Archive for GrowYourBrand

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!

Every Business Needs a Social Media Policy

Social media is here to stay, and the nearly 3 billion people who maintain an active social media presence would agree. However, when employees are linked to a business, that business’ reputation can either be crippled by an employee’s social media use or enhanced.

Too often we hear about companies coming under fire for something an employee has done, said or shared on social media.

Prohibiting your employees from using social media is not realistic and a violation of their privacy. However, having a strong social media policy drafted for your place of business is a legal and effective tool to utilize. It also allows your employees to become part of the “team building” of your online social media presence.

CC Communications can help you develop an effective social media policy to protect your employees, your company’s reputation, and to enhance your online brand presence.

In this regard, your policy should not be a list of things your employees are not allowed to do. Avoid a long list of restrictions, and instead focus on what your employees are allowed and encouraged to share.

Your employees can be the best advocates for your business. The messages about your products or services can be more credible when coming from an employee. Encourage your staff to use social media to promote products or services they themselves use or currently would recommend to friends and family. It allows your employees the opportunity to have a voice about the products and services they find useful.

Use it as an educational tool

Your social media policy should educate your employees – many people do not realize the information they share on social media can be view virally. Your policy should enhance employee knowledge of how to properly use using privacy settings on social media. Such settings are continuously changing and are dependent upon which social media network you are referencing. It is therefore important to research privacy information prior to the development of your social media policy in order to ensure it is relevant.

Remind your staff that nothing shared online is truly private, and once something is published online, it is difficult for it to be permanently deleted. Use your social media policy as a tool to encourage your staff to #ConnectMORE but, in a more conscientious way!

Be specific!

Before developing a social media policy, know your expectations and limitations.

For instance, the GAP clothing company has a social media policy explicitly states:

 “Don’t even think about it…. Talking about financial information, sales trends, strategies, forecasts, legal issues, future promotional activities. Giving out personal information about customers or employees. Posting confidential or non-public information. Responding to an offensive or negative post by a customer. There’s no winner in that game.”

Your social media policy protects your brand’s image, outlines your expectations and helps you build a team dedicated to the enhancement of your “online goals” for your business. Book your FREE 30 minute consultation with CC Communications regarding the drafting and finalizing of your social media policy today.

It’s time to #ConnectMORE with your online audience!

Business owners recognize the power and potential social media networks offer. Having a Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIN, or Twitter account keeps you in contact with your clients and offers potential customers the opportunity to become familiar with your brand.

Learn what it takes to be successful at social media marketing during CC Communications #ConnectMORE social media seminar on May 31st at Solo Trattoria from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm. I will explain key terms such as “SEO” (search engine optimization) and the importance of using #Hashtags!

In addition, you will learn how to develop a strategy to put “promoted ads” on Facebook to use and identify new ways to start finding customers online. You will also learn how to also measure the success of your efforts while utilizing new information regarding the ever-changing world of digital marketing!

Avoid the costly mistake of going it alone and running campaigns without a goal in mind. Save time and marketing dollars by becoming more proficient in understand HOW social media platforms operate. I train business owners how to create content and use social media to help reach their overall business goals.

In this seminar, I’ll show you how to add a social component to your online approach by looking at your products and services from a customers point-of-view. I’ll give you ideas on how to develop and manage your upcoming posts and identify key differences in your current approach to help you build a strategy for future content creation and management.

Also enjoy the opportunity to network with others and enjoy special finger foods prepared for us while taking in a fresh new approach to the potential social media marketing has to offer your growing business and brand.

Click here to purchase your ticket and reserve your spot today!