Tag: social media marketing

Social Media Interaction Best Practices

Social Media Interaction & Response Guide Best Practices

Posted on | by The AD Leaf Marketing Firm
Marketing, Social Media | , , , , , , , ,

As your social media following grows, your various platforms will generate leads. The engaging and valuable content you share online will pique their interest, prompting them to learn more about your products and services. Social media communication differs from oral communication because you can’t gauge clients’ emotions through their voices. It also differs from email communication, as it’s typically more formal and less direct. A staggering 82% of adults in the United States admit to consulting online customer reviews before making their initial purchase, with 40% stating that they always or almost always rely on reviews when buying products online. This highlights the significant role that reviews play in shaping consumer decisions. Here are some key tips to remember when engaging with customers publicly or privately on social media:

Utilizing the Proper Tone on Social Media: 

In the digital era, the age-old adage “the customer is always right” holds truer than ever. A single unsatisfactory Direct Message (DM) can go viral and damage a company’s reputation irreparably. Once something is posted online, it becomes nearly impossible to remove it completely. Even if you delete a post, there’s no telling how many people have screenshotted, copied, and shared it, ready to use it against you in the future. To mitigate these risks, keeping social media interactions concise and swiftly transitioning conversations away from the public eye is crucial.

Do’s and Don’ts when engaging with Social Media:

Do’s:

It’s crucial to consistently follow up with your customers to ensure you have effectively addressed their questions or concerns. This demonstrates your commitment to retaining them as valued customers and your genuine concern for their needs. Moreover, it conveys your genuine interest in engaging with them and fostering meaningful interactions.

Prepare a template for various scenarios to enhance response time while investigating issues. Having a pre-determined response for predictable problems like late arrivals, damaged items, or incorrect shipments allows you to acknowledge the customer promptly and gain additional time to find a resolution. This approach ensures efficient communication while ensuring that the problem is addressed effectively.

Empathy is crucial. We’ve all experienced poor service at some point, so it’s important to understand how a customer might feel. When customers come to complain, they often share the backstory of why the product they ordered is important and how its delay or defects have affected them. If you encounter a customer like this, try putting yourself in their shoes and consider what you would want to hear to feel better about the situation.

Don’ts:

It is crucial to always respect a customer, particularly if they have repeatedly attempted to contact you. Ignoring them may only motivate them to share negative reviews about your business, which could discourage potential clients. If multiple customers find themselves in similar situations and unite, it could harm your online reputation.

It is important to avoid becoming emotional or overly prideful when dealing with customers. While it is true that customers can sometimes be misinformed or even wrong, it is crucial to remember that a business relies on satisfied customers to thrive. Just one dissatisfied customer has the potential to tarnish the reputation of the entire business. Therefore, setting aside personal pride or anger and genuinely addressing a customer’s frustrations is essential. This is particularly important when engaging with customers publicly, outside of direct messages.

It is advisable to refrain from directly contradicting or engaging in back-and-forth customer exchanges, particularly on public platforms like social media. Engaging in such interactions often leads to a negative perception of the brand, even if the brand is technically correct. Customers tend to side with each other, especially if they have had similar experiences. Mistakes are bound to happen; they are an inherent part of life. Occasionally, customers may accuse you of actions beyond your control. This is why it is crucial to maintain detailed records and documentation to present to customers in case they need clarification. With this evidence, if a customer attempts to damage your reputation, you can publicly share the facts to demonstrate the honesty and integrity of your business. While an angry customer may persist in arguing, they will ultimately lose a battle against reason and logic.

Why the AD Leaf?

We specialize in developing comprehensive social media strategies that boost your online visibility and drive traffic to your website. Our dedicated team collaborates with you to identify your target audience and create engaging content tailored to their interests. We also assist in monitoring and responding to customer feedback, ensuring meaningful engagement with your audience.

Our Social Media Marketing Services are flexible and scalable, catering to businesses of all sizes and budgets. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to elevate your social media presence, we’re here to help you succeed. Don’t hesitate! Get in touch with The AD Leaf ® today to discover more about our social media marketing services and how we can propel your online business growth. Call us at 321-255-0900 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Isn’t Social Media Just Regular Marketing On An Online Platform

Isn’t Social Media Just a Regular Marketing Online Platform?

