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What works on Facebook these days?


I've noticed that the organic reach can be increased if you follow few simple steps.
The main trend is... COLLABORATION.

1/ SHARE A POPULAR PHOTO/POST FROM A PAGE WITH BIG AUDIENCE


Not long ago, it didn't really matter if you published your own photo or shared somebody else's. But now, from my experience, popular photos from popular pages GET BIGGER REACH.

FB also changed the way it displays shared posts. Now, it looks more like a 'friendly handshake', before it looked like a 'slap in a face'. You get the idea...


2/ CREATE SHARING CIRCLES


I know it sounds odd to talk about circles on FB, but the idea is - collaborate with business, tag them and share their content, providing they share yours. Make sure this is a win/win situation (eg. kids product sharing what's on for families sharing healthy tips on nutrition).


3/ PROMOTE CONTENT WITH GIVEAWAYS


It looks like you can benefit from a shared audience on FB, so collaborate on giveaways, share and promote it.



What is the weakest link I've encountered?

As much as it sounds silly, many business still haven't secured their FB user name, meaning that if you want to mention them in your post, it's a real struggle. Also, don't forget to make it a reasonable one, especially if your regular business name is long.



READ ALSO: IF COST PER ACTION IS ON YOUR MIND

92 percent of marketers say that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses

Social Examiner recently published a report about stats and trends for 2014. Have a look.

1/ INCREASED EXPOSURE

I am pleased this has been confirmed. Just don't forget to make the customer/sales life cycle work for you.

2/ VISUAL ASSETS


As mentioned before, attention span of an average customer is about eight seconds. Pictures and infographics help to engage and let the customer memorise your point.

3/ BLOGGING


Again, very happy this is being confirmed too. There were times I had to endlessly justify why blogging is important and what are main benefits of providing good quality content on blogs.

4/ GOOGLE+


Yes, I know, not many people are happy about this (and there's lots of rumours about Google+ being left to die slowly), but again - if you want good results in Google search, Google+ can help you enormously.

5/ PODCASTS


A rather new one for me as I'd expect videos to be more effective. I look forward to seeing what the next months will bring in podcasting.

6/ FACEBOOK ADS


It's a big yes from me. Facebook is most versatile of all mainstream social media channels. Targeting your audience is pretty straight forward. You see the stats, you can take your strategy further.

8/ ROI


 Well, there's a bit of confusion about Social ROI. Especially for businesses that can't use offers on regular basis. But if you improve event tracking and set sensible goals as a start, you'll get a good idea about what converts the best.



Infographics used via SocialMedia Examiner


READ ALSO: MARKETING GUIDE 2014

How do you convert a customer?

I would call this presentation 'opportunities in content marketing and how to convert a customer'. Success is not a straight road, you need to be innovative and have a strategy in place. It's very unlikely that customers will buy your product just the very first time they'll see a product ad. Many brands still don't realise this.



READ ALSO: LISTEN TO YOUR AUDIENCE

Inspiring Social Sales Leaders

An infographics like this makes me very happy. I love clever people! It just shows you should never stop evolving and re-inventing yourself...


  READ ALSO: CREATING SOCIAL CONTENT

Local Search

Yesterday, I was trying to allocate the closest shop to get a basic microphone. NOT-A-SINGLE-LOCAL-RESULT! Check out these stats by Google Think





READ ALSO: SOCIAL NETWORKING TRENDS / MOBILE

SEO Science

It's easy, it's not easy. Yes, there's a lot of information out there, but you have to connect the dots to see the bigger picture. When I get asked: 'Can I just see how you do it?', I get annoyed a bit, nobody shares know-how for free....




How to get social media campaigns right #nomakeupselfie

Brilliant article explaining key points of the #nomakeupselfie campaign.

Great points about Q&A, relevant content, PPC campaign, integrating mobile donations and how 'nominations' were the key to amplification.


Source: Cancer Research / Econsultancy

 READ ALSO: OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS


Facebook Ad Term Glossary

Planning a FB campaign? Make sure you are aware of the latest image dimensions
plus check out Jon's ad term glossary (trust him, he is one of the best around).

facebook ads glossary jonloomer infographic Facebook Ads Glossary: Reference of All Important Terms [Infographic]
Courtesy of: JonLoomer.com




How to tell Google there is a mobile version of a page

If you have hours of free time (and are interested into best Google's practices), I strongly recommend their YouTube channel. Can't be bothered? That's why you hire an expert...

This video focuses on 'How to tell Google there is a mobile version of a page, so it can show the alternate page in mobile search results'. One of the problems I encountered over the time, is the fact that the urls were not linked the right way, which ultimately affected Google page rank. And now, with over 40% web traffic from mobile devices, is even more important to think twice about the code structure and redirecting.


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READ ALSO: WHERE ARE MOBILE DEVICES BEING USED MOST?

How to stand out with Pinterest

I came across some really simple and creative examples of using Pinterest, so if you want to go beyond the usual pinning, hope this helps you getting started...

1) Pinboard Names and Covers


I wish I've thought of that. Creating a cover with a text layover provides much bigger visual impact. User is able to navigate through the cluttered pin world in a much more pleasant way.

How to use pinterest - Jana Zilinkova

2) Rich Pins with Foursquare


See how it's done. So much potential! Helps to bring community together and promote cooperation.

How to use pinterest - Jana Zilinkova 



Memorable and Experimental Campaigns

Evolution is inevitable, even in ad campaigns. Big budget helps as well as unexpected emotions, stunts, hidden cameras, etc. You get the idea...

