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Social Media Advertising Channels Every Small Business Should Consider

August 26, 2018B2B Social Media, ROI in Social Media, Social Media, Social Media Marketing 0

Almost 90% of all small businesses use Facebook to advertise their goods and services, yet only about 60% of those companies say that the Facebook ads are accomplishing the intended business objectives. Since the cost of advertising on the popular social medium rose nearly 40% last year, it might be time for your company’s advertising and marketing personnel to consider using other social media in addition to Facebook, in order to achieve the best return on your marketing spend.

LinkedIn advertising

LinkedIn advertising and posting is a terrific bargain at present, because the medium has not severely refined its publishing process, as has Facebook, and this means you can still have a powerful organic reach on LinkedIn. Organic reach is the total number of potential customers who actually have a chance to see your post, without there being any kind of paid distribution factor involved. While Facebook has been consistently diminishing this reach in recent years, and making it harder to achieve a reasonable ROI, this is not yet true of LinkedIn. As long as someone in your business, or someone whom you’ve hired as an influencer, engages regularly with your audience, your posts will be near the top of targeted feeds.

But there is another factor which is just as compelling – LinkedIn is generally frequented by business professional types, and these individuals represent high-quality leads who are probably your ideal customer types. Compare that audience to the more generalized clientele on Facebook, which can be filled with all manner of users, many of whom have zero interest in products or services of any kind. It will also be worth your while to produce videos which are intended for the LinkedIn audience, where the prevalence of videos is not nearly at the Facebook level, and that means yours is more likely to be seen.

Twitter advertising

For some of the same reasons that LinkedIn has advantages over Facebook, so does Twitter. It costs less and can be said to have a more professional audience – but there’s one more reason which may not be as generally well known. Twitter now has a free tool called the Twitter Advanced Search, which allows you to discover the most used keywords by users from a specific location or region. This could tell you a lot about your competition for one thing, and it can also tell you what matters most to users in your area, because that’s what they’re tweeting about. You can gain a lot of very useful information with this tool, that will help you be more competitive, and will help you to provide what your customers really want.

Instagram advertising

Since Instagram is wholly owned by Facebook, it has the same kind of access to user information that its parent does, and that is a very large database of individuals indeed. Since Instagram is largely frequented by millenials and those who consider it a much more modern and cool social medium than its Facebook cousin, you’ll have access to an entirely new audience that Facebook might lack. During a six-month period of 2017, the number of advertisers on Instagram doubled, which is a clear indication that many business owners have discovered the value of accessing the different audience engendered by the Instagram social medium.

The last word

While advertising on Facebook is by no means a thing of the past, and it can still provide value, you would be prudent as a small business owner to consider the advantages offered by other social media as well. You can reach new audiences, achieve a more visible presence in the social media, and spend a lot less, by considering the possibilities offered by each of the major platforms.

Don’t try to do it yourself

As an entrepreneur or small business owner, your focus is on launching and scaling your business. If you don’t have the in-house personnel to execute your social media marketing strategies, hire a San Diego marketing firm to ensure that your objectives are achieved. Social media marketing is often more effective when left up to the experts who work in that arena on a daily basis. Contact us to learn more about how we can help grow your small business!

Posted by Shannon Goodell

Why Small Businesses Should Have A Mobile App

August 26, 2018Business, Business Tips, Mobile, Web Design 0

If you think that only the giant retailers bother to create their own business apps, there are a few facts which you should consider that might affect your thinking. For instance, approximately 85% of the time that users spend on their mobile phones is dedicated to operating a mobile app. That fact alone should make you reconsider, but there are other compelling reasons listed below. Don’t dismiss the idea simply because you lack the expertise in-house – a great San Diego web design agency like MySMN can provide you with the perfect app for your business.

You can be constantly visible to your customers

When your app is downloaded to users’ phones, it’s always there on the screen, even if the individual doesn’t intend to use it right at that moment. The fact of its presence on-screen causes it to be etched into the memory of the person for later recall and usage.

Availability of useful information

Any information posted on your mobile website is instantly available to users who have your app on their phones. Whatever information that you’d like your customers to know is right at their fingertips, ready for immediate retrieval. You’ll have a constant line of communication open to your customers and potential customers.

