Marketing Campaigns Archives | My Social Media Network

Posted by Megan Blahnik

Disappearing Content is the Future of Advertising

September 11, 2017Advertising, Content Marketing, Marketing Campaigns, Social Media, Social Media For Retail Businesses, Social Media Marketing, Social Media predictions

We’re not really too sure if Snapchat knew exactly what they were getting into with the concept of disappearing content. You know, it being the future of social media and all. But why would we want our content to disappear? It all comes down to the power of relevance.

As we have mentioned in past blogs, the future of content is user intent. Although Facebook and Instagram have become more organized as far as relative content, Snapchat has become king. With the power to choose what we want to see, the only content audiences view is exactly what they want to see; what they intend to see. And not only is appealing to them in the first place, but the fact that it only lasts so long commands more attention than it would if it did not have the ability to disappear.

Much like feeds that seems to tailor themselves to the user’s personality and interests, Snapchat also offers options of different entertainment companies to view their content like magazines, sports channels, teams, models and more. By taking this information into account and storing it in the user’s personalized account, they have specific options to revisit the content whenever they choose until it eventually disappears. This creates a win-win for brands and companies to not have to bombard users with over saturated ads and give a special insight into the exciting lives behind them simultaneously. These channels seem to be one of the most popular features of the application, besides the fact that the filters fuel social lives for friends to share.

How Can It Help You?

So far, the creative and illusive form of content has been used for campaigns and fundraisers through uploaded selfies and relative pictures. According to Blue Baboon Digital, “in 2014 the World’s Wildlife Fund began a Snapchat campaign to raise awareness about endangered species. They launched the #LastSelfie campaign, inspired by the disappearing nature of Snapchat. They included the tagline ‘Don’t let this be my #LastSelfie’ to encourage users of the app to take pictures of their ads and share them with friends.”

Beyond which companies and brands are already featured on this application and utilize its beneficial properties, any are open to use it! The hype of disappearing content not only attracts big businesses due to its popularity but its low cost especially. Snap Ads generally run only $3,000 a month, sponsored lens can be a bit pricier running from $5,000 Mon-Friday, and finally, the discover ads that we have been talking about. Priced at $50,000 currently, Snap decided to drop the rates from $750,000 to make them more affordable with “Live Story” prices at $250,000 in the Discover section.

With many options to choose from, more and more brands and businesses are jumping on board to the Snapchat disappearing platform every day. Depending on how much your budget is for advertising, this is definitely considered to be a wise investment for personal brands as well as clients. Consider how much you want your name out there and what you’re willing to invest for it; this is the future of social media advertising so let’s get with the times.

Posted by Patrick

3 New Year’s Marketing Resolutions for 2017

May 19, 2017Advertising, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, Pinterest, ROI in Social Media, SEO, Social Good, Social Media 0

We’re nearly two weeks into 2017, and that means it’s still time to start making and working on some new year’s resolutions that are really going to stick and turn your life around for the better this year. The same can be said for your small business. There are so many new technologies and programs available today when it comes to marketing and promoting yourself, that it may seem overwhelming to know where to start. But nevertheless, if you aren’t marketing your small business in 2017 in new and exciting ways, how do you expect your business to grow? That’s why we’ve come up with a handy dandy list of new year’s marketing resolutions for your small business in 2017.

Revamp Your Website

January is the perfect time to take a look at your website and decide which pages and graphics, messages, etc. need to be updated, and which things can completely go. Giving your website a fresh new look in 2017 is a great way to attract more leads and potential customers. Be sure to hire the right San Diego website design firm who will take the time and attention it takes to ensure that every detail of your website is psychologically designed in a way that will attract more viewers, and bring them into your storefront or office.

Search Engine Optimization

The Internet is changing all of the time, and if you’re not keeping up with SEO, you may not even be visible in the vast digital jungle that is the web. Be sure to hire a professional search engine optimization firm that will not only help you reach the top of Google search pages, but also optimize your SEO in San Diego so you’re targeting customers nearby. Local search optimization is just as, if not more, important than overall SEO–depending upon your business and industry.

Boost Your Social Media Efforts

It’s always a good idea to make sure your social media content is current and up-to-date. If you want to grow a social following, be sure you’re posting relevant content your followers want to see on a consistent basis. Third party articles from companies you’d like to strategically align with are helpful. You may also want to refresh your profile and background images. Be sure to post content that is behind the scenes, without being too personal, and to mix in a bit of fun with your business-related information. Custom graphics, infographics, links to your website, videos and blogs are essential for social media, and not just on Facebook. LinkedIn is great for B2B marketing, while Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube are growing fast. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with navigating the ever-changing social media world, we are here to help. We offer social media management services that are sure to save you time, while increasing your following and overall profits. We can even create ads for your own personal Facebook and Instagram campaigns.

