by admin | Nov 1, 2024 | Marketing Mentor, Training
Looking back to the start of my career over 25 years ago, I was fresh out of university, eager but inexperienced, and quickly thrown into the world of marketing. With just a Marketing Degree in hand, I found myself responsible for running campaigns on a range of projects, all without any real-world guidance.
I was full of questions, and there was no one to answer them:
- “Is this the right way to do things?”
- “Are these results good enough?”
- “Is there a smarter, more effective approach?”
The answer I often got was, “You know marketing; just sort it.”
Hearing this was both a challenge and a huge weight on my shoulders. Without a mentor, I navigated through trial and error, learning from each stumble along the way.
But I often wondered: What if I’d had someone there to guide me?
Five years ago, I decided to step into that role myself—to become the mentor I once wished I’d had. It’s been incredibly rewarding to support other marketers as they grow, using my own experiences to help them avoid pitfalls and achieve their own potential.
Watching someone flourish with a bit of guidance is proof that with the right support, anything really is possible.
For a long time, I thought that asking for help was a sign of defeat. But the industry is shifting. Businesses now understand that investing in mentorship and fostering a supportive culture benefits everyone.
So, why does mentorship matter?
Today, I see the incredible value a mentor could have brought to my own career—offering advice, feedback, and the kind of wisdom that only comes with experience. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know.
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re working in a solitary marketing role, I can’t stress enough how impactful mentorship can be. I have a mentor myself, someone who keeps me accountable and helps me spot my blind spots.
Here are some valuable things I’ve learned—from having a mentor and being one:
- Mentors provide insights that help you navigate the marketing landscape more effectively.
- Regular interactions with a mentor can speed up your learning curve and sharpen your skills.
- Mentors often open doors to new industry connections, expanding your professional network.
- A mentor’s encouragement and understanding can be invaluable, especially in challenging times.
Could a Mentor Help Your Career?
Whether you’re starting your marketing journey or facing new challenges on your own, mentorship can be a powerful tool. If you’re wondering whether a mentor could make a difference in your career, we have the tool for you: SCOREAPP
Or sign up early to be apart of The Marketing Mentor Hub. A supportive and informative network of ambitious marketers getting together to grow, learn and excel. With resources that cover all areas of marketing, we have something for everyone.
Find out more here: https://creationzmarketing.co.uk/the-marketing-mentor-hub/
by admin | Sep 12, 2024 | Social Media
In today’s ever changing digital landscape, the sheer number of social media platforms can be overwhelming. How do you decide which ones are right for your business? Spoiler alert: it’s not about signing up for every platform out there.
At Creationz Marketing, we understand the importance of a well-rounded social media strategy that aligns with your goals and audience’s preferences. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of selecting the right social media platforms for your business and provide best practices on how often to post to maximise engagement and reach.
Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms for Your Business
The first step in building a successful social media strategy is choosing the platforms that best align with your business and target audience. Here’s a breakdown of the key platforms and which types of businesses they suit best:
Facebook
- Why Choose Facebook: With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the most versatile platforms, offering a broad range of tools for businesses, including business pages, groups, ads, and e-commerce integrations.
- Best For: Engaging with a broad audience, sharing updates, hosting events, and building a community around your brand.
Instagram
- Why Choose Instagram: Instagram’s visually-driven platform is perfect for businesses with a strong visual element to their brand. It’s highly effective for showcasing products, behind-the-scenes content and much more.
- Best For: High-quality images, short-form videos (Reels), Stories, and influencer marketing.
LinkedIn
- Why Choose LinkedIn: As a professional networking site, LinkedIn is the go-to platform for businesses looking to build thought leadership, connect with industry professionals, and share in-depth, industry-specific content.
- Best For: Professional networking, B2B marketing, sharing industry insights, and recruiting.
X (But we still call it Twitter)
- Why Choose X: X’s fast-paced platform is great for real-time updates, customer service, and engaging in conversations around trending topics.
