out. We leverage AI for some of the legwork, but we always remain in control of the direction and outcome.

Editing and Grammar

ChatGPT is great for proofreading. It helps us polish our writing, ensuring we sound professional instead of like we’re typing with our elbows. We run our content through it to catch any typos or grammatical errors, but we always give it a final read to catch any quirks or style inconsistencies.

Brainstorming

When it comes to brainstorming, ChatGPT can generate ideas quickly and offer angles we may not have considered. A steady stream of suggestions never hurts, whether it’s for blog topics, social media post ideas, or campaign concepts. It allows us to explore various directions without getting bogged down in our usual thought patterns.

We might use it to develop themes for upcoming campaigns or to brainstorm content that aligns with current trends. While we appreciate its contributions, we ensure that our unique voices and insights shape the final output. The goal is to enhance our creative process, not to rely solely on AI-generated suggestions. In short, we treat it as a helpful resource to expand our thinking, not as a substitute for our creativity.

Data Collection and Formatting

ChatGPT can assist in organizing and formatting data to make it more digestible. By transforming raw data into clear, actionable insights, we can save time on busy work and focus on making informed decisions. While we always double-check the accuracy, having ChatGPT streamline this process allows us to prioritize strategic actions over tedious tasks.

But with ChatGPT handling the formatting, we spend less time wrestling with spreadsheets and more time making decisions.

Final Notes

Using ChatGPT with integrity is all about balancing its benefits with your commitment to ethical marketing practices. By being open, avoiding plagiarism, protecting sensitive information, and maintaining high ethical standards, you can take full advantage of what ChatGPT offers without compromising your integrity.

As you bring this tool into your marketing routine, keep in mind that it should enhance your work, not replace your personal touch. Stick to these principles, and you’ll navigate the world of AI successfully. Happy marketing!Read on to learn about the ROI of organic digital marketing (yes, it can be measured!) Then, get in touch with our team to schedule your FREE Brand Storytelling Session.

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How to Use an Organic Marketing Strategy to Build Brand Awareness

Amazon, Apple, and Google. We’re assuming you, like pretty much everyone else, know about each of the aforementioned companies. They have some of the highest global brand awareness. 

Everyone wants more brand awareness. Why? The more people who know about your brand, the more likely they are to engage with you and ultimately purchase your services or product(s). Let’s discuss more on how you can use an organic social strategy to build your brand awareness. 

What is Brand Awareness? 

Brand awareness is how consumers recognize or remember your business. The more brand awareness you have, the more people are familiar with your logo, who you are, what you do, and most importantly- your products and services. 

Why is Brand Awareness Important?

Brand awareness is a vital part of your overall marketing plan. The goal with bringing awareness to your brand is to increase the number of people who are familiar with your business. This familiarity breeds trust, which, in turn, creates deals. 

Toobla Blog says it best, “If you can build brand awareness among your target demographic, you can help your brand become top-of-mind when these consumers are ready to research and make a purchase.”

Consumers are more likely to buy from a brand they are familiar with than a brand they have never heard of. 

For more secret sauce tips on brand awareness, watch our Chief Creative officer speak more about it in the video series here. 

Now, that you’re a brand awareness expert, let’s discuss how an organic social strategy is one of the best ways to build it. 

What is an Organic Marketing Strategy?

An organic marketing strategy is essentially the opposite of paid advertising and with more benefits (woohoo!) Learn more about the difference between paid and organic social media marketing here. 

Examples of organic marketing include:

  • Blog posts optimized for SEO
  • Website (optimized) 
  • Landing Pages
  • Email campaigns
  • Eye-catching social posts
  • Articles you write for other publications or industry blogs
  • Videos you post on YouTube 
  • Instagram Reels or TikToks

All of these items combined help increase your business’ visibility digitally. When you share your organic content to social media and your website, it will be seen by the following consumers: 

  • Existing followers/clients 
  • Followers of your followers 
  • People following the hashtags or locations you mention

It’s not enough to show up online a few times, you need consistent content to help create a consistent brand message and build an engaged community. 

Inconsistent messaging confuses your audience. It makes it harder for them to understand who you are and what your business does. This inconsistency leads to a lack of trust among your audience and therefore fewer leads. 

Best practice is to choose your brand archetype and stick with it. Your audience will thank you for it.

Content that is consistent and aligned with your brand voice performs. Every time. Keep in mind that it won’t happen overnight. Be patient with the timeline because the rewards are worth it.

When working with our clients, here’s a typical timeline of what we see and when.

Read on for more information on how each media platform and what each should be used for your business.

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Outsourced VS In-House Marketing: What’s Best For Your Business?

