Threads, Meta’s rapidly evolving platform, continues to gain traction in the social media landscape, offering features that make it a promising space for businesses and marketers. Here’s why businesses should take notice:
The Growth of Threads
Threads initially leveraged its integration with Instagram, allowing users to seamlessly transition between platforms. This move gave Threads a significant user base from the start, reaching over 200 million monthly active users, although still behind X (formerly Twitter). Its ties to Instagram helped position it as a familiar and accessible platform for Instagram’s massive audience.
Custom Feeds and Competition
The introduction of custom feeds has further enhanced user control over their content experience. These features have helped Threads compete with other rising platforms like Bluesky by offering users the ability to curate feeds based on interests or preferences. This customization aligns well with the current trend of personalized digital experiences.
Features Businesses Will Appreciate
Insights for Data-Driven Decisions Threads now offers an analytics feature that provides businesses with insights into audience demographics, follower growth, and engagement rates. This data empowers businesses to refine their strategies based on actionable metrics.
Post Scheduling and Drafts Businesses can plan content efficiently with Threads’ post-scheduling feature, which supports setting up multiple posts in advance. The ability to store up to 100 drafts allows for streamlined campaign planning.
Content Moderation Threads offers tools to hide certain keywords or filter out political content, helping businesses create a more brand-safe environment for engagement.
Community Building With its cleaner, more focused design compared to X, Threads fosters meaningful interactions. Businesses can connect directly with audiences, building relationships in a less cluttered digital space.
Upcoming Features and Opportunities
Meta is reportedly planning to introduce advertisements to Threads as early as January 2025. This move is part of Meta’s strategy to monetize the platform and could open new opportunities for businesses to reach their target audiences through in-app advertising.
While Threads is currently ad-free, this move signals a major opportunity for businesses. Here’s why:
Early Mover Advantage Businesses that establish a presence now will be better positioned to leverage ads when they launch, enjoying greater visibility before competition intensifies.
Cross-Platform Advertising With Threads tied to Meta, Meta’s ad ecosystem is likely to integrate seamlessly across platforms. Brands will be able to target users based on Threads-specific behavior while utilizing Instagram’s robust audience data for precision targeting.
Cost-Effective Experimentation Ads on new platforms often start with competitive pricing to attract advertisers. This creates an opportunity for smaller businesses to test strategies and gain insights at a lower cost.
Meta’s prediction of $8 billion in annual revenue from Threads by 2025 is a clear indication of the platform’s potential as a key player in social media advertising.
Why Join Now?
Threads offers an uncluttered, ad-free experience that allows businesses to stand out while the platform is still in its growth phase. Early adoption means less competition for attention and the opportunity to establish a strong presence before the space becomes saturated.
With a focus on analytics, scheduling, and user-centric features, Threads is proving to be a valuable addition to any business’s marketing toolkit. By getting on board now, businesses can capitalize on its unique advantages and position themselves as leaders in this emerging digital space.
In a seismic shift for the social media landscape, the TikTok ban has been set into motion, leaving small businesses and creators scrambling to adapt to the new reality. The recent passage of the bill, announced today, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate surrounding the platform’s influence and security concerns. As the ban looms, stakeholders are left to ponder the ramifications and plot a course forward in this uncertain territory.
The TikTok Ban Bill: What We Know
The bill, which passed today, represents a culmination of efforts to address national security concerns associated with TikTok, a popular short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Citing worries over data privacy and the potential for foreign influence, lawmakers have pushed for stringent measures to curb the app’s reach within the United States.
The specifics of the bill outline a phased approach to the TikTok ban, with provisions aimed at restricting access to the app for American users and implementing measures to sever ties between TikTok and its parent company. Additionally, the bill allocates resources for cybersecurity initiatives and reinforces regulations surrounding data handling practices for social media platforms.
Impact on Small Business Owners and Creators
For small businesses and creators who have built their brands and livelihoods on TikTok, the impending ban poses a myriad of challenges. With millions of users and a highly engaged audience, TikTok has emerged as a vital marketing channel for businesses of all sizes, offering unparalleled reach and engagement potential.
