Need Help With Social Media? We've Got Your Back

Is Your Business Missing The Mark on Social and Leaving Money on The Table? 

If your business does not have a social strategy, you are leaving money on the table. 

In fact, according to a 2021 Harris Poll commissioned by Sprout Social, a whopping 78% of consumers are willing to buy from a company after having a positive experience with them on social media. 

Smart executives know that investing in social is imperative. According to the Harris Poll, 91% of executives are increasing investments in social media in the next two years. 

But securing budget is not always easy. Yet with 43% of consumers increasing their social media use to find new products and services in 2021, setting aside a budget for social is a necessity for growth. 

Shane Shirley Media has been creating customized social media content since 2008. We have a proven track record and know how to help you build your business online. 

We have two options for your social media marketing needs. 

Want To Set Your Twitter Feed on Fire With Engagement, Likes, Follows, and Leads? Here’s How To Do It!

Why Twitter Matters To Your Business Now More Than Ever 

Do you remember the "good old days" of Twitter? The interaction was deep and the news came fast. I had over 17,000 followers at one time on my personal account and currently have just under 14,000. 

That all changed once the banning began. But it is a new day and there is a new guard...or there looks as though there will be.

In fact, as soon as Mr. Musk began his Twitter takeover, in addition to users returning to Twitter to claim their cobweb filled profiles, while others threaten to leave, features that have been absent, began returning. 

One excellent feature that has found its way back into use, is the latest Tweets feature at the top of Google search. 

As you can see in the image below, when you search a business or a person, their latest Tweets will show up in the most coveted area of SERPs (search engine results pages).  

Digital Marketing Can Be Tough. Here’s a Guide To Make It Easier!

5 Critical Things I Didn't Know Before I Worked In Digital Marketing 

Guest Post by Hayden-Jay B. Smith, SSM Intern

The world of digital marketing can be intimidating. Trust me, I know. The intimidation can leave you not wanting to explore any of the ways it could benefit your business. 

I felt similarly intimidated about digital marketing before working in the industry. But as I've spent more time in it, I've learned quite a bit. 

With the help of this blog post, you will be feeling more confident about the ins and outs of digital marketing and be ready to increase leads online. 

So without further ado, here are (in no particular order) five critical things I didn't know before I worked in digital marketing. 

22 Stand-Out Social Media Content Ideas To Set Your Business Apart in 2022

22 Spectacular Social Media Content Ideas for Your Business! You're welcome

As we close 2021 and begin to think about 2022, it should be no surprise when we say social media will continue to have value in digital marketing. 

It is around this time of year we begin to look back on all we accomplished (or didn't), and start to think about how we can finish the year strong and prepare for what's ahead. 

But if the last two years have taught us anything, it's that no one really knows what is around the corner. 

It's important to prepare for the worst by ensuring your business has marketing covered from all angles. If your team is stretched to the limit, one of the most beneficial ways to do the bare minimum when it comes to covering digital marketing is to have a consistent social media presence. 

Running social media accounts across multiple platforms requires a certain skill set and a lot of time and effort. So to help you out, we wanted to share 22 social media content ideas for your business to use in the coming year.

Keep in mind two things. First, whether it be on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, or really any platform that allows it, video is HUGE. It's easy and fast for consumers to consume your information through video. So don't forget to implement a bit of video into the following content ideas.

Second, these ideas may not fit your branding so be sure to stay true to your authentic persona that is your brand. 

10 Marketing Quotes to Inspire Growth in Your Business

Digital Marketing Quotes To Inspire Growth In Your Business

When it comes to those first few moments we wake up each workday, as business owners, managers, and marketers, let's all admit that sometimes we need a little pick-me-up. 

Sometimes as an entrepreneur or manager it seems as if all we do is put out fires. And these days, with Facebook and Instagram shutdowns, Google updates, and algorithms to beat, marketers are finding new roadblocks in their way each day. 

It is important to start your day feeling motivated and inspired. A great way to find that daily motivation is with an inspirational quote.

When it comes to quotes, an unlimited supply of them are all over the internet covering an infinite number of topics. 

Today we have chosen 10 of our favorite marketing-specific quotes from some of our favorite marketers and businessmen and women to help you find that daily inspiration we all need to keep going. 

Marketing Tips For Venue Owners To Increase Bookings and Stand Out

 

10 Marketing Tips For Wedding Venues To Increase Bookings and Stand Apart from The Competition 

For many couples, their wedding day is the most important day of their lives. In fact, The Knot found that on average couples are spending around 30% of their entire budget for their big day, just on the venue! 

The Knot also uncovered that around 47% of 2020 couples postponed their big day to a later date. 

In order to grab a share of the increased wedding market nationwide, digital marketing has proven to become a necessity for venues trying to increase bookings. 

In order to set themselves up for the max amount of bookings they can handle to recover from the losses of 2020, digital tools are invaluable for the success of any wedding venue. 

With so many couples currently looking for the perfect venue for their big day, we thought it was important to provide some digital tips to help every venue owner or manager increase bookings.

6 FREE Digital Marketing Tools Every Small Business Can’t and Shouldn’t Live Without

Here Are The Essential Digital Marketing Tools Every Small Business Can't (and Shouldn't) Live Without!

Obviously not every small business owner feels they can make the spend to have all of their digital marketing outsourced and handled for them. Sometimes CEOs and founders feel it's just easier and cheaper to pay a staff member a little extra or just try to manage it all themselves no matter how exhausted or out of their element they may feel. 

No matter what the reasoning is that exists behind a small business owner's decision NOT to hire help for digital marketing, the fact remains it is really an integral part of success for ANY business. A small business's online presence has an important role to play when it comes to growing the business. 