In this new digital age, it’s essential for small and large businesses alike to jump on the social media bandwagon. Whether you enjoy social media or not, there are billions of people around the globe who do, and it’s taking over the way that marketing and advertising is conducted moving forward. Therefore, we are here for you, and would love a chance to help make 2017 the best year yet for your San Diego business. For more information, or a detailed quote, call (619) 291-8181 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by Patrick

Hottest Social Media Trends for Summer 2016

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, Social Good, Social Media, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media for Hospitality, Social Media for Party Planners, Social Media for Restaurants, Social Media For Retail Businesses, Social Media predictions, Socially Connected, Strategic Planning, Strategy 0

Summer has arrived, and warm temps don’t mean that it’s time to take a break from your marketing campaign. Quite the opposite. As more and more folks take some much-needed time off from work, you can bet that they’ll be sharing their joy on social media. This is where you want to be as well. Here are the latest trends in the social media universe that you can leverage for your business marketing efforts this summer.

Not Your Grandma’s Video

We’ve been told for years that video is essential for marketing. Now with over a billion users worldwide, Live Stream YouTube has revolutionized video marketing to the masses. Yet, a new phenomenon is sweeping the planet and is pushing internet surfers and marketers alike to up their video game, so to speak: live video streaming. We’re no longer satisfied with simply watching recorded videos but crave the authentic live experience that is broadcast through Apps like Periscope and Meerkat – one of the hottest social media trends today. Periscope, owned by Twitter, is now broadcasting over 40 years worth of video daily. Before you start ambushing customers and live streaming, you may wish to strategize with some social media experts.

Snapchat for Business

Snapchat, as much as you want it to be, is no longer just for teenagers. However, if your customer base is on the younger side, this is a marketing channel to example closely. According to Snapchat stats, 71% of users are under the age of 34, and there are over 100 million active users of the App. This is an App that can be leveraged for video marketing and short messages to reach untapped markets, particularly if your target market fits these demographics.

Social Commerce

Consumers are becoming less and less patient, and would prefer not to click through three separate screens to buy your product if it’s appealing. Fortunately, many of the social media platforms have heard the call, and various commerce-focused features have been implemented to allow the consumer to hit that “Buy” button sooner, rather than later. Facebook and Pinterest introduced these features in 2015, Twitter has been testing a “buy” button, and Instagram is expected to follow suit shortly.

Influencer Marketing

What used to be called word-of-mouth marketing is now termed “influencer marketing.” Same thing. Not only has the name changed, but its importance has gone through the roof. In fact, Nielson estimates that over 90% of consumers trust recommendations of friends and family over an advertising message. So, not only do those Yelp reviews and social media comments about your company matter, but your immediate response to them and prompt resolution of issues matters just as much.

Mobile Rules

It’s no longer “a plus” that your website, blog, and social media buttons are mobile friendly. Today, this is a must if you wish to survive in business. In 2016, it’s estimated that 2 billion consumers worldwide own smartphones, and mobile traffic overtook desktop traffic over a year ago. As content on a website is generally linked to social media, be sure that all of your web properties are mobile-friendly.

Social media platforms and their popularity change frequently and often those changes don’t make sense on the surface. Yet, social media marketing and staying on top of social media trends, is an essential element of connecting with customers and reaching untapped markets. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about social media trends and how My Social Marketing Network’s specialized marketing services can help your business get noticed.

Posted by Patrick

Keeping Your Fingers on the Pulse: Ways to Stay Ahead of the Game and Predict Social Media Trends Like a Psychic

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Marketing Campaigns, Social Good, Social Media, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media for Hospitality, Social Media for Party Planners, Social Media for Restaurants, Social Media For Retail Businesses, Social Media predictions, Socially Connected, Strategic Planning, Strategy, Twitter, Yelp, YouTube 0

Keeping up with social media trends can be confusing, especially when they seem to change every few months. As Entrepreneur contributor Aaron Agius puts it, “the savvy use of social media” is one of the best methods for building your brand’s authority. Being aware of the latest trends on social media platforms is essential to any business hoping to remain competitive in their market.

