Google Ads, Business Tips Annie Moon-Arkell Google Ads, Business Tips Annie Moon-Arkell

From Clicks to Conversions: How Professional Google Ads Management Maximizes ROI

Explore the changing digital marketing landscape, stressing the need to adapt strategies for reaching audiences. Focuses on Google and Meta, outlining best practices for creating engaging ads. The importance of strong branding and content creation is highlighted, showcasing how cohesive visuals and storytelling enhance brand success. Additionally, it offers practical tips for effective email direct marketing (EDM) campaigns and information on workshops to empower businesses in a competitive market.

Welcome, welcome. Today I am taking you through the magical world of Google Ads management, uncovering the secrets of transforming clicks into conversions and maximising your Return on Investment (ROI). Hold on tight as I unveil the power of professional Google Ads management in achieving unparalleled success for your brand!

The Quest for Conversions: Where Clicks Meet Profits

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, clicks are just the beginning of an epic adventure. It's conversions that lead to the treasure trove of profits! Enter professional Google Ads management – the secret weapon that turns your clicks into gold. Like expert treasure hunters, our team knows the precise strategies to navigate the complex digital terrain, ensuring every click drives your audience towards the ultimate destination – a successful conversion.

Mastering the Art of Persuasion: Crafting Irresistible Ad Copy

In the quest for conversions, the art of persuasion is your most potent weapon. Our team of seasoned wordsmiths is skilled in crafting ad copy that captures hearts, minds, and wallets. We know the magic words that compel your audience to take action, transforming them from passive browsers into enthusiastic buyers. With professional Google Ads management, you'll witness the enchanting dance of words that generates high-quality leads and drives revenue growth.

Targeting the Right Audience: Precision at Its Finest

In the digital kingdom, precision targeting reigns supreme. No more casting nets into vast oceans; our professional Google Ads management hones in on your ideal audience. Armed with advanced audience segmentation and data-driven insights, we ensure your ads reach the right people at the right time – like a bulls-eye hit at the archery range! This precision targeting maximizes your ROI, as every dollar invested reaches the audience that matters most.

Unravelling the Metrics: Your Digital Compass to Success

In the maze of digital marketing, data is your compass to success. Professional Google Ads management interprets the metrics, decoding the language of clicks, impressions, and conversions. Like skilled cartographers, we navigate through the data to optimize your campaigns for peak performance. The result? A clear path to achieving maximum ROI and unlocking the full potential of your digital marketing efforts.

The Quest for Ad Dominance: Standing Tall Among Competitors

In the competitive realm of Google Ads, it's survival of the fittest. With professional Google Ads management, your brand emerges as the formidable champion. Our team unleashes the power of strategic bid adjustments, ad extensions, and ad scheduling to ensure your ads stand tall above competitors. Like an eagle soaring above the crowd, your brand captures the attention of potential customers, securing a prime position in the digital skies.

Adapting to the Ever-Changing Landscape: Staying Ahead of the Game

The digital landscape is ever-changing, like a dynamic symphony of algorithms and trends. With professional Google Ads management by your side, you adapt, evolve, and stay ahead of the game. Our team continuously monitors the digital horizon, optimizing your campaigns to align with the latest industry trends. With every algorithm update, we adjust our strategies, ensuring your brand remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, dear marketing visionaries – the mesmerizing journey from clicks to conversions with professional Google Ads management! Like skilled navigators, we steer your brand towards the destination of unparalleled success. With persuasive ad copy, precision targeting, data-driven insights, and strategic dominance, your brand's ROI will soar to new heights.

So, let our team be your digital guide, and witness the enchantment of turning clicks into conversions like never before. Take the leap into the realm of professional Google Ads management, and discover the treasure trove of profits that awaits your brand!

Now, embark on your epic adventure towards digital greatness, and let the magic of professional Google Ads management maximize your ROI to levels beyond imagination. Happy marketing, trailblazers! 🚀💼

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Unleashing the Power of Google Ads: Why E-commerce Brands Can't Get Enough in 2024!

The year 2024 has unveiled the most phenomenal ally for your brand's success – Google Ads! With precision targeting, hyper-personalization, AI-powered insights, immersive ad formats, shoppable video ads, and multi-channel reach, Google Ads has become the ultimate secret weapon for e-commerce brands.

In 2024, the digital landscape has evolved, and the undisputed champion of online advertising is none other than Google Ads. Join me as I explore why Google Ads has become the ultimate weapon for e-commerce brands, propelling them to unprecedented success!


Precision Targeting: Hit the Bullseye Every Time!

Imagine having a targeting tool so precise that it hits the bullseye with every shot! In 2024, Google Ads has fine-tuned its targeting capabilities, allowing e-commerce brands to reach the exact audience that craves their products. With advanced audience segmentation, keyword targeting, and location-based ads, it's like having a heat-seeking missile for potential customers. You'll be engaging the right audience at the right time, taking your e-commerce game to a whole new level!


Hyper-Personalization: The Magic of Individual Experiences

In the age of personalization, Google Ads has cracked the code for e-commerce brands. With dynamic ads tailored to individual user preferences, it's like having a virtual shopping assistant for each customer. Picture this – a potential buyer searches for "stylish sneakers," and your ad showcases a variety of trendy kicks, matching their unique taste. The result? An irresistible shopping experience that converts casual browsers into loyal customers!


AI-Powered Insights: Predicting Success Like a Crystal Ball

Step aside, fortune tellers, because Google Ads has harnessed the power of AI to predict success like a crystal ball! In 2024, smart bidding strategies and AI-powered insights are guiding e-commerce brands toward advertising greatness. Bid adjustments, real-time data analysis, and predictive modelling optimize your campaigns with unmatched accuracy.


Immersive Ad Formats: Interactive Experiences That WOW!

In the dynamic world of 2024, Google Ads has evolved beyond static banners into immersive ad formats that WOW your audience! Picture this – interactive product showcases, 3D product visualizations, and AR-enabled try-ons that bring your products to life like never before. It's like stepping into a virtual showroom, where potential buyers can touch, feel, and fall in love with your products, all from the comfort of their screens.


Shoppable Video Ads: Lights, Camera, Action – and Sales!

E-commerce brands have found their silver screen moment with shoppable video ads! In 2024, Google Ads has unleashed the magic of video marketing like never before. Your captivating video content can now include clickable product tags, making it easy for viewers to shop while being entertained. It's like merging Hollywood glamour with the convenience of a digital storefront, resulting in a blockbuster success for your e-commerce brand!


Multi-Channel Reach: Meeting Customers Where They Are

In the omnichannel era of 2024, Google Ads offers e-commerce brands the ability to meet customers wherever they roam. From search ads that dominate Google's results pages to display ads that dazzle across a vast network of websites and apps, you'll be casting a wide net to reel in potential buyers. It's like having a global stage for your products, attracting customers from all corners of the digital universe.


Conclusion:


Ladies and gentlemen of the e-commerce world, the year 2024 has unveiled the most phenomenal ally for your brand's success – Google Ads! With precision targeting, hyper-personalization, AI-powered insights, immersive ad formats, shoppable video ads, and multi-channel reach, Google Ads has become the ultimate secret weapon for e-commerce brands.


As the digital landscape evolves, embrace the magic of Google Ads and witness your e-commerce brand soaring to new heights of profitability and success. Welcome to the future of digital marketing, where the possibilities are endless, and your e-commerce dreams come true with every click!