Convenience breeds loyalty

The more convenient you make it for your customers to interact with your business, the more loyal they will become. One example is in collecting and redeeming rewards or discounts that you offer. By providing customers with more reasons to do business with you, their loyalty should increase toward your company.

Building your brand is easier

Your own mobile app provides the perfect vehicle for conveying the kind of image and message that you want your company to project. You basically have a blank palette which you can populate with the core values and philosophy important to your business.

Increase brand recognition

Building on the ease of branding, you can increase the recognition factor of your brand by getting more users engaged with your brand, and on a more frequent basis. And of course, along with that frequency of engagement, you can expect increased sales and customer loyalty.

Better overall customer engagement

Since most customers would rather text a company than talk to a representative, having some kind of messaging platform will give them a method of contacting you which most of them prefer. It can improve your customer service, and defuse any issues before they develop into a negative.

Get a leg up on the competition

Since most small businesses don’t yet have their own apps, this would be one very beneficial way for you to get ahead of the game, by providing users with your own app. It will lend credibility to your company, and make you look more professional and modern.

Increasing customer loyalty

Probably the most critical reason to build your own app is to establish and improve on customer loyalty. There is such a flood of new marketing and advertising being used these days, that maintaining contact with your customer base has become a real challenge. That makes it more important than ever to make a real connection with customers, and mobile apps will help you do that by keeping your business right at your customers’ fingertips.

Want to learn more? Contact mobile app specialists, like MySMN, that will create a mobile app which fully embodies visual appeal, relevant content, rock-solid functionality, and your company’s critical branding message. Contact us today, and start increasing your mobile presence through a customized business app!

Posted by Shannon Goodell

10 Social Media Marketing Tips For Your Small Business

August 26, 2018B2B Social Media, Business, Social Media, Social Media Marketing 0

There is no question that the power of social media marketing is one of the most important single areas which every entrepreneur should be focusing on, in terms of reaching an intended audience. The sheer numbers of users involved should point that out clearly, but when you consider the potential for sharing among all those users, reachability can grow exponentially. Here are 10 recommendations for making good use of social media marketing to reach your target audience and grow your business.

Focus on your business objectives first

Your strategy with regard to the social media should be careful to avoid putting the cart (social media) before the horse (your business). Instead, consider what your top three business objectives are, and use the social media to drive those objectives, rather than the other way around. Don’t just try to achieve a presence on social media – use the specific platform frequented by your target audience to help you acquire 25% more leads this year, for instance.

Be authentic

People relate to other people more so than to a faceless business entity. That means you need to give your business a ‘face’, a personality. Emphasize the human aspect of your business by telling your story, and the story of your employees. By showing that your company personnel are involved in the community, or perhaps that you support a local worthy cause, you will connect much better with consumers you’re trying to reach.

Think Visual

It’s worth remembering that people’s attention spans tend to be very limited on the Internet, so if you don’t capture their interest immediately, they’ll probably move on to the next website. More than 50% of all people who visit Facebook watch at least one video every day, and that’s just one social media platform. Live Facebook videos are exploding in popularity because they’re such a great way to launch new products, provide background on your company, demonstrate ‘how-to’ use products, and make important announcements.

Content Is King

While blogs are valuable, your content shouldn’t stop there. You want to create content that’s tailored to the three stages of the funnel – awareness, evaluation, and conversion. Blogs and social media posts are great for awareness. However, you’ll want to craft effective content that work best for evaluation and conversion. This includes content such as case studies, customer/client testimonials, a coupon, webinar, software download, and more.

Visual content is super powerful, as well. If you can create an Infographic that has genuine value and appeal to your target audience, there’s no telling how much it might be shared around the globe. It’s imperative to determine your target audience and what type of content will be valuable to them.

Build Your LinkedIn

Almost all business owners would benefit by increasing their LinkedIn marketing. By promoting greater engagement of LinkedIn users with your company, you will undoubtedly see a boost in conversion rates and sales. Become an authority in your field, and reach out to potential customers with messages tailored to their specific needs. You can use Sales Navigator to build your target audience list, and then reach out to decision-makers with personalized messages.