The ban threatens to upend established marketing strategies and disrupt revenue streams for small businesses that rely on TikTok to promote their products and services. Moreover, creators who have cultivated large followings on the platform face the prospect of losing their audience and grappling with the loss of a platform that has become synonymous with their brand identity.
Navigating the Post-Ban Landscape
As the TikTok ban goes into effect, small business owners and creators must pivot swiftly to mitigate the impact and explore alternative avenues for reaching their target audience. This may involve diversifying social media strategies, leveraging alternative platforms, or investing in owned media channels such as websites and email lists.
Additionally, the ban presents an opportunity for emerging social media platforms to capitalize on the vacuum left by TikTok’s absence. Competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are poised to attract disgruntled TikTok users and offer a familiar yet alternative platform for content creation and consumption. The time has come to start encouraging your TikTok followers to consider following you on these alternative platforms.
The Future of Social Media
Beyond the immediate fallout of the TikTok ban, the episode underscores broader tensions surrounding data privacy, national security, and the role of social media in modern society. As governments grapple with these complex issues, the landscape of social media is likely to undergo significant transformation, with implications for businesses, creators, and users alike.
Looking ahead, stakeholders must remain vigilant and adaptable in the face of evolving regulatory landscapes and shifting consumer preferences. While the TikTok ban represents a significant setback for some, it also serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility of the digital ecosystem and imperative resilience in the face of change.
If you’re ready to invest in an owned marketing channel for your business, give us a call at (318) 519-6230.
Are you ready to take your digital advertising to the next level? In today’s competitive landscape, choosing the right platforms can make or break your marketing strategy. But with so many options available, how do you know which ones will deliver the best results for your business?
Welcome to the ultimate guide to choosing the best platforms for digital advertising. Whether you’re looking to drive more website traffic, increase brand awareness, or boost conversions, this comprehensive guide will help you make informed decisions.
We’ll dive deep into the top advertising platforms, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different business goals. From social media giants like Facebook and Instagram to search engine powerhouses like Google Ads, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each platform. You’ll gain valuable insights on targeting options, ad formats, and performance metrics.
So if you’re ready to optimize your digital advertising campaigns and maximize your return on investment, keep reading. The perfect platform for your business is just a few clicks away.
Types of digital advertising platforms
When it comes to digital advertising, there are various types of platforms that can help you reach your target audience effectively. Understanding these platforms and their unique features is crucial in selecting the best ones for your business.
Search engine advertising platforms
One of the most popular types of digital advertising platforms is search engine advertising. These platforms, such as Google Ads, allow you to display your ads to users who are actively searching for products or services related to your business.
With search engine advertising, you can leverage keywords to ensure your ads appear in relevant search results. This type of advertising is highly effective in capturing the attention of users who are already interested in what you have to offer.
Social media advertising platforms
Social media platforms have become a powerful tool for digital advertising. Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and X Ads are just a few examples of social media advertising platforms that can help you reach a wide audience and engage with potential customers.
Each social media platform offers unique targeting options and ad formats. Facebook Ads, for instance, allow you to target users based on their interests, demographics, and behavior. Instagram Ads, on the other hand, provide an opportunity for visually engaging advertising through compelling images and videos.
Display advertising platforms
Display advertising platforms, like the Google Display Network, allow you to showcase your ads across a vast network of websites and apps. These platforms offer a range of ad formats, including banners, videos, and interactive ads.
Display advertising is particularly effective for building brand awareness and reaching a broader audience. By strategically placing your ads on relevant websites, you can increase your visibility and attract potential customers who may not have been actively searching for your products or services.
Factors to consider when choosing the best platforms for digital advertising
Now that you’re familiar with the types of digital advertising platforms available, it’s essential to consider certain factors when choosing the right ones for your business. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Target audience
Understanding your target audience is crucial in selecting the right advertising platforms. Different platforms attract different demographics and user behaviors. For example, if your target audience consists primarily of professionals and businesses, LinkedIn Ads may be the ideal platform for you.
