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Featured Influencers Marketing

What Are Micro Influencers and Why Your Business Needs Them

How Micro Influencers can help your business

Getting more customers in today’s competitive world is nearly impossible. 

Search engine optimization takes months to drive any measurable traffic, PPC costs tons of money and is often difficult for the average marketer to run without hiring an agency. 

Referrals are great, but you can only generate so many of them. The reality is most marketing tactics require tons of effort and months of planning before you see results. Most of us can’t wait that long for results. What are you doing? You use nano and micro influencers. 

 Influencer marketing is one of the best ways to increase sales. 

In fact, according to BigCommerce, 17 percent of businesses spend more than half of their marketing budget on influencers. 

But most people can’t afford celebrity influencers like Kim Kardashian. Fortunately, you don’t really want to use influencers like that. 

 You want smaller, niche influencers called “micro-influencers”.

 What are micro-influencers and why should you use them? 

 It’s no secret that influencer marketing is already a booming industry. 

 The growth of influencers and social media platforms is amazing to say the least. 

 In fact, influencer marketing is a tactic I’ve used countless times to build my brands and businesses.

If you don’t have a growing following, advertising is difficult. This is why influencers are useful. They offer fast promotion of your product or service with amazing conversion rates. 

 This is one of the best ways to increase sales. All kinds of companies and brands take advantage of this. 

 So what is a micro influencer? How is micro-influencer marketing different from regular influencer marketing? Why should you focus on micro-influencers instead of regular influencers? 

 Well, let’s start  with some basic definitions. 

 Micro-influencers are pretty much what they sound like. 

They are hyper-specific influencers with a smaller following in a specific niche. They have an intensely engaged audience, but their number of followers is relatively low (less than 25,000). 

Big celebrities are not micro-influencers. 

They have millions of followers. 

Accounts with less than 25,000 followers are generally considered micro-influencers. They often have a very active audience. Additionally, nano influencers have thousands of followers. 

 Evidence shows that nano- and micro-influencers succeed. 

 Markerly studied over 800,000 Instagram accounts with over 1,000 followers each. They analyzed how engaged their audiences were compared to big celebrity influencers. 

They found that as the follower count increased, like rates dropped significantly.

They also found that comments and engaged users decreased as followership increased: 

This means that the more followers an account has, the fewer likes and comments they get (relative to the follower count. So using influencers who have millions of followers might get you less bang for your buck. 

 On top of this glaring data, they also found that Instagram influencers with 1,000 to 10,000 followers earned likes at a percent rate. In contrast, accounts with over 10,000 only achieved a 2% like rate. 

 The big-ticket celebrity accounts with over 1,000,000 followers only got a 1.7 percent like rate. 

 Expertise surveyed large groups of micro-influencers to see what kind of power they have. 

 Here are two amazing statistics they discovered: 

 Micro-influencers had 22.2 times more conversations when recommending products than average consumers. 

,

 82 percent of consumers said they are very likely to follow a recommendation from a micro-influencer. 

 Micro-influencers therefore discuss purchase recommendations more  than macro-influencers. At the same time, they are more effective when they give real results. 

 If you think you need millions of followers to grow your brand, think again. 

 Nano and micro influencers increase engagement and have better targeting capabilities. 

 So it’s time to stop wasting money on expensive influencers that don’t drive engagement or traffic. 

 How to Find Micro-influencers for Your Brand 

 Before we get into the ways you can use micro-influencers to get more customers, you need to understand how to find these people. 

 Finding the right influencer is critical. It can make or break your campaign. 

If you select the wrong influencer in the wrong niche, you risk wasting money on a failed campaign that won’t grow your business. 

 Fortunately, there are a few tools we can use to collect influencers and begin the process of outreach. 

 My favorite tool is HYPR. This is an analytics tool that allows you to find information about multiple influencers in any  niche. 

 It’s also free for over 100 searches. Most of these tools cost a lot of money, but HYPR gives you free searches and detailed reports. 

 Get started by creating a free account. 

 Once you’re on the dashboard, it’s time to search.While we’re here, we want to set up search filters based on the information we discussed earlier. 

 Remember: Influencers with 1,000-10,000 followers earned % likes, while accounts with more than 10,000 followers only achieved a 2.% like rate. For micro-influencers, we want to focus on  the next 1,000-10,000 accounts.

Categories
Influencers Marketing

How to Become a Social Media Influencer and Make Money

Becoming a Social Media Influencer: How Do You Do It?

These individuals have built a following on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and use their influence to promote products, services, and brands to their loyal fans. 

But how exactly do you become a social media influencer? It’s not as simple as just posting a few pictures or videos and hoping for the best.

There are a lot of strategies involved, as well as a deep understanding of how the social media algorithm works. In this article, we will delve into the world of social media influencers and provide a comprehensive guide on how to become one.

How the Social Media Algorithm Works

Before we get into the steps on how to become a social media influencer, it’s important to understand how the algorithm works on these platforms. The algorithm is a set of rules that determine which posts show up in a user’s feed and in what order.

