2024 Marketing Budget: The No Nonsense Guide

2024 is knocking on the door, and it’s time to get down to brass tacks with your marketing budget. No fluff, just the nitty-gritty.

According to insights from Gartner, your marketing budget should devour roughly 9.1% of your total company revenue. Other sources recommend rounding that number to approximately 10%. 

However, it’s not just about setting a marketing budget; it’s about the smart allocation of that budget across various marketing channels. Let’s discuss how to make that happen.

Review Past Performance

Data Analysis

Before allocating your budget, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough review of your marketing activities in the current year. This review should encompass an examination of key performance indicators (KPIs) for each campaign. 

Dive into the data, both broad and detailed, to understand what worked…and what didn’t. Analyze the performance of digital marketing strategies and influencer collaborations, leaving no aspect unexamined.

ROI Assessment

Pay close attention to Return on Investment (ROI). By understanding which initiatives generated the most significant returns, you can make data-driven decisions about budget allocation for the upcoming year. Identify trends and recognize successful strategies while pinpointing areas that may require improvement.

In simpler terms, spot the winners that made it rain and, of course, those duds that couldn’t even summon a drizzle. We like to think of it as solving the thrilling case of “Where The F*&# Did Our Money Go?”

Set Clear Objectives

Strategic Goal Definition

Establish your budget objectives as the guiding principles for your marketing efforts. What are your strategic goals for 2024? Are you planning to launch new products, expand into new markets, or revamp your brand’s image?

Marketing and Sales Targets

Beyond overarching goals, define specific marketing and sales objectives. This includes objectives such as enhancing brand awareness, generating leads, improving online conversion rates, or hosting significant events. Setting these goals early not only provides direction but also allows you to plan your resources strategically and allocate your budget effectively to achieve each objective.

Research Industry Trends

Keeping Current

Stay updated on industry trends and innovations that can impact your marketing strategy. This involves monitoring your competitors’ activities and market trends in a proactive manner. If your competitors are planning significant moves, like rebranding or expanding their market share, you need to be prepared to respond with your own marketing initiatives.

Experimentation Budget

Allocate a portion of your budget for experimentation. Testing new approaches, emerging technologies, or novel marketing strategies can give you a competitive edge. This allocation allows you to explore innovative methods without risking your entire budget, providing room for adaptation and learning.

Identify Priority Channels

Channel Analysis

Scrutinize the performance of your various marketing channels, including earned, owned, paid, and shared channels. Assess their contribution to your marketing and business objectives.

Budget Allocation

Allocate your budget based on each channel’s importance to your goals. Recognize that one channel may excel in generating leads, while another may be more effective at closing sales. A balanced distribution of resources ensures that you have the right mix of channels to meet your objectives effectively.

Assess Seasonality and Campaigns

Strategic Timing

Now, isn’t this the part where we dust off our past campaigns and have a grand ol’ time with spreadsheets? Let’s dive into those archives and analyze the ebb and flow of demand.  We also recommend creating a rough campaign calendar for upcoming marketing initiatives and crucial activities such as product launches.

Resource Allocation

Distribute your budget across this calendar strategically to ensure that your marketing efforts have maximum impact when it matters most. Think of it as the strategic chess game of your marketing calendar. The aim? Making sure your marketing efforts hit their mark with precision during those critical moments. Why? Because making smart budget moves during peak times can unlock remarkable returns.

Evaluate Internal Capabilities and Outsourcing Needs

Team Assessment

Evaluate your team’s skills and capacity to handle the expected marketing workload in the new year. Determine if additional resources or expertise are required for specific tasks such as graphic design, content creation, or digital marketing.

Budget for External Resources

Don’t forget to factor in the budget for those outsiders we sometimes need to save the day. Whether it’s printing, photography, or calling in the specialists, make sure your budget has room to patch up any skill gaps within your team.

Now that we’ve covered the nuts and bolts of budget allocation and external resource planning, let’s delve into the power of Organic Marketing Strategy for cost-effective growth.

We Need to Talk About Organic Marketing Strategy: Budget-Friendly Growth

Organic marketing strategies like content marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and social media engagement are not just buzzwords; they’re practical tools that can help your brand grow without blowing your budget. Here’s why they’re a wise choice and how to allocate your budget effectively:

Why Organic Marketing is Budget-Friendly

Long-Term Benefits: Unlike paid advertising, which stops delivering results the moment you stop spending, organic strategies continue to provide value over time. A well-optimized piece of content, for instance, can attract traffic and leads for years without additional costs.

Cost-Effective: Creating high-quality content, optimizing your website for search engines, and engaging with your audience on social media are cost-effective activities. You don’t need a massive advertising budget to get started.

Builds Trust: Organic marketing helps build trust with your audience. When you provide valuable content and engage authentically, you’re more likely to establish long-lasting relationships with customers, reducing the need for costly customer acquisition campaigns.

Targets the Right Audience: By creating content that addresses specific pain points and questions your target audience has, you’re more likely to attract qualified leads who are genuinely interested in your products or services. This means you’re not wasting your budget on uninterested viewers.

What Exactly to Include in Your Organic Marketing Budget

Content Creation: Allocate funds for creating high-quality, valuable content. This includes blog posts, videos, infographics, and other content that resonates with your audience.

SEO: Invest in SEO activities to optimize your website and content for search engines. This may involve keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink building.

Social Media Management: If you’re active on social media platforms, consider budgeting for social media management tools or outsourcing social media tasks.

Email Marketing: While email marketing is often considered part of organic marketing, it may involve some costs for email marketing software and list management.

Analytics and Monitoring: Budget for analytics tools that help you track the performance of your organic marketing efforts. This data is essential for making informed decisions and optimizing your strategy.

Professional Services: If you lack in-house expertise, consider budgeting for professional services such as content writing, SEO consulting, or social media management.

Experimentation: Set aside a portion of your budget for experimentation. Test new content formats, SEO strategies, or social media campaigns to see what works best for your audience.

Training and Education: Continuous learning is essential in the ever-evolving field of digital marketing. Allocate a budget for training and education to keep your team updated with the latest trends and best practices.

Need Help With Your Marketing?

Plan to succeed in 2024 with a thoughtful, strategic, and well-researched marketing budget – Your future self will thank you. 

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.

Our mission is to understand your business inside out, grasp your unique brand voice, and then let the world know just how awesome you are. We don’t just focus on the “what” of marketing; we dive deep into the “why” and “how.” We start every engagement with a Brand Storytelling Session to identify your brand’s essence. From there, our team utilizes bi-weekly client calls and shared content calendars to keep you in the loop every step of the way.

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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Twitter Turning Into X: A Step-by-Step Guide in How NOT to Rebrand

The internet is abuzz with the shocking revelation that Twitter, yes, the Twitter formerly known for its chirpy bird logo, has pulled a “Prince” and transformed into X. 

As we navigate this rebranding odyssey, consider it a crash course in how not to redefine your brand’s identity. Let’s take a look at exactly what went wrong and how to prevent it if you’re ever considering a rebrand (apparently, it’s not always as easy as A,B,C….X.)

Twitter’s Shift to X and the Why Behind the Rebrand

So, Twitter is now “X.” The name change was accompanied by a logo swap—replacing the iconic blue bird with a minimalistic design of the letter X—and an expressed ambition by its unconventional billionaire owner, Elon Musk, to be more than just a text-based platform. Musk insists Twitter will become an “everything app” comparable to China’s WeChat. While Twitter has undergone many changes since its October 2022 acquisition, this change might be the most shocking—and perhaps the most puzzling—thus far.

Why are they rebranding, you ask? Well, according to Musk, it’s all about “freedom of speech” and “accelerating X.” Yes, because nothing says “freedom” like a sleek app that promises to handle your financial world while you’re busy liking memes.

Let’s Talk Marketing: What Twitter’s Transition to X Teaches Us

So, what insights can we, the marketing enthusiasts, glean from this somewhat disastrous yet utterly captivating rebrand? Let’s break it down.

A Poorly Executed Rebrand Can Lead to Bidding Adieu to Brand Identity

When marketers alter the iconography and marks of their brand, such as their logo and color palette, they risk losing its identifiability (i.e.what makes the brand recognizable). The Twitter brand had plenty of that – its name was widely recognized across the world in a way that companies spend years (and lots and lots of money) trying to achieve.

And yet, Musk tossed this away in what seemed like a quick decision. A quick decision which, according to experts, cost an estimated $4 billion worth of brand value. Ouch.

The major challenge for Twitter’s switch to X? The name has changed, yes, but the platform has not. Rebranding typically happens when there’s a material shift in the company or its offerings. For example, take Facebook shifting to Meta. Meta tangibly moved into the metaverse and it’s important to note that the name changed just at the corporate level – not at the consumer product level – unlike our blue feathered friend.

However, there are no material differences to Twitter to deem this change necessary. The platform’s functionality and look are practically the same to what they were before the renaming. There is no real change happening beneath the altered logo. At least, not yet. 

Embrace Evolution, Not Revolution

The tale of Twitter’s transformation serves as a reminder that evolution often trumps revolution in the world of branding. Drastic changes can alienate your audience, causing them to question the authenticity of the shift. Gradual, purposeful evolution allows your loyal followers to adapt without feeling like they’ve lost the essence of what drew them to your brand in the first place.