- Best For: Quick updates, customer service, industry news, and engaging in trending conversations.
TikTok
- Why Choose TikTok: TikTok’s video-centric platform is ideal for businesses looking to engage audiences with creative, entertaining content. It’s also a great platform for viral marketing.
- Best For: Short-form video content, challenges, and viral trends.
Pinterest
- Why Choose Pinterest: Pinterest is a highly visual platform perfect for businesses that can create “pinnable” content, such as infographics, product images, and tutorials. It’s also a powerful tool for driving traffic to your website.
- Best For: Visual content, infographics, how-tos, and product showcases.
Threads
- Why Choose Threads: Threads is a relatively new platform. It’s an extension of Instagram, enabling businesses to engage with their audience in more intimate, ongoing discussions.
- Best For: Building and maintaining strong relationships with your core audience, sharing in-depth updates, and fostering a sense of community.
How Often Should You Post on Each Platform?
Posting frequency can significantly impact your social media performance. Here are some general guidelines on how often to post on each platform (please remember these are general and could be different for your business):
Facebook
- Recommended Frequency: 3-5 times per week.
- Why: Posting too frequently on Facebook can lead to decreased engagement. Focus on sharing high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience, such as videos, images, and curated articles.
Instagram
- Recommended Frequency: 3-5 times per week for the main feed; daily for Stories.
- Why: Instagram’s algorithm favours consistent posting, but it’s also crucial to maintain quality over quantity. Use Stories to share more frequent updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive polls or Q&A sessions to engage your audience.
LinkedIn
- Recommended Frequency: 2-3 times per week.
- Why: LinkedIn’s audience is typically more professional and less frequent in checking their feeds compared to other platforms. Focus on sharing valuable, industry-related content, such as articles, white papers, and thought leadership pieces.
X (But we still call it Twitter)
- Recommended Frequency: 1-5 times per day.
- Why: X is a fast-paced platform where content has a shorter lifespan. Frequent posting can help keep your brand visible and engage with trending topics or conversations. Use a mix of tweets, retweets, and replies to stay active and relevant.
TikTok
- Recommended Frequency: 3-5 times per week.
- Why: TikTok’s algorithm favours fresh content, and regular posting can help you build a following and increase your chances of going viral. Focus on creating engaging, creative videos that align with current trends and challenges.
Pinterest
- Recommended Frequency: 5-10 times per day.
- Why: Pinterest is a highly visual platform, and frequent pinning can help increase your visibility and drive traffic to your website. Schedule pins throughout the day to maintain a consistent presence and maximise reach.
Threads
- Recommended Frequency: 2-3 times per week.
- Why: Given its community-driven nature, Threads works well with less frequent but more thoughtful posts. Engage your audience with meaningful conversations and updates, encouraging interaction and connection.
Tips for Optimising Your Posting Strategy
- Use Analytics: Regularly review your social media analytics to understand what content resonates best with your audience and adjust your posting frequency accordingly.
- Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to post less frequently with high-quality content than to post often with low-quality content. Focus on creating valuable, engaging content that your audience will appreciate.
- Test and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different posting times and content types to see what works best for your audience. Social media is dynamic, and what works today might change tomorrow.
Need help crafting a winning social media strategy? Visit our website to find out more about our social media marketing services or get in touch with a member of the team at Creationz Marketing today!
by admin | Aug 30, 2024 | Resources
If you’ve ever dipped your toes into the world of digital marketing, you’ve probably heard the term “SEO” tossed around. And if you’re like most business owners, you’ve been bombarded with all sorts of advice, rules, and myths about how to “master” SEO. But here’s the truth: a lot of that advice? It can be outdated and confusing to follow.
So, let’s help clear some things up. At Creationz Marketing, we’re all about focusing on what actually works. It’s about creating content that speaks to real people. Because guess what? Search engines are getting smarter every day.
Let’s bust some common SEO myths and talk about why writing for humans (not bots) is the way to go!