The algorithm takes into account various factors, such as the user’s interests, the user’s relationship with the person who posted, and the engagement a post receives. So, in order to increase the chances of your content being seen by a wider audience, it’s crucial to understand what the algorithm favors.

For example, posts with high engagement (likes, comments, and shares) are more likely to be shown to more people. This is because the algorithm interprets high engagement as the post being valuable or interesting to the user.

Ways Social Media Influencers Earn and Get Sponsorships

  1. There are a few different ways in which social media influencers earn money and get sponsorships. One way is through sponsored posts, where a brand pays the influencer to promote their product or service. This can be done through a sponsored Instagram post, YouTube video, or TikTok dance.
  2. Another way influencers earn money is through affiliate marketing. This is when the influencer promotes a product or service and earns a commission for every sale made through their unique referral link.
  3. Many influencers also have their own merchandise lines, such as t-shirts, hats, or stickers. They can sell these products to their followers and earn a profit.
  4. Finally, some influencers have a Patreon account, where their followers can subscribe to a monthly membership and receive exclusive content in return.

How to Become a Social Media Influencer

  1. Choose Your Platform

The first step to becoming a social media influencer is to choose the platform that you want to focus on. Each platform has its own unique features and audience, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your personal brand and interests. Some popular platforms for influencers include Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

  1. Define Your Niche

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s important to define your niche. This is the specific topic or category that you will be focusing on in your content. For example, your niche could be fashion, beauty, travel, or cooking. By defining your niche, you will be able to attract a specific audience and establish yourself as an expert in that area.

  1. Create Consistent — High Quality Content

In order to grow your following and become an influencer, you need to consistently create high-quality content. This means posting regularly (at least a few times a week) and putting effort into creating visually appealing and engaging content. It’s also a good idea to use hashtags and geotags to make it easier for people to discover your content.

  1. Engage with Your Audience

One of the key factors that set social media influencers apart from regular social media users is their ability to engage with their audience. This means responding to comments and messages, asking for feedback and input, and generally being present and active on your social media accounts. By building a personal connection with your audience, you will be able to create a loyal following.

  1. Collaborate with Other Influencers and Brands

Collaborating with other influencers and brands can help you expand your reach and gain more exposure. You can collaborate by guest appearing in each other’s content, hosting giveaways, or working on sponsored campaigns together. This is also a great way to build relationships and learn from others in the industry.

  1. Utilize Influencer Marketing Platforms

Influencer marketing platforms are websites that connect brands with influencers. By creating a profile on these platforms, you can showcase your content and reach out to potential partners. Some popular influencer marketing platforms include Tribe, AspireIQ, and Influence.co.

  1. Stay Up to Date with Industry Trends

The world of social media is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies in order to succeed as an influencer. This means keeping an eye on industry news, attending events and conferences, and staying active on social media communities.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Started.

  • Be Authentic

One of the most important things to remember when becoming a social media influencer is to be authentic. Your followers want to see the real you, not a fabricated persona. This means being honest, genuine, and transparent in your content and interactions.

  • Protect Your Personal Brand

As a social media influencer, you are essentially a brand. It’s important to protect your brand by being professional, respectful, and mindful of the image you are presenting. This means avoiding controversial or offensive topics and being careful about the partnerships you take on.

  • Use Social Media Responsibly 

As an influencer, you have a certain level of influence and responsibility to your followers. It’s important to use your social media platform for good and be a positive influence. This means promoting healthy habits, being mindful of your language and behavior, and being an advocate for important issues.

Conclusion

Becoming a social media influencer takes time, effort, and strategy. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set yourself up for success and start building a loyal following. Remember to be authentic, protect your personal brand, and use your social media platform responsibly.

If you enjoyed this article and want to stay up to date with the latest trends and strategies in the world of social media influencers, consider subscribing to our newsletter. We’ll send you weekly updates and exclusive tips to help you on your journey to becoming a successful influencer. As always, catch us on social media @Blustream

Categories
Influencers Marketing

Influencer Marketing: The Ultimate Guide (And Free Template)

The Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing

What is influencer marketing?

When we look around, most of the time we get to see people online, looking at their phones, and interacting on different social platforms. Influencer marketing focuses on using key influencers or leaders to give a brand’s message and ideas to the targeted audience. Influencer marketing campaigns are designed to tap into a community of active and engaged followers. Influencers are specialists in their particular niche and have established a high level of trust and two-way communication with their followers. When an influencer shares information or update their post, it will be read, shared and followed by a large number of people. That is where the business benefit lies. This brand marketing method is powerful and strong enough to influence tge customer’s purchasing decisions.

How to set up an influencer marketing campaign?

  • Set your goal and budget. 

Think what your goal is. What is the purpose and w do you want to work with an influencer? Making more sales is definitely one, but there are other things that you might not have thought about. More common goals are:

  • Building brand awareness and strengthening brand image
  • Increase social media engagement and interactions
  • Improve conversions like newsletter subscribers, free trial sign-ups, sales, and email list building)
  • Defining your budge

If you are an independent business owner, it might skip this step of defining the budget. But it is always good to keep track of your expenses, as will help you understand whether your marketing campaign is going forward or not. 

