Your Ideal Content Calendar (Content Not Included)

Your Ideal Content Calendar (Content Not Included)

Use this helpful guide to make your next round of social media scheduling easier and more effective:

Facebook

What to Post:

Video (organic engagement is highest on posts that include native or live video)
User Generated Content
Giveaways
Funny or entertaining posts and memes
Current events
Inspirational quotes and images
When to Post:

At least one post a day, but no more than two. Daily posting grows followers 4 times faster than sporadic or weekly posting. 
The best time of day to post is at 9 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, and Thursday-Sunday brings the highest number of views.
Instagram

What to Post:

Video (vertical, please!)
High-quality native images
Shoppable links
Campaign-specific hashtags
Stories with filters, stickers, and other visual effects
Interactive stories that include polls, questions, or contests
When to Post:

2-3 feed posts per week, but no more than 1 per day. Instagram’s Chief officer suggests that 2 feed posts per week and 2 stories per day is the magic number for building a larger following.
The best time to post is between 10am and 3pm, and Wednesdays bring the heaviest traffic. 
Twitter

What to Post:

Images rather than video- Twitter is the outlier where video is actually the least popular format
Text
List-based or how-to content
Quotes
Follow the “rule of thirds”- 1/3 of your posts should promote your business, 1/3 should share personal stories, and 1/3 should share insights from experts or influencers. 
When to Post:

At least once a day, no more than 5 posts per day
Twitter gets the most engagement Wednesdays at 9am and Thursdays at 9am and 8pm.
LinkedIn

What to Post:

Content centered around people- highlight team members or customers
“Best of” list for your industry, people that inspire you or influence you, and technology
Native content- blogs, articles, video, images, PDF documents
Interactive content that encourages engagement- polls, questions, requests for feedback
Video, especially live video, brings the highest rates of engagement
When to Post:

At least once a day, but no more than 5 posts per day
The best time for B2C businesses to post is between 11am and 2pm, but B2B businesses should post outside of 9-5 business hours. 
Now you have everything you need to build your content calendar except the content! If you’d like to learn more about how Resonetrics can help you level up your social media content strategy, visit https://resonetrics.com/services/social-media-marketing
 

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10 Ways to Update Your Content Strategy

10 Ways to Update Your Content Strategy

Content is king – that’s not exactly breaking news. You know that good social media marketing strategy is founded on a steady stream of high-quality valuable content. But it’s easy to forget that the definition of “high-quality” content is constantly shifting. 
The things that were amazing a year ago can be completely passe’ today. And if you’re inadvertently churning out boring, dated content, you won’t get the results you want to see.
Here are 10 ways to update your content and keep your feed fresh!

Audit your current strategy
When is the last time you really sat down and looked at all the working parts of your overall content strategy? Might be time for a few revisions. And if you’ve been relying on the “spaghetti method” (you know, the one where you throw everything at the wall and see what sticks?) it’s DEFINITELY time to up your game and put in the time and research to devise a targeted strategy.
Build a sense of community
Having a lot of followers is great, but it’s not enough for the long run. You want to turn your followers into an active, engaged community based around your brand. Keep that in mind when you’re creating new content. Consider options like private Facebook groups to bring your followers together and create a space where they all feel like they belong. 
Original content is key
Sure, it’s much easier to curate content from other sources, but it won’t bring nearly the same kind of engagement as unique, original content. If you’re relying heavily on curated or automated content, try bringing more of your own native content into the mix- you’ll be amazed by your audience’s response. 
Video is bigger than ever
Social media users love video, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. If you’ve hesitated to add video to your content lineup, it’s go-time. Start with pre-recorded if you’re a bit camera shy, but as you get more comfortable, try more live video. 
Reinvent the webinar
It seems like everyone has a webinar these days, so if you want people to attend yours, you’ve got to try something new. Nobody wants to waste a half hour clicking through slide after slide. Go live with an interactive masterclass so your audience can ask questions and share in real time. 
Embrace new platforms
You’re probably juggling several platforms as is, but there might be one you’ve overlooked- YouTube. Now that you’re creating all of that great video content, you need a good place to share it!
Bring back the newsletter
Companies are breathing new life into the old newsletter. It’s the perfect way to announce company updates, launch new products or services, share your story, or highlight the people behind your brand and send it directly to your customers’ inbox. 
Repurpose content
Original content is best, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the same content in different ways. You need a lot of material, and it doesn’t make sense to reinvent the wheel every time. Repurpose or repackage evergreen content for cross posting on multiple channels. 
Focus on evergreen content
Ephemeral content is popular, but it’s got a VERY short shelf life. Focus more of your content creation on longform, evergreen pieces that can be used in multiple iterations over long periods of time. 
Care about your content
Here’s the thing, if you don’t truly care about the content you produce, how can you expect your audience to care? Write about what matters to your brand. Blog about the aspects of your business that get you excited and fired up. When you produce content that you’re passionate about, your audience will take note.