Now, fasten your seatbelts, and let's embark on a thrilling ride to the top of the e-commerce realm with Google Ads as your trusty co-pilot! Happy marketing in 2024 and beyond! 🚀🛍️

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Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Safely Grant Access To An Agency On Facebook Business Manager

In today's digital landscape, a robust online presence is essential for small businesses. As consumers turn to the internet for information and services, neglecting digital marketing can lead to missed opportunities and lost revenue.

A structured digital marketing strategy, including SEO, content creation, and targeted ads, enhances visibility and engagement. Utilizing platforms like Google and Meta, small businesses can effectively reach their audience, driving conversions. High-quality content fosters trust and authority in the market.

Over the years, Facebook has evolved from a school-based social networking site to a website filled with nearly endless possibilities. Now, it can even support companies and agencies through the Facebook Business Manager.

“Facebook Business Manager is an amazing tool for businesses of any size because it allows them to manage and secure their Facebook assets, accounts, and advertisements. With a few clicks, FB Business Manager can also give them the ability to work with agencies and other companies.” says social media manager and SEO strategist Christian Green of Writefuel

Working with agencies makes things easier for you because you can give them tasks like advertising while focusing on the essential parts of your business. Of course, this doesn't mean that you should do something risky, like giving away your business’s password. There is a safer, easier way of giving your partners or agencies access to your accounts without exposing yourself to security threats.

Step 1: Check Your Business Admin Status

Before giving an agency access to your Facebook Business Manager account, the first thing you should do is make sure that you have business admin status and that your agency has a Facebook Business Manager and business ID. If they do not have a Business Manager, it would be best to ask them to make one.

Step 2: Configure The New Settings

When the business admin status and ID are ready, giving your agency access is a piece of cake. All you would have to do is go to Business settings, click on “Partners,” then  “Add.” 

 Step 3: Grant Partner Access

After selecting “Add,” mouseover and choose “Give a partner access to your assets.” You can then enter your partner’s business ID and click next, which will take you to another screen.

Step 4: Manage And Control Assets

On the pop-up screen, you can manage and control the assets you want your agency to access. You can also assign them various roles that you want them to fulfil. Once you’re done, simply click “Save Changes.”

Step 5: Work With The Right People

Online scammers can pretend to be official agencies and request access to your business. To keep you and your business safe, ensure that you know and recognise the person or agency you are giving access to.

Remember that Facebook officials and employees will never ask for your password or access to your account. However, if you receive a suspicious request, you can report it, and Facebook will take care of it.

Want Your Facebook Business Manager Account in Safe Hands?—Work With Mo Creative Marketing 

Delegating some of your work to agencies and consultants is essential in keeping you productive, scalable, profitable, and balanced. However, you don’t want your Facebook Manager Business Account in the wrong hands, right?

Mo Creative Marketing is your reliable Facebook marketing partner. Influencers and businesses partner with us to develop their brand, market their products or services, engage their audience, generate and convert leads. Reach out and schedule a consultancy call if you want to grow your business online, increase your reach, and boost your sales through marketing.


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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

2021 Digital Marketing Trends

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken a toll on organisations worldwide. Consequently, people's shopping habits have changed, and online shopping is an impulse. People are successfully buying online, and many businesses have taken the chance online to keep in touch with their clients.


To compete effectively in 2021, businesses and marketers must examine innovative and tried-and-true online marketing tactics to thrive in this era of directionless market shifts. To help you do that, here's a look at digital marketing trends for 2021.

Pinterest Lens

Pinterest, predictably, has gotten on the image search frenzy. They released Lens, an image search engine that enables users to snap a picture of an item and find out where to shop it online. Shoppers can also browse for comparable goods and see pinboards of related products by capturing their image. Pinterest is doing well, and Mo. Creative Marketing can help boost your business with both organic and paid Pinterest ads.

Content Is Still King In 2021

Many top companies will keep spending extensively on content creation as Google rewards well-researched, constantly updated content.


"Instead of chasing the newest SEO trends, it is far more necessary to assure that your website has fast loading speeds, relevant backlinks, and well-written content," says link building strategist Craig Skinner of Twixxer.


Essentially, B2B marketing professionals believe that producing content helps their audiences see their company as a reliable and trustworthy resource.

Interactive Content

Interactive content is a strategy that has been here for quite some time but has only just been acknowledged as a recommended practice. Not only can interactive content increase engagement, but it also enhances the user's satisfaction.


Polls, open-ended questions, quizzes, competitions, freebies, surveys, calculator widgets, and other interactive content can work wonders for your business. At the very least, they prolong users' interactions with your business, which improves your ranking in algorithm-based search and streams. People, furthermore, like to be entertained; thus, interactive content practically enhances client involvement.

Inclusivity And Sustainability: Standing Tall

In 2021, people care deeply for those who are less fortunate and the planet. A large part of their interest is to ensure those who receive their money also care about others and the earth—as much as they do.


The industry is witnessing a popularity increase for inclusion, sustainability and eco-friendly businesses, particularly among younger customers, with 81% of shoppers firmly believing companies should better the world we live in. This cause extends beyond the LGBTQ communities, PWDs and green goods market—every business can profit from publicising their inclusive and sustainable activities. The key is to communicate your inclusivity and sustainability throughout your content and brand.

Graphic Designs Trends 

  

The first impression is the last in all forms of communication. Thus graphic and visual design trends may influence the growth of your brand. Anyone can consciously or unconsciously point out an outdated web design.


Stories on web technologies frequently focus on a web designer or business site pushing the limits with new design technology. Although these methods may influence brands and business sites, they seldom do. To determine if your site is up to date, you must look into graphic trends among the major websites that your audience is acquainted with.


These web-graphic design trends, according to Venngage, are expected to persist until 2021:


1. Color palettes with muted tones

2. Gradients of colour

3. Illustrations that are abstract and dreamy

4. Fonts with a lot of weight

5. Curves and Flowing Lines

6. Stock Photos That Are Genuine & Authentic

7. Landing Pages with a Simplistic Design

8. More Personalised Animations


If you're time-crunched, allow Mo. Creative Marketing to help you design or redesign your first impression. 

What Can You Do to Stay Ahead of These Digital Marketing Trends?

Digital marketing is very dynamic; new trends emerge routinely, altering how branding is conducted. Every year, as the tempo of technology accelerates, you will see new and exciting developments impacting how you, as marketing professionals convey your products.


Following these trends allows digital marketers to remain current in the industry and provide the most significant value to their customers. 


Mo. Creative Marketing can provide you with current industry-relevant information and services to achieve that end. I provide Facebook and Instagram marketing, graphic design, branding, social ads, web development and design, consultancy, blog development and more!


Contact me today, and let's set your business rolling from 2021 and beyond!

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

SEO Explained: Tips for Small Business

Before understanding how to optimize for search engines, it’s important to understand what SEO is and how it works. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the main tactic that marketers use to make their web pages visible to search engines like Google and Bing. Pages with stronger SEO will appear higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Search engines are constantly making updates to their ranking and SEO algorithms in an attempt to provide the user with the most useful content first. In 2018, there were at least 15 suspected algorithm changes. Some of these changes are minor, but others can have a major impact on keyword ranking and traffic.

For instance, a Google Core Update in March 2019 caused a big drop in organic traffic for many reputable media and publishing outlets like The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times.

Why website rankings matter for small business marketing

To be successful with organic traffic, small businesses really need to try to rank on the first page of a SERP (Search Engine Results Page). There’s a saying popular with SEOs that the best place to hide a dead body is on page two of Google. It basically goes to show that most people will only look at the results on page one and either click on one of those links or search for something else.

In fact, the click-through rate on Google SERPs decreases exponentially with positioning. Links that appear in the first position have a 30% click rate. The number drops to 10% for links in the third position and falls closer to 2% towards the bottom of the first page.