  • Finding the right influencer

You need to decide whether you want to use nano influencers or micro-influencers, mid-tier influencers or top-tier influencers. There are pros and cons to each. Brands like to work with nano influencers because their audience is dedicated and they trust them. Their downside is that they lack the time or experience to work. Mid-tier influencers may show great results, as they have a genuine two-way connection with the audience. The only issue with them is that they look for financial compensation. The content and reach of top-tier influencers could impact your business positively if their audience is engaged and relevant to your business. But as influences grow they do tend to lose the connection they have to their audience. Their niche might also start to dilute. Just because they have a large audience doesn’t mean that their audience will convert for you. So don’t just look at the numbers. Ask them for screenshots of their analytics, which you can use to look at the demographics of their audience. Make sure that you are doing this, no matter what size influencer you are working with. 

How to find the right influencers? Go on to Instagram, type in some hashtags and search through the top section. You can also use the tool called Dovetale. It is a robust platform to help you find Instagrammers and YouTubers and you can search based on specific keywords, locations, niches and audiences. You can also send influences a message straight from Dovetale. To check out TikTok influencers, you can use apps like Hypetrace. 

  • Validate your influencers

You need to validate that the content creator can create the type of content that you are looking for. Make sure that you are checking their past work. 

  • Reaching out to influencers

Don’t let something like a follower count discourage you from reaching out to them. 

  • Introduce yourself, so that you can establish a connection. 
  • Let them know that, you know who they are. 
  • Give a genuine compliment. 
  • Tell them why you are reaching out.
  • Explain your expectations. 
  • Let them know where they can find you. Ensure that you include your social media handles and other necessary details. 
  • How to create content with an influencer?

Negotiate the terms of the relationship. This could happen in an exchange of emails back and forth. 

  • Talk about the type of content. 
  • You can have a list of requests that you want the influencer to fulfil. 
  • Give them creative freedom. 
  • Discuss where the content will live. Whether you want a story post or blog content, it’s up to you. 
  • Discuss a timeline

If you want to see the first draft, set the date for when that would be due. 

  • Talk to them and come to a consensus as to how they will mention you. 
  • Agree on compensation.

You can ask them about their rates, if you have a budget to pay for them.

  • You could exchange products for content. This is a very famous way to carry out relationships with influencers. You could exchange professional opportunities for content. 
  • Stay organized and track results.
Categories
Web and App

3 Ways to Create Mobile-Friendly Content

Creating Mobile-Friendly Content #101

In today’s digital world, it is increasingly important for businesses to have mobile-friendly websites to reach the maximum number of potential customers. With over half of all internet traffic now coming from mobile devices, eCommerce sites must be optimized for mobile use. In this article, we will discuss the various ways to create mobile-friendly content and provide best practices for ensuring that your site is easily navigable and enjoyable for mobile users.

Typography

One of the most important aspects of creating mobile-friendly content is optimizing the way text is displayed on the screen. Mobile users tend to scan content rather than read it word for word, so it is crucial to structure your text in a way that is easy to scan. 

Use shorter paragraphs and bullet points to break up large blocks of text, and use headings and subheadings to help users understand the main points of your content. It is also a good idea to use font sizes that are easily readable on a mobile device, typically around 14-16 point font.

Conveyance

In addition to formatting your text for easy reading on a mobile device, it is also essential to consider the language and tone of your copywriting. Mobile users are often looking for quick and easy-to-understand information, so use clear and concise language to get your message across. 

Avoid using industry jargon or complex vocabulary, and focus on writing in a friendly and approachable tone. It is also a good idea to use actionable language and include a call to action to encourage users to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

Conciseness

Another key element of mobile-friendly copywriting is the use of shorter words whenever possible. Mobile screens are small, so it is important to use language that is easy to read and understand at a glance. 

Avoid using long words or phrases when shorter alternatives are available and try to keep your sentences as concise as possible. It is also a good idea to use active voice instead of passive voice, as this can make your writing more direct and engaging for readers.

Media

In addition to optimizing text, it is also important to consider the way images and videos are displayed on your mobile site. Large, high-resolution images can take a long time to load on mobile devices, which can be frustrating for users. 

To optimize your images, consider using smaller, lower-resolution versions or using a content delivery network (CDN) to serve your images. It is also a good idea to use descriptive, relevant file names for your images and to properly size them before uploading them to your website.

Images

In addition to using smaller images, it is also essential to consider the overall load time of your mobile site. Mobile users are often on the go and may not have access to high-speed internet, so it is crucial to ensure that your site loads quickly. 

To improve your load times, consider optimizing your images and other media files, reducing the number of redirects, and minifying your CSS and JavaScript files. You can also consider using lazy loading, which only loads content as it is needed, to further improve load times for your mobile users.

Optimizing Videos

Videos can be an excellent way to engage mobile users, but it is important to consider the way they are displayed on your site. To optimize your videos for mobile, consider using a responsive video player that adjusts to the size of the user’s screen, and use a video hosting service that is optimized for mobile delivery. 

