Our Small Business Week Offer

Throughout 1st – 7th June, we’re offering:

FREE 30-Minute Marketing Strategy Calls
We’ll help you understand:

✅ What’s slowing your growth
✅ How to attract more local customers
✅ Which marketing channels to focus on
✅ Simple improvements you can make today

No pressure. No jargon. Just honest advice from a local marketing team that genuinely wants to help businesses grow.

Book your free strategy call:

Book Your free 30-minute Marketing Call

Are You a Small Business?

Why not get involved in Small Business Week yourself?

Whether it’s a special offer, free resource, open day or customer promotion, it’s a great opportunity to showcase your business and encourage people to support local.

👉 Register your own Small Business Week offer here:
https://entrepreneurscircle.org/sbw/

Let’s make this week a celebration of the amazing businesses that help our communities thrive.

Thank you for supporting small businesses like ours. 💙

Further Reading:

Proud to Be Part of Small Business Week

by admin | Jun 1, 2026 | Social Media, Creationz News

Proud to Be Part of Small Business Week This week is all about celebrating the incredible small businesses that keep our local communities thriving. From independent retailers and tradespeople to consultants, manufacturers, coaches and professional services, small...

What Businesses Often Underestimate About International Exhibitions

by admin | May 15, 2026 | Creationz News

When people think about exhibitions and trade shows, they often focus on what happens during the event itself.But in reality, successful exhibitions are built long before the doors open. Last week, the Creationz Marketing team travelled to Düsseldorf to support...

Is Google Business Still Worth My Time? (And How to Use It Properly)

by admin | Feb 2, 2026 | Creationz News, Social Media

If you’ve ever Googled a café, a hairdresser, or a solicitor near you, the chances are the first thing you saw wasn’t their website. It was their Google Business Profile. That little box on the right side of Google, with photos, reviews, opening hours, and a map?...

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The post Proud to Be Part of Small Business Week appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

That little box on the right side of Google, with photos, reviews, opening hours, and a map? That’s it.

The simple answer is YES; in 2026 it’s absolutely still worth your time.

In fact, it’s one of the most powerful free tools for small businesses.

Why? Because it’s often the first impression someone gets of your business. It shows up before your website, social media, or even your name in some cases, especially in local or mobile searches.

Let’s say someone searches “plumber near me” or “best beauty therapist in Nottingham” Google shows a shortlist of local businesses with maps, star ratings, and contact info. If your profile is claimed and optimised, you’ve got a much better chance of being on that list.

But just having a profile isn’t enough anymore. If you haven’t touched yours in a while, or it still has your old hours from 2021, it’s not helping you.

Why Updating It Weekly Matters Now

In 2026, Google is using AI more than ever to decide which businesses to show in search results. That means it’s not just looking at what you say, it’s looking at how active and relevant you are.

Adding a new post, uploading fresh photos, or responding to a review shows Google (and your potential customers) that you’re active, open, and reliable.

Think of your Google Business Profile like a shop window, if it’s dusty and hasn’t changed in months, people (and search engines) will walk right past. But if you’re regularly updating it with fresh content, it signals that your business is alive and thriving.

Even one weekly post or update, something as simple as:

• A photo of your latest project
• A short tip or FAQ
• An update to your hours or services – can help keep you visible in Google’s AI-powered local listings.

Google’s algorithm now pulls from all this activity to decide who appears higher in the map listings, and more importantly, who feels trustworthy to users.

Reviews Still Rule (But So Does Response)

The reviews section remains one of the biggest drivers of trust and ranking. But Google also looks at whether you’re responding to them. A quick “Thanks so much!” or “Glad we could help” shows you care, and it bumps your profile’s engagement.

Bonus tip: AI tools are now summarising business profiles and reviews in Google’s search snippets so a few standout keywords or phrases from your reviews (like “responsive,” “family-run,” or “affordable”) could become part of your first impression.

So, Is It Worth It?

100%. If you put a bit of time into it – 15 minutes per week is all you need. Your Google Business Profile is like having a mini-website, local advert, and review platform all in one and you don’t need to be a tech expert to make it work for you.

✅ 5 Things to Do This Month:

1. Google your business name – See what comes up. Is your profile up to date and eye-catching?
2. Update your business info – Check your contact details, website link, business hours, and services.
3. Add new photos – Upload 3–5 fresh photos of your work, space, or team to keep things current.
4. Post something every week – A short update, offer, blog link, or client success story will keep your profile active.
5. Ask for and reply to reviews – Send a quick message to 1–2 happy customers and take 30 seconds to respond to any recent reviews.

Open up the power of Google Business Profile for your business. We are working on our profile in the same way above and already seeing results.

The post Is Google Business Still Worth My Time? (And How to Use It Properly) appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

The post The Invisible Cost of “I Don’t Know What to Post on Social Media” appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

In this blog, we’ll explain what this update means, why it matters, and how to optimise your Instagram account to make the most of this exciting change.

What Is the Latest Instagram Update?

In 2024, Instagram announced an update that allows public posts and profiles to appear in Google search results. Until now, Instagram content mostly stayed within the platform. But with this new feature, your posts can now show up when people search for relevant keywords on Google — dramatically increasing your content’s visibility.

Why Does This Instagram Update Matter for Small Businesses?

For small businesses, this Instagram update is a game-changer. It means:

✅ Greater visibility on the world’s most popular search engine
✅ More opportunities to attract potential customers
✅ Your social media content supports your overall SEO efforts
✅ You can get found by people who aren’t yet following you

If you’ve invested time and creativity into your Instagram posts, this update means they can now work even harder for your business.