Consider the age, location, interests, and online behavior of your target audience when evaluating advertising platforms. This will help you ensure that your ads are seen by the right people at the right time.
Budget
Budget is another important factor to consider when choosing digital advertising platforms. Some platforms, like Google Ads, operate on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, where you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. Others, like Facebook Ads, charged based on the number of times your ad is shown to users.
Evaluate your budget and determine how much you’re willing to invest in digital advertising. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on platforms that align with your financial goals.
Ad formats and targeting options
Different platforms offer various ad formats and targeting options. Consider the type of content you want to create and the specific targeting options you need to reach your audience effectively.
For example, if you want to create visually appealing ads, platforms like Instagram and YouTube may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re looking for precise targeting options based on user interests and behavior, Facebook Ads may be the ideal platform for you.
Performance metrics
Tracking and analyzing the performance of your ads is crucial in optimizing your digital advertising campaigns. Look for platforms that provide robust analytics and reporting tools, allowing you to measure key metrics such as impressions, clicks, conversions, and ROI.
Consider the level of reporting and analytics provided by each platform to ensure you have the necessary data to make informed decisions and optimize your campaigns for maximum results.
Google Ads: The leader in digital advertising
When it comes to digital advertising, Google Ads is undoubtedly the leader. With billions of searches conducted on Google every day, this platform offers immense reach and targeting capabilities.
Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, allowing you to set a budget and bid on keywords relevant to your business. This ensures that your ads appear in relevant search results, increasing your chances of attracting interested users.
One of the key advantages of Google Ads is its extensive targeting options. You can target users based on keywords, demographics, location, and even specific websites. This level of granularity allows you to reach your target audience precisely and maximize the effectiveness of your ads.
Google Ads also offers a wide range of ad formats, including text ads, display ads, video ads, and shopping ads. This versatility allows you to create engaging and impactful ads tailored to your business goals.
With robust analytics and reporting tools, Google Ads provides valuable insights into the performance of your campaigns. You can track impressions, clicks, conversions, and other key metrics to optimize your ads and maximize your return on investment.
Facebook Ads: Targeting the right audience
With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is a social media giant that offers immense potential for digital advertising. Facebook Ads allows you to reach a wide audience and target users based on their demographics, interests, behavior, and even connections.
One of the key advantages of Facebook Ads is its advanced targeting capabilities. You can create custom audiences based on various factors, such as age, location, gender, interests, and online behavior. This level of targeting precision ensures that your ads are seen by the right people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.
Facebook Ads also offers a range of ad formats, including image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and collection ads. This versatility allows you to create visually appealing ads that capture the attention of your target audience.
In addition to its targeting and ad format options, Facebook Ads provides comprehensive analytics and reporting tools. You can track the performance of your campaigns, measure key metrics, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your ads for better results.
Instagram Ads: Engaging visual advertising
As a subsidiary of Facebook, Instagram offers a unique platform for digital advertising with a focus on visually engaging content. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram Ads can help you reach a wide audience and showcase your products or services in a visually appealing way.
One of the key advantages of Instagram Ads is its emphasis on visual storytelling. You can create eye-catching image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and Stories ads to capture the attention of your target audience.
Instagram also offers various targeting options, allowing you to reach users based on their demographics, interests, behavior, and connections. This level of targeting precision ensures that your ads are seen by the right people who are most likely to engage with your brand.
With Instagram’s native shopping features, you can also tag products in your ads and drive traffic directly to your website or online store. This seamless shopping experience enhances the conversion potential of your Instagram Ads.
To measure the performance of your Instagram Ads, you can leverage Instagram Insights and Facebook Ads Manager. These tools provide valuable analytics and reporting functionalities, allowing you to track impressions, clicks, conversions, and other key metrics.
LinkedIn Ads: Professional networking and B2B marketing
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that offers unique opportunities for digital advertising, especially for businesses targeting professionals and B2B audiences. With over 774 million members, LinkedIn Ads can help you reach a highly engaged audience in a professional context.