If you’d like more ideas on freshening up your content strategy, visit Resonetrics at https://resonetrics.com/contact 

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5 Things You Need to Know About Google Ads

5 Things You Need to Know About Google Ads

Google Ads are a smart, cost-effective marketing option for many small businesses – particularly local businesses. Google has offered ad options for a long time, but the features and formats have evolved a great deal over the years. 
In fact, Google has rolled out several new trends just in the last 6 months! As usual, the ever-changing algorithm is keeping marketers on their toes! 
It’s important to understand what’s new and be aware of changes on the horizon so you can make the most of your Google Ad budget. 
Here are 5 recent changes that should be on your radar:

New Bidding Strategies
You probably know how Google Ads work – you place bids on keywords and search terms and set the max you’re willing to pay per click. If you win, you secure a top SERP spot for your ad- but that’s all changing…
Google is now offering a Target Return on Ad Spend (tROAS) bidding option that allows you to bid based on your predicted average conversion value rather than your predicted conversion rate. This gives you the option to maximize your conversion value rather than simply maximizing your conversion rate, and that ultimately boosts your revenue. 
Simplified Campaign Tools
Google introduced Smart Campaigns in 2019 to handle targeting and optimization for less experienced advertisers. Now, they’re making it even easier to build an ad campaign with their Performance Max option. 
Performance Max allows you to advertise on all Google-owned channels, and it basically builds your campaign for you. You provide information on your campaign goals and objectives, your budget and bidding parameters, your ad copy, and your location, language, and ad scheduling, and Google does the rest! 
Updated Keyword Matching
The days of single keyword ad groups are over! Google is focusing on making it easier for users to get relevant results no matter what search terms they use, so they created Simplified Match Types.
They’ve updated their phrase match and broad match modifier keywords to have the same matching behavior. This means that they can show results for exact matches, phrase matches, broad matches, and even phrases that include the meaning of your keywords. 
New Ad Formats
Google is offering a host of new ad formats, and many of them are fantastic tools for local businesses. You can pick from options like Auto Suggest Ads to feature your store in auto suggest results near users’ location. Or you could use Navigational Ads to have your business shown on a user’s navigation route regardless of their search destination. 
You could also try Similar Places Ads to share your business with users who are searching for similar locations nearby. And don’t forget about Discovery Ads- they’re displayed in places like smartphone discovery feeds, Gmail, and YouTube to help new audiences discover your brand. 
Capture More Leads
With 3rd party cookies going the way of the dodo bird, smart marketers have had to come up with savvier ways to capture data from promising leads. 
Google is helping you out by offering Lead Form Ad Extensions. You can place the extension at the end of your ad so users can submit their information directly rather than being redirected to your website.

These are just a few of the many new features Google plans to introduce over the course of the year. If you’d like some advice on creating the most effective Google Ad campaigns for your business, Resonetrics can help! Visit https://resonetrics.com/services/paid-ads to learn more about the advertising services we offer. 