Dominate the most appropriate platforms

It’s alright to have a presence on many of the social media platforms, but you really need to focus your attention on the one or two platforms where most of your target audience spends time, and where your business can fit right in. Twitter for instance, caters to an audience interested in breaking news and technology announcements, so if that fits your company, that’s where you should try to dominate.

Match your content type to the social media channel

When you’re crafting social media content, make sure it’s of the type which is well-suited to the platform you’re using, even if you have to create separate kinds of content for each platform. Tools like Stencil and Canva can help you produce content ideally suited to the platform.

Be Social

Starting a conversation in social media can be a terrific way to get people engaged and interacting with you. You should also be sharing content, re-tweeting posts that are interesting, and ask questions of your own which elicit responses from other users. You should also jump into conversations around your expertise, as well as nurture conversations you have started. By showing that you’re actively engaged yourself, your business can be seen as an involved, caring entity.

Have a Clear Goal When Advertising on Facebook

If Facebook is your platform of choice, or at least one of them, you’ll need to create some ads which fit well with it. The tremendous ability of Facebook to target a specific audience can lead you to the success you crave, but only if you’ve pre-determined what you’re trying to achieve, and have crafted your ads accordingly.

Don’t try to do it yourself

Posted by Shannon Goodell

It May Be Time For Your Business Website To Be Updated

August 26, 2018Business, Business Tips, Web Design 0

Your website does something that no single employee or any group of employees could possibly do – it promotes your business 24 hours a day to all Internet users. Business website design in San Diego needs to reflect the changing attitudes and needs of users, rather than remaining static for long periods of time. Below are some reasons why you might want to avail yourself of the skills and knowledge provided by a San Diego website design company, to keep your site fresh and relevant. After reading why it’s highly beneficial to keep your site current, you’ll have no trouble finding a good firm for outstanding web design in San Diego.

Your site has become outdated

The tools, themes, and technology used to build website change every few months, and users’ tastes change right along with them. A site that’s even two years old probably can’t match up well with more current ones, in terms of loading speed, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. You may also be missing out on some of the newest factors being evaluated by search engines for site ranking.

Your site no longer reflects your brand adequately

If your company has undergone any kind of shift in philosophy recently, and your branding message has been changed, this should be reflected on your website. For your customers and potential customers, your branding message is whatever is conveyed through your website, so your site should be synchronized with the new company outlook.

The right clients are not attracted to your site

Over time, it can easily happen that your site no longer attracts the kind of target audience you’re looking for, i.e. those who are most likely to purchase from you. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, but the first places to look for specific customer appeal are the content on your site, and any galleries or images shown.

Not mobile-friendly

Since there are now more mobile users than desktop users browsing the Internet, it’s an absolute must that your site is displayed clearly and intelligently on mobile devices. If a user has to scroll left, right, up, and down just to read a page of content, you’ll probably be losing out on a huge segment of your market.

Slow load speed

If the pages of your site load too slowly, it might well prompt a user to abandon and visit another site. Pages might load slowly because of numerous images or images that are too large, an outdated theme, or possibly inadequate powering from your host provider.

Inadequate calls-to-action

Without a doubt, your site needs one or more calls to action, but they have to be placed optimally, in locations right after you’ve gotten the user’s attention, and you’ve piqued their curiosity to find out more.

Your site needs more effective, updated content

While a good-looking site might initially attract visitors, it’s great content that keeps them there. Most users are looking for relevant and useful information from a site, not visual appeal. There are tools you can use to determine which kind of content holds user attention, and you should use this information to include more effective, updated content on your site.

New apps and integrations

New and useful apps emerge daily on the Internet, and users have come to expect having all that capability at their fingertips. Then too, your business could be helped significantly by including more back-end integrations with processes such as order fulfillment and tracking, and CRM. It’s worth the time and effort to include these capabilities both for users and for yourself.

This may all sound a little overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. Take advantage of the expertise of the best website design company in the area, and contact MySMN for great San Diego web design. In addition to helping you with improved content, SEO, and functionality, MySMN also has the reputation for being a responsive website design company, so you’ll be sure to capture the mobile market. Contact us to learn how we can help your business!