Posted on | by SDanielle Snyder
Social Media | , , , , , ,

Isn’t Social Media Just Regular Marketing On An Online Platform

Marketing is an essential component for any company that wants to achieve long-term growth and success, regardless of their focus or the product or service they offer. You may have heard people say that social media marketing is just like traditional marketing but on an online platform. While there are similarities between the two, they also have some critical differences. Both traditional and social media marketing aim to create brand awareness and engage your audience. However, they have different practical applications and unique features that set them apart from each other.

Traditional Marketing:

Traditional marketing is the more established of the two because it has been around since before the late 90s when online access was not as prevalent. According to the Harvard Business Journal, “two fundamentals, knowledge-based and experience-based marketing, will increasingly define the capabilities of a successful marketing organization”. 

We have become accustomed to traditional marketing and can easily recognize its various forms. Who can forget the bright lights of Times Square and the endless array of billboard screens? Even the grocery store checkout line has become a place for famous faces to catch our attention and entice us to buy magazines with sales pitches on the pages. Watching TV with our families has become a tradition that includes memorable and mundane ads that are woven into the experience.

Points of Traditional Marketing to consider:

Traditional marketing is characterized by one-way communication, which involves delivering visual and audible sales pitches to the audience with minimal interaction. This type of marketing is generally impactful and often entertaining, providing a memorable experience. Although infrequent, it offers a tangible start-to-finish journey. Examples of traditional marketing include, but are not limited to: murals, billboards, bus/taxi/semi-truck wraps, posters, magazines, newspapers, flyers, window displays, signage, TV and radio broadcasting, direct mail, and telemarketing through phone and text messages.

Social Media Marketing

Did you know that as of July 2021, 295 million people were on social networks across the US? That is about three-quarters of our country’s population! Even Grandma has an account on Facebook. Instagram, as well as Facebook, and Twitter are experiencing rapid growth and will continue to in the coming years.

Social media lives up to its name. Social media marketing operates through online platforms, which are becoming increasingly integral to our daily lives. With millions of people using social networks in the US alone, these platforms have become an important tool for connecting with others and creating communities based on shared interests and beliefs. Brands must now compete for attention alongside personal updates, which makes it crucial to understand concepts such as engagement, reach, and impressions. While it can be challenging, social media presents an unprecedented opportunity for brands to connect with audiences in new and exciting ways. In today’s world, brands need to compete not just with each other, but also with personal updates shared by people on social media. From pictures of cute grandkids to engagement announcements, there’s a lot of personal news that is vying for people’s attention. This new reality has made it challenging for brands to stand out, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity for them to connect with audiences in a more personal and engaging way.

Points of Social Media Marketing to consider:

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not enough for brands to simply compete with one another. They need to actively engage with their customers through consistent communication and build brand loyalty by showcasing their values and credibility. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest, provide brands with an easily integrative way to reach their targeted audiences. By strategically utilizing the unique tools and audience preferences of each platform, brands can create a more personal and engaging connection with their customers.

Staying ahead in the social media game is no easy feat – the landscape is constantly shifting with new trends, platforms, and marketing strategies emerging. However, the payoff for brands that get it right is immense – building dedicated, long-lasting relationships with their audiences like never before. The key to success lies in creating organic content that is relatable, approachable, and authentic. This takes a combination of innovation and consistent engagement with your audience and followers. The brands that excel at this are the ones that truly stand out in the crowded social media sphere.

 

Beyond being social…Why The AD Leaf Marketing Firm?

As we all know, digital marketing comprises various avenues beyond social media. While having a robust social media presence is undoubtedly beneficial, it’s not the only option available for businesses to promote their brand. When someone wants to learn more about your brand, they’ll most likely head to your website. However, social media is an excellent tool to increase your search engine rankings and generate leads. That being said, a comprehensive digital marketing strategy should go beyond social media alone. As our Director of Operations, reminds us why social media should be part of your digital marketing arsenal, but it shouldn’t be the sole driving force. After all who doesn’t want to maximize their brand’s potential, after all?

At the AD Leaf, we pride ourselves on being an innovative digital marketing agency. Our team is dedicated to developing meaningful campaigns that build long-term connections on behalf of the brands we represent. We understand the importance of social media in today’s digital landscape and strive to incorporate it into our comprehensive digital marketing strategies. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on our latest projects and industry insights, feel free to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. We look forward to connecting with you!

 

Top 10 Marketing Trends in 2022

Posted on | by The AD Leaf Marketing Firm
Advertising, Marketing | , , , , ,

As 2022 quickly approaches, we are looking ahead to see which marketing trends you need to keep on your radar. Do you have a plan for your business going into 2022? If not, you still have time to strategize your next moves. 