You should also consider the length of your videos and aim to keep them as short as possible, as mobile users may not have a lot of time to watch long videos. It is also a good idea to use descriptive, relevant titles and captions for your videos, as this can help users understand what the video is about before they start watching.

Optimize Design

In addition to optimizing your content, it is also important to consider the overall design of your mobile site. Mobile users often interact with websites in different ways than desktop users, so it is essential to ensure that your site is easy to navigate and use on a small screen. 

Consider using a responsive design that adjusts to the size of the user’s screen, and use large buttons and easy-to-read fonts to make it easy for users to interact with your site. It is also a good idea to use white space effectively to help break up content and make it easier to read.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating mobile-friendly content is crucial for businesses looking to reach the maximum number of potential customers. By optimizing text reading patterns, using best practices for mobile copywriting, optimizing images and videos, and optimizing design, you can ensure that your eCommerce site is enjoyable and easy to use for mobile users.

To stay up to date with the latest eCommerce strategies, consider subscribing to our newsletter. You can also follow us on social media Blustream Integrated for regular updates and tips. Thank you for reading!

Categories
Web and App

Why User Experience is Key to Digital Marketing Success

User Experience – Why is it so important?

While Running your campaigns, have you ever noticed that the bounce rate is high and you are not converting, even though it seems like you have done everything perfectly? User experience design might be the culprit here. User experience is the way a user interacts with your website. User experience is also involved in helping evaluate and helping to test what is proposed, making sure that you are building the right thing. 

Your website needs to be designed in such a way that the user can find all the information required and all the steps required to be able to do their task. If the UX design of your website is bad, is not intuitive, and is confusing, the user will just leave your website and they will go to a competitor’s website. 

How to step up your website?

  • Try to make your website as much easy to use as possible. The navigation should be easy and there should be consistency and the user should be able to follow the guidelines throughout the website. 
  • The page speed of the website should be as good as possible. 
  • Optimize for mobile

People are always on the run and their smartphones are their computers which are in their pockets. So it should provide the option to access your website, regardless of where they are. Design the mobile version of your website or landing page first, and then move on to the desktop. 

  • Testing your UX design is very important. It is better to test a second or third time while running any campaigns. 

Importance of UX for digital marketing strategy

  • Colors matter.

Guiding users to contact points through the use of color, shape, and custom icons.

  • Keep pages simple

Choosing the right font can give a fresh touch, or a feeling of something new, and unexpected to your content. 

  • Add videos

Videos are a great way to convey necessary information. This helps in bringing entertainment to a website. 

  • Test out your designs

Get feedback from a user’s genuine first impressions. It is the most valid indicator of the UX. 

  • Keep pages clutter-free

Make sure to give the eye’s attention with elements that are arranged effectively. Try to give a proper placement for all the elements added and allow for flow.

Importance of UX writing in digital marketing

  • It leads us into the mind of the user. 

Giving attention to the words and actively reading the interface as a user, helps to effectively stay engaged easier, and know how the visitor will interact with the interface. 

  • This gives context and direction to the flow.

Check if the button label is explicitly giving the details of what will happen when a user taps it.  Does the copy language provide the user context as to where they are in the flow? Is the following screen in the correct series, or have you missed a crucial step?

  • It shows those design problems that may have been missed.

Reviewing your UX copy is the best way to check and identify the design issues that may have flown under the radar.

  • It determines the spacing and size.

Without an understanding of copy size and spacing, you cannot design accurately. Having a stab at the copy helps in understanding the dimensions that you should work with. 

  • It prompts early stakeholder input.

Your role as a UX writer is to start the conversations early. This is to get you started with the initial input. You will gain profit from this.  

  • The unreliability that can happen in the product experience can be clarified.

When a new product is introduced in the market, the user needs specific guidelines for them. In such a situation, writing UX will take the role of a facilitator. It makes the product experience clear.

  • UX writing humanizes your products.

For instance, if we take the example of slack, which is a company known for its voice or retable branding when a new user joins the workspace, required assistance is given by the chatbot, which acts as a live support agent. 

  • It helps you drive more engagement. 

Engagement consists of user interaction and communication with the services and products offered by the company to its customers. UX writing helps in driving more engagement.

  • During every stage of UX writing, identify users.

A well-designed strategy of UX writing in digital marketing shows the user’s intentions, feelings, and needs.

The Role & Value Of UX

  • Help create a better understanding of users and customers and express the same
  • Provides a framework & additional detail about how the strategy is translated into an experience
  • Helps identify opportunities for creative ideas as well as what they need to address where & when
  • Considers the wider context of devices, touchpoints & other aspects that might have an impact
Categories
Content Marketing

What’s Your Angle? Crafting New Angles for Your Content

Keeping current – Creating New Angles for Content Marketing

While reading articles or blogs or newsletters you at times might feel like you are reading the same old content. This is because the articles are not updated and are still the same old ones.

You might be finding that it is difficult to get your content noticed. And this is because there are over a billion blogs on the internet. Everyone is trying to crank out high-quality content. So how do you stand out? Here are some trends that help you to stand out in this busy landscape. 