Source: Smart Insights 

Some larger brands will likely pay for Google ads to offset any shortcomings with their SEO strategy. For organic traffic, however, Google doesn’t pay attention to budget or resources in its rankings. The best way small businesses can beat the bigger fish in organic traffic is to have better SEO.

4 steps to improve your SEO marketing for small businesses with a limited budget.

Fortunately for small business owners, you don’t need to have a major budget or large team to be successful with SEO. You just need to understand a few basic best practices and put them to action.

Here are four simple steps you can take today to improve the SEO of your small business.

1. Go beyond keywords.

Back in the early days of SEO, marketers would stuff their content with dozens of keywords in hopes that Google would see the frequency and boost the page ranking. The result was often disjointed text that was difficult to read and not beneficial for the user.

Today, Google will penalize content that includes too many keywords. Ideally, your content should have been 2 and 5% keyword density, which means you’re mentioning it no more than five times for every 100 words you publish.

However, you need to understand more about why people are searching for specific keywords. Search engines are focusing more on user intent and will return websites that they feel best match what a person wants to do when they search for a specific topic. For instance, if you search for the term “best restaurants in Seattle,” you will get results for specific restaurants, as well as articles that rank local restaurants by various criteria.

The bottom line: You need to focus on creating quality content that answers questions and provides relevant and useful information the people who land on your page expect to see.

2. Create a Google My Business profile.

The number of online searches using the term “near me” have jumped by as much as 900% over the past two years. If you’re using your online presence to drive people to your physical business location, it’s imperative that you set up a Google My Business profile.

The process is free and it only takes a few minutes, but it adds authority to your business and provides more information that’s helpful to users. At the very least, you should include your name, address, and phone number. Take a look at all of the information made available by Me on my Google My Business profile.

The best thing about creating a Google My Business profile is that you don’t need to be an expert SEO to do it. You just need to know your company’s information and follow Google’s instructions, and you’ll have your profile set up in no time.

3. Encourage customers to leave reviews.

You’re probably already aware of the power of positive reviews for your small business. After all, 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses before becoming customers. You might not have realized that these reviews also impact your SEO performance.

According to Moz, Google considers customer reviews as one of its main factors in determining search ranking positions.

It’s important to remember that, while you want all of your reviews to be positive, a negative review here or there won’t hurt your SEO as long as you reply to it in a timely manner.

4. Create backlinks from other sites.

Link building is a major factor of off-site SEO that big brands might spend a large portion of their digital marketing budget to master. While having those extra funds to hire agencies and vendors helps, you can do some of the same things on your own.

It might take a little bit of time, but you can start an outreach program to contact relevant organizations to develop reputable backlinks to your page. The higher the domain authority of the page linking to you, the better the backlink in the eyes of Google. For instance, if your business is a Cajun restaurant, you could reach out to a local newspaper or media outlet about including your business in an article about the best places to spend Mardi Gras.

You can also drive some traffic back to your site by creating listings for your business on other directory sites like Yelp and YP.com.

Don’t forget about combining email marketing with your SEO.

Emails won’t help improve your Google SERP position. However, the engagement from those emails could send positive indicators to search engines that will in the long run.

The most immediate impact will be additional traffic to your site, which shows search engines that your pages are active and popular. If people spend time there without immediately leaving, it’ll also improve your bounce rates. Finally, the more people click around on your site, the more it shows Google that users are trusting your pages to learn more information about specific topics.

Remember, the goal of SEO marketing is to get people to discover your website and take actions when they’re there. It’s the same goal as your email marketing.

Wrap up

Small businesses are sometimes backed into a corner when competing against bigger brands. They often don’t have the money and resources for advanced digital marketing campaigns and paid methods. The best way for small businesses to even the playing field is with a strong SEO strategy. To best optimize websites for search engines, small businesses need to focus on best practices, including:

  • Creating great content that provides value for the user and gives them what they expect and hope to receive.

  • Updating a Google My Business profile with basic information like business name, address, and phone number.

  • Encouraging users to leave reviews or ratings about your business on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other online sources.

  • Building an email campaign aimed at improving engagement to your website.

You can track your SEO results in Google Analytics, which integrates with your Campaign Monitor dashboard. It can take several months to notice an impact from your tactics, but, if you follow these steps, you’ll begin to see an increase in your overall traffic and revenue.


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Guest User Guest User

Essential Tips For Branding Your Small Business

So you've successfully launched a small business! 

Congrats! 

Most people only dream of launching their own business, but you've gone the whole mile, drafted a corporate business plan, registered your business name, and found your first client! 

However, while launching your business is a huge accomplishment, there's still a lot of work ahead of you.

It would be best if you got proactive with branding your business and marketing it to the world.

Below, I've compiled a quick guide on branding your small business so that you can help yourself stand out from the competition and stick in the minds of the consumers you interact with.

Do Your Market Research

If you've already launched your business, you're already aware of the importance of performing market research

Essentially, market research allows you to find out if there's a demand for your products or services, in turn, helping you assess the viability of your business. 

However, when it comes to branding, market research is just as, if not more important. 

Before you move on with creating brand guides, designing your marketing materials and promoting your brand, you need to get a firm understanding of who your target audience is. 

The best way to do this is to create "buyer personas," which are semi-fictional representations of the people who are most likely to interact with your brand. 

Buyer personas should contain as much information about your ideal customers as possible, including their average age, gender, geographic locations, hobbies, interests, and more.

For example, if your small business sells athletic apparel and footwear, one of your buyer personas might look something like this: 

  • Name: Jim Galafakis

  • Gender and Age: Male, age 27

  • Location: San Francisco, California

  • Interests: sports, outdoor recreation, hiking 

Ideally, this fictional character will be someone who is most interested in buying from your brand. 

So by using this buyer persona, you'll have a much better idea of how to create brand guides and marketing materials that appeal to this type of person. 

Create A Brand Style Guide

A brand guide or branded style guide is essentially a rulebook containing all pertinent information related to your brand's look, feel, and voice. 

Brand style guides contain the specifications relating to your branded colours, brand logos, image specs and dimensions, typography, and tone of voice. 

These are used as a general guide to ensure that your marketing materials will be consistent at all times, regardless of who is creating them. 

Design Marketing Materials

Marketing materials, such as business graphics, logos, brochures, pamphlets, business cards, and social media accounts, are essential when promoting your brand to your target market. 

BusinessCards is a free tool anyone can use to create and print 100% custom business cards to help with their branding. 

Again, your brand's style guide will help ensure that all these materials align with your brand's overall goals and approach to business. 

Marketing materials can be created in-house, or for those who need help with this, there are plenty of freelance workplaces, such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, where you can find skilled people to help. 

Regularly Review, Revise, And Improve

When you first launch your business, you should have a general idea of how you want to be branded. 

However, as your progress in the lifecycle of your business, it's essential to regularly revise your brand to ensure that it's still in line with your target demographic and your own businesses' overall goals and objectives. 

We recommend that, once a year, you and your team sit down together to re-evaluate how your small business branding has and is resonating with your audience. 


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Guest User Guest User

How to Launch a New Business on a $100 Budget!

We’ve all heard stories of Entrepreneurs starting out in their parents’ basement, or building a global company from a garden shed.  Even huge companies like Amazon, famously have humble beginnings.  But just how humble a beginning can we manage these days?

 

How about a budget of just $100 to build from the ground up and launch your new venture?  If you are very careful and methodical, it absolutely can be done.

 

Of course, the small budget comes with many constrictions.  For example, you can’t invest in a large bulk of stock up front.  Nor can you pay for a big ads campaign. 