One of the key advantages of LinkedIn Ads is its targeting capabilities. You can target users based on their job title, industry, company size, seniority, and other professional attributes. This level of targeting precision ensures that your ads are seen by professionals who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.
LinkedIn Ads also offers various ad formats, including sponsored content, text ads, and dynamic ads. These formats allow you to create engaging and impactful ads that resonate with your target audience.
In addition to its targeting and ad format options, LinkedIn Ads provides robust analytics and reporting tools. You can track the performance of your campaigns, measure key metrics, and gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your ads.
X/Twitter Ads: Real-time marketing opportunities
X, formerly known as Twitter, is a popular social media platform that offers real-time marketing opportunities for businesses. With over 330 million monthly active users, X Ads can help you reach a wide audience and engage with potential customers in real-time conversations.
One of the key advantages of X Ads is its real-time nature. You can leverage trending topics, hashtags, and events to create timely and relevant ads that capture the attention of your target audience.
X Ads also offers various ad formats, including promoted posts, promoted accounts, and promoted trends. These formats allow you to create engaging and interactive ads that align with your business goals.
In terms of targeting options, X Ads allows you to target users based on their interests, demographics, and even the keywords they use in their tweets. This level of targeting precision ensures that your ads are seen by users who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.
To track the performance of your Twitter Ads, you can leverage Twitter Analytics and other third-party tools. These tools provide valuable insights into the reach, engagement, and conversions generated by your ads.
YouTube Ads: Video advertising at its best
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, making it a powerful platform for video advertising. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube Ads can help you reach a vast audience and leverage the engagement potential of video content.
One of the key advantages of YouTube Ads is its reach. You can showcase your video ads to users who are actively searching for related content or watching videos relevant to your business. This targeting capability ensures that your ads are seen by users who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.
YouTube Ads offer various ad formats, including skippable in-stream ads, non-skippable in-stream ads, video discovery ads, and bumper ads. These formats allow you to create compelling and engaging video ads that capture the attention of your target audience.
In addition to its targeting and ad format options, YouTube Ads provides comprehensive analytics and reporting tools. You can track the performance of your ads, measure key metrics, and gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your video campaigns.
Choosing the best platforms for digital advertising
In conclusion, choosing the best platforms for your digital advertising needs requires careful consideration of various factors. Understanding the types of platforms available, such as search engine advertising, social media advertising, and display advertising, is crucial in making informed decisions.
Factors such as target audience, budget, ad formats, targeting options, and performance metrics should be taken into account when evaluating different platforms. By aligning your business goals with the unique features and capabilities of each platform, you can optimize your digital advertising campaigns and maximize your return on investment.
Whether you choose Google Ads for its reach and targeting capabilities, Facebook Ads for its advanced targeting options, Instagram Ads for visually engaging content, LinkedIn Ads for professional networking and B2B marketing, X Ads for real-time marketing opportunities, or YouTube Ads for video advertising at its best, the key is to select platforms that resonate with your target audience and align with your business objectives.
So, take the time to explore the strengths, weaknesses, and suitability of each platform. Test different strategies, track your performance, and make data-driven decisions to continuously optimize your digital advertising campaigns. The perfect platform for your business is just a few clicks away.
In a move that has sparked controversy and debate within the digital advertising realm, Apple has implemented a policy requiring Facebook to pay a 30% fee on boosted posts within its app. This decision has significant implications for the businesses utilizing Facebook’s advertising platform.
How Boosted Facebook Posts Work
Facebook’s boosted posts feature allows businesses and individuals to pay to increase the visibility of their content on the platform. This could include promoting a product, service, event, or even a simple status update to reach a wider audience. With billions of active users, Facebook offers an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to engage with potential customers and drive conversions.
However, the addition of Apple’s fee introduces a new layer of complexity to the digital advertising landscape. Apple’s rationale for the fee is rooted in its App Store policies, which require developers to pay a commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions. Since boosted posts fall under this category, Facebook is now obligated to comply with these terms.
Why Boost Facebook Posts?