  • You can’t rely on SEO or social media.

SEO is not dead but it takes longer to get rankings and is harder, but still super effective. You need to figure out new methods to promote your content. One strategy that you should be leveraging that is super effective is push notifications. You will see browser notifications also known as push notifications where people can subscribe. You can use it through tools like subscribers. So every time you release a new blog post you need to send out a notification to the subscribers so that within their browser they will get notified. Use messenger bots, email marketing, remarketing, and even repurpose your content and leverage that same piece into audio form, video form, or vice versa. 

  • You will have to translate your content

You no longer can just focus on English. The majority of the people in this world are English native speakers. But it is not that they are not native English speakers. They also don’t search on Google in English. They use all other languages, but English tends to be the most competitive language for SEO. You need to understand that people’s biggest traffic gains came from translations. 

  • You will have to spend more time updating your content and then creating new content. 

If you look at what has led to big traffic gains for companies who are leveraging content marketing, a lot of it is updating old content. So if you update your content you will generate more traffic than if you just focus on writing more content. 

  • Companies will hire people who optimize CTRs

You need to get more clicks, and you do that by optimizing your title tag and meta description. 

  • You will have to learn a new form of SEO.
  • Spend more time on CRO (Conversion optimization)
  • Free tools are cheaper than content marketing and are more effective. 

When you start writing online, one of the biggest challenges can be coming up with ideas. 

  • Use a different location

Use a different location if you are offering services in one main area. By focusing on even just a few areas you can create content for each one. You can also break the largest cities down into towns or neighborhoods, and then you can cover the services you offer for each one giving you a lot to write about.

  • Solve a different problem.

If you are a service business or even if you sell a product, another way to approach this is to think about the problems you solve. 

  • Target a different audience

Change your target audience to diversify your topics and to increase your content ideas. 

  • Create a different blog post

Writing blogs on your site is a great way to advertise your business and

Certain aspects need to be covered in your content to make it more engaging. It should be informational, relevant, and engaging, and also it should provide a personal opinion. 

  • Brand awareness should be given to the customers to make them find reasons why they should purchase your product. Your content should be informative enough for the customers to think of the needs they have, and it should persuade them to purchase from you. 
  • Another aspect that needs to be kept in mind is your content needs to be relevant to the trends going on in the market. Marketing a product that is no longer in trend is not going to give you any benefit. So always make sure that the product is relevant and also make the content relevant and updated whenever necessary. 
  • Try to add the required elements in your content such as videos, ads, etc, to make your content more engaging and interactive, so that you can drive traffic to your website. Visual content is easier to digest and customers prefer them the most. 
  • Share the ideas in your mind. Provide a personal review or user experience to persuade the customer to make the purchase. Be honest with your opinion and describe the good, the bad, and every other experience you had.
Categories
Content Marketing

A Guide to Twitter Hashtags

Twitter Hashtags #101

Hashtags are the foundation of Twitter activity. They allow categorization of keywords and topics and allow users to easily follow topics that interest  them. They also allow tweets to  easily appear in a Twitter search. 

 In recent years, we’ve seen  the power of hashtags for activism around the world. The humble hashtag has also become one of the most valuable assets in any modern marketing campaign. Brands that haven’t invested  time and thought carefully about their hashtags — and how they’ll use them — will see campaign results far less impressive  than those that do. 

 Brands often create a hashtag for their brand name or create a catchy hashtag for their campaign. The best hashtags are those that connect both the brand and the campaign, because they are truly memorable and connect the brand to the action.

What sets Twitter apart from other social platforms is its fast, real-time nature. Users can use it on the go, making it the perfect way to track events and develop stories.

Why do marketers use hashtags?

Marketers use hashtags for many reasons.  

 Hashtags can help achieve marketing goals in the following ways: 

  •  They can increase visibility. 
  •  They give a tweet a longer life. 
  •  They highlight your promotions and offers. 
  •  They allow you to join the conversation 
  •  Stand out from your competitors 

 Positioning yourself on hashtags that your competitors are not currently using will help you differentiate your brand and gain more attention from  users  using that hashtag and less attention from your competitors. 

 Follow Events 

You can use hashtags to follow Events. Use existing hashtags to follow and join  conversations about events  you support or feature your brand. 

Create your own hashtag for your branded event to start a conversation about what’s happening at your event and encourage real-time comments and impressions. 

 Connect with trending topics 

 Hashtags  also help you connect with trending topics. Engaging with trending hashtags allows your brand to gain exposure and  engagement beyond brand-centric tweets and participate in a larger conversation that matters to the majority. 

 Promoting Thought Leadership 

 You can use hashtags to add value and thought leadership to an existing conversation. Only join the conversation if the hashtag is relevant to your brand and  you know  you can add valuable information. If you ask just to tweet, users will notice and react negatively to the activity. 

 Increase discoverability and visibility 

 Hashtags make a brand easier  to find. If they follow a hashtag, they will see all tweets that contain that hashtag. This will increase your reach and visibility. 

