The Search To Find The Perfect Marketing Agency

Published October 17, 2023

So you’re interested in working with a marketing agency! That is great to hear. First off, simply because you are reading our blog post and we happen to be a marketing agency, but also because we want to make sure that you find an agency that is the perfect fit for your business. It may not be us and that is OK! But what we want to do is make sure you have the tools and resources to find that perfect agency. Here’s how.

What is a Marketing Agency?

A marketing agency is a company that provides various marketing services to businesses and organizations. These services can include:

  • Market research
  • Advertising
  • Branding
  • Video production
  • Photography
  • Social media management 
  • And so much more! 

Marketing agencies work with their clients to develop strategies and campaigns that will help them reach their target audiences and achieve their marketing goals. They should also provide analytics and reporting to help their clients measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. 

Some marketing agencies specialize in specific industries or types of marketing, while others offer a wide range of services to clients in various fields. Overall, the goal of a marketing agency is to help its clients promote their products or services and increase their brand awareness and sales and become one with their client’s brand.

How Working With An Agency Can Benefit Your Business

Working with a marketing agency can provide many benefits for your business. Since a marketing agency is a team of professionals who specialize in promoting and growing businesses through various marketing channels, you not only get one person but a whole team to work on your account. Here are some reasons why you should consider working with a marketing agency:

  1. Expertise: Marketing agencies have a team of experts who specialize in different areas of marketing, such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, content marketing, and more. By working with a marketing agency, you can tap into their expertise and get access to the latest marketing strategies and techniques.
  2. Cost-effective: Hiring an in-house marketing team can be expensive, especially for small businesses. By working with a marketing agency, you can get access to a team of marketing professionals at a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house team.
  3. Save time: Marketing can be time-consuming, especially if you don’t have the expertise or resources to do it effectively. By working with a marketing agency, you can free up your time and focus on other important aspects of your business.
  4. Results-driven: Marketing agencies are focused on delivering results for their clients. They will work with you to set goals and create a customized marketing plan to help you achieve those goals.
  5. Stay ahead of the competition: A marketing agency can help you stay ahead of the competition by keeping up with the latest marketing trends and tactics. They will ensure that your business is using the most effective marketing strategies to reach your target audience and grow your business.

Where Do I Look to Find A Marketing Agency?

Finding the right marketing agency can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be much easier. The first step is to determine your needs and goals for this agency. Then, you can begin your search by asking for referrals from colleagues or friends who have used marketing agencies before. You can also search online for marketing agencies in your area and read reviews from their past clients. Here are some top websites to start your hunt on:

Once you have a list of potential agencies, start by checking their website and social media networks to see if their style and expertise match your needs. It’s important to schedule a meeting or phone call with the agency to discuss your goals and evaluate their experience and approach. Be sure to ask about their pricing structure, timeline, and success rates with similar projects.

The Bottom Line

Overall, working with a marketing agency can be a great investment for your business. It can help you save time and money, while also delivering results and helping you stay ahead of the competition. Ultimately, the right marketing agency for you will be one that understands your business and can help you achieve your goals in a creative and effective way. Take your time and do your research to find the perfect fit for your needs.

4 Great Content Ideas for Any Social Media

Published August 30, 2023

Coming up with fresh and engaging ideas for social media content can be a challenge, but it’s crucial for building an active and loyal following. Luckily, there are plenty of options to inspire your creativity and keep your audience interested. 

To make the most of social media, it is important to have a strategy in place. Determine the platforms that are most relevant to your business and target audience and create a content calendar to ensure you are consistently sharing engaging and informative posts. Consider showcasing employee stories, team outings, and company events to give followers a glimpse into your company’s culture. 

Here are some fun content ideas to consider.

Idea #1: Employee Spotlights

Social media platforms present a valuable opportunity for businesses to showcase their employees’ achievements, share their unique stories, and promote their professional expertise. By featuring your employees on social media, you can effectively demonstrate that you value their contributions to the company, while also creating a sense of community within your organization.

Additionally, sharing your employees’ accomplishments can help to build trust and credibility with your outside of the office audience. When your followers see that your employees are knowledgeable and passionate about their work, they are more likely to trust your brand and become loyal customers. When they get to know the employees a bit more, they become real instead of just workers behind the scenes. This can help build a more united marriage of purchasing power for the buyer as they know their purchase is helping these employees too.