Boosted posts serve as a crucial tool for businesses aiming to amplify their online presence through social media advertising. Here’s why they matter:
Increased Reach: Boosted posts allow businesses to extend their reach beyond their organic audience, ensuring that their content reaches users who may not have otherwise seen it.
Targeted Advertising: Facebook’s robust targeting capabilities enable advertisers to tailor their boosted posts to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, maximizing relevance and engagement.
Enhanced Visibility: By appearing higher in users’ news feeds, boosted posts stand out amidst the vast sea of content on social media, increasing the likelihood of user interaction and conversion.
Measurable Results: Facebook provides comprehensive analytics tools that enable advertisers to track the performance of their boosted posts in real-time, allowing for data-driven decision-making and optimization.
Implications for Businesses
For businesses leveraging Facebook’s advertising platform, Apple’s fee presents both challenges and opportunities:
Increased Costs: The 30% fee imposed by Apple directly impacts the advertising budget allocated by businesses for promoting their content on Facebook. Facebook has already shared that this in-app fee will be added to the costs of boosted posts within the Facebook app. To avoid the added fee, you should purchase Facebook ads through their web platform on a desktop computer or your phone’s mobile browser.
Diversification of Platforms: In response to Apple’s fee, businesses may consider diversifying their advertising efforts across multiple platforms, such as Instagram, X, LinkedIn, or Google Ads, to mitigate the impact of increased costs and reach a broader audience.
Focus on Organic Strategies: With rising advertising costs, businesses may prioritize organic strategies to enhance their online presence, such as creating compelling content, engaging with their audience, and fostering community relationships.
Conclusion
Apple’s imposition of a 30% fee on Facebook boosted posts underscores the evolving dynamics of digital advertising and the interconnected relationships between tech giants and advertisers. While this decision presents challenges for businesses, it also underscores the importance of adaptability, diversification, and strategic decision-making in navigating the complex landscape of online advertising. As businesses continue to innovate and evolve their marketing strategies, the ability to leverage diverse platforms and channels will be paramount in driving success in the digital age.
Need help navigating the digital advertising landscape? Savage Creative Solutions has a team of digital experts ready to help increase awareness and revenue for your business or organization. Contact us today by filling out our contact form or calling (318) 519-6230.
In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become more than just avenues for connecting with friends and sharing your life’s moments. They have evolved into a powerful e-commerce platforms, offering businesses new opportunities to showcase their products and reach a wider audience.
TikTok, with its explosive growth and immense popularity, has emerged as a potent platform for online selling. When combined with the robust capabilities of WooCommerce, a popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress, you have a dynamic duo that can drive your sales to new heights. In this article, we will explore how to effectively sell on TikTok utilizing WooCommerce.
Setting up Your WooCommerce Store
Before diving into TikTok commerce, you need to have a WooCommerce store up and running. If you already have one, skip to the next section. If not, follow these steps to get started:
Choose a Hosting Provider: To set up a WooCommerce store, you’ll need a reliable hosting provider. Popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine.
Install WordPress: Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations. Follow their instructions to get WordPress up and running on your domain.
Install WooCommerce: Once WordPress is installed, navigate to the plugins section and search for WooCommerce. Install and activate it.
Configure WooCommerce: Follow the WooCommerce setup wizard to configure your store settings, including currency, shipping, and payment gateways.
Add Products: Start adding your products to your WooCommerce store. Ensure that your product listings are engaging and provide all the necessary information. This includes a product name, description, variations (sizes, colors, etc.), and pricing.
Understanding TikTok Commerce
TikTok commerce involves leveraging the short-form video platform to promote and sell your products. TikTok’s vast user base and highly engaging content make it an ideal platform for businesses to showcase their products and connect with potential customers.
Here’s how to get started with TikTok commerce:
Create a TikTok Business Account: If you don’t already have one, create a TikTok business account. This will provide you with access to TikTok’s advertising and analytics tools.
Understand Your Audience: Research your target audience on TikTok. What kind of content do they engage with? What are their interests? This information will help you tailor your TikTok marketing strategy.