Becoming a Social Media Marketing Psychic

Unless you’re a social media marketing consultant, psychic (or both), you probably aren’t keeping up with the hottest trends across the various platforms. If you’re a business owner or marketer, your top priority is likely your own business and industry daily logistics – so how do you stay ahead of the game and still have time to focus on the many other aspects of running your business? One way is to learn how to predict the social media trends before they happen (or predict which ones will continue to be hot). While this may seem like an impossible task, it really can be as simple as paying attention to what has worked recently and developing your marketing strategy from there.

One of the predictions mentioned at Inc.com – regarding which social media platforms would prove to be viable for marketers in 2015 – was based on the success of certain platforms in the prior year. No one could deny that Facebook continued to be a leading choice for both users and marketers in 2015. LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube were the next obvious contenders, based on the percentage of marketers who used them in 2014. Instagram has already surpassed Twitter in terms of growth and popularity since the marketing research from 2014, as it grew to over 400 million users in 2015. The next big social media platform gaining momentum in 2016 in Snapchat, which is currently rivaling Facebook with 4 billion video views on any given day from 200 million active users.

Looking at Social Media Trends for 2015

Clearly, one of the best indications of the social media trends that will be hot in 2016 is the direction in which marketing practices developed in 2015 across popular platforms. Just as SEO practices experienced significant change in 2015, Facebook also implemented changes that affected marketers. The rules for posting marketing content changed considerably, and this will continue to change the way marketers do business on Facebook in 2016.

Social Media Week contributor Nicole Brown agrees that looking at the past is the secret to success in the future. Social marketing trends in lead generation that worked well in the latter part of 2015 are likely to be just as effective throughout 2016.

Keeping Track of Trending Topics

Another way to remain ahead of the game is to follow the trending topics on social media sites. This is not only a wise practice for journalists; it’s also a great way for marketers to learn what subject matter is of most interest to current platform users. Once you know which topics are trending, you can integrate that information with your marketing campaigns – from your social media posts to your email marketing ads.

As it happens, you don’t really need to be a psychic to remain competitive in your marketing efforts. However, you may need to take a look at the most recent social media trends to predict which ones will be viable in the future. If you don’t feel equipped to do this, or simply don’t have the time, you may want to consult a professional whose job is navigating social media platforms for marketers and small business owners.

Posted by Patrick

Making a Successful Infographic

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Marketing Campaigns, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Uncategorized

You’ve most likely seen a few infographics over the past couple of years, and one thing is for sure, they won’t disappear anytime soon. Why you ask? Infographics are like visual fast food for the brain. In a world where the average digitally connected person’s brain is soaking up hundreds of ads per day causing catastrophic information overload and fatigue (no drama there, I’m sure you agree) infographics provide a pleasing experience for the brain.

So what exactly are infographics?

“Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.”

(Doug Newsom and Jim Haynes (2004). Public Relations Writing: Form and Style. p.236).

According to authors Merieb, E. N. & Hoehn, K., 50% of our brains are involved in visual processing and 70% of our sensory receptors are in our eyes (2007, Human Anatomy & Physiology 7th Edition). When we look at symbols, objects and colors together (picture one of those hazard signs showing a male figure slipping- cautioning that the floor is wet) we can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second (Semetko, H. & Scammell, M. (2012, The SAGE Handbook of Political Communication).

So when you start to think about creating an infographic for your business, try these tips to ensure you’re successfully attracting and pleasing tired brains everywhere:

STEP ONE
Choose to create either a one-level deep or two-level deep infographic One-level deep – this type of infographic includes visuals and content to cover the concept in a simplistic way. Two-level deep – this type of infographic includes detailed factual data and statistical information to cover the concept, also with visuals.

STEP TWO
Now ask yourself – what’s your bid idea? Even if you are a one man-woman show, I suggest to pull together people you trust to help brainstorm your idea and hash-out thoughts on paper. Ask them if your idea is compelling enough, and then move on to your ‘core.’

STEP THREE
Lay out the core of your infographic Knowledge- which facts will you share? How will you end with your conclusions? If you want to make a professional two-level deep infographic, all of your presenting data should be thoroughly researched and the data presented must be backed up by established facts.
Content – how will you decide to share statistics and references to back up your idea?
Visuals – what colors, graphics and icons will you use to help convey your facts or message?