Comprehensive Strategy

A rebrand should seamlessly align with your brand’s overarching strategy. It’s not just a surface-level makeover; it’s an opportunity to reaffirm your values and mission. Had Twitter’s transition to “X” been rooted in a strategic plan that clarified its new direction, users might have been more inclined to embrace the change as a positive evolution, rather than a “wtf…”

Stay True to Your Essence

In a digital age where authenticity reigns supreme, straying too far from your brand’s core identity can be a detrimental move. Twitter’s sudden shift to “X” left users questioning the authenticity of the rebrand’s motives. When considering a rebrand, ensure that the new identity genuinely reflects your brand’s values and purpose, sparing you from potential skepticism.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Impulsiveness has its place, but not when it comes to rebranding. Rushing into a rebrand without thorough research and strategic planning can lead to unintended consequences. By pausing, analyzing your target audience, and understanding market trends, you can better navigate the complex landscape of rebranding and minimize the risk of negative outcomes.

User Experience Matters

The transition from Twitter to “X” underscores the importance of a seamless user experience. Beyond visual changes, ensure that the new identity harmoniously integrates with user interactions. A consistent, enjoyable user experience will foster a sense of continuity, making it easier for your audience to embrace the rebrand with enthusiasm.

Learn from Mistakes

In the aftermath of a rebranding mishap, introspection is key. Learning from the missteps and addressing what went wrong demonstrates resilience and a commitment to improvement. By acknowledging shortcomings, you position your brand for growth and future success, echoing the importance of authenticity in an ever-evolving landscape.

Adapt and Iterate

A rebranding failure doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Just as brands evolve, your rebranding journey can be iterative. Incorporate feedback, adjust your approach, and reevaluate your brand’s trajectory. This adaptability not only showcases your commitment to your audience but also paves the way for a more successful rebrand in the future.

The Shapeshifting Future: What Lies Beyond the Logo?

As we bid adieu to Twitter’s blue bird, one can’t help but wonder—what’s next? Rebranding should herald more than a superficial transformation; it should usher in a new era of meaning and value. 

Will it remain a single letter swap, or will “X” evolve into a force to be reckoned with?

In the realm of rebranding, Twitter’s saga serves as a cautionary tale—unveiling the power of change that lies beyond appearances. So, if you’re thinking of rebranding, remember to: Stay true to your brand’s essence, align with a comprehensive strategy, prioritize user experience, learn from any missteps along the way… and don’t be afraid to ask for some help from experts (like us!)

 By doing so, your brand can shape its future beyond the logo, forging a path of authenticity, value, and lasting success in the ever-evolving landscape of branding.

Any Questions? We Got Answers!

That’s right. Our job isn’t just crafting amusing blogs about the latest happenings in the digital marketing realm.

Our goal is to understand your business and your brand voice, and then let the world know how awesome you are (don’t worry, we won’t recommend a rebrand involving a single letter of the alphabet, we promise). 

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

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick*** 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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Client Spotlight: SBMA 

At Digital Storyteller, we take immense pride in our partnership with SBMA, a company dedicated to serving employers seeking to provide their employees with accessible and affordable benefits. Our collaboration has been instrumental in simplifying the complexities of benefit offerings and ensuring strict compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Together, we have been able to make quality health care attainable for individuals from all walks of life.

Let’s take a look at what SBMA does.

SBMA: Revolutionizing Affordable Benefits for Employers

SBMA is a trailblazing company dedicated to revolutionizing the landscape of affordable employee benefits. With a mission to provide accessible and cost-effective benefits solutions, SBMA has positioned itself as a reliable partner for employers seeking to enhance their employees’ well-being while ensuring compliance with the Affordable Care Act.

Simplifying Benefits, Amplifying Value

SBMA’s core focus is simplifying the complexities of benefits administration. By taking on the intricacies of benefit offerings, SBMA enables employers to focus on their core operations, all while ensuring that benefits align with legal requirements.

Empowering Employees Through Accessibility

SBMA firmly believes that everyone should have access to quality healthcare and benefits. Their solutions are tailored to empower employees, offering them security, peace of mind, and a tangible connection to their workplace.

Unveiling the SBMA Edge

At the heart of SBMA’s success lies their unwavering commitment to customer service. Their dedicated team operates in sync with their clients, offering responsive support whenever needed. SBMA’s strategic partnerships with carrier providers bring exclusive offerings that complement their comprehensive medical plans, ensuring competitive pricing and extensive coverage.

What Makes SBMA Different

The unique strength of SBMA Benefits lies in their unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. We’re proud to play a role in highlighting this attribute. Through our collaborative efforts, we’ve showcased SBMA’s dedication to operating on the clients’ schedule and providing dedicated support when it’s needed the most. With the help of our marketing strategies, we’ve highlighted SBMA’s exclusive partnerships with carrier providers, securing the best possible rates to complement their medical plans. This emphasis on agility in implementation and innovative approaches to benefit coverage truly sets SBMA apart in the industry.

Meet SBMA Founder Frank Crivello

Allow us to introduce Frank Crivello, the visionary leader behind SBMA. With a mission to provide ACA-compliant benefits administration across the United States, SBMA is headquartered in the sunny locale of San Diego, CA. Together, we’ve showcased SBMA’s specialization in offering the industry’s most competitive limited medical plans, virtual health solutions, worksite benefits, vision, dental coverage, and ACA-compliant plans tailored to affordability.

Elevating SBMA’s Success: Unveiling Our Marketing Strategies

At Digital Storyteller, we take immense pride in our role as a strategic marketing partner for SBMA. Our goal is to elevate their success by crafting and executing innovative marketing strategies that effectively communicate their unique value proposition and commitment to providing accessible benefits to employers and employees alike. Here’s a glimpse into how we’ve leveraged our expertise to enhance SBMA’s online presence and drive their growth:

1. Captivating Blogs and Compelling Content

Blogs serve as a powerful tool to educate, engage, and connect with SBMA’s target audience. Our team of skilled content creators crafts informative and thought-provoking blog posts that highlight the latest trends, insights, and industry news related to employee benefits, compliance, and health care. Through these blogs, we not only position SBMA as a thought leader but also provide valuable information that resonates with employers seeking comprehensive benefits solutions.

2. Engaging Social Media Campaigns

Social media is a cornerstone of modern marketing, and we’ve harnessed its potential to expand SBMA’s reach and engagement. Our social media management team carefully curates content that aligns with SBMA’s brand voice and resonates with their audience. From thought-provoking posts about ACA compliance to sharing success stories and informative graphics, our social media campaigns keep SBMA top-of-mind and foster meaningful interactions with clients, prospects, and industry peers.

3. Thought Leadership Articles

Our marketing efforts extend to showcasing SBMA’s expertise through thought leadership articles. We collaborate closely with SBMA’s team to create in-depth articles that explore relevant topics, provide solutions to common challenges, and offer insights into the evolving landscape of benefits administration. By positioning SBMA as an authority in the industry, we enhance their credibility and attract businesses seeking a knowledgeable partner.

4. Visual Brand Enhancement

Visual storytelling plays a pivotal role in communicating SBMA’s brand identity. Our design team has worked diligently to create eye-catching visuals that align with SBMA’s brand and messaging. From website banners to social media graphics, every visual element is carefully crafted to convey SBMA’s values, professionalism, and dedication to excellence.

Through these and many other strategic initiatives, Digital Storyteller has played a pivotal role in shaping SBMA’s digital presence, reinforcing their commitment to accessible and affordable benefits, and contributing to their ongoing success in the competitive landscape of employee benefits administration. Together, we continue to amplify SBMA’s narrative and drive meaningful results.

Interested in Learning More About How We Help Our Clients?

If you’re eager to discover how we transform marketing strategies and drive results for our clients, delve into how we shorten sales cycles for our clients. 

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Client Spotlight: Apex Risk & Insurance Services

Navigating the complexities of insurance can be challenging for entrepreneurs, but Apex Risk & Insurance Services is here to simplify the process. Led by founder Peter Katkov, Apex has been our valued client at Digital Storyteller since 2022.

Apex is on a mission to bridge the knowledge gap in insurance and provide clear explanations and guidance to business owners. Their philosophy revolves around personalized attention and strategic solutions tailored to each client’s specific industry.

As a marketing agency, we take pride in partnering with Apex to showcase their expertise, share their story, and promote their specialized services. Together, we strive to make a positive impact in the insurance world, empowering businesses to make informed decisions about their risk management.

With Apex Risk & Insurance Services as our valued client, we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts and helping them shine as a reliable and trusted resource for businesses seeking comprehensive insurance solutions.

Meet the Founder and CEO, Peter Katkov

Peter, born and raised in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, graduated from USC Marshall School of Business in 2005 with degrees in marketing and psychology. After managing a live music venue and social lounge in British Columbia, Canada, he entered the insurance industry and realized his potential in helping business owners by providing clear guidance on commercial and personal insurance.

Let’s chat about what Apex does. 

What Sets Apex Apart

At Apex, they believe that every business is unique and requires a customized insurance approach. Unlike most brokers who simply have clients sign a broker of record agreement and then forget about them until renewal time, Apex takes a different path. 

Understanding Your Business

They employ “The Apex Proven Process,” a thorough method that involves learning about your business in-depth, strategizing to create the right insurance program, and utilizing their extensive industry and market knowledge to secure the best pricing and coverage.

Personalized Care and Attention

One of the key aspects that set Apex apart is their commitment to treating clients the way they deserve to be treated – with care and attention. They believe that the same level of dedication you give to your clients should be reciprocated by your insurance partner. At Apex, you can expect clear communication, straightforward advice, and a genuine interest in helping you make informed decisions about your insurance needs.