 

For the purpose of this post, we will assume that any stock or materials are already in your possession, or that you are launching a service-based business with no material overheads. What we are focussed here is on the launch process, which can be done surprisingly cheaply when you know where to focus.

 

Despite what you may have heard, organic social media can still be leveraged with some time and effort, and it’s amazing what you can achieve with a good plan in place. You don’t actually need an ads budget to launch. 

 

So let’s look at how to launch a new business on a $100 budget.

 

 

The start

 

Your website and brand can be created for a truly low price.  Check out Wix, Squarespace, or an ecommerce solution like Shoppify for a tiny monthly subscription cost.

 

You can create your branding using free online tools. Use a free Canva account to brand all your graphics; which you will then use on your website, your social media and your email marketing. Check out LogoCreator for free logo design, using their templates or designing your own with their elements. Now you are ready to start showing your brand to the world.

 

When it comes to launching, there is power in consistency. So be bold, and show up as regularly as you can manage. The more consumers see you, the more they will begin to see you as a trustworthy business. This is simply about repetition and familiarity breeding trust.

 

With this in mind, be aware that your first few social media posts or email blasts won’t move the needle. You are building trust first. So don’t expect those sales too quickly, as don’t be discouraged. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

The strategies

 

There are two key strategies for launching a business that don’t come with a hefty price tag. One is organic social media, and the other is email marketing.  You can use your organic social media to fill your email marketing funnel too, so your efforts on Facebook and Instagram will go further in the long run.

 

How? Try a social media launch week to build up your followers and create some interest; using promotions, storytelling and discounts.  This is an ideal time to tempt people onto your email list with an email-only exclusive discount.  Competitions can work well for this too.

 

Now that you are growing your email list, which by the way has the best return on investment, you can begin building a relationship with your new subscribers.

 

Send them awesome content, showcase your products and services, and keep going with those launch celebration offers.  It does take a little time to build trust, so remember to add valuable content to your emails and not just sales copy.

 

But after a short period of building trust, those sales are going to start happening.

 

Next steps

 

Now that you have your key low budget marketing strategies in place, as revenue comes in you can reinvest some budget into scaling up. You might now want to upgrade your products, your website, or your marketing software.

 

There is a lot to choose from, including tools like Missinglettr which take some of the social media and SEO work off your hands, freeing up more of your time.

 

You could also try a few paid advertising campaigns now that revenue is coming in.

 

Let’s summarise

 

If you are very strategic about where to spend and what free tools to take advantage of, then it is possible to get through your launch period with a tiny budget. Yes, even one under $100.

 

Getting through that launch period successfully, and sticking out that tough initial period can bring you the revue to re-invest in your business, scale and grow.

 

Organic social media is still a relevant strategy. It just takes time and effort to pay off.  Email marketing still has the best return on investment, and can be used in conjunction with organic social media to get you through a low-budget launch.

 

Remember that the beginning of any new venture is always the hardest. If you can survive the launch and start making a return on your investment, then there is no limit to what you can achieve in the long run.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Why You SHOULD Be Running Facebook Ads Right Now

The reality is, right now, we cannot do it all. We must choose which channels to put our heart and soul into, because if we give a fraction of effort on each platform then the chances of seeing a successful return become slim.

The world is scary right now. As modern-day marketers, we don’t really know what the future holds. It is so easy to get caught in the panic and pull our spend. I’m here to tell you, take a breath. 

The reality is, right now, we cannot do it all. We must choose which channels to put our heart and soul into, because if we give a fraction of effort on each platform then the chances of seeing a successful return become slim.

In the current climate, there is one channel that is still making cut-through: social media. With millions instructed to stay home, we are all experiencing our daily usage of our social platforms climb. Your customers are the same. 

#1: Your Audience Is On Facebook

There is no denying that your audience has made their way to Facebook. Facebook’s user base is actually larger than the entire population of China (think 1.49 billion members worldwide, and 22 billion ad clicks per year). We haven’t seen the same advertising opportunity as Facebook, since the golden days of search. So yes, your audience is on there somewhere – it’s just a matter of finding them (which I’ll get into in reason #3). 

#2: Facebook Ads Are Cheap

Seriously, they’re practically free! Well, not quite. In fact, the reason you need to advertise is because getting traction from organic activity on your business page won’t yield results. 

Traditionally, Facebook ads cost much less than their competitive channels. I’ve seen businesses completely transform their business with as little as $5 a day. 

If you’re strapped for cash, just ensure that you set reasonable daily Facebook budgets so you don’t exceed what you’re able to spend. 

#3: The Targeting Capabilities of Facebook Are Unmatched

The level of granularity you can get with Facebook targeting is virtually unmatched in the online space. Part creepy, part exciting, the levels of targeting would shock some. Did you know you can target Obama? Not kidding. 

With everything from behaviors, interests, demographics, connections, age ranges, languages, or locations, you can find your dream audience and ensure conversions stay high. Layer targeting and throw in some retargeting and you’re net is perfectly aimed. 

#4: Facebook Is Effective to Push Undecided Leads Down the Funnel

Still nervous? Try out remarketing on Facebook through custom audiences. 

This strategy works wonders for marketers because remarketing works by targeting an audience that has already visited your site and therefore is more likely to be interested in your products or offerings on some level. 

#5: Facebook Allows You to Find New (And Great) Leads Easily

Once you’ve found an audience that converts like crazy, you can clone them. Not. Even. Kidding. The Facebook geniuses call this feature “lookalike audiences” where you can take a custom audience and Facebook will reach NEW people who are similar to that audience and therefore likely to be interested in your business.

Lookalike audiences can also be built with conversion pixels (for instance, the conversion pixels from your paid search ads!), install data from mobile apps, or simply from fans of your Facebook page. You can also further define the size and targeting options to ensure your lookalike audience is an accurate reflection of your target buyers.

If you want to keep up and beat your competitors, follow my advice and hop on the Zuckerberg bandwagon – can recommend. 

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Instagram, Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell Instagram, Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell

The Inside Word On Instagram's Algorithm

Not too long ago, Facebook themselves hosted an event called ‘Machine Learning @ Scale’ event. The event brought together some of the most technologically advanced brains in the machine-learning and artificial-intelligence industry to discuss their latest discoveries and innovations.

Not too long ago, Facebook themselves hosted an event called ‘Machine Learning @ Scale’ event. The event brought together some of the most technologically advanced brains in the machine-learning and artificial-intelligence industry to discuss their latest discoveries and innovations. 

Doesn't sound like your cup of tea? Luckily, I sat through the entire list of presentations so that you don't have to. Below I am going to give you a brief rundown of my learnings in a (hopefully) more upbeat manner (you can watch the videos of each presentation here if you really like).

The thing I really found most interesting was from Thomas Dimson of Instagram, who explained the process of designing and implementing Instagram’s feed algorithm.

Essentially, Dimson’s presentation is about the challenges they faced when rolling out the new algorithm at scale, but as part of that, Dimson also notes all the crucial metrics of how Instagram defines relevance, the measures which dictate how content is ordered in the feed.

The key measures they use (or considered using) to determine relevance and decide which posts show up higher in your Instagram feed are:

  • People who’s content you like

  • People you direct message

  • People you search for

  • People you know in real life

Now, how exactly each of these elements might be weighted is hard to say, but these are the measures Instagram initially considered in their testing, which means they’re also very likely the same measures they use now.

Dimson does note that they haven’t necessarily weighted any of these elements at all, but they’ve instead focused on engagement, and using any engagement as an indicator. But, it’s interesting to note the various ways in which that engagement can be measured, which could then result in certain posts by certain people appearing higher in your Instagram feed.