Posted by Patrick

Authentic Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses

February 15, 2018Advertising, Business, Content Marketing, Local SEO, Marketing Campaigns, SEO, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Trends 0

There are a great many ways that your small business can use authentic marketing to engage more fully with consumers these days, and to convince them that yours is a company worthy of their patronage. Strategies like those listed below are all designed to take consumers below the surface level of your business, and establish a deeper sense of familiarity or intimacy with them. If you can achieve that, you will likely have found the key which unlocks the door to customer loyalty.

Share Who You Are

Today’s more sophisticated consumers want more than just a run-down of your products, services, and features – they want to know who it is they’re doing business with. They want to know why your company is a better provider of their needs than other companies might be, and they want to know what your company stands for. By opening up to your audience, you can literally bring them inside your world, and give them reasons to choose you over your competitors. Tell them your personal story, introduce them to some of your employees, relate to your audience what your values and beliefs are – do all of these, and you’ll be marketing as authentically as your potential customers could hope for.

Have a Cause

One of the things that most appeals to consumers about a company they might do business with – and which they consider to be the most authentic – is the fact that a business aligns itself with a cause greater than itself, and greater than the entire community. This shows that your company is one that cares about more than just profits, but that it cares about the human experience and about making the world a little bit better place. Yogurt manufacturer Yoplait has had a very successful ad running for nearly 20 years now which encourages consumers to return the lids from their products, in exchange for making a $.10 donation to a breast cancer charity for each returned lid.

Use Facebook Messenger

Using Messenger carries a number of advantages that instantly overcome many of the difficulties with reaching your audience. First of all, people trust Messenger, and that trust automatically transfers to your business when you engage with them. You already have their identities in a session, and that allows for the most authentic kind of customer feedback. Perhaps best of all, Facebook will get you an open rate four times greater than email will, and a click-through rate which is ten times greater – no contest!

Create Unique Experiences

If you can generate unique experiences with potential customers, it’s a great way to establish a bond, and it also stands a fair chance of being shared endlessly on the social media. One memorable such experience was recently devised by Ikea, which developed an ad that invited pregnant women to urinate on the ad paper to see how much of a discount they would get on a new baby crib. This kind of marketing causes direct participation of consumers and generates buzz-worthy interest. In fact, it was such a unique and funny way to advertise a discount that it was widely shared, and ended up achieving tremendous reach for Ikea.

Use the Power of Humor

The climate on social media today is one of ironic humor, and users have developed a high degree of sales resistance to traditional advertising. But if your company can authentically market in a way that rides that same wave of pervasive humor, even at your own expense, it will bypass the sales resistance and include you as part of the culture. Take for instance, an ad recently run by the city of Los Angeles, which was seeking a new Graphics Designer. The ad was not a polished, professional-looking appeal though – far from it. Instead, it looked like something a child drew with a crayon, while having his elbow poked repeatedly during the effort. It went viral.

More than ever consumers are looking for an authentic connection to businesses on social media. Utilizing the strategies above can help small businesses break through the noise and create lasting relationships with their target audiences. Contact us today to learn more!

Posted by Patrick

What Does Facebook’s News Feed Change Mean for Your Business?

January 23, 2018Advertising, B2B Social Media, Business Tips, Content Marketing, Facebook, Marketing Campaigns, ROI in Social Media, Social Good, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media Marketing, Technology, Trends

What Does Facebook’s News Feed Change Mean for Your Business?

The change in Facebook’s news feeds revolves around the social media giant’s intention to supply less news from the world of business, entertainment, and publishers, while focusing more on the kind of meaningful exchanges which users might have with family and friends. The motivation behind this paradigm shift is apparently CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s change of heart about how Facebook may have been negatively impacting its legions of followers.

The kind of malicious or abusive content supplied by other contentious nations and groups will be targeted in particular, with greater attention to be paid to those who misuse the tools and benefits provided by the social medium. Facing a storm of recent backlash over this kind of meddling and interference, Facebook is apparently choosing to proactively make these changes, rather than having them enforced through regulatory means.

Impact on businesses

Facebook executives fully expect this shift toward more friendly user engagement and less business-sponsored involvement to result in reduced user involvement, at least temporarily. The hope is that after the initial shift impact is over, Facebook users will be happier with the new format, and will return to spending more time online. In the short term however, it will impact publishers and businesses because there is likely to be a diminished audience receiving their notifications and ads, at no cost and via the easiest delivery approach imaginable.