Making a Difference

Peter realized that many business owners struggled to grasp the significance of insurance in safeguarding their enterprises. With a determination to make a difference, he founded Apex with the intention of empowering business owners through clarity and straightforwardness. His approach has helped countless entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of their insurance needs and how to protect their businesses effectively.

Apex’s Services

Apex goes above and beyond to provide their clients with top-notch services and specialized expertise in commercial insurance. Here’s a glimpse of what Apex does for their valued clients:

Commercial Insurance:

Apex offers comprehensive commercial insurance solutions to protect businesses from potential risks and uncertainties. Their tailored policies are designed to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring optimal coverage and peace of mind.

Brag-worthy Service:

Their commitment to exceptional service is evident through the positive testimonials and feedback they receive from satisfied clients. Apex takes pride in going the extra mile to deliver outstanding results and customer satisfaction.

White Glove Treatment:

Clients can expect a white-glove approach when dealing with Apex. From the initial consultation to ongoing support, Apex provides personalized attention and care, making clients feel valued and supported throughout their insurance journey.

Expertise in Commercial Insurance:

With years of experience in the insurance industry, Apex’s team of experts possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of commercial insurance. They leverage this expertise to offer valuable insights and guidance to their clients, helping them make informed decisions.

Specialization in Wave Pool and Wave Park Coverage:

Apex has established itself as a leader in providing specialized insurance coverage for wave pools and wave parks. This niche expertise allows them to cater to the unique needs of businesses operating in this specific industry, ensuring comprehensive protection.

Apex’s dedication to their clients, coupled with their expertise in commercial insurance and specialized wave pool and wave park coverage, makes them a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable insurance solutions. With Apex by their side, clients can focus on growing their ventures with confidence, knowing they are well-protected against potential risks.

How Digital Storyteller Elevates Apex’s Brand

At Digital Storyteller, we play a crucial role in elevating Apex’s online presence and overall marketing strategy. Here’s a glimpse of what we do for them:

Email Outreach

We craft engaging email campaigns to reach out to prospects, clients, and referral partners. Our personalized and compelling messages help build meaningful connections and foster business relationships.

Social Media Management

Through captivating articles, blogs, and social media posts, we ensure that Apex’s message reaches all relevant channels. Our expert team handles content creation and scheduling to maximize exposure and engagement.

Web Design, Maintenance, and Optimization

We take care of Apex’s website, ensuring it remains visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Our goal is to enhance their online presence and provide an excellent user experience.

SEO Strategy

Using SEMRush research, we develop targeted content with carefully selected keywords to boost Apex’s domain authority and organic growth. Our data-driven approach helps them rank higher in search engine results.

Content Creation

We create informative and engaging blogs and videos that highlight Apex’s expertise and industry verticals. These optimized pieces are then shared across social media platforms and integrated into their blogs.

Design Services

Our design team takes care of conference setups, QR codes, postcards, giveaways, and business cards. These materials are designed to leave a lasting impression on clients and partners.

At Digital Storyteller, we are truly proud to be a part of Apex’s success story. By providing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, we contribute to strengthening their brand, expanding their reach, and driving growth in their industry.

Final Notes

Apex represents a refreshing departure from the traditional insurance broker model. Their philosophy revolves around empowering business owners through clear explanations, personalized attention, and strategic solutions. Under the leadership of founder Peter Katkov, Apex is reshaping the way insurance is perceived and managed in the business world, providing entrepreneurs with the confidence and knowledge they need to protect their ventures.

Interested in learning more about how we help our clients? Read on to see how we shorten sales cycles for our clients. 

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How to Choose the Right CRM (And Why It’s Necessary)

Choosing the perfect CRM for your business can be quite the task. With countless software options vying for attention with their buzzwords, promises, and colorful infographics, it’s essential to cut through the marketing noise and focus on what truly matters.

In this blog, we will discuss what a CRM is, why it’s important, and even give you insights into some of our favorite and least favorite CRMs. Let’s dive in!

First Things First, What Exactly is a CRM?

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a software tool or platform that helps businesses manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. Think of it as a digital assistant keeping track of every client interaction. It may sound a bit intrusive, but it’s a valuable resource.

But wait, there’s more! With a CRM system, you can analyze your customers’ behavior, almost like having a crystal ball to predict their preferences. While it won’t reveal lottery numbers (unfortunately), it provides valuable insights into their buying patterns.

Now, let’s discuss why choosing the right CRM is so important.

Why is Choosing the Right CRM is so Important

Customer Happiness, Anyone?

A good CRM helps you keep track of customer interactions, preferences, and purchase history. It’s like having a virtual memory bank that helps you deliver the personalized experiences your customers secretly (or not so secretly) crave.

Efficiency: It’s Not Just a Buzzword

In a world where time is money and efficiency is king, a well-chosen CRM can work wonders. It automates and streamlines your sales, marketing, and customer service processes, allowing your teams to focus on what really matters—building relationships and closing deals. 

Insights That Will Make You Go, “Hmm”

A good CRM system provides you with reports and analytics that shed light on your sales pipeline, marketing campaigns, and customer behavior. 

Long-Term Success (aka the Holy Grail)

Choosing the right CRM is an investment in your business’s future. It sets you up for success by giving you the tools and capabilities to manage customer relationships effectively.

So, when it comes to choosing a CRM, take a moment to consider the benefits it brings. Because in the grand scheme of things, it’s not just about having a fancy software tool—it’s about creating happy customers, streamlining operations, gaining insights, and setting your business on a path to long-term success. 

Key Considerations for Choosing a CRM

Now that we understand the value of CRM, let’s explore the key considerations when choosing the right CRM for your business:

Step 1: Assess Your Needs (Because Apparently, You Have Those)

Before diving headfirst into the sea of CRM options, take a moment to ponder your business’s deepest desires. What do you really need from a CRM? Is it a seamless integration with your existing tools? Or perhaps a dashboard that displays colorful charts and graphs to make you feel important? Figure out what floats your boat and jot down those requirements.

Step 2: Research, Research, and More Research (A.K.A. The Never-Ending Quest)

Now that you know what you’re looking for (or at least have convinced yourself that you do), it’s time to embark on an epic research journey. Explore the depths of the internet, read reviews, compare features, and immerse yourself in a world of CRM knowledge. 

Step 3: Consider Scalability (Because Your Business is Totally Going to Take Over the World)

Ah, scalability, the word that makes every entrepreneur’s heart skip a beat. You need a CRM that can handle your grand ambitions and accommodate your business’s growth. After all, who knows, maybe next year you’ll be the next big thing in your industry. Dream big, our friend, and make sure your CRM dreams big with you.

Step 4: Integration Galore – Who Has Time for Manual Data Entry?

In this modern era of technology, nobody has time for manual data entry. Look for a CRM that plays well with others, a harmonious integration that allows your various tools and systems to dance together in perfect sync.

Step 5: User-Friendly Interface 

Your chosen CRM should be so user-friendly that it simplifies navigation and leaves no room for confusion. A complex labyrinth of menus and cryptic icons is the last thing your team needs. Instead, they should focus on what truly matters – sipping coffee and coming up with brilliant ideas. Embrace a CRM that prioritizes simplicity and keeps frustrations at bay, making everyone’s work more efficient and enjoyable.

Step 6: Budget Matters 

Assess your financial situation, set a budget, and find a CRM that doesn’t make your bank account cry. Remember, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between functionality and affordability.

Step 7: Test, Test, and Test Some More 

Never jump into a long-term commitment without a proper test drive. Many CRM providers offer free trials or demos, so take advantage of them. Play around, click some buttons, and see if it feels right. Your relationship with your CRM should be built on trust and compatibility, just like any other meaningful relationship in your life.

By considering these key factors, you can choose a CRM system that aligns with your business needs and sets you up for success in effectively managing customer relationships.

Our Favorite (and Least Favorite) CRMs

At Digital Storyteller, we believe in transparency, which means we’ll be discussing both our favorite and less favorite CRMs. Let’s take a look.

CRM We Love: HubSpot

HubSpot has won our hearts with its user-friendly interface, seamless automation tools, and excellent integration capabilities. It’s been a reliable companion, empowering our storytelling process and enhancing efficiency.

CRM We Don’t Love: Salesforce

While Salesforce has its merits, we find it can be overwhelming at times due to its extensive features. Its complexity has occasionally slowed us down and required more time for training and adaptation.

Remember, the best CRM for your needs may differ from our experiences. We value the diversity of options available to cater to various preferences and requirements.

Final Notes

CRM is necessary for businesses to cultivate strong customer connections, enhance the customer experience, optimize sales and marketing processes, and gain valuable insights. That being said, we understand that selecting the right CRM isn’t an easy task—which is why we’re here to help. 

Interested in learning more about how we help our clients? Read on to see how we shorten sales cycles for our clients. 

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How to Create a Marketing Playbook that Builds on What Already Works

In the fast-paced world of marketing, staying ahead of the curve can feel like an uphill battle. The constant influx of new technologies and trends can make it challenging to develop a strategy that truly resonates with today’s ever-changing and discerning consumers. 

As a digital marketing company, we understand the struggle and are here to share our secret sauce – a marketing playbook that combines proven strategies with cutting-edge approaches. Let’s dive in!

First, We Need to Talk About the Shift in Consumer Behavior

To create an effective marketing playbook, it’s crucial to acknowledge the seismic shift in consumer habits. The pandemic, economic stress, and inflation have caused a significant decline in brand loyalty. According to a recent Mirakl study, a staggering 89% of shoppers worldwide now prioritize value over brand loyalty, with only 17% remaining committed to trusted brands regardless of price. 