 

Start by considering your goals for 2022. What do you want to achieve in the next 12 months? What do you want to accomplish in the next three years? Once you have your future goals in mind, you can begin strategizing your next steps into a successful 2022 by following these 10 marketing trends: 

 

#1 Instantaneous Demand 

Leading into 2022, consumers will continue to look for businesses that give quick responses. For example, having a plug-in on your website for instant messaging through messenger with a brand helps to build trustworthiness. Consumers will continue to look for the highest quality and highest response time. If customers do not hear back from a brand quickly, they will move on to the next brand that will be more timely. 

 

#2 Growing of Influencers

Have you ever seen a post on social media and did not even realize it was an ad? These posts are coming from not a brand but their influencers. Influencers will review a product or highlight a product that they enjoy. This growth of influencers is accurate for B2B as well. Consider looking for opportunities to partner with influencers in your industry. 

 

#3 LinkedIn Continues to Grow

If you do not have a LinkedIn Page, you might want one for your company. Not only is LinkedIn on top of updating and improving their app for better results on businesses and pages, but the number of monthly active users is also continuing to grow steadily. 

 

#4 Less is More

With new digital marketing popping up almost daily, be cautious not to spread your budget too thin. Focus on advertising through one social media platform. This tactic will allow you to have more exposure in one area vs. not being seen on multiple platforms. Focus on your primary platform and hit it with your highest quality ads and posts. 

 

#5 Word-of-Mouth

In 2022 you will see that more and more customers will see what others have to say about your company. For example, if someone tweets raving about your brand, future consumers are more likely to trust you will be up to their standards. The same goes for providing quality service to your customers quickly.

 

#6 Invest in Brand Image 

You will build a more trustworthy and legit brand by investing in your brand image. As online advertising continues to get more competitive in 2022, you will need to stand out from your competitors. This includes building up your brand image across your social media platforms because appearance matters. 

 

#7 Custom Content in Newsletters

If you have not begun newsletter marketing, you should consider this as we start 2022. Newsletters are personal since you are in your customer’s inbox vs. their newsfeed. Newsletters are how you appeal to your audience on a deeper level as you get more of their attention. Also, having your customer’s emails will allow you to do email marketing for your ads.

 

#8 Storytelling Balance

We all know consumers do not want to be sold all the time or hear about how excellent your product/service is. Consumers want you to solve their problems through a story. Tell them how your product/service helped others to solve their problem. Storytelling will make your consumers think for themselves, “Hm, maybe I should try this for myself.”

 

#9 Bring Simplicity Back

The marketing noise for consumers is tremendous. You do not need to be louder than your competitors; but instead, you need to be strategic with your posts. You can post a blog post every day, but you will create more impactful articles if you focus on quality over quantity. 

 

#10 Do Not Forget Foundation 

We all love staying on top of the newest technologies and apps, but it is essential to remember to focus on our foundation. This includes making your website easy to maneuver and ensuring your social media has the correct contact information and links. Checking you are reaching your target audience with each post or ad, building a relationship with your customers online or in person, and much more! 

 

Having a stable foundation for your business will allow you to grow organically and branch out into new social media with success while still reaching your target audience. Focusing on building a relationship with your customers will even work to boost your word-of-mouth. 

 

Since 2020, we have seen an enormous shift in the world of technology and average tactics will not get the return on your investment you desire. Get prepared for new ways of operating your business, creating content, and advertising. Have your goals set as you reign in the new year, and let’s all start with a bang! 

 

If you still feel unsure of the proper steps for your business moving into 2022, give our team of marketing professionals a call at The Ad Leaf! We will be able to help you achieve your goals. 

The Importance of Active Social Media

Posted on | by The AD Leaf Marketing Firm
Social Media | , , , , ,

The use of social media has become a necessity for running a successful business. Whether you are marketing, selling products or services, networking with potential clients, or need to stay in touch with friends and family- it is all there for the taking. However, if your account isn’t active enough, people won’t see what you have to offer, which will lead them not to do further research into your company. 

 

Let’s say a potential customer sees your restaurant on Yelp, and they explore your page. Then, they want to see recent posts, so they click your social media platforms. Your last post is from 2019. Now they are confused if your business is currently open. Why have you not posted any of the delicious plates? Now they scroll onto the next restaurant to hopefully see pictures of their possible food. 