Those businesses and publishers which count on Facebook as their primary delivery method are likely to be the ones who feel the greatest impact, along with those which have made huge investments on developing Facebook videos for mass consumption. With far fewer of these being displayed, the audience for all those messages simply won’t be there anymore, at least not in the numbers that companies have grown accustomed to.

The Facebook Goal

The goal of these coming changes is to make Facebook users happier, according to Mr. Zuckerberg, and not as argumentative about all the material which has been allowed through in the past. Assuming that users will be ‘happier’ because they are exposed to fewer opposing views (from ‘meddlers’ and interfering parties), the expectation is that Facebook users will make more real friends, and interact benignly with them.

Since the company’s research has shown that Facebook users have been exposed to far more diverse opinions within the medium than they otherwise would have been, it is thought that reducing this divergence of opinion will make for more contented users. Interestingly, the company’s own research has also shown that the format changes are likely to result in reduced participation of users. Part of that has to do with the fact that the number of video productions will be decreased, and everyone knows how effective video has been at retaining user interest and engagement.

A Happier Facebook

Will users really be happier on Facebook when there are less business ads and videos, and more happy posts from friends and relatives? While no one can really know for sure, Facebook execs are confident that even if there is a short-term lapse in user involvement and engagement, that the new-look happy medium will eventually win over former users as well as newcomers, and that the entire community will continue to grow again. Business executives and publishing companies however, would be well advised to begin pursuing other alternatives in their marketing campaigns.

Contact Us to learn more!

Posted by Patrick

2017: A Year in Review

December 21, 2017Applications, Business, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, SEO, Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Trends, Web Design

As 2017 ends, you may be looking at what’s working and not working for your marketing plan.

How engaged were you in social media efforts, and did they pay off? Where are your ad dollars being spent and where should they be spent in the future?

Ultimately, the question is: what should we keep and what should we let go?

To help you in this review of marketing effectiveness, here are some trends for 2017 along with some predictions for 2018.

Social Media Remains and Continues to Evolve

Third-party platforms are ones that you both have to keep up with but also be wary of due to their “here today, gone tomorrow” nature.

Either way, you should be considering what has been working for your company, but also new opportunities, such as using Instagram, which has a reported 800 million users per month. Their one-year-old addition, Instagram Stories, has now overtaken popularity from Snapchat.

LinkedIn may become a reliable B2B marketing tool as it continues to improve its platform.

And with influencers, 95 percent of marketers say they have found them effective for their marketing needs.

Facebook and Twitter, relatively old to the game of social media, are finding their challenges, so it may be Instagram’s time to shine in 2018.

Nearly Two Thirds of Digital Ad Spending Linked to Only Two Companies

Though Facebook may be looking at a decline, what’s interesting is how much digital ad spending they’re involved in. Along with Google, this duopoly owns a hefty 63 percent of that market. Google Shopping and Facebook’s Shop Section take gathered data and create a targeted ad experience.

Mobile Use Is Up and Will Remain So

An increasing number of people rely on their smartphones for so many tasks, so it’s telling that a sizable amount of Google and Facebook dominance in digital ads comes from mobile ads.

Magna reported that 55 percent of digital come from clicks and impressions on mobile devices used globally. As phones because more and more integral to our everyday lives, you can expect an increase in mobile use and ads targeting mobile users.

AI: Always Here to Help

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a notable tool in marketing, specifically with the use of chat bots on websites. These bots never tire and can be there for your prospects and clients, even when you’re asleep.

Other AI methods, such as Streak, can help with inbound marketing and sales funnels—specifically moving prospects down sales funnels, converting them into clients.

In 2018, you can expect to see more brands using AI and its algorithms to create customized experiences based on user data on social media platforms and web searches.

Video: Go Live

Probably one of the most popular tools in marketing lately has been video, where most marketers have reported that it has the best ROI. Successful videos seem to effortlessly blend entertainment with useful information, all within a small snippet of a video.

Live video, through platforms such as Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, is one key way to leverage video in 2018. If you have some events or announcements in the coming year, consider hopping on Facebook Live to make it. Embracing this even now will help you stay on the cutting edge of digital marketing.