 How can you optimize your hashtags? 

 Hashtags should be chosen carefully when creating Tweets. A well-chosen hashtag will help you  stay  on top of the most important conversations and avoid competitive friction.

Here are the top seven  tips for optimizing your hashtags.

1. Do your research

Look for trends. Choose what resonates with your audience. But don’t forget to add something to the trend. You don’t want to be seen as just a jumper. 

 If people are already using the hashtag and talking, some of your work is already done. At this point, all you need to do is make sure you’re adding value by joining conversations with this hashtag. 

 Do not use hashtags inappropriately, such as those related to tragic news. Before using a new hashtag, monitor hashtags in your community. This helps ensure relevance and avoid disputes

 2. Use them for a reason

Ask yourself why you are using a hashtag. Remember, good hashtags must be memorable so that your customers can easily remember them. SEO keywords are great hashtags because they are often short, catchy and  increase findability. 

 Make sure you give people a reason to use your hashtag, like a contest or a trend. 

 How do you want followers to interact with hashtags? Be sure to tell people how to use the hashtag.

3. Keep them simple

Keep  hashtags short and simple. Avoid complicated or overly clever hashtags. Make sure the hashtags are easy to remember and write.

4. Integrate them with other content

One way to make sure a hashtag sticks is to integrate media. The best hashtags are tightly integrated with other marketing efforts, from TV advertising to press advertising and direct mail. Use a social media style guide to ensure consistency across all your digital channels.

5. Use branded hashtags

Create  branded hashtags for your business and monitor hashtags in your community before implementing them to ensure relevance and avoid controversy. Remember to  hashtag in the right places to improve brand recognition and readability, and keep them short – brevity improves recall and leaves more room for other comments and links. 

6. Form them correctly

It is important to avoid  spaces and punctuation in the hashtag, because this isolates the keyword and makes it unsearchable. 

 Improve brand recognition and readability by including the hashtag in the right places. For example, #WarmMonday is easier to read than #warmmonday.

7. Use sparingly

The fewer hashtags in a message, the better. Multiple hashtags can seem too commercial or interrupt the flow of your normal text. Also, multiple hashtags take up space and can make your post look spammy and less authentic. 

 In general, a tweet cannot contain more than two hashtags.

Conclusion

When used correctly, hashtags can at least make it easier for users to find and share your content. At most they can support your brand and expand your influence and followers.

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Content Marketing Featured

How to Write A Marketing Email

The Ultimate Guide to Email Writing for Marketing

Email marketing is still one of the highest ROI-giving marketing channels, reportedly yielding over 36 times the return on investment. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential elements of email writing for marketing and how to craft emails that get results.

Define your purpose and audience

Before you even start writing your email, it’s important to know what you want to achieve and who you’re trying to reach. Defining your purpose clearly will help guide the content and tone of your email, as well as the call to action. For example, if your purpose is to promote a new product, your email will likely be more sales-focused and include a strong call to action to make a purchase. On the other hand, if your purpose is simply to keep in touch with your subscribers and build relationships, your email might be more informative and focus on providing value.

It’s also important to segment your email list so that you’re targeting the right people with the right message. For example, if you have a diverse product line, you might segment your list based on the products that individual subscribers have shown interest in. This way, you can send more targeted and relevant emails that you are more likely to be engaged with.

Use a clear, compelling subject line

The subject line is the first thing your audience sees when they receive your email, so it’s crucial to make it count. A good subject line should be short and to the point, and use language that is clear, compelling, and relevant to your audience. It should also include the most essential information upfront, as people are more likely to open an email if they know what to expect.

Avoid using spammy or sensationalist language in your subject line, as this can turn off potential readers and damage your sender’s reputation. You should also avoid using too many capital letters or exclamation points, as these can come across as shouting or desperate. Instead, use language that speaks to your audience’s needs and interests, and conveys the value of your email.

Personalize your email

Personalization can go a long way in making your emails more effective. Using your subscribers’ names is an easy way to make your emails feel more personal, but there are many other ways to personalize your emails as well. For example, you can segment your list and use language that speaks directly to different groups. You can also tailor your emails to your audience’s interests or location. For example, if you know that a certain group of subscribers is interested in a particular topic, you can send them emails that are more focused on that topic.

Personalization can also involve using dynamic content, which is content that changes based on the individual viewer. For example, you might use dynamic content to show different products to different subscribers based on their past purchases or browsing history. This can help make your emails feel more targeted and relevant to each reader.

Use a clear, concise writing style

When it comes to email writing, less is often more. Use clear, concise language and avoid using jargon or overly technical terms. Break up your content into short paragraphs and use bullet points or numbered lists to make it easier to scan. And be sure to get to the point quickly – your audience’s attention span is likely limited, so make sure you deliver your message efficiently.

It’s also important to use a writing style that is appropriate for your audience and aligns with your brand’s voice and tone. For example, if you’re targeting a more formal audience, you might use a more formal writing style. On the other hand, if you’re targeting a younger, more casual audience, you might use a more conversational and casual tone.