 

In this example scenario, a simple fix would be to begin running your social media regularly. With that being said, here are four benefits and the importance of an active social media presence so that your business can grow!

 

Active Social Media

Having an active social media presence will help you build brand awareness, credibility, brand recall and increase your traffic. Through these benefits, you will be able to boost your brand’s exposure organically. It does not matter how big or small your business is; you are bound to see results through your efforts.

 

Brand Awareness 

Building brand awareness through your social media accounts allows you to reach new customers that might have never heard about your company. Through a consistent social media presence, you are continuously growing your audience reach daily. Keeping your social media presence active will let your potential followers see a consistent and energetic brand. Through keeping your social media platforms active, it will organically improve your reach to more users. These steps will encourage customers to shop from your company more than a company with no social media presence. 

 

Brand Credibility 

Brand credibility is the trust you build with your customers combined with how long your company has been around. Benefits of positive brand credibility include having customers that will continue to choose your brand and advocate your business to others. A few easy ways to build your brand credibility are by sharing customer reviews on your social platforms or website. For new companies that have yet to get many reviews, you can grow brand credibility by simply running active social media or keeping a running blog on your website that posts regularly. Consumers love to see consistent posting, as this gives them something to explore in their spare time. 

 

Brand Recall

Brand recall is what instantly comes to mind when a customer thinks of a product category. Of course, everyone wants to be the first company a customer thinks of, and an active social media presence will improve your chance. As customers scroll on social media, the more often they see your brand’s posting will help them remember your branding and choose your company over another. This is why you want to be sure you are posting content that is always brand-related, and adding your logo onto your postings is another easy way to ensure your customers remember your brand. 

 

Traffic Growth

Through your active social media, you will see positive traffic growth and leads. Targeting your specific target audience through your social media will bring valuable leads. So it is crucial to decide who your target audience is as this will allow you to attract the right audience. You will also be able to interact with local accounts to your business if this is what you please. Naturally, through more exposure to your brand, you will see more interaction. 

 

Now that you know the importance of having active social media channels, having them up to date is crucial. But there is another layer to consider while running your social media! When potential customers view your active social media platforms, they will see your brand as presented to them. 

  • Do your logos match across all of your social media platforms? 
  • Do you post content that will attract your target audience? 
  • Are you engaging with your social media accounts enough to bring in new followers? 
  • Are you using the correct social media to attract your target audience? 

You might find that you need to put in more effort to help grow your social media presence in the way you hope. 

 

It’s time to take action and know the importance of active social media! As you can see, there are many benefits of having an active social media presence for your business. To have a flourishing business, you must have active and brand-matching social media to attract your target audience. If this interests you and you want help getting started, we have a team of experts here at The AD Leaf ready to assist with creating the perfect plan for organic growth through social media channels. We would be more than happy to help your business grow through the world of social media. This is your sign! 

The Importance of Transparent Client Relationships

Posted on | by Yeammy Torres
Social Media |
Iceberg Analogy

We, as marketing professionals, are responsible for having the experience, knowledge, and tools to manage our client’s marketing platforms. While marketing professionals manage a company’s growth, outreach, and strategy, the client maintains the role of ultimate decision-maker. We can form a fantastic team because we balance each other out! It is as simple as that. Clients have organic information about their business that marketing professionals need to apply their knowledge to make their brand stand out online. This is why working with a transparent marketing agency is so important. Is the client-marketing agency relationship that simple?

How to Create a Balanced Client – TAL Relationship?

Open communication. We, as marketing professionals, can -and will- develop channels of communication between the clients and our team of specialists dedicated to making their business our own. From basic concepts of social media to marketing strategies, we would take the time to explain what we will do and how we will do it.

Based on my experience as a social media coordinator, I recommend taking 10 to 30 minutes to answer questions or concerns during meetings with the client. This process helps build trust and healthy business relationships that will allow us to move forward and generate a great online brand.

I’ve had a few clients that didn’t know much about social media. They wanted to be on Facebook and Instagram because they knew it was necessary and everyone was doing it, but they did not know why exactly. I took the time to explain to them that by having an online presence, their business can more effectively reach their customers and clients. They were happy to learn and ultimately understand the technicalities of digital marketing and have become one of my best clients! They give me all the resources I need to know more about their business, and they see the results! AKA: new customers are purchasing their products or services.