Digital Marketing Trends To Prepare For In 2018

Posted by Patrick

Digital Marketing Trends To Prepare For In 2018

November 18, 2017Advertising, Adwords, Email Marketing, Local SEO, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, SEO, SEO, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Twitter

As you’re probably aware, the digital marketing strategies that worked for you in 2010, or even 2015 may not be working for you now in 2017. And, what may be working for you now may not work in 2018.

So whether you’re new to marketing or have been in this field for many years, you’ve learned one valuable lesson—change is a constant. Being a marketer means you’ve got to be agile and adapt quickly, but even if the methods of marketing are in flux, the goals are still the same—having a coherent message for your sales funnels; establishing and raising loyalty and brand awareness; boosting customer engagement, driving traffic, and making those conversions and sales.

Here are three major trends that you should prepare for right now and into 2018.

Mind (and Fill) the Gap

Marketing has been around a lot longer than social media, but in the haste of trying to find the newest, latest, and greatest tools and gimmicks, fundamental marketing has been left behind, leaving a large talent gap. Wedged in this gap are failed campaigns, wasteful budgets, and misunderstood data.

So how do you mind and fill the gap? Bring some knowledgeable marketers who have proven track records and training while helping businesses to rise above the fray while learning new digital marketing skills. Going the other way, younger marketers can learn marketing basics which can give them a stronger foundation to with their innovative and creative efforts.

More companies will be looking for both marketing generalists and specialists while boosting training efforts for both. A few areas that marketers could use additional training include analytics, content marketing, SEO, and social marketing. Besides having training occur in-house, there are online website that provide certifications in digital marketing. Additionally, to fill this talent gap, HR departments will need to start to attract and reward talent who have a high ROI for their marketing efforts.

The Social Network—Yes, Facebook (and More)

Yes, internet marketing does require some social media component. It costs little but can bring high returns. One trend that seems to be profitable is promoting stories on Facebook. This puts you on a more direct path to your customers, avoiding publishers to get exposure.

Another idea—don’t discount the discount. For social media users, extending them unique offers can be a great way to promote your company’s services and products. It could be simple as taking a picture with your product, or putting up a short video about why your service is great.

Pivot to Video—Wisely

So throwing up a video on your website just because everyone else is doing it is not going to help your brand grow. You need marketers who understand why people watch the videos they do and what makes them go viral. It’s a key skill that is missing in digital marketing, especially in analytics, content marketing, mobile, and social media.

Bring Marketing Back Home

There’s something to be said for a successful marketing campaign that happens in a brick-and-mortar store. It’s not just physically be there. It still involves digital marketing along with classic marketing. Take for example, digital coupons, or mobile in-store updates that inform shoppers of what’s on sale. The latter will keep customers in the store longer.

Looking for a San Diego marketing agency that can provide your digital marketing needs? Contact us today to start a conversation about how we can support and grow your brand’s awareness.

Posted by Patrick

Best Spots in San Diego for Halloween

October 30, 2017Uncategorized

It pretty much sucks that we cannot just walk around and trick-or-treat anymore at our ages, right? Well, the weekend is for the adults, but Halloween is for everyone and our city makes sure of that.

Parties

Even though there are still huge parties to attend like the Omnia’s Party Favor with Kittens tonight at 7pm with major DJ Ryan Ragland, aka “Party Favor,” there are even some fun trick-or-treating adventures planned like the India Street Trick-or-Treat! And, of course, we cannot forget what is happening on the actual day of Halloween like the BarleyMash Freak Show, the Oxford Social Club Halloween Night, and the Tin Roof Saints and Sinners Ball!

Music

If you’re interested in some holiday music and you live near Logan Heights or around that area, check out the Michael Dessen Trio, a fun composition of electronic music mixed with trombone, bass, and drums. Starting at 7:30 tonight at Bread & Salt on Julian Ave, this trio will be the real treat that follows the trick! Another great musical show happening tonight is the “Romace, Mystery, Marsalis,” featuring the incredible violinist Nicola Benedetti at the San Diego Symphony Jacobs Masterworks concert starting at 8 pm tonight.