STEP FOUR
Put it all on to paper
Start by putting your ideas on paper. Write up a flowchart to illustrate to your designer which points you want to make from beginning to end. Discuss the psychology of color with your designer too – i.e., make sure if the tone of your infographic is to be serious that he/she uses blues or grays, and not bright yellows and oranges. If you want to try and make the infographic yourself, all you need to do is Google search “free infographic templates” and you’ll find various resources like these:

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/infographic-design-kit/
http://offers.hubspot.com/how-to-easily-create-five-fabulous-infographics-in-powerpoint

If you’re looking to create digital graphics like infographics or other forms of digital marketing, contact the Marketing masterminds at MySMN

Posted by Patrick

Social Media vs. Traditional – Find the Right Style of Marketing For Your Business

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Email Marketing, Marketing Campaigns, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Strategy, Uncategorized

Since the rise of the Internet, debate as started over the benefits of traditional marketing vs marketing online using social media when it comes to producing leads, expanding reach and improving business. As the online world continues to grow, people are left wondering “Will traditional marketing fade away?” Before the era of social media, traditional marketing such as print advertising, billboards, magazines, newspapers, email campaigns, and radio and TV interviews and commercials were primarily used for marketing. These days, online advertising is taking control with search engine advertising and social media marketing vastly extending the reach of the company’s voice.

Traditional Marketing Benefits

Face to Face Selling
Face to Face Communicating
Salesman Advantage
People can Physically Hear, Watch or Touch
Commercials During Major Televised Events

Traditional Marketing Disadvantages

Forced Marketing on Viewer
Have to Search for Clients
Lower Response Rate
No Community (less reach)
Not Cost Effective
No Open Communication with Customer
Not Easy to Track
Cannot Prove That People Like You

Social Media Marketing Benefits

Higher Conversion Rates
Higher ROI
Data can be Easily Tracked and Analyzed
Controlled Cost
Very Large Reach
Proof that People Like You
Community Building
Brand Building
Potential Clients Search for YOU!

Social Media Marketing Negatives

Potential Clients must be Internet Savvy
Loss of Non Internet Using Clients
Loss of Non Social Media Using Clients

The best way to manage your marketing strategy and campaigns is to have a balance between both if you can afford to do so. Some forms of traditional advertising like radio and TV commercials can be very costly and should be avoided if it is not leaving any room for online marketing in your strategy. Both forms can be effective, but online marketing is much more efficient and can not only be cost effective, but allows you to track data and analyze it to make proper adjustments. This can make an exponential difference and boost your ROI (return on investment) up 100%. A proper marketing strategy will include knowing the market to capitalize on and which methods are best used for your business.

For more information regarding marketing, strategy or social media contact us today for a free consultation with one of the experts at MySMN.

Posted by Patrick

Never Question Quality

May 19, 2017Marketing Campaigns, SEO, Social Media, Uncategorized

My Social Marketing Network is a full service digital marketing agency. We provide quality work and the best Internet solutions for various different clients. We do this through Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing & Management, Web Design & Development, Pay Per Click Advertising, and Email Marketing. Our creativity and depth of understanding of the Internet marketing world is what makes us and our clients so successful.

At MySMN, clients never question the quality of our services.

Posted by Patrick

Top Social Media Disasters

May 19, 2017Marketing Campaigns, Social Media, Strategy, Uncategorized

Social Media Disasters

Human nature can be volatile at times. This is often made apparent by social media interactions, especially in the users’ responses to otherwise well-meaning campaigns. Susan Boyle made an unintentionally hilarious mistake when she tweeted an announcement for her album release party with the hashtag #susanalbumparty . But other social media disasters have not been so amusing.

MySMN warns organizations to always double check their posts for anomalies. But there are many ways for social media to go very wrong very quickly. This is especially true for major corporations or well-known brands.

Last year McDonalds started a Twitter campaign that was intended to bolster their wholesome image. They invited patrons and employees to post their fond recollections of time spent at McDonalds with the hashtag #McDStories. Almost immediately after, people started using the tag as a way to vent their frustrations about the health issues surrounding the food.

#McDStories I lost 50lbs in 6 months after I quit working and eating at McDonald’s

And by “pride” do you mean “eyeballs and ammonia”? Yeah people can taste it, all right #McDStories

The post was removed two hours after it was tweeted, but people still use the hashtag now.

This was not the only time a corporation has landed in hot water with a tweet. Anything controversial can be turned against the company. The Middle Eastern airline Quantas was slammed with racist remarks on Twitter after they introduced the hashtag #qantasluxury for a contest. An Australian supermarket chain called Coles drew the public’s criticism over their supply sources when they introduced the phrase “In my house it’s a crime not to buy…”

“in my house it’s a crime not to buy food from (local) markets while Coles exploits mental illness via pokies”.