 

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10 Steps to a Stronger Social Media Presence

10 Steps to a Stronger Social Media Presence

When executed properly, your social media strategy can take your business to new heights. Social media has the ability to expand your brand awareness, increase your customer base, and build an active, engaged community of loyal followers- but you have to know how to play the game. 
The brands that bring the best ROI from their social media efforts are the ones that stay active, consistently produce valuable content, and strive to build meaningful relationships with their followers. 
It takes time, and it’s not always easy- but it’s well worth it! 
Here are 10 steps you can take to build a stronger social media presence:

Join multiple platforms.
Please note- that doesn’t say “join ALL platforms.” You want to stick with ones that meet your goals and target audience specifications, but the more platforms you’re on, the more audience exposure you’ll get. 
Build out your profile and optimize it.
Your social media profile can provide a wealth of information to potential customers- as long as you complete it! Don’t skimp on the details. Create a captivating bio and make use of the “about” info to share what makes your business special and unique. Include relevant keywords to help new followers find your business. 
Post consistently!
The worst thing you can do with your social media is post sporadically. If you don’t post regularly and reliably, your followers will forget about you. Create a content calendar that helps you stay on track and present a variety of content. At least one post per day is a good rule to follow, though some platforms like Twitter perform better with multiple posts per day. 
Produce quality content. 
Don’t waste your followers’ time with junk. Earn their loyalty with content that is valuable, helpful, and engaging. Provide helpful tips, how-to videos, blogs or posts on relevant or trending topics, and interesting white papers. 
Limit sales posts.
Businesses use social media to make money- that’s no secret. But the fastest way to turn off followers is to post sales pitch after sales pitch. You can offer deals and promote special offers, but the vast majority of your content should be geared towards providing value or help to your audience, not making a sale. 
Use high-quality visuals. 
Posts that include images perform far better than posts without. You should include professional-quality photos, graphics, and videos whenever possible. Stock images are okay, but original imagery is even better. 
Create a signature style.
Your goal should be to make your brand instantly recognizable, and that means you need a signature style and voice that’s consistent across all platforms. Choose profile pictures and cover photos that represent your brand’s look and use them on all your social media profiles. Posts should be conversational and written in your style and tone. 
Focus on building relationships.
Social media is the most powerful relationship building tool in your toolkit. It allows you to engage with your customers in real time and foster a meaningful connection, but you have to stay on the ball! Respond to comments, thank customers for sharing, ask questions and respond to replies. This is the key to building a loyal community of followers. 
Make it easy for followers to find you. 
Include social media links or buttons on your website, business cards, and email signatures. 
Monitor your progress.
Use the analytics tools provided on each platform to judge the success of your social media efforts. When you see high levels of engagement, pinpoint the topics and formats your audience responds favorably to so you can do more of it.
A strong social media presence is vital to the success of your business. If you’d like to learn more about stepping up your social media marketing, let’s talk! 
 

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10 Ways to Get More Action

10 Ways to Get More Action

You can use email marketing to do almost anything.
Email is great for boosting awareness of all the outstanding products or services your company provides or educating customers about your brand’s mission. 
You can use email to build lasting, loyal relationships with customers by providing helpful tips, special offers, or exclusive opportunities. 
But sometimes, you just want to get some action…
A precise call to action (CTA) button prominently placed in your email acts as a portal that transports your audience from inbox to landing page and ultimately leads them to a conversion. 
By following a few simple steps, you can create stronger CTAs that encourage your audience to act quickly. 
CTA buttons should include:

A colorful, but clean design.
The CTA button should draw your reader’s eye- not attack it. 
Action-oriented text that gives precise instructions.  
Choose simple actions like, “click now,” “Get your free copy,” or “Save your seat.” 
A short, actionable statement. 
This is a button, not a novel, so you shouldn’t need more than sentence to get your message across. 
Large, legible text, but not so large that it overwhelms your email.
The CTA button should be clearly visible- not obnoxious.  
A sense of urgency. 
You want your audience to act quickly, so include phrases like, “Hurry- time is running out.” “Only 3 spots left!” or “Save 30% if you sign up today!” 
Variety- don’t use the same CTA in every email.
Switch it up and see which approach brings the best results. 
A little breathing room. 
A crowded email with too much text isn’t pleasing to the eye. Surrounding the CTA button with a little white space helps it stand out. 
Strategic placement. 
Your subject determines the best spot for your CTA button, and helps you decide whether it should be placed just below your headline, or at the bottom of your email. 
A clear benefit to your customer. 
Show them what’s in it for them and make your selling point clear. 
A conversational tone. 
You want your customers to take action, but you don’t want to sound too sales-y. Keep your wording clear, but conversational and light. 
A good CTA is the most vital part of your email, so don’t be afraid to try out different things. It’s as simple as sending the same email with different CTAs and seeing which one performs better.
You’ll know when you’ve hit the right mix of design, text, and tone, because you’ll get more action than ever!  
Resonetrics can show you how to do more with your email marketing. If you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, let’s talk: https://resonetrics.com/contact 
 

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Getting the Click

Getting the Click

Email campaigns are the strongest relationship building tools in your marketing arsenal. You reach out regularly to send a personalized message to your target audience, and that tactic does not go unnoticed- if they actually open it…
That’s the biggest hurdle you’ll face in your email marketing efforts. 
It’s easy to deliver those little missives filled with high-quality content to every inbox, but it’s a little more challenging to create the email that stands out among hundreds AND compels your audience to click. 
The average person gets over 100 business-related emails every day. Obviously, they’re not going to read them all, so how do you make sure your email gets out of the inbox and in front of the right eyes? 
Here are a few tips to make your message pop:

Go bold.
Headlines hold the top real estate in every inbox, so yours needs to draw the eye immediately. Dynamic language and strong statements that create a sense of urgency are the ones that get clicks. 
Your goal is to get your audience interested from the very first line. If you can create a headline that piques their interest and sparks their curiosity, you’ll get the click. 
Hold the cheese.
Overused, trite headlines with a million exclamation points aren’t going to do the trick. It’s the email equivalent of clickbait, and your audience isn’t falling for it. 
You don’t need gimmicks; you need creativity and originality. If you’re relying on all-caps or a chorus line of emojis to woo your audience, it’s time to rethink your strategy. 
Customize your message. 
Your audience is segmented for a reason. Customers that have just embarked on the buying journey will respond differently to a message than those who are almost ready to convert. 
It requires more work than a one-size-fits-all campaign that sends the same email to every customer, but a personalized email that speaks to each audience segment’s mindset brings far better results than a generic email blast. 
Don’t give up.
You know the old saying that begins, “If at first you don’t succeed…”? It applies to email campaigns as well. Some members of your audience might not open your email the first time you send it, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. 
It takes some time to discern the wording and tone that gets the best response. Try sending it again in a week or two with a brand-new headline. If it has a better success rate than your original attempt, you’ll know you’ve tapped into the secret of what appeals to your audience. 
Getting your audience to open your email is a big accomplishment- you created something that stood out in a sea of competition, and that’s not easy to do! But don’t stop there- make sure that the body of your email is just as eye-catching and interesting as your headline.  
When you can keep their attention from greeting to CTA, you’ve made major gains towards building long-term relationships and a strong base of loyal customers. 
If you’d like to learn more about how Resonetrics can help you create outstanding email campaigns that increase audience engagement and boost conversions, visit us at https://resonetrics.com/services/email-marketing
 

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GMB is the Key to Improving Local SEO

