Big Data and Content Marketing

  Data has become a big part of all forms of Marketing (believe it or not, some still don't know how to utilize it) because of this, it's important not to become dull and unoriginal. Lets face it, Technology makes a lot of things easier, Marketing being one of them. When this happens we can get a bit lazy and try to makes thing TOO easy.

  One thing I have personally always been against is using Automated Messages for Advertising. Unless your going on vacation or something I think it's pretty lame. Most people that do this will usually always re-post old content under a new title. I'm not talking about recycling content, I'm talking about re-posting the same thing over and over. It really waters your Content down.

  But back to Data. Marketing teams have taken on this trend more then any other for good reason. Since 2013 when it really became main stream Web Traffic numbers have sky rocketed. The good Companies know how to take what they know of data and and really show/display to  you their message in their own ways using various forms of Marketing Content such as Visual Ads, Videos, Slide shows, etc Because of Data teams can now pinpoint who, when, and where clicked their content. Also, because of the fascination with Big Data from Business, the Public has become more aware of what is going on when they access the Internet nowadays and how to better protect themselves.

 I was really surprised when I asked a few other Marketers if they used Data. A good amount were still unaware about or didn't really know how to use it. There's a lot of good techniques out there you can learn from simply reading Blogs. I suggest doing this, if your not willing to invest time to learn your not going to get very far. Data can become boring pretty quick (hopefully you're still reading this or haven't dosed off too much yet) so when going over it, don't be so bland putting by simply putting emphasis on numbers for Web Traffic, Engagement, etc. Focus on letting your team have fun and be creative. Going for numbers out of the gate is how most people fail. You have plenty of time to get Traffic. The first and most important goal is giving them something to keep coming back for.

 Combining Data with Visual Content is using left and right Brain thinking. Doing this is when we produce great results.
That's all for now. It's good to be back after being away for a few days.

Original Content is King

    Lately you've probably heard other Bloggers say that everyone thinks their a Publisher, Content Marketer, Graphic Designer, etc.  
Honestly I can't say that they're wrong. Let me ask you, how many Blogs did you come across today telling you that Social Media is important without actually telling you WHY Social Media is important? I've come across 5 so far on Twitter and the Afternoon has just begun.

   I read a Blog earlier talking about Original Content over Content Marketing. It wasn't saying Content Marketing is bad, what it was saying was that too many people focus on just putting Content in whatever they do to fill the space rather then tell a story.

  Visual Content is important because it shows the reader what you're talking about rather then just telling them about. When you go for the quick results you don't use Visual Content correctly, I know because I use to do this. Yes...We all make our newb mistakes and that was one of many for me. Quick word of advice, Image Editing can be your best friend at times.

  I don't claim to be some Marketing expert, far from it. I just enjoy sharing my experience with my readers about what I've found works and doesn't for me and what I've seen do the same for others. 

  If any of you out want to share your own Experience, please feel free. 

  

Embracing today's consumer

You hear it a lot already I'm sure. Know your audience, etc. That's good and all, but that's just a piece of the overall puzzle. You need to understand today's consumer. Unlike years past we have all kinds of communication devices and applications for those devices. Customers use this, and they use this well. This can be a great thing and can be a terrible thing. It's all about the experience the client had when dealing with you, and this is why customer service is more imprtant than ever before.

 No longer is the art of making a good living on the internet a mystery to people. I'm not sure how close you follow the economy, but this past Friday the unemployment report came out. It remains about the same. I believe a part of this is people taking up free lancing/websites and saying the hell wth a 9-5. So how will you stand out from the rest? Not the same old Marketing..But word of mouth. 

You can have 15K +followers and if none of them embrace your product what good is it? You have to think small to become big. So focus on the followers you have now. Use analytical tools to see what they do and don't like. See when they access your page. 

Once you have the customer's business it all comes down to service. You can have the best product and prices, but with horrible service you'll go nowhere fast. Try to motivate and compensate customers to spread the word. I promise you, it's a lot more effective then dumping 100's a month into a social media campaign every month asking for business. Let your good work bring them to you.