Engage with TikTok Trends: TikTok is all about trends and challenges. Keep an eye on trending topics and challenges within your niche and find creative ways to incorporate your products into them.
Build a Content Strategy: Plan your TikTok content carefully. Create videos that are visually appealing, entertaining, and informative. Show your products in action, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
Integrating TikTok with WooCommerce
Now that you have your WooCommerce store and TikTok account set up, it’s time to connect the two for a seamless selling experience. Here’s how to integrate TikTok with WooCommerce:
Generate a TikTok Pixel: A TikTok pixel is essential for tracking user interactions and conversions from your TikTok ads. You can create one in your TikTok Ads Manager account.
Install TikTok Pixel on Your WooCommerce Store: Add the TikTok pixel code to your WooCommerce store. This will allow you to track user activity and measure the effectiveness of your TikTok marketing efforts.
Sync Product Catalog: Use the TikTok for WooCommerce plugin to sync your WooCommerce product catalog with your TikTok Business account. This makes it easier to create product ads on TikTok.
Creating TikTok Ads for WooCommerce Products
With your WooCommerce store and TikTok accounts linked, it’s time to start creating TikTok ads to promote your products. Follow these steps to create effective TikTok ads:
Choose Your Campaign Objective: TikTok offers various campaign objectives, including traffic, conversions, and video views. Select the one that best aligns with your goals.
Define Your Target Audience: Use TikTok’s targeting options to reach your desired audience. You can narrow down your audience based on demographics, interests, and behavior.
Create Engaging Ad Content: Develop eye-catching ad creatives that showcase your products in action. Keep your videos short, engaging, and on-brand. Use TikTok’s creative tools to add music, effects, and text. Utilize multiple video options to A/B test which creative performs best for your target audience.
Set Your Budget and Schedule: Determine your ad budget and schedule. TikTok allows you to set daily or lifetime budgets and choose specific dates and times for your ads to run.
Track and Optimize: Monitor the performance of your TikTok ads using the TikTok pixel and TikTok Ads Manager. Analyze metrics like click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Adjust your ad strategy based on the data to maximize results.
Leveraging User-Generated Content
One of the strengths of TikTok is its user-generated content (UGC). Encourage your customers to create TikTok videos featuring your products and share them on the platform. This can provide authentic and relatable content that resonates with potential buyers.
Create a Branded Hashtag: Develop a unique and memorable hashtag related to your brand or products. Encourage customers to use it when posting their TikTok videos.
Offer Incentives: Consider running UGC contests or giveaways to motivate customers to create TikTok content featuring your products. Offer prizes or discounts as incentives.
Repost User-Generated Content: Share user-generated TikTok videos on your own TikTok account and other social media channels. This not only showcases your products but also builds a sense of community around your brand.
Conclusion
TikTok commerce offers an exciting opportunity for businesses to tap into a massive and engaged audience. When combined with the power and flexibility of WooCommerce, you can create a winning combination for online selling.
By setting up your WooCommerce store, understanding TikTok commerce, integrating the two platforms, creating effective TikTok ads, and leveraging user-generated content, you can harness the full potential of TikTok to boost your e-commerce sales. Embrace this dynamic platform, and watch your business thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Need help getting starting? Savage Creative Solutions specializes in TikTok and Woocomerce capabilities. Give us a call today at (318) 519-6230 to get the conversation started.
November brings us into what is typically the busiest time of the year for many businesses! The last couple months of the year bring Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday. When the pandemic hit it also changed shopping habits and amplified online shopping, as many retailers remained closed.
This trend will likely continue and your business should be ready handle the influx of customers as well as the changing trends.
1. Have a website
A Facebook Page isn’t enough. If you don’t have a website you’re going to be missing out on a huge number of potential customers! Customers are increasingly researching products and deals online. If you don’t have a responsive website, you won’t even be a part of those conversations and discussions.
