Social Media Marketing Trends to Use in 2024
Social media has become more and more prominent in our daily lives and with constant algorithm changes and new trends, things can be hard to keep up with.
As you’re working through the 7 Days to Better Social Media Challenge, here are 3 trends that you should use when creating social media marketing posts:
Brands Aren’t Scared to be Playful
Shout out to Meredith Ulmer who changed the game of social media with her work at Wendy’s (you youngsters probably don’t know this history so let me put you on game—click here). Lots of brands have followed suit and are ditching the serious tone of their content and experimenting with memes that relate to pop culture.
Every brand is trying to be known as the “cool kid” on social media. They are on a mission to create content that is engaging and captures the humans behind the brand. From cracking jokes to displaying heartwarming stories from real people; your brand can join in on the social media fun, without losing its sense of professionalism.
Don’t be afraid to jump on the bandwagon of other social media trends; You never know what kind of goofy idea might make your brand skyrocket in popularity and sales!
Video Dominance
In the last few years, short-form videos, prevalent on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube were one of the most engaging types of content found on social media. Recently, it has been discovered that longer videos are pulling in people as well, especially since TikTok has been pushing for longer videos.
Short-form videos should remain a staple in your daily social media strategy. However, consider incorporating long-form storytelling elements into your content for a more comprehensive and engaging approach.
Authentic Content = Active Engagement
Consumers have a strong desire for authentic, and non-promotional content from all sorts of brands across social media. The recent surge in the popularity of influencer culture demonstrates to marketers that authentic content humanizes the brand.
By showcasing the people behind the brand, sharing real stories, and providing a glimpse of behind-the-scenes, these companies become more relatable to the public eye. Emotional connections tend to drive higher engagement as consumers feel genuine connections with the content they are viewing.
By staying in the loop and working these strategies into your game plan, you will rock the social media scene, grow your game, and make connections that stick with your audience for the long run.
Email Marketing Trends to Use in 2024
Utilizing email marketing is one of the most effective ways to engage with your consumers as it gives the brand a direct line of communication with your consumers. By using email marketing to keep your consumers engaged, here are 3 great, current strategies to use for your email marketing.
Less is More
Since we are almost halfway through the 2020s, one trend that has been prominent in email marketing is using a more simplistic approach when reaching out. Minimalist layouts, concise content, and clean visuals are rising in popularity as they grab the attention of consumers more easily.
Maintaining consistent colors, themes, and language within email marketing, is a great way to establish a distinct brand identity for your business. Increasing brand awareness is a valuable strategy to make consumers more familiar with the brand therefore creating trust and loyalty.
Mobile Phone Accessibility
Not everyone accesses their emails on a laptop anymore, so your brand’s emails must be made to also be mobile-device-accessible. If consumers can easily read and interact with your brand’s emails on their mobile devices, they are more likely to engage with your content.
The more people that open your emails, the higher your click-through rates are. The higher click-through rates, the more likely you are going to achieve your conversion goals. It is a never-ending cycle of increased engagement for your business.
Visuals are Everything
Visual content like GIFs, images, and videos grab the attention of the consumer quicker than text. While rummaging through a crowded inbox, intriguing visuals are more likely to reel in the recipient to open them. There is a reason why social media has been dominating in marketing recently; it’s all visual.
Visual storytelling effectively showcases products or services offered by your business. It conveys information quickly and easily, setting your brand identity to be more memorable and recognizable.
By using these trends in your business’s email marketing, you can easily elevate your brand higher than you ever thought you could.
Ready to implement these trends in your email marketing? Click here to schedule a FREE 15-minute business consultation to get started!
4 Steps to Get Started with Email Marketing
Email marketing often doesn't receive the appreciation it deserves, but it's actually one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing. Here are four compelling reasons why you should LOVE email marketing.
Email marketing often doesn't receive the appreciation it deserves, but it's actually one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing. Here are four compelling reasons why you should LOVE email marketing:
Impressive ROI
Email marketing boasts an average return on investment (ROI) of $36 for every dollar spent. That's a remarkable figure, showcasing its effectiveness in driving results.