Essentially, the content from users you engage with will rank higher, and Instagram takes all of these forms of interaction into account.

Dimson also provides a fairly clarified explanation for how social-platform algorithms work, and why they’re required, noting that algorithms help networks deal with ‘a problem of success’ – being that they become too popular, and there’s too much activity happening for users to find all the most relevant content on their own.

Dimson says that in their research, they found that Instagram users weren’t seeing around 70% of the content matched to them in the chronological feed. The solution to this, according to Dimson, is to either get people to follow fewer users, ensuring they always see the content most relevant to them, or to implement an algorithm to highlight the content they’re most likely to engage with, based on the aforementioned factors.

The first option isn't feasible, so Instagram tested the second, and they saw significant increases in all key metrics when the new system was rolled out to a small percentage of users.

Dimson notes that the only metric that went down was the amount of searches users were conducting, which they actually saw as a good thing as it showed people were finding more of what they wanted for without having to seek it out themselves.

Also interesting, Dimson says that they went from prototype to roll out very fast with the Instagram algorithm.

Those efforts have obviously paid off – the platform added 100 million extra new users in the second half of 2016, taking them to 600 million monthly actives, 400 million of whom now log in daily. The introduction of Instagram Stories also played a part, no doubt, but it’s important to recognize the significance of the algorithm also in this context.

It’s an interesting insight into the workings of Instagram’s system – it doesn’t provide all the answers, and the onus is still on you to create compelling content to inspire engagement and rank higher in people’s feeds. But it does give you some idea of the various elements potentially at play.

So, how do you create engaging content? Stick around, that blog post is next on my list! For now, check out my 'How to Hack the Instagram Algorithm.'

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To ID and Fix Duplicate Meta Tags

Duplicate meta tags may seem like a snooze fest, but they can seriously damage you in the ol’ Google popularity contest. Find out how to locate and eliminate those pesky duplicates, so you can stroll your way to the top of the SERP.

Duplicate meta tags can cause serious harm to your search engine rankings and affect the flow of organic traffic to different pages. If multiple pages on your website have the same meta tags, the search engine won’t know which page provides the needed information and should appear on the SERP.

 

If you want to get maximum traffic and utility from your pages, it is important to ensure the metadata is unique in all pages. Here’s a brief guide on how to identify and fix duplicate meta tags.

 

Google Search Console

 

The easiest way to identify duplicate meta description tags is to use the Google Search Console. You need to make sure your website is registered with Google Search Console if you want to utilize this tool, which is easy to do if you already have Google Analytics. Here’s what you need to do:

 

·      Go to Search Appearance on your Dashboard.

·      Click on the HTML Improvements menu.

·      You will find options Duplicate Meta Descriptions and Duplicate Title Tags.

·      Explore these pages to find the duplicates.

 

Google Search Console is a little limited and won’t show all types of duplicates. However, this tool is an effective starting point and will help you create a preliminary list.

 

Desktop Crawler Software

 

These programs are specifically designed to crawl a website and find duplicates. Their function is similar to regular search engine bots, which means they’re very thorough. These bots can detect all kinds of SEO issues, including these duplicates so they’re useful tools to have in your arsenal. The software will provide a list of pages with duplicate descriptions once the website is scanned thoroughly.

 

There are several desktop crawling software programs available online. You just need to choose an option that works well for you. A combination of Google Search Console and Crawler programs should be sufficient.

 

You can also conduct a manual search if your website is small. If you have only three to five pages, it is easy to browse through all of the descriptions and see if they are duplicates or unsuitable.

 

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Guest User Guest User

How To Optimise Your LinkedIn Business Page

So you want to look like a big-dog on Linkedin? Don’t we all! Learn how to make your Linkedin profile as impressive as Mums Christmas roast with these easy steps.

LinkedIn is a unique social media platform that is specifically designed for professionals. It has more than 225 million users and over 3 million business or company profiles. This platform is used most often by professionals seeking to build connections and expand their network. It is also used by B2B enterprises as an effective marketing platform because it allows users to reach out to key influencers in the industry.

 

The tough competition on this platform will make it challenging to gain recognition, which is why it is necessary to make sure your LinkedIn business page is optimised. Here’s a look at how you can achieve that:

 

1. Make Sure All Information Is Consistent

 

Your LinkedIn profile should have a strong brand presence and provide in-depth information regarding the company to everyone on the platform. Make sure you are describing your brand accurately and have the same style, tone, and feel in your profile as your website.

 

It is also important to make sure all the information on your profile is accurate and up-to-date. The last thing you want is for the profile to have the links to your old website or for it to have an old business address. Inaccurate or outdated data can impact your credibility and your LinkedIn connections will believe you to be unprofessional.

 

2. Use Keywords in Your Profile

 

LinkedIn professionals are a part of the industry so they know how to use the best keywords to get the results they want. That’s why it is important to incorporate the most successful and relevant keywords into your profile. These keywords will help you stand out in web search and bring organic traffic to your website.

 

LinkedIn has its own search engine and most people using it are professionals. They might use more technical and precise search terms. You need to keep in mind that the target audience knows more and are more aware of the industry than most. Research keywords that might work especially well on LinkedIn and use them in your profile.

 

3. Set Up the Profile Page

 

Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn provides a lot of space in their user profiles. This means you can have a more comprehensive profile that describes your brand in detail. Use this opportunity to create an impactful About Us page on the platform. It is a good idea to focus on Products and Services as well as the Careers section in particular.

 

They often attract the most attention. Make sure the content is well-written and represents the brand’s voice well. You can hire a professional content writer to do this job for you if needed.

 

4. Targeted Pages

 

You can design multiple products and services pages for different audiences if needed. For example, the page can vary based on the company size, industry, geography, and other such factors.

 

Targeted pages will reach the right audience and bring in more attention to your profile. As they’re uniquely designed for the target audience, they provide much better results than generic pages.

 

These are some of the many ways in which you can optimise your LinkedIn profile page. Other options include adding a video, making sure the banners are hyperlinked, and other such strategies.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How to Optimise your Google My Business Listing

Consider your Google My Business listing as your first impression online. Everything from the images you use, to the ratings you have as huge indicators of whether or not you can be trusted. One of the best ways to get online visibility is to claim your business on Google My Business and optimise it.

Consider your Google My Business listing as your first impression online. Everything from the images you use, to the ratings you have as huge indicators of whether or not you can be trusted. One of the best ways to get online visibility is to claim your business on Google My Business and optimise it.

 

This ensures your prospective customers can find you easily and receive the most accurate information. Here are some tips on how to optimise your Google My Business Listing:

 

1. Create And Verify Your Google My Business Listing

 

The first step is to create a listing in My Business. There are two ways to go about this; you can claim an existing listing or create a new one before going through the verification process. Here’s what you can do:

 

·      Log onto your Google account associated with your business.

·      Get to Google My Business and Click the Get on Google Button.

·      Search your business name or address.

·      If you find your business name at the same address where it is located, claim that business.

·      If you don’t find a listing, claim that address and add your business name.

·      There are many verification options available, including mail, email, phone, Google Search Console, and instant verification.

 

Once the business is verified, it will show up on Google Maps as a claimed business. It is difficult to change the information after it is set so make sure it is accurate.

 

2. Ensure Your NAP (Name, Address And Phone Number) Is Consistent Across All Platforms

 

Google doesn’t just rely on the users for information, it also relies on sources available online. So if there’s a conflict in details like phone numbers, addresses, names, etc., on other platforms, the data on your Google listing might become corrupted. For example, if several business list websites and social media profiles have one phone number and your Google listing might have another, Google will correct the listing’s data.

