Archive for Brand

2020 is the PERFECT time for an online assessment

What is a Social Media Assessment?

With a variety of social media platforms out there, business owners often create profiles using a variety of email addresses and content. As a result, social media profiles can look “unclean” and provide misinformation to the public.

An assessment performed by CC Communications provides business owners with the opportunity to examine their current online presence and take a step back to evaluate their use of social media. It also allows for business owners to learn how to “streamline” their efforts. Taking the time to review what has worked well in the past and what can be redeveloped will allow business owners to develop future marketing plans. All major social networks provide access to analytics and insights. These tools can provide a wealth of information for the development of a marketing strategy.

Why should your business goals should align with your online efforts?

CC Communications offers a unique approach to marketing and communicating online. Our mission is to provide business owners with the opportunity to become comfortable using online technology and, to take it a step further, to use digital solutions to interact and create connections with their customers. By adding a “human aspect” to a technological world we live in, CC Communications offers a unique approach for our clients to #ConnectMORE through enhancing their brand influence.

In an assessment, we look at providing information regarding your current use and how you can effectively implement a plan of action to not only have a social media presence, but an effective social media presence. We examine your current use of social media and identify “red flags,” or problematic areas as well as look for weaknesses in content.

Where could your social media presence improve? What types of information are your customers looking for? How can we incorporate that into your marketing strategy online? in print? in your logo? in your overall brand?

Just “being on social media” and “flying by the seat of your pants” when developing content will not bring about the results you desire for your brand. With a massive amount of social content out there, you will want to create engaging content to stand above the noise.

Why choose to work with an agency?

Of course I could cut my own hair or change the oil in my car. I could also stay in and cook my own supper. However, I am not a hair stylist and for a good reason – this is not where my talent lies. I also do not know where to begin when looking under the hood of my car and, to be honest, although I love to cook, I really do enjoy the flavourful dishes a chef can introduce me to.

The same is true with your social media and online presence. At CC Communications, we dedicate our time to research and prepare strategy for our clients that incorporates a strong vision for their public purpose. We tell their story while scientifically looking at the analytics and it is something we have been doing since 2012.

As the social media landscape changes and technology advices, we work with our clients to ensure that their social media followers and online users are aware of their products and services and, more importantly, the VALUE of service our clients can provide.

CC Communications is a full-service marketing agency that provides market research, content creation and interactive solutions for the management of your social media profiles and website. This includes website design and development, online marketing strategy, logo design, advertising photography and more! From this experience, our clients have evolved their marketing practices to remain competitive and visible online.

Why get started now?

I often tell my clients – you should have started yesterday. As the digital marketing world continues to grow, you want to make sure you are making your statement and effectively!

So let’s talk about your business…

I am an avid coffee drinker – so let’s talk over a warm cup this new year.

Book your FREE 30 minute one-on-one consultation and let’s examine your current use of social media and discuss how I can help you #ConnectMORE with your online followers and grow your brand influence this #newyear!

Secrets to create Engaging Social Media Content

Over 76% of marketers report that finding quality content is the greatest marketing challenge. Posting regularly to social media requires research, familiarity with trending topics, strong communication skills and brain power!

Today, we are sharing three of CC Communications secrets to keep your social media content engaging:

Start a Conversation to #ConnectMORE 

Social media is the perfect place to #ConnectMORE with your audience and “get social” with your customers. Try posting content that is interactive. For example, ask your audience questions about their preference or personal opinion to entice a conversation.

Once your followers have started to engage with you, it is important to respond. Social media platforms make it easy to respond to followers by replying to their comments or by using the “@” symbol to speak directly with them. Other users are more likely to participate in the conversation when they view responses from the company.

In this post to the left, it is clear that the company has not made an effort to converse with their audience. Such posts are ad driven to increase sales but fail to start an interactive conversation.

If a social media user is interested in the product, they may purchase the item, however posts such as this fail to encourage conversation or social interaction. This is a disadvantage because social media interaction through the form of written conversation often spurs interest from other users who could become potential buyers of such products and/or services. 

Can you spot the difference in this Coca-Cola post for example?

It makes a point to engage followers by asking them a question, while still promoting the product.

Represent Your Brand

Sharing and reposting existing content is part of a good social media strategy, but the majority of your content should be unique and relevant to your overall products and services. People will follow your social media pages to view content that represents your business and brand.

To accurately represent your brand and preserve your image, you should avoid “clickbait.”

Clickbait is the posting of articles with attention grabbing headlines that are designed to urge users to click on a link. Due to their frequent use, Facebook officials have altered their algorithm to reduce the viewership of “clickbait” articles. This recent change was made as an overall initiative to provide the Facebook community with organic and authentic content. Have you been a victim of “clickbait?”

Think Outside of the Box and Make it Visual 

Keep your content fresh! Research and capitalize on trends people are socializing about. Include visuals that represent your brand. In doing so, your social posts become 80% more interactive according to Facebook analytics.

For example, by adding this image of a quote to the Facebook post it has become more visually stimulating and might encourage viewers to remember it’s positive message (and your brand in association).

For commercial photography, consider utilizing the photography services of CC Photography, a division of CC Communications. Also book your FREE 30 minute consultation  as our agency is driven to provide business owners with the opportunity to increase their brand awareness and build community through interactive and conversational content.

Tips for Selling to Millennials using Social Media

Millennials are characterized as individuals born within the early 1980’s to the early 2000’s.

Being a member of this generation, I can attest to the incline of challenges that have tried and tested our generation including living through a recession, working two jobs to pay back student loans, and being negatively affected by a high unemployment rate.

However, Millennials are extremely well education and stand strong, especially in the community of Sault Ste. Marie. There has been an increase in a number of start up businesses led by members of this cohort who have become inspiring role models for our youth.

It is important to account for the challenges that affect Millennials and also their attributes when marketing especially their tech savvy capabilities. It would be wise for businesses to consider adding these tips to their marketing and communications plan in 2016:

1) Accept technology and use it to advance your brand. Millennials are tech savvy and as technology continues to advance, those in business would benefit from transitioning from traditional forms of advertising and communication and opt-in for a more modern and immediate form of marketing like routine social media management.

2) Make sure you have a strong social media presence that is kept up-to-date and relevant. Millennials are constantly using the internet to research and are very socially aware. Communicating with them on their level will not only allow you to be perceived as keeping-up-with-the-times but also earn you “top-of-mind” status the next time they require your product or service.

3) Millennials are very busy and most often moving quickly from point A to point B. The amount of time you have to make a social media impression is less than 3.5 seconds as they scroll through a newsfeed. It is imperative to have engaging content and make a good but immediate impression.

4) Authenticity is key! Be genuine and address ALL your customers with amazing customer service.

For more help on using social media to grow your brand, book a conversation with CC Communications and Let’s Talk!