Direct Communication
Unlike many other marketing tactics, email provides a direct line to consumers. While some might argue that SMS also offers this, email remains a cornerstone in reaching decision-makers, whether they're sealing business deals or managing household purchases.
Wide Reach
With 85% of the world's population owning an email address, and 70% stating they consistently open emails from their favorite brands, email marketing ensures your message reaches a broad audience.
Versatile Engagement
Email isn't just for selling products. It's a versatile tool for building brand awareness, nurturing customer relationships, and establishing yourself as an industry authority.
Now that you're convinced of the power of email marketing, here's how you can kickstart your efforts:
Step 1: Select a Platform
There's a plethora of email marketing platforms available, each with its own features and benefits. From MailChimp, which boasts user-friendliness and budget-friendliness, to Constant Contact, Klaviyo, and Omnisend, the key is finding a platform that aligns with your business needs and preferences.
P.S. If you sign up for a paid MailChimp account we’ll both receive $30 in bill credits. Click here to sign up today!
Step 2: Define Your Goals
While selling products is a common goal, email marketing can achieve much more. Whether it's building brand awareness, fostering customer engagement, or positioning yourself as an industry expert, clarify your objectives before crafting your email campaigns.
Step 3: Identify Your Audience
Segmentation is key to effective email marketing. Determine whether you're targeting existing customers, prospects, donors, or a combination of both. Tailor your content and messaging to suit each audience’s needs and preferences.
Step 4: Plan Your Content
Just like planning social media content, crafting compelling email content requires thought and strategy. Start with a regular sending cadence, such as one email per month, and gradually expand based on engagement and feedback.
Ready to get started with email marketing? Click here to schedule a FREE 15-minute business consultation to discuss your email marketing needs.
2024 Business Goals: Plan, Strategize, & Execute
2024 is underway which means it’s time to set some S.M.A.R.T. business goals for the new year. Take a moment to reflect, plan, strategize, and execute!
If you were a business owner pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, you know better than anyone how tough it is to sustain a business through uncertainties. Many of us have spent the last three years trying to survive and keep our businesses afloat. In 2024, let’s challenge ourselves to THRIVE.
Will it be easy?
If you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, you know d*mn well it won’t be. But we’re going to push ourselves to do it anyway.
Don’t worry, I’m taking on this challenge, too.
The last two years my personal life has had some amazing growth. I got married to the man of my dreams in 2022, and this past July I gave birth to my second daughter. In the process of growing my family from just Tegs and I, to now being a family of four, I cut my business in half and only kept some of my OG clients. Now I’m ready to grow again—not quite to the full capacity I was at before–but I’m ready to take on some new challenges.
As we both prepare for 2024, let’s take inventory of the current year and begin to set some S.M.A.R.T. goals!
S.M.A.R.T. goals are = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant/Realistic, and Timely.
Reflect
It is the perfect time of year to reflect on the goals you set for yourself coming into 2023 and review where you are today. If you did meet your goals, challenge yourself in the new year. If you didn’t meet your goals, identify where you could improve as we move into 2024.
I also love to reflect on all of the business tools I’m using and decide which tools I’m keeping, which tools may need an upgrade, or which ones need to go! This also goes for any professional memberships or subscriptions you may have.
Plan
Now that you have had a moment to reflect, it’s time to make the game plan! Remember, we need our plans to be S.M.A.R.T. to grow our businesses. Your plan should include professional development, revenue goals, and ways to build your network, knowledge, and skills.
Strategize
Your plan should align with your overall business goals and be the pipeline to get your business to where you want it to be. That is called STRATEGY!
Here’s an example:
Goal: Make more money.
Plan: Offer digital courses to make more money.
Strategy: Create an email marketing funnel to get people to buy digital courses.
Execute
Planning and coming up with new ideas is fun. It’s the execution piece that tends to trip people up! This part is just as important as every other aspect of your plan—if not the most important. The key to executing a plan is to break it down into steps. Let’s take a look back at our earlier example below.