Outsourced VS In-House Marketing: What's Best For Your Business?

So you’re wondering what type of marketing you should implement for your business? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
The two biggest types of marketing are outsourced and in-house. Both want to promote your business to the best of their ability, but they have a few big differences. Learn more about the differences between outsourced and in-house marketing below!

Read more
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Storytelling: What is it and Why is it Important?

Storytelling

It would feel morally wrong to write an article about storytelling and not tell you how our company came to be… Digital Storyteller starts with our Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Amanda Rogers.

In 1997, when the actors union was on strike, Amanda taught herself how to code from a book. (Yes, these were the days before WordPress, Squarespace, and WIX—scary times…)

Anyway, Amanda’s martial arts teacher was an 8th degree blackbelt teaching amazing Tang Soo Do in New York City—and had only five students. Amanda knew he needed a website—so she taught herself to write HTML, CSS, and Javascript to try to help him build a studio.

A year later when Amanda moved to Los Angeles, the studio was thriving. In fact, 80% of the students came to him through the website. She was hooked.

After a few twists and turns, Digital Storyteller was born—an organic digital marketing agency in Encinitas, California.

Today, the team has grown from one to nearly 15. On our team, we’ve got content specialists, social media experts, a client success manager, SEO team, as well as a website and graphic design team to continue what Amanda started.

That’s our story.
If you haven’t already recognized the importance of storytelling within a business, we’ll continue on for you. Better yet, we snagged the CEO and Owner of Digital Storyteller to chat about storytelling on camera, Andrew Marr.

What is Storytelling? 

At its core, storytelling is (you guessed it!) about telling stories. Yoast tells us that storytelling is “about using stories to engage your audience, or to make something more clear.”

As humans, we’re wired for story. From each of our early days, it’s likely we recall our parents and the people around us sharing and telling stories. We love to read books and see movies and musicals—why? Because people are addicted to stories.

But what does storytelling look like when it comes to marketing for your business? When it comes to marketing for financial services companies, we see storytelling as making what you do and the services you provide:

  • Relatable 
  • Easy to understand by your audience

Why is Storytelling Important in Marketing?

Storytelling builds trust. Here are some of the stories you can share in your marketing strategy as well as how you can share them:

  • Share your stories on your website
  • Share your origin story
  • Share how you’ve grown
  • Share the challenges your business has faced (How did you overcome these challenges? Did any positives come out?)
  • Share how you help your clients (A lot of companies don’t share how they help their clients. Come on, boast a little!)

As the old adage goes, sharing is caring… Communicating your story with your audience.

A Word of Advice from Our CEO and Owner

So, how important is it to share your company story with your digital followers? (i.e. prospects, people in similar industries, current clients, etc.)

According to Andrew, it’s extremely important if you want to build trust and if you want to build a following. We believe in the power of storytelling. In fact, we start all of our partnerships with a Brand Storytelling Session.

Picture this: You go onto a website. For ease, let’s say it’s a digital marketing agency. You’re looking at their services, considering partnering with this company but you don’t find anything about their story.

There’s nothing about their employees or how the company came to be. Does that make you want to partner with that company even more? No, of course it doesn’t. That’s not the way things go.

For those who feel like it’s weird to talk about yourself or what you bring to the table as a business, for fear of coming off as arrogant or boastful, think about it… It’s your website. That’s kind of the point! 

Let go of the taboo you were taught in grade school, that it’s bad to talk about yourself.

In business, it’s important that you share your success stories and tell people how you help them.

Lastly, share your company culture. People want to know what it’s like to work with you. People wanna know if your employees are happy. Are they going to do a great job for them if they decide to partner with you? Share stories, story after story.

Interested in learning how to build more trust with your prospects and clients? Check out this article on how pricing transparency builds trust.

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Client Spotlight: Milikowsky Tax Law

At Digital Storyteller, we get excited when we have the chance to spotlight the incredible businesses we work with. Today, we’re shining a light on Milikowsky Tax Law—a tax law firm that goes above and beyond to help businesses and individuals facing the toughest tax challenges.

Whether they’re tackling IRS or EDD audits, navigating complex tax disputes, or offering top-tier legal counsel, Milikowsky Tax Law is the team you want on your side. They’re experts, personable, and relentless in their pursuit of the best outcomes for their clients.

We’re thrilled to elevate their brand and amplify their brand voice, allowing them to focus on what they do best—running their business and helping their clients.

Meet Milikowsky Tax Law

So, what makes Milikowsky Tax Law so special? Let’s break it down.