My favourite from the

'Here Are 15 of Marketing's Most Memorable Experiential Moves'

is this one

TNT: "Push to Add Drama"
This effort from Belgian agency Duval Guillaume forever raised the bar for stunts. In 2012, in a sleepy Belgian town square, passersby encountered a mysterious red button labeled "Push to Add Drama." Those who bit unleashed havoc on the streets in the form of ambulances, fist fights and gunshots -- all in an effort to promote the channel's "Daily Dose of Drama."



READ ALSO: WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR A 'LIKE'

A Dr. Seuss-Inspired Guide to Twitter

A fourth tip for you, on being great at Twitter:
Pay attention to trends if you want to shine (like glitter).
Don’t ignore what people like, even if it seems silly,
A ridiculous gif, could help you make your first mill-y.



READ ALSO: FROM TWITTER TO TWYLAH




Why do you need Google+

Companies with Google+ profiles have “Prime placement on the right-hand side of the search results, with photos and promotional posts.”

Also, you are very likely to be 'on the top', if your localization is done properly. Think organic reach while building up your network, one step at a time. Even Starbucks and Economist agree.

READ ALSO:  GO ORGANIC WITH GOOGLE+

How to get more engagement on Facebook?

The more time you spend figuring out how to get more engagement on FB, the less time you actually have to engage your audience.


Post fresh content daily?

Yes and no. I wouldn't recommend it to all FB pages. You might be better off with 3 a week and boost the best updates with highest virality/engagement

Post more updates a day?

Rarely. If you do so, make sure you don't post them one after another. Some people receive 'notifications' and if they see 5 of them in a row, they'll probably be slightly discouraged to click on any of them.

Use a third party scheduling?

Again, it depends. Just make sure you know the app you're using (and timezones). I came across some posts that were published via third party app and the link was broken (so I wasn't able to 'get' to that post).


Secret tip?

Short videos via YouTube. Don't forget to create a playlist with related videos first, then share the video. If people watch until the end and are 'hungry' for more, you don't miss your chance because another video starts playing straight away.




READ ALSO: MARKETING GUIDE 2014




We will survive! Marketing guide for 2014

In 2013, the average consumer's attention span was just eight seconds. Try to create short-form videos, use striking images, include an irresistible call to action, spread an integrated message, show your ad on TV as well as FB at the same time...
  • Think quality over quantity (100 people who care about your brand are better than 1,000,000 people who don't)
  • Create ads that amuse and entertain, pull on the heartstrings, or solve a problem
READ ALSO: WHY YOUR CONTENT MARKETING INITIATIVES ARE FAILING





How Social Media is Changing Business

In 10 years, social won’t even be a question. In the same way we don’t question using the internet to conduct business now, we won’t be questioning the use of social tools. It will be so ingrained that we’ll have a hard time imagining how we ever did anything without it.



READ ALSO: AS TIMES MOVE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Google+ scores another plus

While I have many doubts about Google+, I believe it is a very important part of online marketing media mix. Maybe not very effective as a platform (especially in Australia), but verified Google+ business pages certainly contribute to overall impact and influence customer's buying habits.

The ideal mix includes most Google products, starting with YouTube and Blogger. Sharing suitable content is more than easy. To stay on the right track, add to the mix local search/places and Google reviews.



READ ALSO: GOOGLE AUTHORSHIP

Oh, you and that silly content marketing stuff...




Of course I try to keep in the marketing loop while being 'on the top of things'. Currently having around seventy different shortcuts in my 'read&learn' folder, wondering if the 10 Best Infographics That Will Change Your Life or How to Please Your CEO with More Effective SEO (I made that up actually), will make my life of a marketing meerkat (I made that up too) easier.

This presentation is completely spot-on and funny too.


Far side of Facebook

''Organic posts are most popular social tactic but paid ads are more successful''

The strategy has changed so much since FB went public. It's a matter of fact --> no advertising = no reach. Read about other recent interesting digital marketing stats

READ ALSO: HOW TO GET MORE ENGAGEMENT ON FACEBOOK

Loyalty to Brands

Just 15% of consumers believe it pays to be loyal to brands

Image via http://econsultancy.com

Have a break, watch some kitties and cats

How to make your content shareable? Put a kitten on it. Dogs may be our best friends but it seems that cats are the kings of today's social content. I have to admit, I love the new cat-beards...


What Will You Do For a 'LIKE'?

Well, when I heard about the latest trend for websites to have some video background, I thought that was quite clever. But I'd never imagined what would it be like to have a live stream (through a web cam) with 'call-to-action'.

One Slovakian creative agency came up with this idea - give our page a 'like' and activate our flashing light. Somebody will come to switch it off and give you a wave (and say thanks).

That's what I call creative!



The Audience of the Future

Spot-on example and it's happening right now....


Storytelling and Digital Age

Storytelling is simply content creating. I really enjoyed this article about 'THE EVOLUTION OF STORYTELLING', still very accurate although few years old.

So far, these types of stories live mostly in the entertainment space, but as the culture vultures we are in advertising, there’s little doubt that brands will soon follow suit.

We have seen plots aug­mented, new characters created, and chunks of narrative distributed via new channels. The goal is to surround a potential audience with multiple entry points into films and TV shows, expanding the audience while we build fandom among adherents. 
The evolution of storytellingChosen by Lars Bastholm, chief digital creative officer,
Ogilvy North America and Steve Wax, co-founder and
managing partner, Campfire, New York