So remember where we started:
Goal: Make more money.
Plan: Offer digital courses to make more money.
Strategy: Create an email marketing funnel to get people to buy digital courses.
Tactic:
Step 1: Create digital course.
Step 2: Build email sales funnel.
Step 3: Spread the word about digital course through social media, email, and advertising.
Ready to take on 2024? Let’s rock it out together! As always, feel free to tap in with me whenever you need support or resources, or have any questions about any of this. You can visit calendly.com/tjecomm to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
4 Business Tools You Need Right Now
It’s that time of year to start thinking about your 2024 marketing strategy. As you begin planning, you should also start to consider updating and upgrading your business tools. Below are 4 tools you need right now if you want to be successful in 2024. Take a look and send me any recommendations you have!
Disclaimer: I am only going to mention tools I have personally used for myself and/or a current or former client.
Project Management Tool
You can think of your PM Tool as your personal assistant or virtual PM. A project management tool or “PM Tool” will help you stay on track with tasks for clients and for your own business.
Examples:
Social Media Management Tool
Handling your own social media is hard, but it can be done. The key is having a social media management tool that will allow you to plan and schedule your content.
Examples:
Sprout Social (I use this one!)
Email Marketing Platform
My favorite topic is email marketing! You should use a platform that is user-friendly and cost-effective. An email marketing platform will help you reach your audience in new ways and build brand loyalty and awareness.
Examples:
MailChimp (I use this one!)
Work Timer
Tracking your time is so crucial to your business. It helps to give you an overview of how much time you’re spending on certain tasks and projects which ultimately can help you understand where you may need to hire and delegate later.
Examples:
Want to talk more about any of these tools? Click here to schedule a 15-minute consultation!
3 Tips to Prep for Holiday Sales
‘Tis the season for promos, discount codes, contingency plans, and a lot of coffee! If you haven’t started prepping for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday—there’s still time if you act fast. Here are 3 tips to help you prepare!
Tip #1: Don’t Rely on Social Media
Social media is just ONE piece of the marketing pie. You should be utilizing all of the pieces if you want to run a successful marketing campaign.
Tip #2: Make a Contingency Plan
This is your backup plan in the event that your sales are too high, or too low. This plan should not only include what the updates sales will be, but it should also lay out the role everyone on your team will play.
Tip #3: Focus on Your Base
This is your time to show your core customers that you have appreciated their business throughout the year. Your sales/offers should benefit those who already follow you, are on your mailing list, or have purchased from you.
Ready to chat through your holiday sales plan? Click here to schedule a 15-minute consultation!
Taking a Vacation as an Entrepreneur: 3 Tips for a Stress-Free Getaway
I don’t know about you but as a mommy of 2, a wife, and business owner, I could definitely use a vacation!
I mean, we pour our hearts and souls into our businesses, but sometimes we forget to give ourselves a break.
Trust me, I've been there, feeling guilty about stepping away. But you know what? It's time to change that mindset.
In this blog, let's explore three tips that will help us take a stress-free vacation as entrepreneurs. So, grab a cup of your favorite drink, find a cozy spot, and let's dive in.
#1: Plan Ahead
Time to get real about planning.
Before you pack your bags and set off on that well-deserved vacation, make sure to give your clients and your team a heads up about your upcoming time off.
Communication is key here!
Let them know your vacation dates, and work together to reschedule any meetings or commitments that fall within that period. By keeping everyone in the loop, you'll set clear expectations and avoid any last-minute surprises.
And here's a little secret sauce: provide your team and clients with clear instructions and protocols to follow while you're sipping piña coladas on the beach. This way, they know exactly what to do in your absence, and you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about the business falling apart.
It's all about planning and teamwork, my friend.
#2: Complete Work/Reassign
Oh, the joy of tying up loose ends before a vacation! Trust me, it's worth the extra effort.
Take a good look at your to-do list and do everything in your power to complete any outstanding projects or tasks before you head out. There's something magical about leaving with a clean slate, knowing that you can truly disconnect and unwind.