 

That’s why it is important to ensure your NAP information is accurate on all platforms. Conduct a thorough search and look at where your company name with NAP information. Make sure all of the information mentioned is accurate and consistent.

 

3. Choose A Precise Category And Location

 

The category of your business will inform search users of what kind of business you own. It is important to make sure you choose the right category and be as accurate as possible. For example, if you’re primarily a café, choose café as your category. If you’re primarily a restaurant, opt for restaurant as your category.

 

Choose a general category if you can’t decide on a specific category or if the list doesn’t have anything specific. For example, if there’s no category that describes your store, choose a retail store to list the business.

 

4. Add As Much Information As Possible – And Keep It Up To Date

 

Google offers you a lot of prime real estate to provide as much information as possible. You can list things like business times, open days, description, etc. More information will add legitimacy to your business and ensure you stand apart from the crowd.

 

It is also important to make sure all of the information provided is always current and reliable. If you change the location of your business or get a new phone number, make sure the information is mentioned in your GMB listing is accurate as well.

 

5. Add Quality Images (And A Virtual Tour)

 

Images always make a listing more appealing and can encourage people to click on your website link. Adding good-quality images to your listing can help draw more people and establish your brand.

 

Make sure these images showcase your business premises and products in the best light possible. Adding a virtual tour of the business can also help gain audience trust because  it will provide a glimpse of what your business looks like.

 

6. Keep Your GMB Listing Active With Google Posts

 

Active listings can help your listings become more prominent in search. This doesn’t require a lot of effort and doesn’t really have a big impact on SEO, but activity can show Google that the information is current.

 

This can help improve your reputation with the search giant and show that you are reliable. Posts are also a great way to provide more information to prospective customers, which is always a great advantage.

 

7. Push Past Clients To Give Google Reviews

 

One of the first things prospective clients notice when they search a particular business online is its ratings. They look at how many stars the business has and take the time to read as many reviews as they can.

 

That’s why it is important to push clients to provide as many reviews as possible. Provide easy access to reviews by adding review buttons, providing links, and then remind them to share their experience with others.

8. Respond To Google Reviews

 

Every business gets some negative or less-than-stellar ratings. No business has a clear-cut and unblemished reputation. The best way to address this situation is to respond to all negative and positive feedback promptly. If the review is negative, make the effort to resolve it as quickly and efficiently as you can. This shows you value customer experience and will do everything in your power to ensure they’re satisfied.

 

9. Add GMB Attributes

 

Attributes show what the business has to offer outside of what is mentioned in the description. These attributes come with eye-catching pictures, which gives customers an idea of what to expect. GMB attributes include tags like ‘Woman Led.’ ‘Outdoor Seating.’ ‘Wi-Fi,’ etc.

 

Setting attributes is easy. You just need to log onto your account, click on the location of your business, click on Info on the Menu, find Attributes and click Edit. You can choose attributes applicable to your business from the provided options and then click Apply.

 

These tips should help you get the most out of your Google My Business listing. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the listing to ensure it is accurate and track the reviews. If you manage this listing well, it can help you establish your brand well.

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Guest User Guest User

How to Optimise Your Facebook Page Pt. 2

It is easy to set your Facebook page up and get going, but have you considered whether or not you could be doing more?

There are simple but highly effective ways to take your Facebook from zero to hero. Let me list a few below.

It is easy to set your Facebook page up and get going, but have you considered whether or not you could be doing more?

There are simple but highly effective ways to take your Facebook from zero to hero.

  1. Create and Organise Page Tabs

    Tabs exist under your Facebook cover photo and can be expanded by clicking on the 'More' drop-down arrow on the right. They're something like the website navigation for your Facebook Page, allowing visitors to browse all that your page has to offer. 

    To rearrange your tabs, go to your Page and click Settings. Click Templates and Tabs in the left column. Then drag and drop your tabs in the order you want them to appear.

  2. Add Messenger for Business

    Giving your clients every possible option to get in contact with you, in the way they prefer, is vital. To turn on Messenger for your page, go to Messages under General Settings and then click Edit. Select the option to allow messages to your page, and click Save Changes.

  3. Add accurate business hours

    Adding accurate business hours to your Facebook page is they key to ensuring your customers are educated about when and where they can contact you.

    To edit your business hours click About below your Page's cover photo, then Page Info in the left column, edit the Hours section and Save Changes.

  4. Push past clients to give Facebook reviews

    Having great reviews on Facebook will instantly increase your chances of getting new customers because online reviews build trust. Did you know that 84% of people trust online reviews just as much as a personal recommendation? That is HUGE!

    7 out of 10 customers will leave a review if they are asked to. The best way to bring in the reviews is to shoot your clients an email. Use these email templates to ask for reviews. Also, feel free to create automated follow-ups or pop a reminder in your calendar for the clients that lag behind. You can also add a call-to-action to your website or ask people to check-in on Facebook; it will send them a reminder to write a review 1-2 days later. Other ideas are to offer a coupon or voucher if people check-in, require people to check-in if they want to use your WiFi or give a free upgrade if people check-in.

  5. Claim Unofficial Pages

    Bad data is a primary source of confusion for customers throughout the discovery stage, particularly when searching for local businesses. Verify your official Facebook business page with a phone call or by uploading official business documents. This can take up to 24 hours to process, but typically much shorter.

    To claim an unofficial page, navigate to your unofficial duplicate page on Facebook. Select "Is this your business?" from the drop down menu. Chose the first option: "Merge into a verified page you manage". Select your page from the drop down selector and submit. Facebook will decide whether or not your page matches the location of the unofficial page and merge the pages accordingly. Any likes, comments, reviews, and check-ins should be preserved in most cases. 

  6. Pin Important Posts to the Top of Your Page

    Pinning, highlighting and milestones are three timeline features that can dramatically change the number of people who interact with your content. You'll need to be an admin or editor to pin Page posts. To pin a post to the top of your Page's timeline go to the post on your Page's timeline, click  in the top right of the post, select Pin to Top of Page.

  7. Create a Company Milestone Timeline on Your Page

    Milestones are a great way to tell the story of your business through words and images. They can appear anywhere on your Timeline, depending on the date you designate. Always include an engaging image in your milestone. This will ensure your milestone will stand out and capture attention.

    Also make sure to include a call to action with a link to more information in your milestone. You don’t just want to tell people about your milestone—you want them to take action and learn more.

    By adding a link in your milestone, and encouraging your fans to find out more, you can build a stronger relationship with your fans and potentially sell more programs, products and services. That’s just what I did in my milestone below.

    To create a milestone, click on the “Event, Milestones +” option in the status update bar.

So that is that! Follow the above steps, consistently optimise and update and your Facebook will be ready to convert on its own.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How Do I Claim My Facebook Custom URL and Why?

So, your website URL doesn’t have a whole lot of numbers in it, so why would your Facebook URL? Claiming your vanity URL is seriously a no-brainer.

A custom URL gives your page an easy-to-find & easy-to-share URL that looks professional & branded.

So, your website URL doesn’t have a whole lot of numbers in it, so why would your Facebook URL? Claiming your vanity URL is seriously a no-brainer.

A custom URL gives your page an easy-to-find & easy-to-share URL that looks professional & branded.

For example, which of these URLs would you rather share with potential customers:

This one:

  • www.facebook.com/pages/mocreativemarketing/5478569871236

Or this one:

  • www.facebook.com/Mo.CreativeMarketing

Which do you think is easier to share in print, ads, videos, etc.? Which do you think is easier for potential customers to remember?