Before you read this and disagree, look at Face book. The most well known Social Media account that barely spent anything on marketing has become the king. Why? Word of mouth. This is why you need to focus on quality, not quantity. 

As they say..If you build it they will come. Just make sure when your customers come they're seeing a complete product and not something rushed. Today's consumer can be very demanding, the days of settling for mediocre Business practices are over, and rightfully so. Take this into consideration and give them what they want.

Making money with your marketing

  Times are still pretty tough ecspecially for an unproven Marketing Agency. Sometimes getting a client is difficult, with so many Marketers out there you need to stand out or be able to offer your client real value. Personally I find it difficult convincing a client to pay hundreds a month when most of them can find a company with more people for about the same price. So how does the little guy survive in this tough enviorment? Starting from the ground up.

  Find a service or two you specialize in more then others. Offer these particular services only. For instance. Just seo or just social media. Price the customer accordingly ofcourse. Try to build a relationship with the people that hire you .

  This could only help you getfuture Business or at the very least a satisfied customer. If you want Organic growth you need to show customers you offer them something they'll remember. Good results equals good reviews. 

Working with the right Business

  Often times our path to Success is based on the people we work with. The thing we need to do is be able to surround ourselves with the right people to get the job done. Now while this is critical within our Business, it also matters who we choose to Market for.

  As a Marketer you don't want to advertise a product that is crap. You don't want to associate with a questionable Business either for obvious reasons. Last but not least you don't want to attempt to Market a product you have no knowledge of.

  We can all learn about a Business and a Product but knowing about it and having a liking for it is different. Ever notice how easy it is to Market something for something you're very familiar with? While you can't always have this luxury as a Marketer it's great when you have it and over time you can eventually go after those Clients by targeting and locating them.

 Remember, a Business is a huge responsibility. If you're going to do it you better do something you love.

Why Interactive Ads are Awesome

  Hey, did you hear? Marketing is kind of changing this year..A lot. And in some pretty cool ways I might add.

Seriously though, as the Marketing trends continue to come out it's important to see what's good and what's "attempting" to be good.  So What''s good? Interactive Ads. Interactive Ads give the user the Yin and Yang if you will. They deliver the cool, eye catching images and they encourage engagement from the user by doing different things. This is so important for your success in marketing. But why exactly? Well, I'll tell you why and it's not just for Google Clicks.

  When a customer actually engages in your content, they go from just seeing your ad to learning about it. We can almost rank the clicks...

1 Click - Hmmm..Interesting

2nd Click - Tell me More

3rd Click - OK, I'm interested.

  As the saying goes..It happens once, its a coincidence. It happens twice, it's a sign. It happens three times, and it becomes a trend.  Whenever I Market anything and I'm going over the Data, I always look for 3. 3 Clicks, 3 Visits. Something happening 3 times is a good sign in my opinion.

  Whenever you design a web page, Ad, anything related to Marketing, don't aim for page views..Aim for engagement. Think about it like dating someone. When you see them, your interested. After the first date or two, you want more and more. Apply this to your Marketing and I promise you will see better results.

Visual Marketing

  Psychology is a huge part of Marketing. Think about it...Today Content Marketing is all the rave. Sending an email or post of just boring text will get you nowhere. Why is this? It's the way our minds work. For instance, over time human beings adapt to all things..Advertising/Marketing included. Gone are the days of going up to someone with a cliche', boring sales pitch.

  Nowadays Business has become personal. People want a reason to like your Brand and you need to connect with them in some way that all the competition around you is not. Visual Marketing through picture or video is the way to go. Even as a Blog writer I truly see the beauty in Visual Marketing because it helps tell me visualize my message to my audience.

  If you haven't noticed..Pinterest and Instagram are becoming the top Social Media platforms. This is because of..You guessed it, Visual Marketing. Also, if you haven't heard of Flip Board by now you will shortly. As I've said in my other blogs, you need to know which trends to pick up and which ones to ignore in Business. This is one all Marketers should embrace.