GMB is the Key to Improving Local SEO

When was the last time you Googled your business?  It’s probably not something you do regularly. After all, you know your address, phone number, and business hours- but prospective customers don’t.  If they search your keywords and the information they find via Google is incorrect or outdated, you’re losing business. Good local SEO strategy begins with your Google listing. The best way to connect with new customers and ensure that your profile is accurate is to create a Google My Business (GMB) account.  When you set up an account, you not only certify that potential clients receive reliable information, you also open yourself to the opportunity to request and respond to reviews, and announce upcoming events and offers through your business profile. Your GMB listing puts you on the map- literally. Without it, you won’t appear on Google Maps, or make the Google Local Pack (the top three businesses that appear under the map).  Setting up a Google My Business account is fast, easy, and FREE. Go to Google.com/business and sign in using your business Google or Gmail account. After you’ve verified ownership of your business, you’re ready to set up your Google Business Profile. Once you’ve completed your profile, there are 5 steps you can take to optimize your listing, make it more visible, and improve your ranking. Add a photo- businesses who include a photo get 42% more requests for directions through Google Maps and 35% higher clickthrough rate than businesses who don’t. Write a great business description- You want an attention-grabbing description that tells users what you do AND shows them what sets you apart from your competition. Be creative but stay within the business description guidelines. Include relevant keywords- note the “relevant.” You should include keywords that prospective customers are likely to search, but keyword stuffing is a big NO. Get good reviews- reviews impact your ranking. The better your reviews, the higher you rank.  And the best way to get good reviews is to simply ask! 62% of customers will be happy to write you a review- all you have to do is ask. Update and maintain your listing- active accounts are more prominent than ones that are rarely updated. Regularly post about new products, services, or special offers, and include links and CTA’s.   Optimizing your Google My Business listing is the quickest and easiest way to boost your local SEO, and Resonetrics can help. Visit https://resonetrics.com/services/seo to learn more about the SEO packages we offer.   

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6 Steps to Better Local SEO

6 Steps to Better Local SEO

Local SEO – you know you need it, and you know WHY you need it, but do you know how to make it better? 
Having a great website and a Google My Business (GMB) listing are a good place to start, but it’s not enough to get your business seen by a wide array of potential customers. 
You’ve got to know the inside tips and tricks to make the most of your local SEO, and here are 6 that will take your business to the top. 

Don’t rely on GMB alone. Setting up a GMB listing should be your first step, but don’t stop there! Featuring your business in several online directories is a smart way to expand your brand recognition and boost your SEO. List your business in local and national directories like Yelp and Angi. 
Get to know your NextDoor neighbors. The NextDoor app is an incredibly useful SEO tool. Not only does it help local consumers find your business, it also provides a place for satisfied customers to recommend your services to their neighbors. It’s easy to claim your free business page, and you can even add links to your website or online store. 
Update your information regularly. The most important part of your listing is your NAP information. That’s the name and place info that tells your customers where to reach you. If you change your phone number, or move to a new location, make sure that ALL of your online listings are updated with your new address and phone number. Incorrect contact information can cause your GMB to be red-flagged and dropped from local search results. 
Improve your local keyword strategy. Target local key words. Don’t just include your industry, include your location. Why settle for “lawyer, Atlanta,” when you can be “divorce lawyer, Buckhead”? Optimize your site with your local keywords by including them in your headings, title tags, descriptions, body, and footer. 
Use your content to promote local SEO. The more content you produce, the better chance you have at boosting your SEO. That’s especially important for local SEO. When you create content like blogs or social media posts around local news and events, you can include local keywords, thereby improving your ranking. 
Stay on top of reviews. Nothing sways a potential customer more than reviews- good or bad. Thank customers for positive reviews to show that you value and appreciate them. If an occasional negative review slips into the mix, address it immediately. Not only does it show that you care about meeting your customers’ expectations and providing satisfaction, resolving negative reviews is a point in your favor for Google, and the all-powerful algorithm. 
Learning the ins and outs of local SEO takes time, but it’s the most effective way to build your brand and generate new leads in your community. 
These 6 steps are just the tip of the iceberg- if you’d like to take an in-depth look at SEO strategy for your business, let’s talk. Book a discovery call at https://resonetrics.com/contact 
 

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Why Email Marketing Works

Why Email Marketing Works

Want to get the most bang for your marketing bucks? 
Email is the way to go. 
Email marketing not only builds lasting relationships with your customers, but it also brings the highest ROI of any marketing channel. On average, a well-executed marketing campaign returns $40 in revenue for every dollar spent. That blows SEO marketing ($22.24) and Internet display ads ($19.72) out of the water! 
But what makes email marketing so effective? 
It all comes down to 3 factors. Email marketing campaigns:

Are easy to implement. 
Increase customer engagement and improve retention.
Integrate seamlessly with other marketing efforts.
Let’s break it down one-by-one. Easy to Implement
You don’t need a ton of new tools and tech to launch a successful email campaign. There are countless CRM email marketing platforms on the market and many of them are free.  These platforms help you create and launch your campaigns and provide the tools to measure and analyze your marketing efforts. Improve Engagement and Retention
Relationship marketing is big these days. Companies know that the secret to success is not just obtaining new customers but holding on to your loyal client base as well. A well-constructed, highly personalized email goes a long way towards forging lasting relationships with your customers. It’s an opportunity to show them that you understand who they are and what they want, and that you’re ready to deliver. Integrates With Other Marketing Efforts
Email marketing can act as the hub of all your marketing channels. It can direct your followers to your social media platforms or website with the click of an icon. You can use emails to promote your upcoming event, webinar, or speaking engagement. You can also use it as a sign-up sheet for your next online course, lead magnet, or special offer by including a link to your opt-in page. 
Email campaigns are the easiest and least expensive way to connect with your customers. They give you an opportunity to educate your target audience about your brand, provide valuable information, and deliver captivating content directly to their inbox. 
Email marketing can also effectively guide your customer to take action- all you need is a strong CTA that compels them “CLICK HERE” or “BUY NOW” and your email ferries them right to your landing page. 
Perhaps the strongest point in email marketing’s favor is its ability to keep your business on your customers’ minds. If your name and logo pop up in their email week after week, they’re going to remember you. And when they’re in the market for your products or services, the brand recognition that you’ve developed with your emails will be the deciding factor that makes the sale. 
Learn more about growing your business through email marketing at https://resonetrics.com/services/email-marketing
 

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5 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instagram Profile

5 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instagram Profile

The home service industry is ALL about looks! 

You need a marketing strategy that shows off your premier projects and shines the spotlight on your stellar skills, and Instagram is a GREAT place to start. 

Instagram is a highly visual social media platform, and it’s an ideal choice for artists, tradesmen, and designers who want to show off their talents. 

If you’re new to Instagram, or if you’re not using the platform to its full potential, here are some tips to help you spruce up your profile and nail your content strategy:

Boost Your Bio
Your bio tells customers who you are and where to find you, but it’s also a prime spot to add a little extra flair that tells them what your business is all about.
You’ll want to start with the basics- name, industry, location, and contact info- but don’t stop there! Up the interest by including a sentence or two that describes your business and your area of expertise and have fun with it! Give it some personality to make it stand out from the usual basic, boring business profile. 
 
Select Your Style (And Stick with It!)
You want your Instagram posts to have a consistent look and style that reflects your overall aesthetic. 
There are many ways to get this. You can choose a specific color scheme, a distinctive editing style, or a specific photography style that really stands out. Your goal is to create a signature style that’s very YOU and apply that to all your posts and stories.
 
Speaking of Stories…
Don’t skip the story!! You want to get as many eyes on your business as you possibly can, and your stories can help you achieve maximum impact. 
The story feature is a great place to share videos, promos, or even share top posts that could use a few extra views. 
Don’t forget to save your stories to your highlights to create a gallery at a glance that shows off all your best work in one place. 
 
Be Creative AND Consistent
Posting consistently is REALLY important. Ideally, you’ll post 1 or 2 times every day, but that requires a LOT of fresh content. 
Obviously, you won’t have a newly completed project to show off every single day, but that’s where the creativity comes in! 
Keep your feed current with shots of works in progress, behind the scenes videos, or even the occasional selfie or live video. Theis keeps you posting consistently and gives your audience a chance to get to know the people behind the logo. 
 
Time It Perfectly
You might not have given much thought to the timing of your posts, but it turns out that timing is everything! 
You want your posts to get as much traction as possible, so use your Instagram Insights to determine the best time of day to schedule new posts. 
When you’re ready to add on to your social media marketing strategy, we’re here to help! Visit https://resonetrics.com/services/social-media-marketing to learn more about our proven social media marketing packages! 

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