Posting about your employees on social media can also help to attract top talent to your organization. By showcasing your company culture and the accomplishments of your employees, you can position your business as an attractive place to work and attract candidates who share your values and goals.

Overall, featuring your employees on social media can be a powerful tool for building your brand, strengthening your community, growing engagement and attracting top talent to your organization.

Idea #2: Company Culture

Utilizing social media to showcase your company’s culture, values and personality can help create a strong brand identity and connect with your audience. By having a strategy in place and consistently sharing engaging content, you can build a community of loyal followers who are invested in your company’s success.

Here are a few ideas for posts that can show off your company culture:

  • Share photos or videos from company events, such as team-building activities, volunteer work, or celebrations.
  • Highlight individual employees or teams who are doing great work or embodying your company values (see Idea #1).
  • Share stories or testimonials from customers or partners who have had positive experiences with your company.
  • Show off your company’s unique office space, perks, or amenities.
  • Share blog posts, articles, or videos that align with your company values or interests.

Remember, the key to showcasing your company culture on social media is authenticity. Don’t be afraid to show your personality and let your values shine through. By doing so, you can attract like-minded customers and employees who will help your business thrive.

Idea #3: This or That Posts

“This or That” posts are a great way to engage your audience and encourage them to interact with your social media content. These posts typically present the audience with two options and ask them to choose between them. Here are a few tips for creating effective “This or That” posts:

  1. Keep it simple: Make sure your options are clear and easy to understand. Avoid using complex language or confusing terminology.
  2. Stay on-brand: Make sure your options are relevant to your brand and audience. For example, if you’re a food blogger, you might ask your audience to choose between pizza or tacos.
  3. Use visuals: Including images or graphics with your post can make it more eye-catching and encourage more engagement.
  4. Keep it fun: “This or That” posts are a great opportunity to inject some personality and humor into your social media content. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with your options!

“This or That” posts are a great way to spark conversation and engagement with your audience. Just remember to keep it simple, relevant, and fun!

Idea #4: Milestone Posts

Milestone posts on social media are a great way to celebrate your company’s achievements and engage with your followers. While they might seem a bit self-serving, they are a great way to allow your followers to easily engage and connect with you. Here are some tips on how to write effective milestone posts:

  1. Start with a catchy headline: Grab the attention of your audience with a headline that highlights your achievement. For example, “We’ve reached 10,000 followers on Instagram!” or “Celebrating 5 years in business!”
  2. Share the story behind the milestone: People love to hear the story behind your success. Share what led to this milestone and any challenges you faced along the way. This will make your post more relatable and humanize your brand.
  3. Include visuals: Visuals are a great way to make your milestone post stand out. Share photos or videos that showcase your achievement. You can also create graphics or infographics that highlight your stats.
  4. Thank your followers: Your milestone wouldn’t be possible without the support of your followers. Make sure to thank them for their support and let them know how much you appreciate them.
  5. Call to action: Encourage your followers to engage with your post by asking them to share their own stories or thoughts in the comments. This will help increase engagement and build a sense of community around your brand.

By following these tips, you can create effective milestone posts that resonate with your followers.

The Bottom Line

Content doesn’t always have to be super serious, but it can be fun! Marketing can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to get creative and showcase your brand’s personality. When done right, marketing can be an engaging and entertaining way to connect with your audience and increase brand awareness.

One of the most fun aspects of marketing is coming up with creative campaigns and ideas. Whether it’s a funny video, a catchy slogan, or an interactive social media campaign, there are endless possibilities for making marketing both entertaining and effective. Plus, it’s always satisfying to see your hard work pay off with increased engagement and sales. Be sure to respond to comments and engage with your audience to foster a sense of community and build brand loyalty. Good luck growing those social media pages and creating fun content along the way!

In Store Shopping Versus Online Shopping: How Shopping Has Changed in This Lifetime

Published July 25, 2023

This blog was influenced by a mall close to True Fit Marketing called Century 3 Mall. This mall was quite a gem in its heyday. And then, like a lot of similar malls, it started to die. Now it is abandoned and has been for years. The local government associations are now trying to figure out what to do with the crumbling and dilapidated structure. There have been fires, break-ins, flooding, ceiling collapsing and many more issues. It is time to tear it down, but that costs money. It also costs money to keep the building up to code even though it is empty. Quite the predicament in this era of online shopping. Is there a mall like this near you?