Myth #1: SEO Is All About Keywords
Busted: I know, I know—you’ve probably heard this a million times: “Keywords are key!” And sure, keywords matter. But stuffing your content with a bunch of them is the wrong way to go about it. Search engines today are way too smart for that—they’re looking at context and how well your content answers a user’s question.
What to Do Instead: Think about your audience. What are they searching for? What problems do they need solving? Focus on creating valuable, helpful content that addresses their needs. Use keywords naturally, like you would in a normal conversation.
Myth #2: More Content Equals Better Rankings
Busted: Look, I get it—there’s a belief that if you just churn out content non-stop, you’ll eventually hit the jackpot with Google. But here’s the thing: quality always beats quantity. If you’re pumping out content just to fill up space, you’re not doing yourself any favours.
What to Do Instead: Focus on creating high-quality content that truly adds value. It’s better to publish one really good blog post a week than to flood your site with fluff. Make every piece count. Your readers and search engines will thank you for it.
Myth #3: SEO Is a One-Time Task
Busted: SEO isn’t just “set it and forget it.” It’s more like a fitness routine—you can’t just work out once and expect to be in great shape forever. The digital world changes fast, and SEO is an ongoing process that needs constant tweaking and updating.
What to Do Instead: Think of SEO as a journey, not a destination. Stay on top of the latest trends and algorithm updates, regularly audit your website, and always be on the lookout for ways to improve your content and strategy. Flexibility and adaptability are your best friends here.
Myth #4: Writing for SEO Means Sacrificing Creativity
Busted: Some people think SEO means you have to write boring content that’s all about ticking boxes for search engines. But that’s not true at all! Creative, engaging content that resonates with readers is exactly what search engines want to see.
What to Do Instead: Bring your personality into your content. Be creative and don’t be afraid to have a little fun. Tell stories, use analogies, make it entertaining. Remember, you’re writing for people first. When they love what you write, the SEO magic will follow.
Myth #5: Meta Tags Are All You Need for SEO Success
Busted: Meta tags like titles and descriptions are important, but they’re not the whole game. Search engines use a ton of different factors to rank pages, including how fast your site loads, how mobile-friendly it is, and how much users engage with your content.
What to Do Instead: Cover all your bases. Sure, optimise your meta tags, but also make sure your site fast, secure, and easy to navigate. A great user experience is key.
Myth #6: Backlinks Are All About Quantity
Busted: A lot of people think that the more backlinks (links from other sites to yours) you have, the better. But this is incorrect. It’s about having good ones. A handful of high-quality backlinks from reputable sites is worth way more than a bunch of random links from low-quality sites.
What to Do Instead: Once again, focus on quality over quantity. Build relationships with the right influencers, guest post on reputable blogs, and create content valuable enough that people want to link to it.
Why Writing for People Is the Real SEO Secret
Here’s the bottom line: Search engines are always working toward one goal—helping people find the best, most relevant content. When you focus on writing for people, not bots, you naturally align with what search engines want. Here’s Why You Should Write for People, Not Bots:
- Builds Trust and Authority: Great content that helps people builds trust and positions you as a leader in your field.
- Increases Engagement: Content that connects with readers is more likely to be shared, liked, and commented on, which boosts your SEO.
- Improves User Experience: When your content is easy to read and valuable, it keeps people on your site longer and encourages them to explore more.
- Encourages Repeat Visits: Valuable content makes people want to come back for more. It’s as simple as that.So, do you need some help crafting people-first content that also ranks well on search engines? Get in touch with the team at Creationz Marketing for more help or find out more about our SEO services here: https://creationzmarketing.co.uk/seo/
by admin | Jul 11, 2024 | Seasonal Marketing
As we move through summer in the UK, it’s tempting to scale back on marketing because we think we’ll see less engagement. But guess what? That’s not the case at all!
