Digital Marketing Rocks!

When planning an epic event, you want everyone to know about it to ensure an excellent turnout. Aside from getting people through the door, you want them keen and excited. You're probably buried deep in figuring out how to create a buzz and build interest. Although you may have the whole kit, including social media, email marketing , and webinars, you must do something different from the usual to help your event stand out. Below are four creative ways to make your next event the talk of the town. 1. Create Anticipation Creating anticipation around your event will lead to a powerful force called FOMO the Fear of Missing Out. You've probably felt it at some point. It's like when you think you might be missing out on something super awesome and are eager to jump in. You can use this trick to amp up the excitement for your event. Show people why they absolutely can't miss it. Start by sharing high-quality pictures and engaging videos from your past events with captions like "You've got to be there!" To turn up the FOMO factor even more, you can give them a little taste of what's coming up, like a sneak peek of the event or quick chats with your awesome speakers. Share some juicy highlights so people can see how exciting and insightful the event will be. That is how you get them buzzing. 2. Score Big Savings with Early Bird Registration Everybody's getting savvy these days and always looking for the best deal. Let people know they are in for significant savings when they sign up for your event early. Offer a special discount code for every early signee and spread the word everywhere - in your videos, on social media, through email, you name it. However, this deal should not last forever. Make it a limited-time offer. This way, people will be motivated to get their tickets knowing they've missed their chance once the expiration date arrives or you run out of tickets, 3. Join Forces with Other Brands and Sponsors Sometimes, joining forces with others is the best way to get the word out about your event. First, consider having event sponsors who are excited to help spread the word about your event. But that's not all; collaborate with influencers and cool companies for brand collaboration and partnerships. They'll give your event a shout-out to their own audience, and that's a win-win. The people you partner with will largely depend on your industry or line of business. For instance, if you run a travel agency and decide to host a tourism event in Vermilion , engaging organizations like Discover West Tourism to assist you with your event promotion will prove helpful. They can help boost your reach and amplify your upcoming event. It's all about reaching people who may not have heard about your event yet. 4. Create a Unique Brand for Your Event Giving your event its distinct brand is a nifty trick to make it stand out. You can take a page from Hubspot's book with their INBOUND event. INBOUND, for instance, is more than just a gathering for their customers. It's a place for any marketing, sales, or service pro looking to up their game. The key here is to separate your event brand from your company brand. That means a new website, fresh colors, and a different messaging style. It's all about drawing people who might know your company but are all in for your event.

Let's face it: the Internet has drastically changed the way that we shop for everything from sneakers to carry out. In fact, most people now start their searches online. And oftentimes, this includes scouring through reviews that others have publicly posted. No billboard, online ad, or marketing strategy has as much credibility as the word-of-mouth of someone who has purchased a product or service. For brands, customers posting positive reviews are real-life celebrities and influencers with the power to make - or break - their businesses. They offer authentic insight that no marketing campaign could even come close to. At the end of the day, however, asking customers to spread the word is one thing. leveraging them is a different ball game altogether. Here's everything you need to know about how to successfully cull reviews and use them to improve your brand presence, as well as what to do when the unthinkable happens and someone leaves you a less-than-stellar review. How to Collect More Customer Reviews Jay Baer notes, "It's good business to ask your customers to provide reviews, as long as it isn't too aggressive or a quid-pro-quo." That means finding ways to encourage people to post reviews voluntarily. Here are a few strategic ways to start culling more reviews for your business: Provide outstanding customer service, as well as a superb product or service. This in and of itself gives people a good reason to post a positive review. Don't be afraid to ask people for their feedback. If you provide them with a forum where they feel valued and that their voices will be heard, you will be amazed at how helpful many people will be. Offer incentives on future purchases. Try things like a chance to win a prize or exclusive access to a can't miss offer. Just keep in mind that whatever you do should motivate customers without going against the review platform's guidelines. Make it easy for people to leave feedback. Streamline the testimonial-sharing process with a user-friendly feedback form on your website. You might also consider sending a follow-up email with a link to a review platform. Think of a way that enables customers to share their thoughts effortlessly. Encourage people to leave reviews in multiple places. Think beyond Google reviews because people also check places like Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram too. Educate people about the options and provide them with routes to reach them (through emails and platform links). OF NOTE: Keep in mind that review sites aren't designed to be one-size-fits all. For example, sites like Yelp won't be very helpful for an e-commerce seller. It's important to identify which platforms make sense for your unique business. How to Use Your Newfound Reviews to Maximize Your Digital Footprint Online Collecting customer reviews is only one step in the reputation management process, however. The real results come when potential new customers actually see these reviews. Here are some of the most popular ways to ensure that your business's reviews are visible at the right place and the right time: Display customer reviews prominently on your website. Try banners, pop ups, sliders and widgets. You may even want to consider creating a dedicated section to showcase them. Create social media posts and videos that feature glowing reviews and post them frequently to maximize your reach across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Create paid targeted social media ads from your reviews, and then showcase them to people who are already interested in what your business has to offer. If you publish newsletters or push out email promos, also consider featuring a testimonial or 2 there as well. How to Deal with Negative Reviews Unfortunately you can't please everyone, and you are likely going to get some bad reviews here and there. First and foremost, when this happens, do NOT panic! Businesses that have all 5-star reviews aren't seen as genuine or authentic, since it's impossible ...