 

Who scored some great deals a couple weeks ago during Amazon’s Prime Days? Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and a whole bunch of other retailers rode the coattails of one of Amazon’s biggest online sales days every year (besides Black Friday). It’s amazing how convenient technology has made shopping these days. With the option to shop online, people can now order everything they need from the comfort of their own homes. Some stores even offer delivery services, making it even easier for shoppers to get what they need without ever leaving the house.

The emergence of online shopping has transformed the retail industry and has forced brick and mortar shopping centers and stores to adjust their marketing strategies. In person shopping centers and stores now need to focus on creating unique experiences for customers that cannot be replicated online. This includes offering a variety of entertainment options, hosting events, and providing personalized services. Additionally, brick and mortar shops need to enhance their online presence by developing user-friendly websites and social media pages that engage with customers. To attract and retain customers in the digital age, shopping centers should adapt to the changing retail landscape. This can be achieved by implementing strategies that incorporate technology, such as offering online ordering and curbside pickup options. Additionally, creating unique experiences within the shopping center, such as hosting events and offering personalized services, can help to draw in customers. It is also important to focus on sustainability and social responsibility, as these values are becoming increasingly important to consumers. By embracing these changes, shopping centers can thrive in the digital age.

Here is how.

In Store Shopping at a Mall

Is there a mall near you? According to a report from Green Street, malls have experienced the sharpest decline in value among all commercial property types since 2018. From small stores to large retailers, malls were a big hit years ago. Now they seem to be dying faster than ever! Why? Likely because rent is higher than it has ever been, the trend is to shop closer to home and people are literally shopping at home on the Internet. It used to be a luxury of just mall walking and seeing what good things could be found, but now people have a mission, a true reason to go shopping. And thanks to the Internet, there isn’t a need to “waste” time walking around a mall. Stores that survived the mall era have moved out of the big complexes and into smaller strip mall areas.

Strip Malls/Strip Center/Strip Plaza

Ulta, Old Navy, Gap, Sephora, Macy’s and other well known mall stores have been moving to strip malls, also referred to as strip centers or strip plazas. Strip malls are open air retail developments that lack enclosed hallways. Instead, they consist of retail storefronts that are connected by common walkways. These storefronts are often arranged in a straight line, L-shaped, or U-shaped layout. They have large parking lots with spaces near whichever store you’d like to shop at and are typically closer to home rather than a big mall. 

There is a difference between buying and shopping which can also be seen as the difference between running errands and seeking out experiences. This can be linked to a mall and a strip mall. We know what we need to buy, so we just go buy it versus skimming the shelves. This change makes marketing for a mall very hard. There needs to be a reason to get consumers into the mall complex itself, plus ways to get them to visit multiple stores with multiple purchases. 

Online Shopping Versus In Store Shopping

The rise of mobile devices and easy access to the Internet has drastically changed consumer behavior in the past decade. Shopping habits have been revolutionized as a result.

To effectively market to consumers, it’s important to understand that the division between online and offline marketing is a myth. Consumers engage in both online and offline shopping, and it’s crucial to convey a consistent image across all channels. A multichannel marketing strategy is highly effective in making a strong impact.

Shopping in an actual store is facing increasing competition from online shopping, which requires businesses to adapt and modify their offers regularly. To remain competitive, brick and mortar stores must evolve their marketing strategies, as content marketing and social media could be essential tools in this effort. Just because you have a brick and mortar store does not mean you can’t have an online store as well. In fact, you should have an online store no matter what!

The Bottom Line

The role of malls has evolved beyond just shopping. Consumers now visit malls to socialize and feel a sense of belonging. As such, malls should prioritize their function as centers for socializing and culture rather than just shopping. This means focusing on hosting events such as musical and artistic performances to attract the general public. Marketing efforts should also be tailored towards promoting these events and creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

Open-air shopping centers are becoming increasingly popular among consumers due to the convenience, safety, and selection they offer. This trend is expected to continue, leading to healthy lease demand for the next few years. In addition to these benefits, open-air centers provide retailers with more opportunities to connect with customers and build brand loyalty. As a result, traditional shopping malls that fail to evolve may struggle to survive in this changing retail landscape.