But hey, we're all human, and sometimes it's just not possible to wrap everything up. That's when the power of delegation comes into play.
Reassign those remaining tasks to capable team members who can handle the workload in your absence. Give them clear instructions, trust their abilities, and watch as they shine.
Remember, you're not a one-woman show.
#3: Update Bios and Headshots
Okay, let's talk about our online presence.
As entrepreneurs, we know the importance of a strong brand image. So, if you've recently refreshed your branding, don't forget to update your bio, profile picture, and headshots across your social media platforms.
Take a moment to review your online profiles. Does your bio reflect your current business offerings and values? Is your profile picture up to date? It's those little details that make a big difference. And while you're at it, double-check that your contact information and links are correct.
You never know when an exciting opportunity might come knocking, even while you're lounging in your beach chair.
Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your business. Embrace the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate. You've got this! So go ahead, book that vacation, and savor every moment. Your business will thrive with a rested and refreshed entrepreneur at the helm.
Cheers to stress-free vacations and the incredible journey of being an entrepreneur!
Ready for your vacay, but worried about social media? Let me handle it! Get started by booking a consultation call here: calendly.com/tjecomm
Social Media Audit Checklist: Clean Up Your Online Presence with These 3 Steps
Let's have a heart-to-heart about something that's been on my mind lately: the power of a social media audit.
You know, I've had those moments where I looked at my social media accounts and thought, "Hmm, it's time for a fresh start."
It's funny how something as simple as our online presence can have such an impact on our businesses and our lives.
So, let's dive deep and explore three steps to clean up your social media and make it shine.
Step 1: Remove/Archive
Time to clean up your social media closet!
If you've recently undergone a rebrand or made some significant changes to your business, it might be a good idea to tidy up by removing old posts or archiving anything that doesn't fit your new branding.
Personally, I like to keep a few old posts because they show my business growth and evolution.
But hey, it's all about finding that balance and doing what feels right for you.
Step 2: Unfollow/Remove Followers
Picture this: a clutter-free social media feed filled with positive vibes and like-minded individuals.
Sounds dreamy, right? Well, it's time to make it a reality.
Take a moment to unfollow anyone who doesn't bring good energy or align with your goals. Your social media should be a source of inspiration and motivation, so don't hesitate to hit that unfollow button when needed.
Oh, and don't forget to kick out those spam followers and inactive accounts. They're like unwanted party crashers who don't contribute to the conversation.
By cleaning house and removing them, you'll boost your engagement rate and create a more vibrant online community.
Step 3: Update Bios and Headshots
There’s nothing like a little makeover!
If you've updated your branding or made some exciting changes to your business, it's time to let the world know. Update your bio, profile picture, and headshots to reflect the new you.
It's amazing how a fresh look can breathe new life into your online presence.
While you're at it, double-check that all your links and contact information are up to date. You don't want potential clients or collaborators getting lost in the virtual maze, do you? Make it easy for them to connect with you and take the next step.
Woot, woot! You've just completed your social media audit checklist! By removing or archiving old posts, curating your followers, and updating your bios and headshots, you've taken important steps toward a cleaner and more aligned online presence.
Remember, social media isn't just about numbers or looking perfect—it's about connecting authentically with your audience. Take the time to regularly assess and refine your social media strategy, making sure it reflects your evolving brand and business goals.
So, go ahead and embrace this social media makeover journey. Clean up, curate, and confidently present your brand to the world. Because guess what? You're amazing, imperfections and all.
Let's rock this social media game and show the world what we’re made of!
Need some help with your social media? Let’s chat 👉🏾 calendly.com/tjecomm
Outsourcing: What. Why. How.
Why: Make Your Life Easier
Let's have a heart-to-heart about a game-changing secret weapon: outsourcing.
Trust me, I've been in the trenches, spinning all the plates, trying to be the superwoman my family and business needed.
But you know what? It's okay to admit that we can't do it all.
Cue the "aha" moment when I realized that delegating tasks can be a total lifesaver.