Milikowsky Tax Law is more than just a firm that handles tax problems. They’re experts in tax law, business transactions, and accounting, which means they know exactly how to solve the most complex tax issues businesses and individuals face today. Their team of experienced attorneys has handled over 300 federal and state cases. That’s a lot of experience—and it shows in their work.

But what really sets them apart is their ability to navigate government regulations like seasoned pros. The laws are constantly changing, and Milikowsky’s team knows how to stay ahead of the curve. They don’t just react to changes—they over-prepare, developing strategies well before they even meet with the government to ensure their clients’ risks are minimized and their goals achieved.

Yet despite their expertise, Milikowsky Tax Law isn’t just about crunching numbers or dissecting legal jargon. They understand that behind every case is a person—someone dealing with real-life problems that need real solutions. They’re committed to walking alongside their clients every step of the way, providing relentless, effective representation with a human touch.

How We Elevate Milikowsky Tax Law’s Brand

We’ve been fortunate to partner with Milikowsky Tax Law to help amplify their message. At Digital Storyteller, we’re all about making brands stand out, and we take that same approach with Milikowsky. Here’s how we’ve helped them grow:

1. Social Media Management

Let’s face it—social media isn’t just a place to share cat videos anymore (although we do love a good cat video). It’s become one of the most effective ways to engage with audiences, build trust, and show off your expertise. For Milikowsky Tax Law, we’ve taken their social media game to the next level.

Our goal is to make their expertise accessible to anyone scrolling through their feed, whether they’re business owners trying to navigate a tax audit or individuals worried about their tax liabilities. We create posts that are informative, approachable, and—most importantly—authentic to Milikowsky’s voice. We also engage with their community to keep the conversation going, answering questions and building relationships along the way.

2. Email Campaigns

We all know how crowded email inboxes can get, so when we create email campaigns for Milikowsky Tax Law, we make sure every message stands out. Whether it’s sharing insights on avoiding IRS audits or offering a resource library for CPAs, we ensure each email delivers real value (and avoids the dreaded trash folder).

With every click, we’re building trust, strengthening connections, and showcasing Milikowsky’s expertise, helping them stay top-of-mind with their audience.

3. Blog Writing

You know that feeling when you find a blog that actually makes sense and isn’t just stuffed with complicated legal language? That’s what we aim to do with Milikowsky Tax Law’s blog content.

We write blogs that break down complex tax issues into bite-sized, understandable pieces. We also write about relevant topics like IRS audits, EDD audits, PPP loan forgiveness, and tax law changes—all things their audience cares about. Whether someone’s a seasoned business owner or a young entrepreneur just getting started, we craft content that provides valuable insights without overwhelming them with details. 

We also sprinkle in videos featuring Founder John Milikowsky to add a personal touch. Not only do these videos help showcase a real expert behind the content, but they also give SEO a nice boost.

And speaking of SEO, every blog is optimized to make sure when someone Googles “How to survive an IRS audit,” Milikowsky’s website is one of the top places they land.

4. Website Development & SEO

When you’re facing tax issues, you want to work with a law firm that’s easy to find and easy to trust. That’s why we put a lot of effort into creating a website for Milikowsky Tax Law that’s user-friendly, professional, and optimized for search engines.

We designed a clean, straightforward site that reflects Milikowsky’s values and expertise. The site’s intuitive layout makes it easy for potential clients to find the information they need, and it also allows Milikowsky to showcase their services clearly. We also implemented top-tier SEO strategies to ensure Milikowsky ranks high on search engine results pages. That way, when people search for tax law help, Milikowsky is right there at the top.

Wrapping Up

At Digital Storyteller, we love partnering with businesses like Milikowsky Tax Law because we get to help them tell their story. Through social media, blogs, email campaigns, and website design, we’ve helped Milikowsky reach new clients and establish themselves as a trusted authority in the world of tax law.

Milikowsky Tax Law isn’t just about winning cases—it’s about making sure their clients feel supported every step of the way. We’re proud to be part of their journey, and we look forward to helping them continue to grow.

If you or your business is facing tax issues, Milikowsky Tax Law is the firm to call. They’ve got the experience, the knowledge, and the dedication to help you navigate even the toughest tax challenges.

Learn More About Digital Storyteller: How Can We Elevate Your Brand?

As a digital marketing agency, we know firsthand the challenges and opportunities that businesses face when it comes to budgeting and executing effective marketing campaigns.

We bring fresh, innovative ideas from our kick-a** creative team, all rooted in a relationship built on trust. Because that’s the essence of digital marketing – it’s not just about numbers and algorithms; it’s about connecting with your audience authentically and leaving a lasting impact.

Interested in learning more about us? Let’s chat.

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