Additionally,, consumers’ attention spans have reached an all-time low. Kantar’s research reveals a growing aversion to ads, with two-thirds of consumers either skipping them or paying to avoid them. Additionally, 48% of consumers have already resorted to ad blockers, while a bold 45% simply confess to not watching ads at all. 

So, how do we capture the fleeting attention of these elusive consumers?

Let’s discuss. 

How to Build a Marketing Playbook 

Make Videos (we promise it works)

Videos provide a format for companies to show expertise, build brand awareness and are more likely to grab (and retain!) viewer’s attention than lengthy text.

Why? Videos condense complex messages into digestible and entertaining snippets. They allow businesses to convey their value proposition, showcase products or services, and tell compelling stories in a visually captivating manner. 

Focus on Storytelling

Forget the hard sell – focus on content that educates, entertains, or solves a problem. Authenticity and personalization are your best friends here – they’re the secret sauce for forging real, lasting connections.

Leverage Multichannel Marketing for Maximum Impact

To create a successful marketing playbook, embrace the delicate balance of incorporating both traditional and digital channels. Multichannel marketing allows you to reach consumers through various touchpoints, maximizing your brand’s visibility and impact.

Audit your current marketing channels and strategies. Identify the ones that consistently deliver results and explore new avenues that align with your brand’s objectives. Leverage a mix of channels such as social media campaigns, mobile apps, in-person experiences, influencer collaborations, and personalized email marketing. Tailor your approach to meet your audience where they are and provide consistent messaging across channels.

Tailor Strategies to Your Brand’s Identity

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution in marketing. Each brand has its unique audience and goals. To create a powerful marketing playbook, tailor your strategies to align with your brand’s identity and purpose.

Define your brand’s mission, values, and objectives clearly. Conduct client interviews to gain insights into your target audience’s preferences, behaviors, and media consumption habits. Use this information to shape your marketing strategies and messaging to connect authentically with your audience.

Test, Measure, and Adapt

Creating a marketing playbook is an ongoing process. Continuously test and measure the effectiveness of your strategies to refine and adapt your approach.

Establish clear metrics and KPIs to evaluate the performance of your marketing channels. Regularly monitor the results and analyze the data to identify areas of improvement. Use A/B testing to experiment with different approaches and optimize your tactics based on real-time feedback.

Marketing: It’s What We Do Best

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, Monday emails, and content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening, always.

We have monthly reporting where we let you know what the return on investment that you’re getting is from your relationship with us.

Of course, there’s always a team member available to you just a call, email, or even text away. Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve been told on multiple occasions that our bi-weekly calls are their favorite calls!

Happy with the direction we’re headed in? We’ll keep running that way. Want to tweak something? More than happy to adjust.

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick*** 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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Transforming Marketing with AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and Success Stories

When we dive into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) today, our minds naturally drift toward conversational assistants like Alexa or Siri, or groundbreaking technologies like self-driving cars. But there’s a hidden world of AI at play, silently transforming our lives by automating mundane tasks and predicting with astonishing accuracy (spoiler alert: AI is not just copying and pasting thousands of words from Chat GPT). 

However, the true essence of AI lies in the multitude of tools and applications operating inconspicuously behind the scenes, simplifying our lives by automating mundane tasks and making accurate predictions. 

Let’s take a look at the role of AI in digital marketing and how some companies are using this technology to revolutionize their marketing strategies. From personalized customer experiences to automated campaign optimization, AI is reshaping the marketing landscape.

AI’s Impact on Digital Marketing

AI’s transformative potential spans all industries and business functions, including marketing. It’s now a well-established practice to leverage AI for presenting products and services to potential customers, even if we may not always recognize it.

Today, AI refers to software capable of autonomous learning and performance improvement. Beyond handling labor-intensive tasks, AI can tackle jobs requiring critical thinking and decision-making.

Marketers can now rely on AI to address questions that previously needed human intervention, such as predicting customer interest or campaign results. AI excels at providing swift responses and generating predictions, identifying likely buyers and effective advertising channels.

In the digital era, content marketing dominates across industries due to social media and our thirst for online content. AI plays a crucial role in deciphering customer interests and optimizing content distribution. AI-powered tools automate the process of creating attention-grabbing headlines and adjusting content for better metrics like email open rates and social media shares.

Marketing Automation: Streamline Your Efforts, Maximize Your Impact:

AI possesses the remarkable ability to automate marketing tasks, freeing up our valuable time and energy. With its wizardry, we can streamline lead generation, score leads like marketing maestros, and ensure optimal customer retention. Let AI be our trusty companion, taking care of the repetitive tasks so that we can focus on strategic initiatives.

Personalization: Tailoring Experiences to Enchant Your Audience:

Prepare to enchant your audience with personalized experiences crafted by AI’s genius. By analyzing a treasure trove of data, AI helps us understand our customers on a deeper level. Armed with this knowledge, we can create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with individual preferences, aspirations, and desires. It’s like having a marketing sorcerer whispering the perfect spell for each customer.

Forecasting: Illuminating the Path to Marketing Success:

AI acts as our guiding light, illuminating the path to marketing success through predictive analytics. By analyzing past interactions and deciphering patterns, AI empowers us to anticipate future trends and make informed decisions. It’s like having a crystal ball that reveals insights into customer behavior and market dynamics, enabling us to stay one step ahead of the game.

Benefits of Marketing with AI

In today’s fast-paced world, incorporating AI into marketing strategies can provide a competitive edge by harnessing the potential of advanced technologies. By leveraging AI, marketers can delve deeper into customer insights across various touchpoints, reaping numerous benefits:

Effortlessly gain data-rich insights in record time

AI plays a pivotal role in data analytics and performance measurement. With AI, marketers can effortlessly track campaign performance, from mass-market messaging to individual social media posts. By utilizing thousands of data points, AI empowers marketers to optimize their measurement framework according to key business targets and metrics. This enables them to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions to improve future campaigns.

Unveil a profound understanding of your target audience

AI’s ability to collect and analyze social, behavioral, and sales data offers marketers an unparalleled understanding of their customers. Armed with this knowledge, they can craft targeted messages and anticipate customer needs more effectively. By leveraging AI-powered tools, marketers can segment their audience based on various parameters such as demographics, interests, and purchasing behavior. This allows them to personalize their marketing campaigns and deliver tailored content that resonates with individual customers, resulting in higher engagement and conversions.

Streamline operations for greater efficiency

Data lies at the core of modern marketing practices, and AI acts as a catalyst for achieving better business efficiencies and outcomes. By minimizing operational inefficiencies, AI streamlines marketing operations, allowing marketers to allocate more time to strategic initiatives. For example, AI-powered automation tools can handle tasks like email marketing, social media scheduling, and customer support, freeing up marketers to focus on high-level strategy and creative decision-making. This not only improves productivity but also enables marketers to deliver a seamless and consistent customer experience across multiple channels.

Implementing AI effectively: Overcoming Challenges

While integrating AI into marketing practices brings immense advantages, it’s important to consider a few key rules to ensure success and avoid potential pitfalls.

Quality data is essential:

For AI to yield effective marketing initiatives, accurate and verifiable data inputs are crucial. Poor-quality or incomplete data can create more problems than having no data at all. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize data accuracy and integrity. Marketers should invest in robust data collection methods and ensure that data is regularly cleaned, validated, and updated. Additionally, implementing data governance policies and adhering to privacy regulations are vital to maintain trust with customers and protect their sensitive information.

Invest in top-notch AI technology:

Seamlessly integrating AI into your marketing technology and services platform requires reliable technology resources. Investing in high-quality AI systems ensures a smooth adoption process, while opting for cheaper alternatives may lead to breakdowns and subpar results. For organizations with limited resources, partnering with a reputable cloud provider can offer guidance and access to the right technology solutions. It’s crucial to select AI tools that align with your specific marketing goals and provide the necessary scalability and flexibility to accommodate future growth.

Nurturing a culture of technology adoption:

Organizations that fully embrace the potential of AI in marketing operations gain a significant competitive advantage. Creating a culture that embraces technology adoption involves providing training and support programs to empower individuals to make the most of AI and understand its vast potential. This includes upskilling employees in AI-related concepts, fostering a data-driven mindset, and encouraging collaboration between marketing and data science teams. By nurturing a culture that values innovation and continuous learning, businesses can ensure the successful integration of AI into their marketing strategies.

Now, Let’s Take a Look at How Some Companies Are Using AI to Reinvent Their Marketing Strategies

1. Whole Foods Harnesses AI for Personalized Messaging

Did you know that up to 36% of consumers are craving more personalized experiences from retailers? And that number jumps to 43% among households earning $100,000 annually. Surprisingly, only 12% of retail brands believe they are successfully delivering on this expectation.

Whole Foods, the grocery giant, has found a solution to bridge this expectation gap. They’ve introduced 24 Just Walk Out stores across the US, equipped with sensors and cameras that allow shoppers to grab their items and walk out without stopping at the register. Thanks to AI, the orders are seamlessly monitored and charged.

While the “leave without paying” feature grabs the headlines, the real marketing magic lies in the data collected. Whole Foods can leverage AI to analyze individual shopping habits, identify patterns, and even predict future behaviors.

2. ClickUp Unleashes NLP AI to Skyrocket Blog Traffic by 85%

AI-powered content writing has sparked quite a debate, but let’s set the record straight. Using artificial intelligence for content creation is far more than asking ChatGPT to generate endless paragraphs for your blog.