We're in the business of building businesses! 

So to give our small businesses a bit of help, here are six digital marketing tools that will make any small business owner's job easier and help promote growth. 

A Small Business Owner's Guide to Recovering From The Pandemic - Part 2: 14 Essential Digital Marketing Tips to Increase Sales!

The Complete Small Business Owner's Guide: 7 Additional Digital Marketing Tips To Try When Recovering From the Pandemic

Last week we posted the first 7 Essential Digital Marketing Tips to Increase Sales of 14 that we think every small business owner should try. Everyone knows that last year was not the easiest year to be a small business owner and we understand that some might need a little extra guidance when it comes to recovering from the pandemic.

Many businesses which were forced to shut their doors in 2020 did so partly, because of a lack of effective and much-needed digital marketing. But lucky for you, we work with business owners small and large across the country who are experiencing the same struggles right now and we are here to help! 

We have selected our favorite 14 tips that will increase your business's sales and help relieve some of the stress on your plate due to the aftermath of covid restrictions.

5 Reasons You Are Taking a Gamble With Social Media Marketing

Are You Playing With Fire by Only Using Social Media Marketing For Your Business?

There has been a trend over the last few years to solely grow your business by using social media. Social media marketing has proven useful time after time for many businesses. It is an incredible tool that we as marketers are thankful to have. 

But here's the thought, just like any other thing in life, you can look at the pros and the cons of using only social media to market your business. 

And while there are pros, there are also many cons you need to be aware of before it's too late and you have destroyed your marketing.

These Data Changes WILL Significantly Inhibit Your Marketing Efforts Online. Here's What To Do

Is Your Marketing Team Ready for These Changes? 

In today's society, some may interpret vanity metrics like follows, likes, comments, and shares as a level of marketing success. 

Our question is since when did that become the focus? 

Who decided it's important to buy fans and followers (who literally could care less about your business) because that will trick your true prospects into becoming fans as well? 

How many shares did your last post for your business get on Facebook? It seems like Facebook, along with all of the social media platforms, are constantly changing their algorithms. 

It is not easy to stay ahead of the game. 

Do Consumers Care If Brands Are On A Social Mission?

Image Credit BrandQuarterly.com

Today’s Consumers Demand Much More Than Just a Good Deal

For brands to stay competitive in today’s marketplace, they must have a purpose behind their brand and show a desire to fulfill more than just their own bottom line.

When brands and consumers work in unison on a social mission, the impact can be significant. Sure, a committed consumer following makes it easier to boost sales. However, when the next step is taken, and consumers are tied to a brand with a social mission, the loyalty advances well beyond the point of sale.

Driven by a clearly defined social mission, customers will be much more likely to stick up for your brand in social settings and on social media. Businesses that are on a social mission have a competitive advantage while also doing good in the world.

With a loyal customer base that’s supporting a cause, you will have more opportunities to gain brand visibility, improve reputation, and form valuable partnerships. In a nutshell, businesses that are on a social mission have a competitive advantage while also doing good in the world. You don’t have to take my word for it. There’s an abundance of industry research that supports these claims and shows that the marriage between brands and social missions is more than just a fad; it’s a shift that’s here to stay. 

Let’s take a look at some data that supports these claims, and the steps brand should take:

Marketing to Millennials? Guess What? Green Matters

5 Strategies for Marketing That Work for Millennials

This entry was originally posted on July 2, 2015 at Factory Direct Promos by Shane Shirley, CMO.

Marketing to Millennials? Here's What You Need to Know

The most basic description of Millennials are people born between the years 1977 and 1995,

but that’s really just the beginning of everything there is to know when it comes to this dominant demographic. Millennials are on the verge of accounting for one third of all retail spending and will soon make up 50 percent of the workforce.

This diverse group finds common ground in their love and dependence on technology and they thrive on information. Social media is the perfect vehicle for Millennials to share their thoughts and experiences and interact with the world but guess what? This demographic is not just all about technology and themselves, green matters to them.

On LinkedIn? Here's The Biggest Tip You Need

On LinkedIn? Here's a Tip You Need to Know 

If you are doing business today, chances are, you are on LinkedIn. If you are there great. Now what? I see so many people who expect LinkedIn to do the work for them and this is a total waste of your time if you are operating under that mindset. There are so many things you can do like optimizing your page for search and utilizing your headline to showcase current projects or really tell people who you are, but the one thing I see people doing wrong is that they simply do nothing.

Want an Eco-Marketing Idea That Works in Today's Digital World?

Looking for Marketing Ideas That Work In Today's Digital World That Are Eco-Friendly Too?

With the advent of digital media, there are more avenues than ever before to market your company and get the word out about your brand. In order to get the best use of your marketing budget though, you really need to choose wisely and opt for reaching out to customers and prospects in a way that will catch and hold their attention and strengthen relationships.

If you can market to your target audience and beyond for several years to come, at a reasonable cost, that is marketing that works. Certainly digital media is an extremely important part of marketing today that cannot be overlooked, but promoting your brand with custom reusable promotional products provides a touchpoint that can push your brand directly into the hands and lives of your customers and prospects unlike digital.

The Business Case for Transparency in Media, Relationship Building and Products

How Transparent is Your Business?

It always amazes me that in this day of transparency and relationship building online through social media, that brands and businesses are still not getting the message that consumers want transparency.

Tell me if this sounds like a familiar approach you have gotten from some brands online..."Look at me, like my fan page, we are the best, the only, the greatest the end all and the only widget you need.  You better buy my products before you know who we are or what we stand for and do it NOW, NOW NOW!!"

When you get that approach online from brands, don't you just want to say, "Um, seriously, back off, you are creeping me out."?

It is just not trustworthy.