In fact, summer is the perfect time for your business to shine in a less crowded space. By keeping your marketing consistent and creative, you can stay top of mind and drive engagement even when everyone else seems to be taking a break. Here are our top tips for maintaining your marketing over the summer:
1. Get Ahead
Take a little time out of your busy schedule to put together a marketing plan. You might not stick to it exactly, but it’ll help you stay organised and ahead, especially when staff holidays come into play.
2. Utilise Scheduling Tools
If you’re not already using scheduling tools, now’s the time to start. They’re a great way to get ahead with your content. We recommend Sendible and Metricool as they are flexible and easy for you to use.
3. Stay Active on Social Media
Even though many people will be taking a break over the summer, you can bet most of us will still be on social media. Use this to your advantage! Keep engaging with your followers so you don’t lose momentum. Here are some different ideas for your social media:
• Behind the Scenes
• Team Shoutouts
• Relatable Content
• Summer Tips and Advice
• Competitions or Exclusive Deals
• Polls and Quizzes
4. Email Marketing
Keep in regular contact with your email list and don’t lose those relationships you’ve worked hard to build. Summer is a great time to:
• Showcasing latest offers
• Share news about your business and team
• Tease offers coming in September
• Send out summer-themed newsletters or helpful seasonal tips
5. Update your Website
Use the quieter summer months to review and spruce up your website. Create new pages, add fresh content, and make some lead magnets to capture data. Consider:
• Refreshing outdated content
• Improving SEO with new keywords
• Adding new case studies or testimonials
• Creating a summer landing page for special promotions
6. Offer Summer Specials
Create summer-specific promotions or discounts to attract customers. Limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency and encourage people to buy now.
7. Focus on Mobile Marketing
Since people are often on the go during the summer, make sure your marketing is mobile-friendly. Optimise your emails, website, and ads for mobile devices to reach your audience wherever they are.
8. Set Realistic Goals
With holidays and fluctuating staff numbers, it’s important to set achievable goals over the summer. This will help you use resources more effectively and be prepared for any changes or challenges. Keep reviewing and adjusting your goals to stay on track.
By staying proactive and making the most of the summer months, you can keep your marketing consistent and effective. It ensures your business remains visible and engaging all season long. Don’t let your marketing take a holiday and use the summer to your advantage!
by admin | Jun 5, 2024 | Trending
Attention all LinkedIn users who share external links! There’s been a recent update to the platform that you need to be aware of.
LinkedIn is now rolling out a change that reduces the size of image previews for links shared in organic posts. This means the eye-catching visuals that used to grab attention in your feed will now appear much smaller.
Why the Change?
According to LinkedIn, this update aims to encourage users to:
- Post native content: They want users to create content directly on LinkedIn using features like LinkedIn articles and direct updates.
- Increase sponsored content usage: Sponsored posts will still retain the larger preview image size, potentially incentivizing users to pay to promote their content.
What Does This Mean for You?
While the smaller thumbnails might not be ideal for click-through rates, it doesn’t mean you have to stop sharing external links altogether. Here are some ways to adapt your LinkedIn posting strategy:
- Focus on high-quality headlines and descriptions: Since the visuals won’t be as prominent, craft compelling headlines and summaries that pique users’ interest and encourage them to click on your link.
- Consider creating custom thumbnails: While LinkedIn doesn’t allow uploading custom thumbnails for link previews, you can create a visually appealing image related to your content and share it directly within your post along with the link.
- Experiment with native content: Consider creating LinkedIn articles or direct updates that summarize the key points of the external content you want to share. This keeps users engaged within the platform.
Here are the new link preview image dimensions to keep in mind:
- Minimum: 360 x 640 pixels
- Maximum: 2430 x 4320 pixels
The Takeaway
By being aware of this change and adapting your strategy, you can still leverage the power of LinkedIn to share valuable external content and connect with your professional network. Remember, strong headlines, informative descriptions, and well-crafted visuals (even within your post) can still grab attention and drive engagement, even with the smaller preview size.
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