ClickUp, the project management solution, has embraced the power of AI through Surfer SEO’s natural language processing (NLP) AI tools and machine learning technology. With this powerful combination, they’re achieving remarkable results.

  • Identifying untapped opportunities for content optimization
  • Uncovering the perfect keywords to include in articles, along with their optimal density
  • Gaining valuable insights into the ideal article structure, from the number of images to the length of subheadings

Thanks to AI, ClickUp has seen an astounding 85% increase in blog traffic. So, it’s not about mindlessly churning out words but leveraging AI to craft exceptional content that drives real results. 

Final Notes

Incorporating AI into digital marketing is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity to thrive in the modern business landscape. By capitalizing on the benefits of AI in marketing while remaining mindful of the implementation challenges, businesses can unlock new opportunities, drive growth, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Interested in finding out more? 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 Maximize Your YouTube Channel’s Potential

Are you frustrated with low views on your YouTube channel despite your efforts? We may have some bad news: simply posting videos is not enough. With 122 million daily active users and 500 hours of content uploaded every minute, competition on YouTube is fierce. 

The good news? You can optimize your Youtube content to increase your visibility and attract more viewers with just a few simple steps. 

Let’s dive into how you can do it.

Engaging Your Audience:

Audience engagement plays a crucial role in driving interactions and building a connection with your viewers. Encourage interaction by responding to comments, creating a community, and asking for feedback. Experiment with different formats like Q&A sessions, challenges, live streams, or contests to engage your audience effectively. 

Make sure to complete your profile to provide viewers with more information about you and your content.

Directing Viewers to Your Website:

Don’t underestimate the power of simply telling people to visit your website. Incorporate a bookend approach in your videos, mentioning your website at the beginning and end. Display your URL in the video description. By explicitly inviting viewers to visit your website, you can significantly increase referral traffic and expand your reach.

Encouraging Subscriptions:

While immediate traffic is important, focusing on long-term growth is equally crucial. Ask your viewers to subscribe to your channel. Subscribers receive notifications about your new videos and are more likely to become loyal fans. As your subscriber count grows, so does your viewership and potential website traffic.

Interacting with the Comment Section:

Here at Digital Storyteller, we’re all about embracing the fun and excitement of the comment section! It’s like a virtual hangout where viewers can ask questions, share their thoughts, and create an awesome community.

But wait, there’s more! By actively engaging with the comment section, you not only get to showcase your expertise (cue the expert mode), but you also have the perfect opportunity to sprinkle some magic. Share relevant links to your website or other valuable content, turning the comment section into a gateway for epic discoveries.

Partnering with Other YouTubers:

Collaborating with other YouTubers in your niche can be mutually beneficial. Look for channels with a slightly larger subscriber count than yours to expand your reach. By sharing audiences, both parties gain access to new traffic sources and increase their visibility – sounds like a win-win to us!

Optimizing Video Metadata:

We know, we know, the word “metadata” doesn’t sound like the most fun, but it’s the secret sauce that helps your videos rank higher in search results.

Metadata refers to the valuable information you provide about your video, including titles, descriptions, and tags. By optimizing these elements, you can work your way up the search results ladder and increase your video’s visibility.

Here’s how to work your magic on metadata:

Enchanting Titles: Create descriptive titles that incorporate relevant keywords. Think about what your target audience is searching for and craft titles that catch their attention.

Captivating Descriptions: Craft detailed descriptions that captivate viewers and provide valuable information about your video. Be sure to include targeted keywords and consider adding URLs to direct viewers to your website or other related content.

Strategic Tags: Add tags to your videos to include additional keywords that couldn’t be naturally incorporated into the title or description. These tags help search engines understand the content of your video and improve its discoverability.

By optimizing your metadata, you’ll increase your chances of ranking higher in search results and attracting more viewers to your videos.

Utilizing Descriptive Playlists:

Creating playlists for your videos helps organize your content, improves discoverability, and enhances viewer engagement. Group videos with similar topics or themes into playlists to make it easier for viewers to find what they want. Playlists also rank in search results, driving additional traffic to your content. 

Final Notes

Optimizing your YouTube channel is essential for standing out from the competition and achieving success on the platform. By engaging your audience, directing viewers to your website, encouraging subscriptions, interacting with comments, partnering with other YouTubers, optimizing metadata, utilizing playlists, and harnessing the power of annotations, you can maximize your channel’s potential and drive more traffic to your content.

Remember, building a successful YouTube channel takes time and effort. Consistently create high-quality content that resonates with your target audience, and apply the optimization strategies discussed in this guide. Monitor your channel’s performance, analyze the data, and make adjustments as necessary.

Keep exploring new techniques, staying up-to-date with the latest trends, and learning from successful YouTubers in your niche. With dedication, persistence, and a well-optimized channel, you can increase your visibility, attract more viewers, and achieve your YouTube goals.

Good luck on your YouTube journey!

Marketing: It’s What We Do Best

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, Monday emails, and content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening, always.

We have monthly reporting where we let you know what the return on investment that you’re getting is from your relationship with us.

Of course, there’s always a team member available to you just a call, email, or even text away. Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve been told on multiple occasions that our bi-weekly calls are their favorite calls!

Happy with the direction we’re headed in? We’ll keep running that way. Want to tweak something? More than happy to adjust.

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick*** 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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How To Get The Most Out of Your Outsourced Digital Marketing Relationship

 If you’ve made the smart decision to partner with a marketing agency, you’re on the right track to accelerating your business growth. But to truly maximize the potential of this collaboration, there are certain steps you can take to set yourself up for success (spoiler alert: this includes communication, patience, consistency and yes, timely approvals for content – pretty please!) 

In this blog, we’ll guide you through a series of essential strategies and best practices that will help you foster a thriving partnership with your outsourced marketing agency. From clearly defining goals and expectations to establishing transparent communication channels, we’ll cover all the crucial elements that contribute to a successful outsourcing relationship. Let’s dive in!

Set Yourself Up For Success: The Foundation of a Thriving Partnership

Clearly Define Goals and Expectations: The Roadmap to Success

Take some time to define your goals and expectations. Do you want to increase brand awareness, boost conversions, or expand into new markets? Lay it all out and share it with your marketing agency. With a shared vision, you’ll be cruising towards success in no time.

Communicate Your Brand’s Voice and Values: A Unified Front

Share your brand’s personality, tone, and values, so they can create content that hits all the right notes. A unified front will resonate with your target audience and create a memorable brand experience.

Establish a Transparent Communication Channel: Keeping the Conversation Flowing

Communication is key to any successful relationship. Establish a transparent communication channel with your agency, whether it’s through email, project management tools, or regular video calls. Keep the conversation flowing. Share updates, ask questions, and provide feedback. The more you communicate, the better your agency can understand your needs and deliver exceptional results.

Provide Necessary Resources and Information: Sharing is Caring

Provide your agency with access to relevant data, customer insights, and industry knowledge. Share your brand guidelines, creative assets, and any other resources they might need. By equipping them with the right tools, you’ll empower them to create marketing campaigns that hit the bullseye.

Being an Active Participant in Your Own Success

It’s time to break down the walls between you and your marketing agency and embrace collaboration. You bring your industry expertise and deep knowledge of your target audience, while they bring their marketing prowess and creative genius. By working together as a team, you’ll unlock new ideas, innovative strategies, and out-of-the-box solutions that will propel your business forward. So, let those creative juices flow and let the magic happen!

Actively Engage in Strategic Discussions: The Power of Brainstorming

Strategic discussions are like electric storms of ideas, where sparks of brilliance fly around. Don’t miss out on the fun! Actively engage in these discussions with your marketing agency. Bring your unique perspective to the table, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and explore new possibilities. Together, you’ll uncover hidden opportunities and forge a path towards marketing greatness.

Be Patient – Organic MarketingTakes Time

Patience, grasshopper, patience. In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, it’s easy to expect instant results. But here’s the reality check: organic growth takes time, my friend. So, let’s take a deep breath and embrace the art of patience.

Understand the Nature of Organic Marketing: Planting Seeds for Future Success

Organic marketing is like nurturing a beautiful garden. You plant the seeds, water them, and patiently wait for them to bloom. Similarly, organic marketing requires consistent effort, valuable content, and genuine engagement. It takes time for your brand to gain visibility, build trust, and establish a loyal following. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a thriving organic presence.

Set Realistic Expectations

Managing expectations is key to maintaining your sanity in the world of marketing. Set realistic goals and timelines based on the nature of organic growth. Understand that it may take several months or even longer to see significant results. But rest assured, with a solid strategy, consistent effort, and a sprinkle of patience, your hard work will pay off in due time.

Embrace Consistency and Long-term Growth: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Consistency is the secret sauce to organic success. Stay committed to delivering valuable content, engaging with your audience, and nurturing relationships. Keep showing up, even when it feels like progress is slow. Remember, every interaction, every piece of content, and every effort

Respect the Agency’s Expertise: Collaborate and Trust for Mutual Success

When you partner with an outsourced marketing agency, you’re tapping into a wealth of knowledge and experience. To get the most out of this dynamic relationship, it’s crucial to respect their expertise and foster a collaborative environment for mutual success.

Recognize the Agency’s Knowledge and Experience: Trust the Experts

Your marketing agency brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Recognize their strengths and value their expertise. Trust that they have the skills and knowledge to guide you towards success.