No matter if it is a mall, strip mall or online shopping experience, marketing is still important and can work for both entities. Having the marketing work together simultaneously can help grow sales and customer engagement. Expanding an online presence can attract new customers, while promotions and advertising can increase sales. Collecting contact details enables personalized communication and rewarding loyal customers can foster repeat business. Highlighting brands and products through giveaways and promotions can showcase your best offerings. In times of low consumption, employing deals and online campaigns can help revive interest. Even though there is an added expense associated with brick and mortar stores, the pleasures of shopping have not died and plenty of shoppers still enjoy the experience.

Does Verification of a Social Media Account Make a Difference?

Published February 20, 2023

Times are changing on social media where if you pay a certain amount of money, you can obtain the famous blue checkmark to show verified account status. But does that little checkmark really mean anything to anyone anymore?

What Is Verification?

In the beginning of Twitter blue checkmark time, in 2009, the blue checkmark was used to show who was an official and authentic account, usually a celebrity, athlete, or someone of high status. It helped to determine which account was real versus fake or a parody as multiple accounts for users kept popping up, even though it wasn’t actually them. 

Facebook followed suit and started their verification process in 2012 and Instagram in 2014. Same kind of process to make a clear distinction between a real page and a page run by a fan. 

Most sites have a verification process and they are similar. Just prove you are who you say you  are and then you will obtain that blue checkmark. But now the blue checkmark is growing to include more people than just those with a big name or reputation. 

Exploring Paid Verification 

When Elon Musk took over Twitter, he had to figure out new ways to monetize the business. This came in the form of a monthly subscription to have the verified blue checkmark along with verified member-only features like the ability to post longer videos, less ads on their feeds, and a bump to the top of news feeds. At first Musk’s plan came with some backlash, but it is still chugging along. The numbers don’t seem to be coming back where they predicted they would be, but it is still new. “Twitter subscribers in the US made up less than 0.2% of monthly users in January, two months after Elon Musk introduced Blue, The Information reported Monday, citing a document,” via Business Insider. While 0.2% doesn’t seem like a lot, when you put it in monetary value, it is. “Twitter’s currently bringing in an extra $2.4 million per month via the program, or $7.2 million per quarter,” according to Travis Brown.

The platform is also adding gold checkmarks for official brand accounts, and gray ticks for ‘government and multilateral’ accounts. At what point is too many different colored checkmarks too much and do they even make a difference? According to Business Insider, businesses will pay $1,000 per month to keep their gold verification checkmark.

And now, Meta just announced their plans for verification for Facebook and Instagram which include, “a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support. This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services. Meta Verified starts at $11.99 / month on web or $14.99 / month on iOS. We’ll be rolling out in Australia and New Zealand this week and more countries soon.” via Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook post.

If Verification is Bought, Is Value Lost?

When something like verification is able to be purchased, does it make having the checkmark a lesser value? Do those accounts that have the checkmark even matter to users? Does it devalue the accounts that “earned” the verification in the first place with follower numbers?

The checkmarks could be looked at as a status of being able to afford whatever that checkmark costs. And because of that checkmark, whatever those accounts have to share, whether important or not, gets pushed to the top of the feed just because they pay for it. Do you like this or would you rather see the accounts that you follow because you enjoy what they post at the top instead?

“New research from Maine Business School at the University of Maine shows that verification isn’t always a positive, as social media consumers associate verification more with celebrity than credibility and are much less likely to trust product endorsements from verified accounts if the content is inconsistent with the influencer’s brand.”

The results from a study published in February, 2022 in the Journal of Consumer Behavior showed that not only do consumers associate verification more with celebrity than authenticity or credibility, but because of that, they are less likely to trust a verified social media influencer if they are advertising a brand that is inconsistent with their usual messaging. Even when the brand seems suited to the social media influencer, consumers do not trust verified accounts more than their unverified counterparts.

However, since the social networks are all moving in this direction, we shall see how consumers feel really soon. Will the social media outlets make more money? Will consumers feel value?