Another important aspect of email writing is formatting. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up your content and make it easier to read. Also, pay attention to font choices and sizes, and use white space to help guide the reader’s eye. By formatting your emails in a way that is easy to read and navigate, you can increase the chances of your message being absorbed and acted upon.

Include strong calls to action

Your call to action (CTA) is what you want your audience to do after reading your email. It could be to make a purchase, sign up for a newsletter, or download a free resource. Whatever it is, make it clear and specific, and use actionable language. Use buttons or other design elements to make your CTA stand out, and consider including more than one CTA in your email to give your audience options.

A strong CTA should be relevant to the content of your email and align with your overall purpose. For example, if you’re promoting a new product, your CTA should be to make a purchase. On the other hand, if your email is more informational, your CTA might be to sign up for a newsletter or download a resource.

Optimize for mobile

With more and more people accessing their emails on their smartphones, it’s important to optimize your emails for mobile. This means using a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes, using larger font sizes and buttons, and including plenty of white space to make it easier to read on a small screen.

Mobile optimization is critical if you’re using a lot of images or other design elements in your emails. These can be harder to view on a small screen, so it’s important to make sure they are properly formatted and sized for mobile. You should also test your emails on different devices to make sure they look and function as intended.

Test and optimize

As with any marketing tactic, it’s important to test and optimize your emails to see what works best. This can involve A/B testing different subject lines, calls to action, or email layouts to see which ones perform better. You can also track metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to see how your emails are performing and make improvements accordingly.

There are many tools and software available to help you test and optimize your emails, such as email marketing platforms, A/B testing tools, and analytics software. By continuously testing and optimizing your emails, you can improve their performance over time and get better results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing effective emails for marketing requires a combination of strategy and good writing practices. By defining your purpose and audience, using a clear, compelling subject line, personalizing your emails, and including strong calls to action, you can create emails that effectively deliver your message and drive results.

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SEO

Are Nofollow Links Actually Good For SEO? Here Is Proof…

No-follow links – Boon or Bane for SEO?

As an eCommerce business owner, you know that search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving traffic and sales to your website. In this article, we’ll explore the world of no-follow links and delve into the debate over whether they are a boon or a bane for SEO. 

You’ll learn about the origins and purpose of no-follow links, how they differ from do-follow links and the pros and cons of using them for your eCommerce business. 

We’ll also provide some tips on how to use no-follow links effectively and make the most of their potential benefits. But first, let’s start by defining no-follow links and understanding their place in the world of SEO.

What are No-follow Links?

Before we can understand the impact of no-follow links on SEO, it’s important to first understand what they are. No-follow links are simply hyperlinks that include a no-follow tag in the HTML code. This tag tells search engines to not follow the link and not to pass any link equity (also known as “link juice”) to the linked website.

The primary purpose of no-follow links is to help webmasters prevent their websites from being used as a platform for spam or low-quality content. By using the no-follow tag, webmasters can still link to other websites without the risk of passing along their link equity or being associated with the linked website’s content.

History

No-follow links were introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to combat comment spam on blogs. At the time, spammers were leaving irrelevant or low-quality comments on blogs with links back to their websites. These links were being followed by search engines and were helping the spammer’s website rank higher in search results.

The introduction of the no-follow tag allowed webmasters to combat this problem by telling search engines not to follow these spammy links. Today, no-follow links are used on a variety of websites for a variety of purposes, including:

  1. Sponsored content or advertising – If a website accepts payment or other compensation in exchange for a link, it may use the no-follow tag to indicate that the link is sponsored.
  2. User-generated content – Websites with user-generated content, such as forums or blogs, may use the no-follow tag on links within that content to prevent the website from being associated with the linked content.
  3. Outbound links to low-quality websites – If a website links to a low-quality or spammy website, they may use the no-follow tag to prevent their website from being associated with the linked website’s content.

No-follow Links and SEO: The Debate

So, now that we understand what no-follow links are and why they’re used, the question remains: are they a boon or a bane for SEO? The answer, as is often the case in the world of SEO, is not straightforward.

On the one hand, no-follow links do not pass along link equity and therefore do not directly help a website’s rankings in search results. This means that all other things being equal, a website with only no-follow links pointing to it may struggle to rank as highly as a website with a mix of no-follow and do-follow links.

On the other hand, no-follow links can still be valuable for several reasons:

  1. Referral traffic: While no-follow links do not pass along link equity, they can still drive referral traffic to your website. This means that even if a no-follow link is not directly helping your website’s search rankings, it can still bring in potential customers or clients.
  2. Brand exposure: No-follow links can also help increase brand exposure and awareness. If a reputable website links to your website with a no-follow link, it can still be seen as an endorsement of your brand and help build credibility.
  3. Link diversity: Having a diverse mix of no-follow and do-follow links can also be beneficial for your website’s SEO. While it’s important to have high-quality do-follow links pointing to your website, having a mix of no-follow links can help create a more natural link profile and make it less obvious that you’re actively seeking out links for SEO purposes.
  4. It’s also worth noting that, while no-follow links don’t pass along link equity, they can still contribute to a website’s overall link authority. Link authority is a measure of a website’s overall credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines, and it’s a factor that can impact search rankings. While no-follow links may not directly contribute to a website’s link authority, they can still be a factor in the overall equation.

