Social media can be a valuable marketing tool for a brand, but only if you have a strong social media strategy in place. Read on for the social media guidelines we recommend to all of our clients.
Fostering That Little Brand Voice In Your Head
Think about an engaging character from a television show or movie. What about them is memorable for you? Is it the way they hold their own during a conflict or how they talk (and laugh) just like you do when you’re hanging with your best friends? Is their sarcastic wit comforting and familiar or does it trigger a response of unease? When we immerse ourselves in entertainment, we come to feel like we know the characters as if they were real people in our lives. The same can be true of the brands we love.
The What and Why of Core Values for Your Brand
I was recently asked why defining core values is important to an organization, and more specifically, how they influence a brand. I would counter, what’s the purpose in existing as an organization if core values aren’t driving it? While profitability and stakeholder responsibilities are what keep the lights on for any company, core values are what support the vision, define company culture and help align an organization and the people who work there.
What’s In a Name? (More Than You Think!)
I recently had the opportunity to lead a branding discussion at the Maryland Innovation Center and, amongst all of the great questions, one in particular stood out to me and my team, “What’s the story behind your name, insight180?” Honestly, I love it when people ask about our name. It gives us an opportunity to elaborate on who we are, how we’ve evolved, and who we’re becoming. It helps us tell our unique story, something we really appreciate in a good brand name. A good name can do many things: evoke an emotion (like trust or confidence); relay a purpose; create some fun and elicit curiosity. Still, other brand names may be less than inspiring but too established to change (like GEICO – what the heck does that even mean?).
5 Brand Refresh Do’s and Don’ts to Keep You Focused
Building a successful brand – like the business it represents – is not unlike training for a race. It’s more of a marathon than a sprint. You’re not going to break out of the gate at top speed. Instead, you’ll build a steady, sustainable pace that gets you closer and closer to that finish line so that when the time comes, you can finish strong.
6 ways to refresh your brand and marketing for Millennial decision makers
Millennials, anyone born between 1981 and 1996, are aged 25 to 40 in 2021. They are the most-studied generation in history, under the scrutiny of the Pew Research Center, among others, for well more than a decade. Much has been said about their social/digital abilities and ties; their belief that work is about outcomes, not daily schedules; their penchant to buy experiences over things; and that the brands they love must be doing good in the world. There are also numerous insights on how to attract, retain, and develop Millennial employees.
8 Email Marketing Stats Small Businesses Need to Know for 2021
It seems that we get more and more emails every day. Still, email remains a crucial channel for engaging with clients and an effective tool for driving sales. We pulled together some of the top marketing statistics from Constant Contact, MyEmma, and MailChimp group email service providers. Here are eight tips to help you get the most from your small business email marketing program.
7 TIPS TO HELP CLARIFY YOUR BRAND (AND WHY IT MATTERS)
As a business owner, you already know that to serve your clients best, you must first understand them. Chances are, you do. You’ve crunched the numbers, analyzed the data, and modified your products or services time and time again to get them exactly where you need them to be. Or, rather, you’ve refined your services to specifically meet the needs of your clients.
How to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse with Your Brand Refresh
Years ago, I bought a new-to-me car. When we arrived at the dealer to pick it up, they were ready. The car was spotless. Workers gave balloons to our young sons and shook hands with my husband and me. A few days later, we received a “Welcome to the Family” card in the mail, congratulating us on our auto selection and inviting us to join the fan club – complete with a tin of cookies! Surely, there could be no doubt that we made a smart purchasing decision.
How to Know When It’s Time to Update Your WordPress Website
You’ve had that inkling that it’s time for a refresh. Your brand consultant tells you that your site is more than six years old. You just learned that the most recent version of WordPress has caused a compatibility issue with your theme or plugins. Your plugin updates are starting to send errors to you. Or it just looks outdated and unappealing. Any one of these is good reason to pay close attention.
Social Media Made Simple: 2020 Blueprint
Social media is ever-changing. The networking platforms’ newsfeed algorithms are constantly shifting. Topic and engagement trends evolve quickly. And because social media platforms are frequently updating their layouts, recommended dimensions for profile, cover and other images can change on a whim… it can be tough for social media marketers to keep up and optimized.
A Social Hermit’s Guide to Social Media
I’m a big believer in social media for business. Nearly half of the world’s population uses social media and if your company doesn’t have a social presence, you’re missing a huge opportunity to connect with customers. It’s a cost-effective — and effective — way to help your company grow.
