Say what you will about the latest social platforms, email continues to be the old reliable when it comes to marketing. Email yielded a median ROI of 122%—more than four times higher than other marketing formats, including social media, direct mail and paid search—per a 2016 US marketers survey. On the other hand, most peoples’ inboxes are more crowded than a subway train during rush hour. The challenge is breaking through the noise. We provide three tips to help your marketing email rise above the din.
Social Media & SEO
2 New Desktop-Based Social Media Tools to Try
October 11th, 2017 by Ian James WrightSocial media pros looking for ways to make their lives easier have some new options this week. Twitteriffic and Windowed offer users working on desktop or laptop more powerful and feature-laden experiences for Twitter and Instagram, respectively.
What ESPN’s Suspension of Jemele Hill Means for Your Brand’s Social Media Guidelines
October 11th, 2017 by Steve GoldsteinWe’re deep in month 10 of the Trump administration, and it’s playing out as expected. As it was during the 2016 election, public discourse continues to be bitter, divisive and full of rage, and it’s… Continued
Snapchat Rolls Out Context Cards, a New Marketing Feature, Escalating Its Battle With Instagram
October 10th, 2017 by Jerry AsciertoThe battle between Instagram and Snapchat for more users and marketing dollars continues its heated pace. This morning, Snapchat introduced a new marketing tool called Context Cards giving Snapchat users a way to get instant information about a business featured in a Snap. Meanwhile, Instagram announced a couple of new features in the last week, including an interactive polling sticker for Stories that closely resembles Snapchat’s third-party Polly feature.
3 Common Social Media and Site Measurement Mistakes
October 3rd, 2017 by Jerry AsciertoWhen measuring social media and website efforts, few metrics can be taken at face value. Every major platform has some form of native analytic tool, and Google Analytics provides a wealth of information on the factors that affect a website’s performance. But by accepting the numbers you’re given and not digging any deeper, metrics can mislead. Here are three common mistakes communicators can make by looking only at the tip of the metrics iceberg.
Snapchat and Toys ‘R’ Us Signal Renewed Interest in Augmented Reality for Brands
October 2nd, 2017 by Sophie MaerowitzWhile some communicators may argue augmented reality’s relevance to brands has faded along with Pokémon GO fervor, recent developments at Snap Inc. and Toys ‘R’ Us indicate otherwise. Both companies have unrolled augmented reality (AR) offerings that encourage audience interaction with their products and drive a surprise-and-delight factor with users.
Las Vegas Shooting: Locals Offer Help, Support
October 2nd, 2017 by Ian James WrightFacebook’s Crisis Response tool is facing its first sad test in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States. A gunman fired into the crowd of a country music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, leaving more than 50 dead and more than 400 injured.
How St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Uses Instagram to Make Science Fun
September 29th, 2017 by Samantha WoodFor Carrie Strehlau, turning a complex subject into an engaging story is part of her everyday challenge. Strehlau, a senior social media specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has found Instagram Stories to be a great vehicle for highlighting and humanizing the hospital’s work. In this Q&A, she shares her approach to the platform, how she measures success and why spontaneity can be just as important as prep work when it comes to Instagram Stories.
Troll Control: Instagram’s Latest Feature Helps Brands Block the Haters
September 27th, 2017 by Sophie MaerowitzWhen it comes to abusive or inappropriate comments on a piece of branded content, many communicators will tell you: Don’t feed the trolls. Now Instagram has made it even easier to block the haters by unrolling a new feature that gives public Instagram accounts more power over who can comment on posts.
Double Trouble: Twitter Shakes Up Its Brand Identity
September 27th, 2017 by Steve GoldsteinI don’t drink chocolate milk too often anymore, but those rare times that I do I reach for the Fox’s U-bet. Although the maker of U-bet, Brooklyn-based H. Fox & Co., was acquired in 2016… Continued