Let's face it: the Internet has drastically changed the way that we shop for everything from sneakers to carry out. In fact, most people now start their searches online. And oftentimes, this includes scouring through reviews that others have publicly posted. No billboard, online ad, or marketing strategy has as much credibility as the word-of-mouth of someone who has purchased a product or service. For brands, customers posting positive reviews are real-life celebrities and influencers with the power to make - or break - their businesses. They offer authentic insight that no marketing campaign could even come close to. At the end of the day, however, asking customers to spread the word is one thing. leveraging them is a different ball game altogether. Here's everything you need to know about how to successfully cull reviews and use them to improve your brand presence, as well as what to do when the unthinkable happens and someone leaves you a less-than-stellar review. How to Collect More Customer Reviews Jay Baer notes, "It's good business to ask your customers to provide reviews, as long as it isn't too aggressive or a quid-pro-quo." That means finding ways to encourage people to post reviews voluntarily. Here are a few strategic ways to start culling more reviews for your business: Provide outstanding customer service, as well as a superb product or service. This in and of itself gives people a good reason to post a positive review. Don't be afraid to ask people for their feedback. If you provide them with a forum where they feel valued and that their voices will be heard, you will be amazed at how helpful many people will be. Offer incentives on future purchases. Try things like a chance to win a prize or exclusive access to a can't miss offer. Just keep in mind that whatever you do should motivate customers without going against the review platform's guidelines. Make it easy for people to leave feedback. Streamline the testimonial-sharing process with a user-friendly feedback form on your website. You might also consider sending a follow-up email with a link to a review platform. Think of a way that enables customers to share their thoughts effortlessly. Encourage people to leave reviews in multiple places. Think beyond Google reviews because people also check places like Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram too. Educate people about the options and provide them with routes to reach them (through emails and platform links). OF NOTE: Keep in mind that review sites aren't designed to be one-size-fits all. For example, sites like Yelp won't be very helpful for an e-commerce seller. It's important to identify which platforms make sense for your unique business. How to Use Your Newfound Reviews to Maximize Your Digital Footprint Online Collecting customer reviews is only one step in the reputation management process, however. The real results come when potential new customers actually see these reviews. Here are some of the most popular ways to ensure that your business's reviews are visible at the right place and the right time: Display customer reviews prominently on your website. Try banners, pop ups, sliders and widgets. You may even want to consider creating a dedicated section to showcase them. Create social media posts and videos that feature glowing reviews and post them frequently to maximize your reach across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Create paid targeted social media ads from your reviews, and then showcase them to people who are already interested in what your business has to offer. If you publish newsletters or push out email promos, also consider featuring a testimonial or 2 there as well. How to Deal with Negative Reviews Unfortunately you can't please everyone, and you are likely going to get some bad reviews here and there. First and foremost, when this happens, do NOT panic! Businesses that have all 5-star reviews aren't seen as genuine or authentic, since it's impossible ...