When you outsource, you're not just lightening your workload—you're reclaiming your sanity and getting back to the things you love. Imagine having someone take care of those time-consuming administrative tasks or handling your social media while you focus on growing your business.
It's like a breath of fresh air.
How: Be Clear About Your Needs
Here's the thing: if you're not clear about your needs, your team won't be clear about their roles either.
Take a moment to assess your business needs and create a list of tasks you want to outsource.
Whether it's the never-ending emails, the bookkeeping headache, or the marketing strategies that leave you scratching your head, write it all down.
The more clarity you have, the smoother the outsourcing process will be.
What: Things to Keep in Mind
Okay, now that you're ready to take the outsourcing plunge, here are a few qualities to look for in your future teammate:
Experience in the areas you're looking to outsource: Seek out candidates who have been around the block and know their stuff. You want someone who can hit the ground running and bring their expertise to the table.
Reliability: Let's be real—we need people we can count on. Look for team members who have a solid reputation for meeting deadlines and following through on commitments. You don't need any more stress in your life, Mama.
Drive and Motivation: Find someone who's not just punching the clock but genuinely passionate about what they do. When your team is motivated, it's infectious, and their dedication can take your business to new heights.
Coachable and Willing to Learn: We're all a work in progress, right? Look for individuals who are open to feedback, eager to learn, and willing to grow with your business. We're in this together, so let's embrace the journey of continuous improvement.
Ready to outsource?! You’re in the right place!
Simply click the link below to schedule your FREE consultation call and you’re on your way to a life of ease.
How to Stay Organized as a Mompreneur: 3 Tips to Maximize Your Time
Can we take a moment to get real with each other? Being a mompreneur is a beautiful, messy, and downright challenging adventure.
Trust me, I’m right here with ya.
Just the other day, as I rushed out the door for a client meeting, my daughter looked up at me with those innocent eyes and said, "Mom, are you going to work again?"
Ouch. Yep, those words hit me hard.
It made me realize that finding the balance between my business and family isn't always easy.
But hey, we're all in this together, right?
So, let's dive in and explore three tips that can help us rock this mompreneur gig while keeping our sanity intact.
Tip #1: Keep Your To-Do List Realistic
Here's the deal: we can't do it all, no matter how much we wish we could.
Trust me, I've tried.
The key to staying organized and maximizing our time is to prioritize our tasks and set realistic goals.
Take a moment each day to assess what truly needs to be done. Break down your to-do list into the "must-dos" and the "nice-to-dos." Focus on those one or two high-priority tasks that will move the needle for your business or bring joy to your family.
Sure, there will always be more we want to accomplish, but let's be gentle with ourselves and recognize that we're only human.Give yourself permission to say no to the tasks that can wait or delegate them to someone else.
Remember, you're a superhero, but even superheroes need to recharge.
Tip #2: Use the “Focus” Setting on Your Phone and Work Timer
Let's talk about one of my favorite tools for staying organized and on track: the "Focus" setting on your phone and your work timer.
Picture this: you're knee-deep in a task, trying to concentrate and get things done, when suddenly…DING! Notifications start pouring in from every corner of your digital world. It's like a never-ending distraction parade that can derail your focus faster than you can say "naptime."
But thankfully, your phone has your back! Most smartphones now come with a handy-dandy "Focus" mode, designed to shield us from those pesky distractions. Activate it during your work hours, and voila! Say goodbye to those incessant pings and alerts. It's your secret weapon to reclaiming your concentration and diving deep into your tasks.
Also, if you're a fellow Toggl user like me, you're in for an extra treat. Toggl offers its own "focus mode" feature. With a few clicks, you can activate the timer and block out any potential interruptions. It's like having a personal productivity coach, cheering you on and helping you make the most of your work sessions.
Tip #3: Outsource Where You Can
Here's the truth, my friends: we can't do it all alone, nor should we have to. It's okay to ask for help. In fact, it's a sign of strength and wisdom.