Be Open to New Ideas and Strategies: Embrace Fresh Perspectives

One of the benefits of working with an outsourced marketing agency is access to fresh ideas and strategies. Be open to their suggestions, even if they challenge your current thinking. Embrace their unique perspectives and explore new possibilities for your marketing efforts.

Trust Their Recommendations and Insights: Follow Their Lead

Your marketing agency has your best interests in mind. When they make recommendations or provide insights, trust their expertise and follow their lead. Remember, they’re working towards the same goal as you: success for your brand.

Approve Your Content (Please…We’re begging.)

We’re begging you, please, make timely approval a priority. Your marketing campaigns rely on the smooth flow of content creation and deployment. Delays in approval can disrupt the momentum and effectiveness of your initiatives. So, be responsive and proactive in reviewing and approving the content. Your agency will be eternally grateful, and your marketing engine will run like a well-oiled machine.

By embracing the content approval process, you play a crucial role in maintaining the quality, consistency, and success of your marketing efforts. So, grab your red pen, don your discerning marketer hat, and let’s give that content our seal of approval. Pretty please, with a cherry on top!

Get on Camera (However Much You Hate It)

Lights, camera, action! We know that the thought of being in front of a camera might send shivers down your spine, but trust us, it’s time to conquer that fear. In today’s digital landscape, video content reigns supreme, capturing attention and connecting with audiences on a whole new level. 

So, why should you get on camera, even if it’s not your favorite thing to do? Here are a few key reasons:

Captivating Visuals: Video has a unique ability to grab attention and engage viewers. With eye-catching visuals, dynamic storytelling, and the power of motion, videos can leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Authentic Connection: Videos allow you to showcase your personality, passion, and expertise in a way that resonates with your audience. By putting yourself in front of the camera, you humanize your brand and create a genuine connection with your viewers.

Expanded Reach: In the age of social media and sharing, video content has a greater potential to go viral and reach a wider audience. Engaging videos are more likely to be shared, increasing your brand’s visibility and attracting new viewers and potential customers.

Increased Conversion Rates: Studies have shown that including video on landing pages or in marketing emails can significantly increase conversion rates. Video has a way of capturing attention, keeping viewers engaged, and compelling them to take action.

Highlight Humans: Take Pictures at Your Events

In the digital age, where everything seems to happen online, it’s important not to forget the power of in-person connections. Events provide a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, showcase your brand, and create memorable experiences. And what better way to capture those moments than by taking pictures?

When you host or participate in events, whether it’s a conference, trade show, workshop, or even a casual gathering, make sure to have someone dedicated to capturing the highlights. These photographs not only serve as mementos for attendees but also become valuable assets for your marketing efforts.

Sharing event photos on your website, social media platforms, and other marketing channels humanizes your brand and gives your audience a glimpse into the real people behind it. It adds a personal touch and helps build trust and familiarity with your audience.

So, don’t be shy to whip out your camera or hire a professional photographer to capture the energy, excitement, and human connections at your events. Let those pictures tell a story and make your brand come alive.

Get Sales Involved: Marketing Serves Sales – Let Them Talk to Each Other

Marketing and sales are two sides of the same coin, and their collaboration is crucial for driving business growth. By fostering a strong relationship between your marketing and sales teams, you create a seamless customer journey and maximize your conversion opportunities.

Encourage regular communication and collaboration between the marketing and sales departments. This can be achieved through joint meetings, shared insights and data, and even cross-training sessions.

Marketing can provide valuable information and resources to support the sales team, such as targeted content, lead generation strategies, and customer insights. On the other hand, the sales team can provide valuable feedback and insights from direct customer interactions, helping to refine marketing messages and strategies.

When marketing and sales work together harmoniously, it creates a powerful synergy that boosts the overall effectiveness of your business. It aligns your messaging, ensures a consistent customer experience, and ultimately drives revenue growth.

So, break down those silos, encourage collaboration, and let marketing and sales teams talk to each other. Together, they can unlock new opportunities, improve customer engagement, and drive business success.

Interested in Learning More About Outsourced Marketing?

Give us a call or shoot us a message to schedule your Brand Storytelling Session today.Read on to learn more about why organic marketing is especially great for financial services companies.

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How Can I Get More Clients Through Marketing?

Are you eager to level up your client acquisition game? It’s time to delve into the captivating realm of marketing and unlock the secrets to attracting a flood of new clients. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a budding entrepreneur, our treasure trove of insights and strategies is here to equip you with the tools you need for success. 

From building a strong brand voice to harnessing the latest digital trends, get ready to revolutionize your marketing efforts and witness your client base soar to new heights!

Consistency in Brand Voice: Aligning Expectations

Imagine expecting a casual chat with a friend but ending up talking to your dad. Awkward, right? In the business world, a similar situation can arise if your brand’s voice isn’t consistent. When prospects interact with your sales team, their experience should match the expectations formed through various marketing channels. Consistency in your brand’s voice goes beyond words; it encompasses tone, personality, and messaging style that define your brand identity.

Fostering Trust and Reliability

Consistency in your brand’s voice is vital to meet the expectations of your prospects and customers. It builds trust, credibility, and reliability. When your messaging aligns seamlessly across all touchpoints—ads, social media, website, and sales calls—it creates a cohesive and memorable experience. This demonstrates your deep understanding of your brand’s identity and purpose.

Achieving Consistency: Define, Train, and Review

To achieve consistency, start by clearly defining your brand’s personality and values. Determine whether it’s playful and witty or professional and authoritative, and reflect this personality in all your communications. Train your sales team to embody and communicate your brand’s voice by providing guidelines and examples. Regularly review and audit your marketing materials to ensure alignment. Remember, consistency doesn’t mean being monotonous; it means creatively expressing your brand’s personality within established boundaries.

Your Website: The Hub of Your Brand’s Universe

Now, let’s talk about your website—the central hub of your online presence. Think of it as your brand’s home base, where all the magic happens.

Blogs

Blogs have the power to inform and inspire, capturing the attention of both humans and search engine bots. As a valuable source of information, blogs offer insights, perspectives, and valuable content that engages your target audience.

Webinars or Podcasts

 Hosting webinars or producing podcast episodes allows you to delve deeper into industry topics, provide expert insights, and engage with your audience in real-time or through on-demand recordings. These formats facilitate knowledge sharing, foster discussions, and establish you as a thought leader in your field.

Videos

 Visual storytelling through videos is an effective way to captivate your audience. Create engaging video content that showcases your products or services, provides educational tutorials, shares customer success stories, or highlights behind-the-scenes glimpses of your brand.

Let’s chat more about how videos can help you get more clients through marketing. 

Lights, Camera, Action! Videos for Thought Leadership and Engagement

Speaking of videos, they are a powerful tool for showcasing thought leadership, connecting with your audience on social media, and boosting your search engine rankings. Videos bring your brand to life, capturing attention and fostering interaction. Whether it’s a tutorial, an interview, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse, videos can communicate your brand’s personality in a way that written content sometimes can’t. So, don’t miss out on the video trend—embrace it and let your brand shine!

Let’s Talk About Emails: The Power of Direct Communication

Informing Clients: Emails to Clients to Tell Them What You Do (They Don’t Know… Trust us, They Don’t.) 

Sending emails to your existing clients is like a secret weapon for blowing their minds with the amazing things your business has to offer. Believe it or not, even your most loyal clients may not be aware of the full range of your capabilities. So, it’s time to shine a spotlight on your products, services, and updates! Educate and inform them about how your offerings can benefit them in ways they never imagined. Get ready to unleash the power of surprise and delight!

Engaging Prospects: The Subject Lines Need to be Attention Grabbing for Cold Prospects

Picture this: a crowded inbox filled with endless emails vying for attention. How can you stand out from the pack? The answer lies in crafting subject lines that rock their world! When reaching out to cold prospects, your subject line becomes your superpower. It’s the key that unlocks the gateway to your email and captures their curiosity. So, let your creative juices flow and tailor your subject lines to be irresistibly intriguing. Get ready to make them click and open that email with a smile!

Make Every Click Count

But hold on a minute! While it’s tempting to bombard your audience with click-through links galore, it’s crucial to avoid overwhelming them. Rapid-fire click-throughs can trigger security firewalls and make your email and social links lose that personal touch. Instead, focus on providing a deep and meaningful experience for your readers. Nurture their attention and make every click count.

Learn how to make your marketing emails not suck, here.

Stay Top of Mind: Retargeting Ads Done Right

As your website traffic grows (ideally surpassing 1,000 visitors per month), it’s time to consider retargeting ads. These ads help keep your brand at the forefront of your audience’s minds. After all, it’s easy for people to get distracted, and a gentle reminder can make all the difference. So, when the time is right, set up those retargeting campaigns and let your brand stay top of mind.

Unleashing the Potential: The Synergy of Integrated Marketing

In the realm of marketing, every component of your strategy should harmoniously work together towards a common goal. Take, for instance, your emails—the vital channels that connect you with your clients. They serve as more than just communication tools; they offer a golden opportunity to educate your audience about your offerings, especially when they may not fully grasp your value proposition. Embrace this chance to captivate, engage, and leave a lasting impression on their minds.

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day: Marketing Takes Time and Participation

Here’s an important reminder: marketing takes time. Don’t expect overnight success or an instant influx of leads. Building a strong brand presence and cultivating relationships require patience and persistence. Consistency is key, so keep showing up and delivering value to your audience. Remember, you have to

Active Participation: Engaging and Connecting

To make a real impact, it’s not just about broadcasting your message. Actively engage with your audience and participate in meaningful interactions. Encourage discussions, respond to comments, and seek feedback. By actively participating, you create a sense of community and forge deeper connections with your audience. Show them that their voices matter and that you value their input.