Make sure your website has your updated hours and any additional procedures they should be aware of due to the pandemic. You should also include all of your Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday deals on your website. Be sure these are listed using text and not an image or linked PDF, as Google can have trouble indexing those types of media. If Google can’t read it and show it to the appropriate shopper, it’s pointless. These types of media are often difficult to navigate on mobile devices as well, which is where the majority of shoppers are searching.
2. Consider deals and promotions
Consumers are looking for the best deal. The internet has made it extremely easy to research who has the best ones in a larger geographic area, before they even leave their home. A special deal or promotion could make your business more competitive with others. Consider a discount, giving a special gift to the first x number of shoppers, or something similar.
3. Make sure hours of operations are defined
We already discussed this a bit with your website, but I think it’s important enough to mention again. Ensure your website has accurate and up-to-date information. Double check your address (if you’ve moved recently), hours of operation, and contact information. Test your contact forms and ensure they’re working as expected. If a customer can’t get a quick response, they will move on. Having inaccurate information could cost you big!
4. Update your online directory listings
While you’re checking your website, make sure other online listings have updated information for your business as well. This could include your Google Business Listing, Yelp Business Listing, and other similar business listings online. Google also now allows you to include posts on your business listing on the search engine. Use this to increase the reach of those searching for products or services you sell!
Google Ads are another great example of digital advertising that is highly beneficial for businesses during the holiday season! Google Ads are pay-pay-click. Therefore, you don’t pay unless someone actually clicks on your ad. While social platforms are great for building awareness around your business, product, or service, Google users actually have an intent to already buy when your ad appears. This is important. Because your ad appears based on keywords, they are actually searching for your product or service at the moment your ad appears! That’s huge! And when consumers are researching on Google, you want to appear when your specific keywords are searched for in your area.
6. Send out a mailer
Mail is not dead. Many people are still working from home during the pandemic, making mail an even more important part of your marketing strategy. Include contact information and details about your deals or promotions. Be sure to include any details about who is eligible and any date ranges that are specific to the sale.
Mailers can come in many different sizes. Using a unique size, can help yours stand out in their inbox! You can also target mailing lists not only by geographic areas, but also household demographics as well. Only want to target households with pets? You can do that.
7. Ensure you have extra staffing
The holidays mean higher demand. Ensure you have extra staffing to handle the higher demand for online orders and to safely meet demand in store during this busier season. You can have an excellent deal and product, but if a customer can’t make the purchase or has a bad experience you can bet they’ll move on to somewhere else. Competition is too great during this time of the year for bad customer service. Keep this in mind when making those schedules!
Many businesses are experiencing a shortage of workers right now. If that’s the case for you, perhaps spreading your deals out over a longer period of time would be more ideal. Many big box retailers have begun to do the same as well to limit the large crowds that typically appear on these days.
8. Take advantage of stories
Stories are one of the most underutilized features by many businesses! Customers love to see behind-the-scenes. Share short clips of your staff putting out the holiday inventory, share special products that will be on sale, and other promos. Don’t worry about these being perfect. Since they will be gone in 24 hours, customers are used to this type of media being less-polished and actually prefer it. Professionally edited videos typically stick out as ‘ads’ and don’t perform as well. This can be an easy and quick way to get the word out about your holiday plans!
9. Use a geofilter
Geofilters are very inexpensive and fairly easy to setup! You can find design specifications on Snapchat. Then, just log into your Snapchat account online, upload your artwork, choose the area you want it to be visible in, and complete the purchase.
Placing a geofilter over your location or even a competitor’s location can help spread the word about your promotions and attract additional in-person customers. It’s also a great way for customers to share loyalty to your brand!
10. Ensure consistency across all marketing channels
Make it easy for customers to remember and distinguish your business when they see it. All of your ads, across all mediums, should have the same look and feel. Customers typically have to see your ad multiple times before deciding to make a purchase. This metric is called frequency. You’ll likely see it in your ad insights.
Whether they’re seeing a billboard or a Facebook ad, they should be able to immediately make the connection. This means using the same brand colors, models, fonts (the way the text looks), and logo. This also helps build brand equity that is beneficial after the holiday season is over as well!