Over the years, influencer collaborations have become a game-changer for both large and small brands. and the numbers certainly don't lie. In fact, in 2022 alone, the global influencer marketing market was valued at a whopping $16.4 billion, more than double its value in 2019. Choosing the Right Influencer: It's All About Relevance & Authority When it comes to influencer collaborations, it's not about the follower count: it's about finding the perfect fit. Here's the secret sauce: relevance and authority. Relevance: Look for influencers who align with your brand's values, target audience, and overall impact. For instance, think of the magical partnership between Chrissy Teigen and the beauty brand BECCA, or how lifestyle blogger Kate La Vie nailed it when promoting Naked Juice. When there's a natural connection, your brand message resonates more effectively. Authority: The number of followers an influencer has can impact your campaign's success. While celebrity influencers might be out of reach for some, don't underestimate the power of micro-influencers. Take Tom's of Maine, for example. They leveraged micro-influencers and saw a jaw-dropping 600% increase in consumer engagement. Big or small, authority matters. To identify the right influencers, you can manually follow industry leaders on social media or rely on handy tools like BuzzStream, BuzzSumo, Hunter, Pitchbox, and Influencity. These tools do the heavy lifting, providing a list of relevant and authoritative influencers. Getting Noticed: Start with Authentic Engagement Sending a random email requesting collaboration might not be the best approach. Influencers receive countless requests, and yours might get lost in the noise. To stand out, start with authentic engagement: Follow them on social media Engage with their posts by liking, sharing, or leaving thoughtful comments Be consistent but avoid overdoing it As Lee Odden suggests, do your research and find common ground in terms of shared goals. Authentic engagement will make influencers notice you, setting the stage for meaningful relationships, even if it's a paid collaboration. Reaching Out Creatively: Crafting Your Message Once you've caught their attention, it's time to reach out creatively. Avoid generic direct messages or emails. Trust me, influencers receive plenty of those daily. Here are some tips for effective outreach: Make your first encounter as organic as possible Craft an impactful headline to grab their attention Clearly mention the deal, whether it's products or monetary compensation Highlight shared values and motivations Personalize your message; automated tools lack the human touch Diverse Forms of Collaboration: Think Beyond the Basics Influencer marketing is more than just social media posts and videos. Explore diverse forms of collaboration: Guest posts with brand mentions on their websites Interviews and webinars to create engaging content Modular approaches with multiple influencers Building Long-Term Relationships: Nurture, Nurture, Nurture Influencer partnerships are like any other relationships. they need nurturing. Don't take a set-and-forget approach. Stay engaged, share their content, and show appreciation. Your goal is to keep the door open for future opportunities. Authenticity Is the Key Influencer partnerships thrive on shared values and mutual benefits. When choosing influencers, focus on relevance and authority, but also ensure they genuinely care about your brand. That's the secret sauce for long-lasting, successful collaborations. Remember, influencer marketing is more than a numbers game. It's about building real connections that benefit both parties. So go ahead, find your perfect influencer match, and watch your brand shine!

Over the years, influencer collaborations have become a game-changer for both large and small brands. and the numbers certainly don't lie. In fact, in 2022 alone, the global influencer marketing market was valued at a whopping $16.4 billion, more than double its value in 2019. Choosing the Right Influencer: It's All About Relevance & Authority When it comes to influencer collaborations, it's not about the follower count: it's about finding the perfect fit. Here's the secret sauce: relevance and authority. Relevance: Look for influencers who align with your brand's values, target audience, and overall impact. For instance, think of the magical partnership between Chrissy Teigen and the beauty brand BECCA, or how lifestyle blogger Kate La Vie nailed it when promoting Naked Juice. When there's a natural connection, your brand message resonates more effectively. Authority: The number of followers an influencer has can impact your campaign's success. While celebrity influencers might be out of reach for some, don't underestimate the power of micro-influencers. Take Tom's of Maine, for example. They leveraged micro-influencers and saw a jaw-dropping 600% increase in consumer engagement. Big or small, authority matters. To identify the right influencers, you can manually follow industry leaders on social media or rely on handy tools like BuzzStream, BuzzSumo, Hunter, Pitchbox, and Influencity. These tools do the heavy lifting, providing a list of relevant and authoritative influencers. Getting Noticed: Start with Authentic Engagement Sending a random email requesting collaboration might not be the best approach. Influencers receive countless requests, and yours might get lost in the noise. To stand out, start with authentic engagement: Follow them on social media Engage with their posts by liking, sharing, or leaving thoughtful comments Be consistent but avoid overdoing it As Lee Odden suggests, do your research and find common ground in terms of shared goals. Authentic engagement will make influencers notice you, setting the stage for meaningful relationships, even if it's a paid collaboration. Reaching Out Creatively: Crafting Your Message Once you've caught their attention, it's time to reach out creatively. Avoid generic direct messages or emails. Trust me, influencers receive plenty of those daily. Here are some tips for effective outreach: Make your first encounter as organic as possible Craft an impactful headline to grab their attention Clearly mention the deal, whether it's products or monetary compensation Highlight shared values and motivations Personalize your message; automated tools lack the human touch Diverse Forms of Collaboration: Think Beyond the Basics Influencer marketing is more than just social media posts and videos. Explore diverse forms of collaboration: Guest posts with brand mentions on their websites Interviews and webinars to create engaging content Modular approaches with multiple influencers Building Long-Term Relationships: Nurture, Nurture, Nurture Influencer partnerships are like any other relationships. they need nurturing. Don't take a set-and-forget approach. Stay engaged, share their content, and show appreciation. Your goal is to keep the door open for future opportunities. Authenticity Is the Key Influencer partnerships thrive on shared values and mutual benefits. When choosing influencers, focus on relevance and authority, but also ensure they genuinely care about your brand. That's the secret sauce for long-lasting, successful collaborations. Remember, influencer marketing is more than a numbers game. It's about building real connections that benefit both parties. So go ahead, find your perfect influencer match, and watch your brand shine!