Don't worry. You don't need to actually answer me.

What you DO need to do is go claim your page's URL... right now!

Here's how:

How to Claim a Vanity URL on Facebook

Step 1: Go to Facebook's Username Page

Just head to: www.facebook.com/username

Once there you should see this:

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Page

Click the dropdown next to "Page Name" and choose the page you'd like to claim the vanity URL for.

Step 3: Enter Desired Page Name

Once you've chosen a page, type in your desired username.

Remember -- the username will be the part of the URL that follows "facebook.com/" -- so don't use spaces, symbols, etc.

I recommend using something short, branded & memorable. Your brandname or domain name is ideal.

In this example, I'm working on the "Mo Creative Test" page, so I'll just use "Mo Creative Test":

Step 4: Click "Check Availability"

Here Facebook tells you whether they'll accept your username or not.

If no other page has already claimed it, then you should get a message telling you the username is available.

If you choose a username that's already been taken, you'll get a different message.

Step 5: Try a Different Name or Click Confirm

If the username you chose is taken, then try a different username and click "Check Availability" to see if you can use it.

If the username you chose is available, then just click "Confirm".

Facebook will then show you a "Success" pop-up.

You're all done!

Now your page has an easy to find & easy to remember URL!

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

  • You can change the username of your page only once after first setting it

  • You can't transfer the ownership of a username to another party

  • You can't violate anyone else's trademark rights

  • If you're acquiring a username to sell it in the future (squatting), you will lose it

  • Usernames may be reclaimed for other unauthorised usages

You should also know that Facebook usually requires a page to have 25 Likes before claiming a vanity URL.

Now go stake your claim!

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Fix Broken Links on Your Website

Broken links can have a negative impact on your rankings and compromise user experience. The last thing you want is for a user to encounter a broken link when they want access to more information. This is often an indication of a poorly maintained website and can increase website abandonment rates. It is important to find and fix broken links as often as you can.

Broken links can have a negative impact on your rankings and compromise user experience. The last thing you want is for a user to encounter a broken link when they want access to more information.

 

This is often an indication of a poorly maintained website and can increase website abandonment rates. It is important to find and fix broken links as often as you can.

 

Find Broken Links

 

You can find broken links using freely available online tools like Google Analytics. These tools will scan your entire website and create a list of broken links. This process takes a little time based on the size and age of your website. For example, an e-commerce website with hundreds of pages might have several internal and external broken links.

 

 It might take some time for the software to identify them all. You can set up a monthly report in Google Analytics. The software will send reports on the number of 404 redirects on your website and you can track the links accordingly.

 

Create a Priority List

 

Links are easy and quick to fix if you have a relatively small website with just a couple of errors. But if you have a big website, you might need to create a list of priorities to ensure you fix the most essential broken links first. Google Analytics can help you with this process as well.

 

Check how much traffic the 404 error page receives from users clicking on a particular page title or link. The titles or links with the most amount of traffic needs to be at the top of the priority list. You can start fixing links at the top of the list first and make your way down over time. This ensures that the pages that receive the most traffic are fixed first.

 

This is the perfect opportunity to replace broken links that have outdated information with good links that have current data. That can help improve user experience and credibility. Just perform a simple search to find adequate replacements for the best results.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How to Build Powerful Backlinks With Guest Posting

If you want to be the popular one in the group, backlinks are the way to do it. As Brittany Spears would say, if there talking about you, they’re a fan! Learn to get the gabs flapping, and bringing free traffic to you website.

Backlinks are one of the three most important ranking factors in SEO, which means you need to make sure your website has a good link profile in order to rank high on the SERPs. There was several ways to build links and one of the most popular is guest posting.

 

However, getting backlinks through guest posts is a little tricky because Google doesn’t exactly encourage guest posting for the sole purpose of building links. Here’s a look at how you can gain more links through this strategy:

 

1. Don’t Use It as a Link Building Strategy

 

If you use guest posting solely as a link building strategy, you’re bound to attract Google’s attention eventually. Posting poor quality articles in low-authority websites to get links doesn’t work. This technique is sophisticated and requires more effort, but it can also offer greater rewards.

 

2. Create a List of High-Authority Websites

 

Backlinks from low-quality or low-authority websites aren’t very useful. It is better to have a couple of links from high-authority websites than fifty links from low-authority ones. Look for websites that offer guest posting opportunities in your industry and focus on ones with great domain authority.

 

3. Outreach with Your Content

 

Make sure you have good content with original research and current information. It is worth the effort to create a piece that provides considerable value and doesn’t get lost in the sea of content. Once you have a good article, you will need to send outreach emails to every blog on your short list.

 

4. Provide a Profile on Your Articles

 

Google values authority and experience, which is why it is a good idea to include your profile with your qualifications or experience in the post. The profile will appear at the top or at the bottom of your article and help you get your name out there. This is the primary source of all your traffic.

 

When you guest post, don’t flood your article with backlinks to your website. If you do add a link, make sure it is absolutely relevant to your content. The goal here is to build trust and authority, which will eventually bring more traffic to your website.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Optimise Your Pinterest Account

Pinterest is oh-so-pretty, but for the right business it can be a huge money making machine. Learn how to optimise your Pinterest account and get that beautiful traffic flowing straight through to your site.

So, unless you have been hiding under rock for the past few years, Pinterest has somehow made it onto your radar. Whether it is pretending you have no interest in getting engaged while pinning 200+ diamond rings. Or handing over a Pinterest screenshot to your builder and saying ‘could we whip something like this up?’. Pinterest is a highly inspirational and unique social media platform. The site was first established in 2010 and has gained over 250 million monthly active users.

 

Pinterest is mainly your go-to for sharing ideas, collecting bookmarks (aka. pins), sharing content, and interacting with other enthusiasts. It is an adult wonderland of anything from room makeovers to artist tutorials here, plus a couple of sneaky infographics.

 

The popularity and versatility of this platform has made it the ideal marketing choice for visual and creative businesses. Want to make sure you get the most out of your Pinterest efforts? Here are my top tips:

 

1. Establish a Business Account

 

If you intend to use this platform for marketing purposes, it is important to set up a business account. You can convert your personal account to a business account easily and utilise the wide range of benefits it provides. Here’s a look at what you can do:

 

·      Smack your business name on there, and any branding you can work in. Update the covers of each of your boards with either a pic of your work, or a branded icon image.

·      Add your business contact details to the account so any of your new found fans can find your company information easily if needed.

·      Set up analytics and get frequent reports on the performance of your pins and content. This will give you visibility on your campaigns and help determine if your target audiences are interacting with the profile.

 

If you don’t have a personal account, you can set up a business account directly. It is easy to use your business Google account for logging into Pinterest. There’s no need to fill up an entire registry form.

 

2. Always Add Your Website URL

 

The primary purpose of the Pinterest profile is to draw people back to your business website. One of the best ways to do that is to add your website URL to every post you pin. Having said this, make sure the links are relevant to the pin’s content.

 

For example, if the pin features a beautiful wooden chair set, make sure the link leads the same chair set on your website or a related product. This might seem like a simple thing, but it’s not uncommon for people to forget adding URLs to the pins. This can significantly limit the potential of your Pinterest campaign.

 

3. Rearrange Your Board

 

The natural order of the board might not be the most effective way to reach the audience. For example, you don’t want the boards at the top showcase content related to Christmas in the middle of May. Consistently rearrange your board order to ensure the most relevant content remains at the top of the page and catches attention.