Start with these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a successful holiday shopping season and beyond! If you’d like assistance with promoting your Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, or Cyber Monday sales we’d love to see how we can help. Send us a message or give us a call at (318) 545-2600 and we’ll get the conversation started.
Instagram Stories’ analytics are important for business owners and marketers alike as it can help show you what your audience is connecting to and engaging with. To be fair, Snapchat does give you data on how many people viewed a snap as well as who viewed it; however, after 24 hours that data is gone.
Instagram keeps how many people viewed a story and more for 14 days, allowing you to gather more data from your followers. You can filter your stories for the past 14 days by impressions, reach, exits, and replies. If you want to filter the results even more, you can apply an additional filter for the last 24 hours, 7 days, or 14 days. The ability to see when viewers exit is huge! This can help you determine if your daily stories are too long or even what type of content your viewers don’t appreciate. Instagram does currently lack the ability the sort this data.
2. Stories Can Promote Your Main Profile’s Content
Instagram Stories have the ability to mention other accounts (clicking the username brings up a bubble with the username that will take you straight to their profile page) or even your own. In doing so, stories is an excellent way to appear at the top of your followers’ feeds, showcasing your latest posts, and directing them straight back to your business’ content.
Snapchat has yet to add any sort of tagging feature. There also is no core profile feature to direct users to in order to learn more about your products or services; stories is the snapchat product.
3. Boomerang
Boomerang was originally a separate app by Instagram that allowed users to record a short 3-second long clip that would repeat itself forward and backwards. It has since been baked into the flagship Instagram app. The effect has become immensely popular on the platform, particularly with millennials.
The effect is very reminiscent of GIFS, which are wildly popular with millennials on Tumblr and have even recently caught the eye of Facebook. With about 90% of Instagram’s user base under 35, it is an excellent platform to capitalize on that demographic. The popular effect is a great way for brands to get creative and produce native content as well!
4. The Design is More Intuitive and Customizable
Instagram is a creative community, made up vastly of designers and creators. The tools made available to users reflects this demographic with a large amount of options and customizations. One of the biggest perks is the ability to change text size. No more awkward, hanging words that take up a ton of space. Instagram also gives you the ability to add multiple text layers which has yielded some original text designs for posts. Users have used multiple text layers to create shadows and other effects, for example.
Simple, modern “stickers” allow users to showcase weather conditions, the time, or their location. There are also stickers for the days of the week and holidays; Instagram is constantly updating the collection to choose from. They also have multiple pen tools that allow you to draw or write in different styles. There is a thin marker style, a thicker, highlighter line with a slight opacity, as well as a line with a neon, outer glow. The ability to use all of these styles with any color you can imagine rounds out the customization options in Instagram.
5. Instagram Stories’ Filters
Instagram’s stellar filter options not only make posting fun but they also can make your photos look stunning! With filters that add gradient, color overlays, or increase brightness, or decrease noise, the filters are specifically designed to make photos or videos look great. They provide the finishing, professional touch, giving you the same freedom to edit your photos or videos as you would in the main app.
While snapchat’s main focus has been on geofilters and the use of facial recognition to overlay graphics onto your face or videos, Instagram focuses on the creative process of posting: choosing a subject and unique angle and then selecting one of Instagram’s several filters to polish your media before posting. Instagram Stories is ramping up it competitive offerings against snapchat by launching their own geofilters. While currently only available in select cities, the feature is sure to roll out more broadly very soon.
Instagram Stories’ analytics are important for business owners and marketers alike as it can help show you what your audience is connecting to and engaging with. To be fair, Snapchat does give you data on how many people viewed a snap as well as who viewed it; however, after 24 hours that data is gone.
Instagram is a creative community, made up vastly of designers and creators. The tools made available to users reflects this demographic with a large amount of options and customizations. One of the biggest perks is the ability to change text size. No more awkward, hanging words that take up a ton of space. Instagram also gives you the ability to add multiple text layers which has yielded some original text designs for posts. Users have used multiple text layers to create shadows and other effects, for example.