Iceberg Analogy

You can see a part of an iceberg, but what about under the water? Just look at the image in this blog entry and notice where the likes, fans, comments, and followers are in the top part of the iceberg. But what is underwater? SEO, content creation, graphic design, sharing, engaging, starting conversations, researching reputable sources, branding, fonts, colors scheme, targeting, ads, boosting, looking for the audience online, editing, use of hashtags, developing strategies, keeping up with platform updates, IOS changes, new trends, and tools, etc. Yes, the iceberg goes deep! 

Having clients does not mean posting some cool graphics and exciting content after signing a contract. Rather, having a client means dedicating time to building that relationship, like a partnership. That’sThat’s our approach at the AD Leaf. We cultivate our clients ‘ businesses as our own to help them succeed and grow. 

Our transparent marketing agency wants to form a relationship with you! If you’d like to get started on your marketing journey, call us at (321) 255-0900, email us at info@theadleaf.com, or complete our contact form. 

 

The History of Social Media

3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the History of Social Media

Posted on | by The AD Leaf Marketing Firm
Marketing, Social Media | , , , , ,

People seem to have a love/hate relationship with social media. On the one hand, humans are social beings. We crave interactions with others, and relationships play big roles in our everyday lives. Social media allows us to easily connect with friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers. This can be construed in a positive or negative light depending on who you ask and when you ask them. Whatever your thoughts on social media are, it’s pretty clear it’s here to stay in one form or another. So, how did social media even start? Was it when the first cave painting emerged? When the first telegraph was sent? Did it start with the invention of the internet? The answer to this question isn’t clear cut, but there are plenty of interesting facts about the evolution of social media along the way! Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about the history of social media on the internet.

 

1. CompuServe was an early online service provider that used a method similar to time-sharing.

CompuServe Information Service, a.k.a. CIS, was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1969 as a subsidiary of Golden United Life Insurance. Initially, CompuServe had two objectives. The first was to provide computer processing support to the company, and the second was to sell excess computer capacity to other corporations through a kind of time-share system. In 1979, it began providing dial-up online information services to the owners of personal computers. CompuServe is known as the original online portal, offering message forums, online chat services, software libraries, and even online games! It grew in popularity in the 80s and 90s and was sold to AOL in 1997 with WorldCom acting as a broker for $1.2 billion in stock.

 

2. One of the first social media services was SixDegrees.com.

This social network site was named after the six degrees of separation concept, which is the idea that people have an average of six degrees of separation from each other. SixDegrees was founded in 1996 by Andrew Weinreich, and the website launched in 1997, making it one of the earliest social media sites on the internet. SixDegrees allowed users to create profiles, list their friends and acquaintances, and interact with other users. At its peak, SixDegrees had about 3.5 million registered users. Just two years after its launch, it was sold to YouthStream Media Networks for $125 million. SixDegrees was short-lived, though, in part because of the limitations of internet connectivity in the late 90s and early 2000s. It shut down in 2001. 

 

3. Users could rate the attractiveness of strangers on AmIHotOrNot.com.

James Hong and Jim Young, both engineers based in Silicon Valley, disagreed one day over whether or not a woman they passed on the street was attractive. Their solution? To create a website, of course! In October 2000, the two friends launched AmIHotOrNot.com. The site allowed users to voluntarily submit photos of themselves to be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 by others based on their attractiveness. It went viral. Within one week of launching, the site had reached nearly 2 million daily page views. The site incorporated dating and matchmaking elements.

Aspects of Hot Or Not impacted later dating apps like Tinder and OkCupid. The site was even said to have influenced Mark Zuckerburg to create FaceMash.com, where Harvard students could rate the looks of fellow students based on their student ID photos. Unlike Hot Or Not, FaceMash did not allow users to submit photos voluntarily. FaceMash received major backlash, both because students felt it violated their privacy and because it was seen as a copycat of Hot Or Not. After being called before the school’s administrative board, Zuckerburg took the site down. Hot Or Not was sold for a rumored $20 million to Avid Life Media in 2008. 

 

There are plenty of interesting stories when it comes to the history of social media. From computer time-sharing processes to rating the looks of strangers, there is a lot to learn about how social media has evolved. If you own a business, you probably know how important it is to be able to connect with your customers, whether it’s through an interactive website or your social media channels. If you’re looking for a marketing company with a stellar reputation to assist with any aspect of your digital marketing, look no further than The AD Leaf. We offer web design, search engine optimization, email marketing, social media management, digital advertising, and more! Give us a call today at (321) 255-0900 to learn how we could help you grow your business.