Marketing: It’s What We Do Best

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, Monday emails, and content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening, always.

We have monthly reporting where we let you know what the return on investment that you’re getting is from your relationship with us.

Of course, there’s always a team member available to you just a call, email, or even text away. Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve been told on multiple occasions that our bi-weekly calls are their favorite calls!

Happy with the direction we’re headed in? We’ll keep running that way. Want to tweak something? More than happy to adjust.

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick*** 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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How to Write Search Engine Optimized Blogs Using ChatGPT

how to use chatgpt

Heads up, Google. The search engine game just got a whole lot more interesting.

No, seriously – this time we mean it.

Meet ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), the big-shot language learning model that’s ready to shake things up. With its cutting-edge technology, ChatGPT can help content creators tackle everything from developing compelling topics to streamlining research and even mimicking brand voice. 

Keep reading to find out why ChatGPT is quickly becoming the not-so-secret weapon for content writers and marketers alike and how you can use it to optimize your blog content.

First, What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is the perfect AI-powered companion for bloggers and marketers who need to create high-quality content efficiently. It is based on OpenAI’s powerful GPT-3 platform, giving it the ability to assist with a variety of SEO tasks.

So, how can you make the most of this innovative tool? Let’s begin by exploring how ChatGPT can help you with the essentials of blog writing. Once we have covered that, we’ll delve into more advanced features that can take your writing to the next level.

How to Use ChatGPT to Write Optimized Blogs: The Basics

Keywords

When it comes to SEO, choosing the right keywords is essential. With ChatGPT, you can generate a list of relevant keywords to incorporate into your blog content. 

How to Craft Keywords with ChatGPT:

Simply provide the tool with a topic, and it will suggest a range of related keywords to include in your writing. By using these keywords strategically throughout your content, you can improve your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages.

Topics and Headlines

One of the most challenging aspects of blogging is coming up with fresh, engaging topics and headlines. Fortunately, ChatGPT can help with this too. With this handy tool at your fingertips, you’ll never run out of ideas for your next blog post.

How to Develop Topics and Headlines:

Input a few keywords related to your niche or industry and ChatGPT can generate a list of potential blog topics and attention-grabbing headlines. Or, do you have a blog that’s ready to be published but you’re struggling to come up with a catchy and memorable title? Don’t worry, you can turn to ChatGPT for help! Simply copy and paste your content into the platform and ask, “What should I title this blog?” and let ChatGPT generate some ideas for you.

*Tip: Include the tone you want when asking for a blog title. 

Outlines

Outlining your blog posts can help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your writing flows smoothly. With ChatGPT, you can generate an outline for your blog post, complete with suggested subheadings and bullet points. 

How to Build Blog Outlines with ChatGPT:

With the flexibility to include your preferred discussion points and contextual information, you can expect to receive a thorough and organized outline that will serve as a reliable guide. Simply provide ChatGPT with your topic and requested outline format, and watch as the tool effortlessly delivers a tailored outline that caters to your needs.

Research 

In addition to generating keywords, topics, headlines, and outlines, ChatGPT can also be a useful tool for conducting research. Whether you’re writing a blog post on a new topic or need to gather information to support your arguments, ChatGPT can help you find reliable sources.

How to Conduct Research with ChatGPT:

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask; simply input a question or topic and ChatGPT will answer. You should look over and fact check these answers but, generally, most responses are a good starting point for research. 

Let’s take a look at what the tool answered when I asked about B2B vs B2C Marketing.

As you can see, ChatGPT produced an accurate description that answered my question and would be helpful in starting a blog.

ChatGPT can provide an answer as well as a list of relevant sources, including articles, blog posts, and research papers. You can also use the tool to generate summaries of these sources, making it easier to quickly scan through the information and find what you need. 

Making Your Writing Better

Yes – We said better! You can input a piece of writing into a tool with the prompt “make this better: [Insert text here]” and watch as it transforms your text.

At Digital Storyteller, we use this function to quickly enhance our writing in several ways. Need to clarify a point? Try “make this more clear.” Want to sound more professional? Use “make this more formal.” Looking to create a more conversational tone? Go for “make this more casual.” If you want to make your writing more comprehensible, just use the prompt “make this easier to understand” with your input text.

By using these prompts, adjusting your writing has never been easier or more efficient.

Now, Let’s Get to the Good Stuff: The Details

Additionally, as any SEO pro knows, the devil is in the details when it comes to writing blogs that rank high on search engines. That’s why it’s essential to pay attention to key elements like maintaining a consistent tone throughout your content and using the active voice whenever possible.

However, keeping track of all these details can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially for non-professional writers. Enter, ChatGPT.

Let’s discuss how we can use this  tool to help writers fine-tune their content and optimize SEO efforts. 

Adjusting Tone

One of the most impressive features of ChatGPT is its ability to adjust tone to match your brand voice. Whether you want your content to sound professional, conversational, or somewhere in between, ChatGPT can help you strike the right tone. This means that you can maintain a consistent brand voice across all of your blog content, helping to build trust and recognition with your audience.

How to Adjust Tone using ChatGPT:

Paste a paragraph or two of your choosing into the tool and tell it who you are, your audience, and what tone you are going for. With no context, this is what ChatGPT may come up with something like the following:

But, if we add a little context and ask for a specific tone and we get this:

While we may not use every suggestion provided, it’s a great starting point and gives us inspiration for how we can begin our blog. 

Active Voice

Using active voice in your blog posts can help make your writing more clear, concise, and engaging for your readers. It can also be beneficial for SEO, as search engines tend to favor content written in active voice over passive voice.

How to Say Goodbye to Passive Voice in your Blogs:

You can paste sections or the whole blog into the tool and ask “Are any of these sentences using passive voice?” The tool will then give you a list, which you can alter using a prompt such as “make the above sentences with passive voice into statements with active voice.”

Things to Note: What ChatGPT Can’t Do and What to Look out For

Firstly, the information ChatGPT provides might not always be the most up-to-date since it was trained only until 2021. Moreover, its responses are limited to 500 words in length, and it leans towards a formal tone if you don’t specify a tone to use. So, if that doesn’t match your brand voice, keep an eye out for that!

You might also notice that Chat GPT occasionally repeats itself due to its machine learning algorithms. But don’t worry, our solution is simple: we always have a human read over every piece of content that Chat GPT produces to make sure it’s spot-on.

Despite these limitations, Chat GPT remains an incredibly useful resource for generating informative and entertaining content. Just keep in mind its boundaries and use it wisely, and you’ll be able to take full advantage of its capabilities.

A Final Word

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for bloggers and marketers looking to optimize their content for search engines. With its AI technology, ChatGPT can suggest targeted keywords, develop attention-grabbing headlines, create outlines, conduct research, and even adjust the tone of your writing to match your brand voice. By incorporating ChatGPT into your content creation and optimization process, you can streamline your workflow, save time, and improve your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages. So, what are you waiting for? Give ChatGPT a try and take your blog content to the next level.Interested in finding out more? 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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B2B vs. B2C Marketing: What’s the Difference?

sign pointing one way to b2b marketing and the other way to b2c marketing

Business-to-business (B2B) companies know that their business-to-consumer (B2C) counterparts invest thousands in marketing every month and see great ROI.

Yet, B2B companies consistently underperform when adopting the same strategies as those consumer-facing brands.

WHY? Because (shocker!) B2B marketing is different from B2C marketing.

In this article, we will highlight the differences between B2B marketing vs. B2C marketing, as well as why we start with organic content long before we encourage our clients to invest in pricey ad campaigns.

What is B2B Marketing?

Business-to-business marketing, more commonly known as B2B marketing, is the process of selling products or services to other businesses. This can include anything from office supplies to software, to industrial equipment.

B2B marketing is usually more complex than B2C marketing, as it involves more decision-makers and requires a deeper understanding of the needs of businesses. 

Moreover, B2B marketing budgets are usually larger than B2C marketing budgets, as businesses have more money to spend on products and services.

What is B2C Marketing?

Business-to-consumer marketing, or B2C marketing, is the process of selling products or services to consumers. This can include anything from clothing to cosmetics, to appliances.

B2C marketing is typically more focused on emotion and creating a personal connection with consumers, while B2B marketing is more focused on logic and rational decision-making.

B2C marketing often has a shorter sales cycle than B2B marketing, as businesses take less time to make decisions about purchases.

What’s the Difference Between B2B vs B2C Marketing?

So, what’s the difference between B2B and B2C marketing? Here are a few key points to recap:

  • B2B marketing is usually more complex than B2C marketing, as it involves more decision-makers and requires a deeper understanding of the needs of businesses.
  • B2C marketing is typically more focused on emotion and creating a personal connection with consumers, while B2B marketing is more focused on logic and rational decision-making.
  • B2B marketing often has a longer sales cycle than B2C marketing, as businesses take more time to make decisions about purchases.
  • B2B marketing budgets are usually larger than B2C marketing budgets, as businesses have more money to spend on products and services.

Why Do We Focus on B2B Clients at Digital Storyteller?

At Digital Storyteller, we focus on marketing for B2B financial services companies. 

Why? Because we recognized a need and a gap in industry offerings. After all, there are plenty of agencies out there who spend their time on biotech, startups, and influencer marketing—but not a lot who spend their time with financial services.