Surround yourself with a support system that understands and uplifts you. Whether it's your partner, family, friends, or fellow mompreneurs, reach out when you need that listening ear or that helping hand.
And when it comes to your business, consider delegating tasks that are outside your zone of genius. Hire a virtual assistant to handle administrative duties, collaborate with a social media manager (like me!) to lighten your workload, or outsource your bookkeeping and invoicing.
Remember, sharing the load doesn't make you any less of a supermom—it makes you a smart and savvy one.
If this post sparked something inside of you and you’re ready to outsource so you can live your best mompreneur life, let’s chat! I would love to connect about how I can transform your social media presence and take that off your plate.
Book your call today at calendly.com/tjecomm!
Creating Balance as a Mompreneur
Tegan: Mom, I'm not trying to 'get smart' or anything but sometimes I feel like you care more about your phone than me.
Yep, those words came from my 6-year-old daughter.
Talk about a punch to the gut, right?
The first thing I did was acknowledge how she felt and apologized. Although, I had a lot of things I really WANTED to say.
I'm not perfect. So take my tips with a grain of salt. I'm trying. Some days I'm able to get all of my work done before she comes home, some days I am not.
Read below to check out some things I am *actively* trying to achieve as a mompreneur.
Set Your Work Schedule
Create your work schedule—even if it needs to change daily/weekly. If your kids are school-age, I recommend choosing hours that are within the school day.
Pro Tip: In the summer, if your kids are not in camp, try setting work hours & creating boundaries with them.
Build Up Your Bribe Tools
Mama’s, sometimes you got to do, what you got to do. My favorite bribes are additional screen time, snacks, letting her pick the movie we watch, and lots and lots of cuddles.
Keep Your Promises
If you say you're going to be done at (insert time) and after that, you're doing to (insert promised activity), then you better do it. Work can wait. We don't want our babes to grow up thinking we cared more about work than them—because right now they're too young to understand that we're doing it FOR them.
2023 Social Media Demographics
One of the top 3 reasons business owners come to me feeling stressed about social media is that they feel scared by the idea that they need to be on every platform.
I am here to tell you, that you don't need to be.
Instead, you need to look at the demographics of the platforms you're on and ask yourself these questions...
Are your customers present in these spaces?
What type of content do you enjoy doing? If you hate video, TikTok isn't the platfomr for you.
How much time do you want to commit to social media? If you only want to post twice a week, stay off Twitter.
If you’re confused about what social media channels you should be on, take a look at these stats about each platform’s demographics and keep the above questions in mind.
TikTok
1 billion monthly active users.
Average age group—10-19-year-olds.
Every 60 seconds, 167 million videos are watched globally.
29% of Americans on the app make $30,000 to $49,999 per year.
Gender breakdown—61% women, 39% men.
Instagram
2 billion monthly active users.
Average age group—18-25 year-olds.
India has the most users with 230 million users.
Gender breakdown—48.4% women, 51.8% men.
810 million monthly active users.
49 million people use the platform each week to search for jobs—6 people are hired each minute.
89% of U.S. adults on the platform have a college degree.
50% of U.S. adults earn over $75,000 per year.
Average age group—25-34 year-olds.
Gender breakdown—48% women, 52% men.
YouTube
2 billion monthly users.
Average age group—15-35-year-olds.
India has 467 million active users, followed by 245 million in the U.S.
Gender breakdown—46% women, 54% men.
Facebook
2.91 billion monthly active users.
41% of users are aged 45 and older.
31% of users are aged 25-34.
89% of users are college graduates.
70% of American users earn less than $30,000 per year.
Gender breakdown—43% women, 57% men.
211 million daily active users.
59.2% of users are aged 25 to 49.
Most popular in the U.S. with 76.9 million users.
26% of users have completed some college.
34% earn over $75,000 per year.
Gender breakdown—38.4% women, 61.6% men.
Need to chat? Click here to schedule a 15-minute call today!
Marketing Efforts to Try in 2023
Social Media is not the only way to grow your business. It’s just one piece of the marketing pie!