Scare

You always still have a chance to swing by the famous Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fair Grounds up until tomorrow night to get your “fright” on with family and friends, you can check out the Whaley House in Old Town for an old-fashioned scare with a tour that will knock your socks off, and don’t forget the Haunted Hotel on Market Street; our neighbors in downtown San Diego! The Gaslamp Quarter screams can be heard from the edges of the city! As well as what is creeping from Balboa Park’s Haunted Trails on the mile-long terrifying trek you will never forget!

Patches

And, you still have time to swing by the best pumpkin patches in San Diego to get your carve on! Check out Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, Boomont Park Fall Festival and Haunt in Mission Bay, Alpine’s Annual Pumpkin Festival, Lakeside’s Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, and more scattered around the city.

Happy Halloween

We all know the real fun for the kids will come tomorrow night on all Hallow’s Eve, but why not have some adult fun and make the occasion worth remembering at our ages. We hope you danced the night away over the weekend at the many festivities to choose from downtown, in Pacific Beach, and more, or just had yourself a good, old-fashioned party at the house with your closest family and friends.Remember to stay safe though! Halloween can be a tricky time with so many kids out, so just please do us a favor and the city and remain safe. But have fun! Happy Halloween!

Posted by Patrick

Our 4 Favorite Downtown San Diego Brunch Spots

October 12, 2017Local SEO, Social Media for Restaurants

Cafe 21

Located on the cute little corner of downtown’s Fifth Avenue, Cafe 21 is a quaint and delicious brunch spot that always welcomes a long, hungry line ready to devour. Do not let the quaint name fool you though, Cafe 21 has a wide variety assortment of heavenly dutch pancakes and crepes straight from the cast iron itself filled with organic and local ingredients.

From fluffy tiramisu pancakes smothered in espresso syrup and powdered sugar to food-filled crepes like the roasted chicken breast drenched in caramelized onions, feta, and mozzarella, Cafe 21 is guaranteed to be your next favorite brunch spot in San Diego.

Bottega Americano

Besides having one of the most distinctive and savory brunch menus in the city, Bottega Americano is the place to go for a “Sunday Funday” alcoholic brunch bash. As a classy Italian bistro, Bottega carries the essential selection of reds and whites, but its fabulous mimosa choices may just be too good to be true.

The lush brunch-inspired drinks can range from the typical champagne and orange juice combo that never fails to a grapefruit surprise full of flavor and fresh local ingredients. Other cocktails that we highly recommend are the Caffe Fresco, a vanilla-infused vodka mixed with refreshing cold brewed coffee and the Al Fresco Sour! Enjoy their power frittata or grilled ciabatta avocado toast sprinkled with zesty, cracked black pepper. It’s seriously all delicious at Bottega Americano!

Cafe Chloe

Before anything else is mentioned, we have to point out that out of all of San Diego’s French restaurants, downtown’s Cafe Chloe was awarded the best in the city. As that sets the tone for their insatiable brunch selection, let’s get into it, shall we? Starting with the cocktails (as the French do) Chloe supplies the finest wines, Bloody Mary’s, and sorbet mimosas San Diego has ever seen.

If you aren’t feeling the Sunday Funday drinking vibe, sip on their insanely delicious lavender lemonade that is guaranteed to carry you off into another dimension. As for what you should savor the rest of your stay, the absolutely fabulous and authentic brioche french toast may even have you speaking French. If that doesn’t get you talking, check out their delicious Hand Chopped Steak Tartare or the signature Chloe Burger! Everything Chloe has to offer will exceed your prior brunch expectations tenfold. Guaranteed.

Kettner Exchange

One major reason to check our Kettner Exchange’s epic brunch is the odd selection that they offer compared to most other places. The menu includes things like 3Big-Eye Tuna Tacos, Drunken Noodles, Spicy Shrimp, Brussel Sprouts mixed in with delicious tender pig ear and their pork steam bun covered in crushed peanuts, this brunch is definitely not one to miss.

Although they have a few of the typical brunch choices like the bennie and french toast, Kettner’s fresh take on lunch portion of brunch is well-received absolutely divine. Not to mention their selection of wines, craft beers and signature hair of the dog drinks is pretty impressive too!

Parties

Music

Scare

Patches

Happy Halloween

Cafe 21

Bottega Americano

Cafe Chloe

Kettner Exchange

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