The Bottom Line

Most, if not all, social media platforms have some form of a verification process. And just like how buying likes and followers is a big mistake on all platforms, buying verification might be looked at as the same thing in today’s world. 

Each business is unique and may benefit from the pro’s of verification. It is always worth researching what value is received when purchasing verification. But at this time, marketers and business owners might find more bang for their buck with other strategies. 

Is Working in Marketing and Social Media Really Like Emily in Paris?

Published February 15, 2023

I, Christine, was a little late to watching the Emily in Paris series on Netflix. Truth be told, I don’t watch a lot of television. But when my boss, Arlea, mentioned it to me, I knew I needed to check it out. Not only is the story itself really cute, especially with the love interests, but I eagerly await Emily’s next marketing and social media ideas for her clients! We all know this is just a show since typically 9 out of 10 ideas that real marketers come up with end up on the editing room floor. It is always just that one idea that sticks. But I do enjoy hearing about her successes and why they worked. I’ve read so many social media posts about how someone has a client and is wondering why their social media isn’t like Emily’s client’s networks and how they can grow theirs like they do on the show? So I thought it would be fun to discuss if working in the same industry as Emily is realistic and if anything relates back to the real world? Let’s take a dive into working like Emily in Paris. 

Every Idea Won’t Be a Success

Clients know their business and usually have an idea of what they want. Emily’s clients just let her usually do whatever. Plus, she is in a very niche market. Now, that is not to say there aren’t agencies that just work with clients in the same industry, but our agency works with various industries. We like the different strategies and the different clients we work with. 

But it just blows my mind how Emily’s ideas just fall into her lap. Sure, we all have awesome ideas every now and then. It is likely that is why we have a job! But some of her ideas are just so off the wall and I really don’t ever see them really working in the real world, especially when a majority of the time she has to get it done in less than 24 hours. Which leads me to approvals.

No Approval Chain of Command

Besides the client and Slyvie, it doesn’t seem like anyone else ever has to approve any of the ideas. In the real world, there are usually a lot of other people that need to give their approval, provide their edits and then the last person in the chain of command has to bring all of those ideas together into one cohesive plan. It takes longer than 24 hours to do all of this. 

It is good to have an approval chain of command. Mostly so other people can tell you if there is a mistake, or if after editing the same footage for hours on end you missed something. But also because we all do our own jobs. Where I work, we have photographers, videographers, content creators, designers and web developers. We all are specialized in our job, but all have to work together to ensure the client’s project gets done. Emily is basically a one-woman-band, doing all of the work herself. And we never see her actually putting together the work. It just magically appears!

This Isn’t a Real Career Scenario

But oh how we all wish it was! I am based in the U.S., so maybe working in Paris is like this. I wouldn’t mind the “everyone starts late and takes a long lunch” work schedule. But we all have to remember this is a show. It is an unrealistic look at the industry and doesn’t give a fair perspective to high school or college age people who are thinking about a career in this field. It doesn’t provide us with the fine details of everything that is hard with social media. Everything just comes easy to these clients of Emily’s, whether she is with the Gilbert Group or the  French fashion firm, Savoir.

Plus, Emily started out with like 48 followers. After posting a couple of selfies, she gained upwards of 20,000 followers in what seemed like 3 weeks. Nah – that isn’t real life. That just doesn’t happen unless you are somebody. I wish I knew Damar Hamlin’s social media numbers before his unfortunate accident on the football field. Now everyone knows who he is! No one really knows who Emily is!

Emily’s Clients Have Huge Budgets

Some clients do have really big budgets. And there are agencies who specifically will only work with clients that have huge budgets. But in the real world, marketing is one of the first things to get cut from a budget. So we have to work with the funds we are given and magically come up with a strategy that will work and hopefully meet the client’s needs and expectations. 

There is So Much More to Social Media Than Likes, Shares, Comments and Followers

With marketing comes strategy and that strategy branches out to advertising, videos, podcasts, blogs, etc.  They all should work cohesively and integrated. Social media isn’t just about one post on Facebook. It is about making sure that post also reaches clients on whatever other social networks they have. And it isn’t just about numbers. It doesn’t matter how many people like a post. Did those people buy into whatever the post was about? Did they click a link that you included in the post? What was the call to action?