Conclusion 

No-follow links can be both a boon and a bane for SEO, depending on how they’re used. While they may not directly impact search rankings, they can still drive referral traffic and increase brand exposure. It’s important to remember that a diverse mix of no-follow and do-follow links can be beneficial for your website’s SEO and to focus on building high-quality links rather than solely chasing after do-follow links.

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SEO

Dominate Paid SERP With 3 Competitive Metrics

Metrics that will help you ace Paid SERP

If you’re an eCommerce business looking to drive sales and boost your online presence, these statistics should catch your attention. A search engine results page (SERP) is the page that a search engine returns with the results of a query. It can include both organic (non-paid) and paid results, and vary depending on the search engine and the specific keywords being used. Appearing on the first page of a SERP can be crucial for driving traffic and sales to a business.

SERP Analysis

SERP analysis is the process of studying and evaluating the results of a search engine query. It can provide insights into the competition, the types of results being shown for specific keywords, and the customer journey. SERP analysis can help businesses identify opportunities to improve their online visibility, track the performance of their marketing efforts, and understand the needs and expectations of their target audience.

Overall, SERP analysis is a valuable tool for businesses looking to drive traffic and sales through paid SERPs. By understanding the competition and the types of results being shown for specific keywords, businesses can tailor their campaigns and marketing efforts to better reach their target audience and achieve their business goals.

Let’s now take a look at the top metrics you need to pay attention to in order to bring your A game with paid SERPs and drive eCommerce success.

  1. Cost per Click (CPC)

CPC is the amount you pay each time a user clicks on one of your ads. It’s important to keep an eye on your CPC because it can have a big impact on your overall ad spend. If your CPC is too high, you may be overpaying for clicks and cutting into your profits. On the other hand, if your CPC is too low, you may not be reaching as many potential customers as you could be.

To get the most out of your paid SERP campaigns, aim for a CPC that’s in line with your overall marketing budget and business goals. You can use tools like Google Ads to help set and track your CPC targets.

2. Click-Through Rate (CTR)

CTR measures the percentage of users who click on your ad after seeing it. A high CTR is a good sign that your ad copy and targeting are effective, while a low CTR may indicate that your ad is not resonating with your audience.

To improve your CTR, try experimenting with different ad copy and targeting options. You can also use A/B testing to see which versions of your ad perform best.

3. Conversion Rate

Conversion rate is the percentage of users who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter, after clicking on your ad. A high conversion rate is essential for any eCommerce business, as it means that your paid SERP campaigns are effectively turning clicks into paying customers.

To improve your conversion rate, you may need to optimize your landing pages, offer promotions or discounts, or improve the overall user experience on your website. You can also use retargeting ads to bring users back to your site and encourage them to complete a purchase.

4. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

ROAS is a key metric for measuring the profitability of your paid SERP campaigns. It’s calculated by dividing the revenue generated from your ads by the amount you spent on them. A high ROAS means that your ads are generating a good return on investment, while a low ROAS may indicate that you need to make changes to your campaigns to improve their profitability.

To boost your ROAS, try focusing on high-performing keywords and ad groups, optimizing your landing pages for conversions, and regularly reviewing and adjusting your campaigns.

5. Impression Share

Impression share is the percentage of the total number of times your ad could have been shown, based on your targeting and budget, versus the actual number of times it was displayed. A high impression share is a good sign that your ads are being shown to a wide audience, while a low impression share may indicate that you’re missing out on potential customers.

You may need to increase your budget, expand your targeting, or adjust your bids to improve your impression share. You can also use tools like Google Ads to help you track and optimize your impression share.

6. Quality Score

Quality score is a rating assigned to your ads by search engines based on their relevance, performance, and other factors. A high-quality score can lead to lower CPCs and better ad placement, while a low-quality score can result in higher costs and less visibility.

To improve your quality score, make sure that your ad copy and landing pages are relevant to your keywords and target audience, and aim for high click-through and conversion rates.

7. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

CLV is the total amount of money that a customer is expected to spend on your products or services throughout their relationship with your business. By understanding your CLV, you can better tailor your paid SERP campaigns to target high-value customers and maximize your return on investment.

To calculate your CLV, consider factors such as the average amount each customer spends per purchase, the frequency of their purchases, and the length of time they remain a customer.

8. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

CAC is the total cost of acquiring a new customer, including marketing and sales expenses. By keeping an eye on your CAC, you can ensure that you’re spending wisely on paid SERP campaigns and other marketing efforts.

To lower your CAC, consider optimizing your ad targeting, improving your conversion rate, and finding ways to reduce your marketing and sales costs.

Conclusion

Paid SERPs can be a powerful tool for driving eCommerce success, but it’s essential to track and optimize the right metrics to get the best return on your investment. By focusing on factors like CPC, CTR, conversion rate, and ROAS, you can fine-tune your campaigns and reach the right customers at the right time.

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