 

4. Use Rich Pins

 

If you’re familiar with Rich Snippets on Google, then you know what Rich Pins are like. These are optimised snippets that include an HTML code. They’re more eye-catching and look professional. Rich Pins are more likely to attract attention than regular pins so if you want to stand out, this is a good option.

 

These four steps are a great way to start optimising your Pinterest profile. There are other ways to improve the profile but these will help lay a solid foundation for them. Want to know more? Feel free to give me a jingle.

 

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How To Optimise Your Instagram Profile

If you haven’t noticed, the Instagram algorithm changes faster than Tay Tay switches men, which can make it a slippery sucker to navigate. Read about my top tips for wrangling the beast the right way from the start!

Did you know that Instagram users are 10 times more likely to engage with an Instagram post than any other platforms? The platform also has more than one billion active monthly users. These are some seriously big numbers, and there is no denying that Instagram is now a must have for ALL businesses.

 

Many companies and influencers have found great success through Instagram and have a large following on the platform. In order to take full advance of this network, you need to optimise your Instagram account as much as possible. Want the goss on how? I can help:

 

1. Choose the Right Instagram Profile Picture

 

This is a very visual platform full of expertly edited pictures and videos. Poor quality profile pictures and logos won’t be able to grab user attention easily. Another pet hate of mine, is logos that are cut off by the circular shape of the Instagram profile picture display. Make sure whatever your profile pic is, it represents your brand or profession well, as it is often the first impression of your brand.

 

Get your profile pic right and you will clearly convey the purpose of your profile and attract the right audience. Make sure the picture is clean and all details are clearly visible. Don’t choose an image that has too much going on because that will only confuse the users. Remember - most of the time the image is smaller than your wee pinky nail on our screens.

 

2. Use Your Name

 

Instagram is a more personal and direct platform compared to other social media networks. That’s why you need to make sure your profile name is either your name or the brand name. For example, Nasa’s Instagram name is Nasa and Chanel’s name is Chanel, it’s a no brainer.

 

There are many ways for you to incorporate the name into the profile but make sure it is personal and directly connected to the brand. I would refrain from using caps, or adding anything ‘salsey’ in replace of your name.

 

3. Target Keywords in Description

 

Instagram allows users to create short and precise bios for their profile. These bios are displayed directly below the profile name and are highly visible to anyone who clicks on the profile page. The best way to optimise this section is to add a few keywords relevant to your interest or brand.

 

For example, you can choose an attractive description like “Experience the World through the eyes of National Geographic Photographers,” which is used by the NatGeo profile. Short, sweet and perfect for a big dog like NatGeo.

 

If you’re new or want to create a personal business profile, use short descriptions. For example, a professional watercolorist will use a description like “Artist, watercolours, freelancer, and mentor” in their profile. Such a string of keywords gives people the right idea of what to expect.

 

4. Always Include a CTA

 

Most brands or professionals don’t want to be contacted through Instagram DMs because that can be difficult to manage. That’s why it is a good idea to include your website URL, email, or other social media information on the profile page. This will make it easier for people to contact you directly.

 

Instagram is a different platform compared to other social media entities. It is still evolving and offers several ways to reach your target audience. It is all a matter of finding the right way to utilise it. Need more tips and tricks? Book in for your free consultation call by getting in contact.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Optimise Your Facebook Page Pt. 1

Facebook is a complex friend to have. Just when you think you have gotten to know them, they change up their face - literally. I’m here to give you my top tips for success, right from the start.

Facebook is a complex friend to have. Just when you think you have gotten to know them, they change up their face - literally. Facebook is the king of social media and has a wide user base of over two billion monthly active users. While other platforms like Instagram and Twitter are becoming popular, they still haven’t overtaken Facebook in terms of sheer reach and influence. That’s one of the reasons why this platform has become one of the favourite tools used by marketers today.

 

If you want to gain attention on Facebook, it is important to ensure your account is optimised and suitable for marketing. Here are some tips on how to achieve that:

 

1. Make Sure You Choose the Right Theme

 

Facebook doesn’t offer much leeway when it comes to the profile page theme, but it is still important to make it uniquely your own. The tips mentioned below will help you do just that:

 

·      Make sure you have a relevant and attractive page title. Don’t stuff the title with generic keywords in the hopes of gaining better ranking on Google. That will only do more harm than good.

·      Choose the right header and profile image. You need to make sure the business’ brand is incorporated into the banner well. Using the company logo as your profile picture is the safest bet.

·      Use images that are relevant to your brand on the profile page. It is a good idea to forgo stock images as much as possible to establish a unique brand identity.

 

These tips will help you establish the right theme and ensure people who log onto your profile are impressed.

 

2. Use a Vanity URL

 

Facebook allows you to modify your URL so that it is personalised and relevant to your brand. Don’t use the generic, dynamic URL automatically issued by Facebook, especially if you want to stand apart from the crowd.

 

A personalised URL will make it easier for the user to find your page on Facebook search. Make sure the URL is similar to the page title and easy to memorise. That will help establish the brand presence and gain more recognition from your target audience.

 

3. Optimise the About Us Section

 

Most users will head for your About Us section immediately if they’re curious about your brand. They want to get as much information as they can before they invest time into your company. The About Us section is the perfect opportunity to provide just that. You will only get around 155 characters and it needs to be of the right category. These categories include:

 

·      Local Business or Place

·      Brand or Product

·      Company, Organisation, or Institution

·      Artist, Band, or Public Figure

·      Entertainment

·      Cause or Community

 

Selecting one of these categories will ensure your About Us snippet has the right format. Make sure you link your official business website in this page so users have easy access to more information.

 

An optimised Facebook account won’t just reach a wide audience, but also help elevate all of your marketing campaigns on this platform. If you have a solid foundation, you’re more likely to gain audience trust.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Check And Improve Your Site’s Loading Speed

Literally the only thing I will wait for is a good coffee and The Bachelor, and I can guarantee your clients are the same (well, I can guarantee they hate waiting, not that they have the same reality TV obsession) . So, don’t leave them hanging when they hit your site. Sort out your issues, and do it fast.

Not sure about you, but I HATE waiting, and so do your potential clients. Website loading time is one of the most important aspects of user experience. If your website doesn’t load within 3-4 seconds, people are likely to abandon it. On top of this, Google also considers website loading speed a ranking factor because it influences user experience. If your website is slow, it won’t rank high on the SERP. Here’s a look at how you can fix the issue:

 

1. Check The Site Speed First

 

The site speed depends on several factors, including hosting quality, traffic, bandwidth, and website design. It is a good idea to investigate the root cause of the issue before trying to fix it. There are several metrics in place to check website speed such as:

 

·      TTFB – TTFB stands for Time to First Bite and indicates the time taken from the start of downloading to the successful download of the first bite.

 

·      Page Rendering – This metric indicates how long it takes for the white-screen of the browser to disappear and for the page to begin to load.

 

·      Page Load – This indicates how much time it takes for all of the page elements to load fully. This showcases that all of the resources within the page are usable.

 

·      Full Loading – This is the time it takes for the entire website to load, including all main and deferred resources.

 

Your website download speed should be consistent across all of these metrics to ensure it performs well. You can then use website speed check tools like the one provided by Google. Once you have a good understanding of how this works, you can start fixing it.

 

2. Improving Website Speed

 

The first step to improving website speed is to optimise the website. Make sure the website structure is lean and clean so it loads in an organised fashion. Ensure the code allows for primary elements to be downloaded first so the user can see the important parts of the page quickly. You should also optimise the images and reduce website file size as much as possible. The lighter the website, the faster it loads.

 

These steps should help you improve website speed and performance by a considerable margin.

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