We love to focus on this niche—using the “Digital Storyteller Hierarchy of Marketing”—because it’s a competitive and unique industry to market for.

Those in the financial services industry navigate the difficult terrain of regulatory and compliance hurdles while seeking to successfully market their products and services. This considered, it’s essential that financial services companies seek out the right marketing for their businesses.

Interested in learning more? Read on in “The Importance of Digital Marketing for Financial Services.”

A Final Word

So, there you have it! A brief overview of the difference between B2B marketing and B2C marketing. Keep these key points in mind when planning your marketing strategy, and you’ll be sure to appeal to the right audience.

Interested in finding out more? 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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Why Do We Call Our Company “Digital Storyteller?”

black and white question marks

(No, it’s not “Digital Storytellers…”)

So, what’s the story behind our digital marketing agency’s name? “Digital Storyteller” wasn’t the first name that our Founder, Amanda Rogers, came up with. The first name was, well… An interesting choice, to say the least.

But there’s a great story behind it!

Hear it from Amanda Rogers, Owner and Chief Creative Officer, and Andrew Marr, Owner and CEO in the video below.

The Original Name: “Design and Harmony”

Back in 2020, our company was small but mighty. It also was NOT called Digital Storyteller, yet!

It was, instead, called “Design and Harmony.” Here’s why according to Amanda:

“My mother was on Broadway when I was 10… I spent every night backstage on Broadway listening to Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters do Sunday in the Park with George.”

Amanda thinks back to the musical… “The play opens with the orchestra swells, and Mandy Patinkin is standing in the middle of a blank stage, and he says…”

“‘White, a blank page, or canvas, the challenge to bring order to the whole through design, composition, form, balance, light, and harmony.’”

And so, Amanda named our company “Design and Harmony.”

Why? Well, a website is like a blank page or canvas, says Amanda. “The challenge is to bring order to the whole through design, composition, form, balance, light, and harmony.”

The Switch to Digital Storyteller

Although a beautiful story, no one has time to tell it every time we tell them our company name. Thus, Andrew came up with the name “Digital Storyteller.”

Why? It is, at its simplest form, what we do: Tell stories in a digital format.

Interested in learning more about the team? Check out this article to see what a day in the life of an organic marketing team looks like.

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The Importance of Website Audits

desktop and laptop on desk used for website audits

Most often at Digital Storyteller, we begin our client engagements with either updating or building a new website (after a Brand Storytelling Session, of course!)

After this, we typically begin ongoing content marketing for clients.

What we have found, however, is that when we go straight into ongoing content marketing—without a website refresh or build—we need to complete a website audit.

But why? What is a website audit, and why is this process so important? Let’s discuss.

What is a Website Audit?

We’re not going to lie to you… A website audit is no easy feat. It takes TIME.

A website audit, or a site audit, is a total analysis of all the factors that affect a site’s visibility in search engines (AKA, does it show up in Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc… What keywords does your site rank for? How does it appear?)

A website audit gives insight into how your site is showing up in organic search and how it’s performing.

Below is a shorthand list of everything WE do when we audit a site at Digital Storyteller.

What is Included in a Website Audit?

At Digital Storyteller, our SEO team checks the following:

Plugins

  • Is Yoast SEO installed?
  • Are existing plugins up to date?
  • Are auto-updates enabled?

Google Setup

  • Review Google Analytics
  • Is the UA code enabled? 
  • Has a GA4 property been created? 
  • Review Google Search Console for coverage errors, manual actions, etc.
  • Is the Google Search Console property verified?
  • Has Google My Business been set up?
  • Has Google My Business been verified?

On-Page SEO

Are the following intact?

  • Meta description
  • Keyphrase
  • Headers (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
  • SEO title

Media

  • Have all photos been titled properly?
  • Does each photo have alt text?
  • Are there captions or descriptions on photos that shouldn’t be?

Blog Posts

  • Are the correct categories selected?
  • Have we included internal links? External links?
  • Is there an excerpt present?

How Long Does a Website Audit Take?

The length of a web audit depends on how many people are conducting the audit, how quickly they work, as well as the size of your website.

A true website audit typically takes anywhere from two to six weeks to complete.

Remember, you want your audit to be thorough and worthwhile, which is why it may take so long.

Why Are Website Audits Important?

So, why are website audits important?

According to Devin Aubert, our amazing SEO Manager, website audits are crucial to ensuring your site’s health is maintained.

“Routine website audits support your site’s authority score and overall search performance,” says Aubert. “By maintaining a high level of site health, you can be sure that your site is accessible to users and functioning correctly.”

After all, who wants to use a slow, janky website?

When it comes to websites, first impressions really DO matter.

Did you know that it takes about 50 milliseconds (that’s 0.05 seconds!) for users to form an opinion about your website?

This opinion ultimately determines whether they’ll stay or leave… This considered, the functionality of your website is EXTREMELY important. You don’t want to lose out on prospects because your website isn’t working correctly or is difficult to navigate.

A Final Word of Advice

Finally, a word of advice from Andrew Marr, Owner, and CEO of Digital Storyteller:

“Website audits are crucial. Make sure that your website is optimized for traffic before you go down the road of producing fantastic content… It will save you time and money.”

Interested in learning more about what a website audit or rebuild might look like for you? Take a look at our pricing and then get in touch with our team.

Or, for those interested in reading on, check out the following website-related articles:

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Social Media for Financial Services Companies

Social Media for Financial Services Companies

The use of social media in financial services is often disputed. Some believe that social media does not hold the same value for business-to-business (B2B) brands as it does in the business-to-consumer (B2C) market.

This, however, is not the case.

While it may be true that B2C companies are often more successful on social media than B2B companies, there are still a multitude of various reasons why building a social media presence benefits a financial services company.

Take it from our Social Media Team at Digital Storyteller: “A marketing strategy without social media is like a margarita without tequila. No one wants that!”

In this article, we’re detailing the key benefits of using social media marketing for financial services companies.

1. Strengthen Existing Relationships

One of the greatest benefits for all businesses to developing a social media presence is to strengthen their existing client relationships.

This may refer to:

  • Engaging with existing or past clients, or
  • Nurturing relationships with contacts that have yet to become clients

Either way, social media networks provide a platform to maintain relationships.

Email marketing and consistent calls are of course another option to nurture relationships! These methods, however, have the potential to get irritating rather quickly.

While blasting your clients’ inboxes with emails may lead them to the dreaded unsubscribe button, they may not feel the need to take such drastic measures when their level of engagement is the casual viewing of sporadic Instagram posts.

Social media provides a relaxed addition to your existing client nurturing process while additionally providing a platform to develop new relationships.

2. Build Trust 

In the same way that Google evaluates content for SEO purposes, viewers evaluate clients based on their authority and expertise. Developing a depth of content on social platforms provides potential clients an opportunity to review your level of expertise within your field.

Over time, existing clientele and prospective clients will likely begin to follow your accounts and engage with your content. Engagement with your content shows that you have a proven following and support system that trusts your business.

Read on to learn more about Instagram engagement.

3. Provide Customer Support 

Social media has turned into an easy, new line of communication.

It has become common for consumers to utilize social media to gain support and answers from companies rather than going through their traditional customer service channels. Various social media platforms provide space where clients are comfortable and familiar.

It is easier for a client to tag, tweet, or comment on a company’s latest post than it is to sit on hold with the customer service line for hours trying to solicit help… No, thanks!

Companies love to see their favorite clients and prospects engaging with them on a personal level through social media. Brands that engage and respond to their clients on social media have overall higher customer satisfaction ratings. 

It’s 2022, your clients are on social media—and your competitors are, too.

The truth of the matter is: Brands are expected to have a social presence.

Giving your clients an additional outlet to contact you offers them the support and guidance they’re looking for.

After all, your product or service already serves to solve a problem that they’re facing. Why not fix another one by making yourself more accessible?

4. Humanize Your Brand 

In a sense, this goes along with the previously mentioned need for customer support. Making your brand available on social media is like positioning yourself as their friend. Social media platforms were created to connect friends and share experiences, so why can’t the same be the case with brands?!

Social platforms allow your brand to share a behind-the-scenes look at the people that make your brand what it is. For example, our co-founders, Andrew Marr and Amanda Rogers, each have their series of relevant videos that we share weekly.

Not only do these videos “share the secret sauce” behind our brand, but they also give our viewers insight into the faces behind the brand! Plus, who doesn’t love a chardonnay review!?

The same may also be the case with your brand. Finding a way to interact with your clients on an informal basis allows them to consider you a friend or peer. It creates a relationship of trust and mutual respect: Two things you definitely want in your client relationships.

5. Gain Insight

Lastly, being engaged on social media allows your brand to gain insight. Be it consumer or competitive insights, social media functions as a reporting platform. 

The way that consumers engage with your social media account can tell you about their buying behavior, likes, dislikes, and needs.

Instagram, for example, has transitioned its functionality to operate similarly to a search engine for users. Tracking the views of your page, accounts reached, post likes, comments, shares, and saves can provide significant insight into how your brand is performing.

Read on for our article “What is Going on With the Instagram Algorithm!?”

Similar claims can be said about your competitors. One of the benefits of public social media accounts is that you can track insight into your competitors’ content. As they provide content for their followers, you have a front-row seat to see what they’re doing!

A Final Word

If your brand is already on social media, there are additional ways to ensure that you are optimizing your channels. This is particularly the case for financial services companies interacting on social media.

Check out this article for additional tips on the use of social media for financial services companies!

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