There are so many other ways you can spend your time and money growing your business that are just as (if not more) effective. Before the year ends, give one of these marketing efforts a try:
Email Marketing
Kicking this list off with my favorite marketing effort–email marketing! Email has the largest ROI of any other marketing tactic. Why? Because it allows you to directly track your customer journey and tie it back to an email campaign. It is a sure way to increase brand awareness and business revenue when done correctly.
Digital Advertising (Google, Streaming Services, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat)
This is a great way to get directly in front of your potential customer. The best way to go about digital ads is to first understand your ideal customer (who they are, what they do, their hobbies, favorite tv shows, etc.) so that you are able to spend your money wisely in the right places.
Radio Ads
This may feel old school but radio ads still work given the right industry and messaging. The bonus with radio ads is that many stations now have apps so listeners can tune in on the go. That means you have even more ways to get your message across to millions of people.
Billboards
This is another classic marketing effort that still works when it’s done well. If you’re hosting an event or working on a big campaign, billboards are a great way to get your message seen by the masses.
Note: Radio Ads and Billboards typically need about 4-6 weeks of lead time. If you’re working on something special and want to utilize one of these efforts, incorporate it in your plan and don’t wait until the last minute to get it set up.
Podcast Advertising
The podcast industry is growing every day and most people don’t skip through the ads. Do some research on podcasts that fit your industry/audience and inquire about their advertising rules. It also helps to offer discount codes to podcast listeners.
Fun Fact: I was able to create my new website thanks to a discount code from a podcast!
Influencer Marketing
Yes, this is a real industry and people are making real money from it! This is an effective way to get your product or service in front of a new audience. If you’re serious about influencer marketing here are a few things you should consider:
How much are you willing to pay for exposure?
What are some of your guidelines for the content posted by the influencer?
Will you pay them a flat rate for a certain amount of content or per post?
What type of content do you want them to produce and how often?
How long do you want to retain this influencer?
Ready to get started on new marketing efforts this year? Let’s connect! Visit calendly.com/tjecomm to schedule a meeting today.
3 Ways to Improve Open Rate
What's the point in having a big list full of stale email addresses and unengaged subscribers?
Let's clean up those lists, create some tags, and find some better times to send! Here’s 3 ways to improve your email open rate:
Clean Your List
Your email list should consist of quality emails. There’s no point in having a large list if the emails are dead and the subscribers are disengaged.
Add Segments and Tags
Customize the type of emails your subscribers receive by putting them into specific segments and tags. That way you can make sure they are getting emails about topics they actually care about.
Find the Right Time
Take a hard look at your audience and find the RIGHT time to send emails. Don’t be afraid to re-send emails to those who don’t open them.
Pro Tip: A/B testing in email can help you play around with new send times.
Want to talk through your email strategy? Let's connect! Schedule your consultation at calendly.com/tjecomm.
4 Ways to Regain Momentum in Your Business
Feeling a little "blah" about your business? I've definitely had that feeling!
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our day-to-day tasks that we often forget to work ON the business because we’re busy working IN it.
If you’re feeling some business burnout, here are a few ways you can start to regain momentum and get excited about your work again:
Take Cute Pictures!
I've been working with Sugar Plum Creative and it's been fun to get all dressed up and create content for social media.
Revamp Your Website
My website has been annoying me for a while and I finally took a weekend to give it a fresh look. There are still a few things I want to add to it but at least now I enjoy looking at it again.
Create New Marketing Materials
I've worked on creating new proposal decks, brochures, and other marketing materials that also include all of my cute new pics.
Purge Your Tools
This was probably one of the best things I did! I took a look at all of the tools I have and are either not using, or underutilizing, and found ways to combine or completely remove anything that isn't worth my time or money.
How are you regaining momentum in your business? If you want to hear more details about what I've done, schedule some time to chat today. 👉🏾 calendly.com/tjecomm
3 Steps to Personalize Emails
If you're not currently personalizing every email campaign you send out, you should.
Why?