It is also important to consider current events when planning a campaign. If a national tragedy occurs on the day you were planning to start a sales campaign, then your light hearted remarks may negatively reflect upon the company. Social media analysts should stay up-to-date with current events. Don’t be afraid to put off a promotion in the event of a crisis or you may end up mired in a social media disaster.

Last July 21 was the day of the tragic Batman shootings at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The tag #Aurora was trending as millions expressed their sympathies for the victims. Unfortunately for one employee of Celeb Boutique, she had not read the news. So she assumed that the tag was about their product when she tweeted:

“#Aurora is trending, clearly about our Kim K inspired #Aurora dress 😉 Shop celeboutique.com/aurora-white-p…”

Not only did it appear as though the company was capitalizing on the violent deaths of 12 people, she even mentioned the Kardashians. Companies can issue apologies for their employees. But the damage from one post can last much longer than an instant message.

Social Media is a great way to expand your brand, but with expansion comes the possibility of a reputation faux pas. With social media power comes great responsibility, so should you need help harnessing the power, MySMN is happy to lend a hand.

Posted by Patrick

How to Launch a New Product With Social Media

May 19, 2017Advertising, Blogging, Business Tips, Customer Service, Marketing Campaigns, Social Media for Consumer Products 0

Entrepreneurs and businesses alike spend countless hours transforming their innovative ideas into a product or service. Most of their time is spent on the blueprint of the actual product rather than the launch itself, leaving them at a stall once it’s finished. Today, social media platforms can easily assist and even serve as a primary source to launch a new product. It also acts as a communication bridge for marketers to engage with customers before the actual development of the product. Pre-launch engagement will let businesses learn more about customer’s experiences, issues, and interest in order to be more efficient in the product building stage.

Engaging with customers beforehand through social media should give entrepreneurs helpful key points to keep in mind while in the early drawing board stage. Social listening tools such as Vocus or Trackur can lend some extra guidance needed to pinpoint consumer conversations to acquire their opinions or feedback before your company decides to launch a new product. With these tools, companies can gauge what the consumers actually want in a new product or solve any past issues with a current product. The main issue they need to consider is getting in touch with consumers’ voice and releasing a product that’ll maintain loyalty that they already have or wish to acquire.

When your business is ready to launch a new product, a communication channel is needed in order to convey a rightful brand image to existing or new customers. Blogging can be used with ease to tell a story about the product or what its never before seen benefits are. Existing consumers can learn more about your new product while potential customers can be attracted to your blog via search engines to discover your brand. With the right content and keywords guiding your blog, you are opening up a gateway for consumers that are seeking your exact product.

MySMN has the all right tools, experience, and team to connect your business and leverage your power online for your new product/service! When utilized correctly, companies can launch a new product solely with social media.

Posted by Patrick

Benefits of Google AdWords

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Marketing Campaigns 0

At MySMN we receive a lot of questions about the latest and greatest advertising platforms and the question of the moment is: What are the benefits of a Google AdWords campaign? The world of online advertising is constantly changing so it can be difficult to keep up with the trends, but luckily, we love the online universe so sit back, relax, and let’s talk benefits of a Google AdWords campaign.

Only Pay For Results

In online advertising there are two major types of payment for advertisers, cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-thousand (CPM). CPM is when advertisers pay based on the amount of people who see their ad (called impressions). The pricing is bundled in units of a thousand impressions. Google AdWords uses CPC pricing which is based on each time a user clicks on the ad and is directed to your website. In other words, you don’t pay for each time your ad is displayed, but only when someone clicks on your ad and is directed to your website.

You Control Your Budget

Google sets cost-per-click pricing on an automated auction system. With Google AdWords, as an advertiser you can specify the maximum amount (max CPC bid) that you are willing to pay for each time a prospective customer clicks on your ad and visits your website. Because you can set your exact budget, you have complete control over your advertising and never have to risk going over budget.

Here is an example from Google AdWords:

Your daily budget: $10

Your maximum cost-per-click bid: $0.50

Your average actual cost-per-click: $0.40

Approximate number of clicks per day: 25

Effective Targeting

With Google AdWords you can target your audience using very specific keywords. Another element that greatly increases finding your target market is using geo-targeting to only show your ads in a particular area. For example, if you own a gym, you don’t only want to have a keyword like “gym,” but you can also specify the area, like “San Diego” or even be more specific and geo-target “North County” or “Encinitas.”

We hope you have a better understanding of the benefits of Google Adwords. If you have any questions about Google Adwords or anything else in the online world, get in touch!

Marketing Campaigns

How Can It Help You?

So what exactly are infographics?

“Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.”

Social Media Disasters

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