Personalized emails have a better chance of making it into a subscriber's main inbox vs the "other" inbox. Plus, it's a simple gesture that'll make your subscribers feel like you took the time to call them out by name.
If you're not currently doing this, here's how to get started:
Step 1
Require subscribers to give their first name when they sign up for your email list.
Step 2
Add your subscribers' first names to the email subject line when possible.
Step 3
Always open the email with your subscribers' first names. (Example: "Hello, Tonnisha!", "Guess what, Tonnisha!?", "Tonnisha, you won't believe what I'm about to share with you.")
Don't currently have first names? Create an email campaign for those subscribers and ask them to update their preferences. You can also create conditional tags such as "Friend", or "Hey there!" to replace a first name.
3 Social Media Metrics to Watch
What's the point in taking the time to plan content, create a content calendar, and schedule it if you're not going to look at the data?
When you take the time to look at your social media reporting, you'll able to determine:
What kind of content your audience enjoys.
What kind of content your audience does not like.
Which type of content gets the most engagement.
This information gives you exactly what you need to strategically plan your next social media content calendar.
Here are 3 basic social media metrics you should know and care about...
Engagement
This is the number of times people comment, like, share, and click on what you post.
Reach
This is the number of people you've reached in a single post.
Impressions
This shows you the number of times your post has been seen (I'm not a fan of this one—I'll tell you why later).
If you are not currently using a social media management tool that provides reporting, most social media platforms offer some kind of reporting within the app. Take a look at these numbers and use them to make your next content plan.
TikTok Ban: What You Need to Know
Is TikTok soon to be banned in the U.S.? This conversation has been ongoing for the last three years. Until recently, it seemed like a full ban on TikTok would never happen. However, things are starting to look promising for those in favor of shutting down the app in the U.S. for good.
Here's what you need to know...
TikTok has been dubbed a "threat to national security" in the United States.
The Trump Administration was the first to call out TikTok and tried to ban the app completely in 2020.
The Biden Administration shut down those plans but in 2022, they followed suit and signed an executive order to ban the app from government-issued devices and some college campuses in December 2022.
Why do they want to ban TikTok?
After a Buzzfeed journalist obtained leaked audio from 80 internal TiktTok meetings, ByteDance (the owner of TikTok) admitted that four of its employees accessed this journalist's personal data. This includes her IP address which ultimately led to her home address. The company said they have fired those employees.
They also "tracked" many other American journalists from reputable publications who were writing stories about the app.
The U.S. government is concerned that TikTok can cause millions of Americans to have their personal data in the hands of a foreign country. This can lead to the spreading of misinformation and propaganda.
Hold on...didn't Facebook do this, too?
Yep! They sure did. Facebook's action (or non-action) heavily influenced the 2016 election amongst many other elections across the globe by spreading false information and propaganda through paid advertising.
Should we care?
Yes. Any time our personal data is being used without our full consent we should care.
Should I quit using TikTok?
It depends. I believe this is a personal decision only you can make.
What you should do is nurture your relationships with followers on other social media platforms (you should have been doing this anyway frfr).
Bottom line...
If you've ever used the internet, you have a digital footprint whether you like it or not. As always you should be mindful of what you post online and read the privacy policies of the platforms you're using.
Social media should NOT be the only time you engage with your customers. You should have other marketing efforts in place.
Do you plan to stop using TikTok?
I personally will continue to use the app for fun. However, I have no current plans of implementing a TikTok strategy with any of my clients.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23, 2023. He is expected to be asked questions about consumer privacy, data security, and TikTok’s “relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.”
I plan to keep my eyes on this and if you're a TikTok user, you should, too!
Sources:
How TikTok Became a Matter of National Security: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/20/podcasts/the-daily/how-tiktok-became-a-matter-of-national-security.html
Leaked Audio From 80 Internal TikTok Meetings Shows That US User Data Has Been Repeatedly Accessed From China: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access
Will TikTok Be Banned From The U.S.? Here's Where It Stands. - https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/02/07/will-tiktok-be-banned-from-the-us-heres-where-it-stands/?sh=53eddb853d2b