How to Optimise Your Instagram for Google Search

To take full advantage of this Instagram update, here are simple steps you can follow to ensure your posts have the best chance of appearing in Google search results:

1. Use Relevant Keywords in Your Captions
Think like your customer. Use the words and phrases they’re likely to search for in your captions. For example:
“Looking for handmade candles in the UK? Our natural, eco-friendly candles are perfect for gifts and home decor.”

2. Add Alt Text to Your Images
Instagram lets you add alt text to describe your images. This improves accessibility and helps Google understand what your post is about.

3. Name Your Image Files Correctly
Before uploading, rename your image files with descriptive, keyword-rich names. Instead of IMG_1234.jpg, use something like handmade-candle-uk.jpg.

4. Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags still play a role in discoverability. Include a mix of broad and niche hashtags relevant to your post, product, or location.

5. Include Location Tags
Tag your business location in posts to boost visibility in local searches.

6. Update Your Privacy Settings
Head to Settings > Account Privacy, and toggle Allow public photos and videos to appear in search engine results. This ensures your content is visible to Google.

Who Benefits Most from This Instagram Update?

This update is fantastic news for:

• Small businesses looking to boost their organic reach
• Local businesses aiming to attract nearby customers
• E-commerce brands wanting to drive more traffic to their website
• Creators and influencers building their personal brand

At Creationz Marketing, we help SMEs and entrepreneurs make the most of opportunities like this by building joined-up marketing strategies that work across all platforms.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Out on This Instagram Update

The latest Instagram update is another reminder that your social media and SEO strategy should work hand in hand. By optimising your Instagram content for search engines, you increase your chances of being discovered by the right people — even when they’re not on Instagram.

If you need help improving your social media or building a marketing strategy that gets results, get in touch with Creationz Marketing. We love helping businesses grow – and we can help you make the most of every marketing opportunity.

Looking for expert marketing support?
Contact Creationz Marketing today – your outsourced marketing team is just a click away.

The post Instagram Update: Your Posts Can Now Appear in Google Search appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

You’re spinning multiple plates. Between operations, sales, customer service, and everything else on your agenda, finding time for engaging posts, trending content, and consistent scheduling often becomes a low priority.

So, can you actually outsource your social media marketing effectively?

This blog will help you explore the pros, cons, and key considerations, so you can make the right decision for your business.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Social Media

More Time to Focus on What Matters

Time is the number one reason clients come to us. Creating quality content takes hours. Outsourcing means you can get back to running your business while your social media presence is managed professionally behind the scenes.

Yes, we know tools like ChatGPT can help generate content – but does it sound like you? Is it written in your voice, with your tone, and does it feel authentic to your brand? That human touch matters, and your audience can tell the difference.

Access to Up-to-Date Expertise

Social platforms are always changing. Algorithms, features, formats – they shift constantly. A social media partner stays on top of these updates, so you can benefit from current strategies rather than relying on trial and error.

Take Instagram’s recent grid change, for example – from 1:1 (1080×1080) to 4:5 (1080×1350). We’re on top of it. From exploring platforms like Threads or Bluesky to keeping your content aligned with the latest trends, we make sure your business stays relevant and visible.

Consistent, Professional Content

Many business owners post inconsistently. Outsourcing provides a steady, reliable flow of content that builds your brand presence, keeps you front of mind, and helps you grow over time.

Strategic, Goal-Driven Marketing

Posting just for the sake of it rarely delivers results. Professional teams ensure that every piece of content supports a wider marketing strategy. Whether you want to generate leads, build awareness, or strengthen customer relationships, your social media becomes a strategic tool, not a guessing game.

The Common Concerns

“Will they understand my brand?”

With the right agency, absolutely. At Creationz Marketing, we know that no two businesses sound the same and they shouldn’t. A small family-run business or a solo entrepreneur won’t have the same tone of voice as a large corporate brand. And a legal firm will communicate very differently to a quirky coffee shop.

That’s why we start every partnership with a deep-dive discovery session. We get to know your tone, audience, goals, and what makes your business unique. The result? Content that genuinely sounds like you and resonates with the people you want to reach.

“What if I don’t get results?”

Marketing should be measurable. That’s why we build in regular reporting, data tracking, and review calls. We also tailor packages to your goals and budget, so you know exactly what to expect and how your investment is performing.

Plus, we give you access to a built-in analytics dashboard, so you can check your performance 24/7 – no guesswork, just clear data.

“I don’t know what I need yet”

That’s very common. Many clients know they need help, but they’re unsure where to start. That’s why we developed a free Digital Marketing Quiz. It gives you a personalised report in minutes, helping you understand what’s working and where there are gaps.

Things to Consider Honestly

• Your input still matters. While we take social media off your hands, we still need some input from you. Your vision, voice, and direction are important, and we work in partnership to keep everything aligned.
• One-size-fits-all rarely works. Your business is unique, so your content should be too. Our services are always bespoke, not pulled from a standard template.
• Results take time. Organic social media builds brand trust and community over time. It is powerful but not instant. We focus on meaningful, sustainable growth.

Is Outsourcing Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you struggle to post consistently?
• Are you unsure what’s working on your social channels?
• Do you find it difficult to keep up with the latest platforms and trends?
• Would you prefer to focus on your core business activities?

If you said yes to any of these, outsourcing could be a smart move.

Book a free, no-obligation call with the Creationz Team – in just 30 minutes, we’ll help you understand what’s right for your business.

What Should You Do Next?

Start by understanding your current digital strengths and weaknesses. Our free Digital Marketing Scorecard gives you instant clarity and suggestions for improvement.

➡️ Take the Quiz
➡️ Book a Free Call

At Creationz Marketing, we’ve helped businesses across legal services, coaching, education, manufacturing, and more to manage their marketing with clarity and confidence.

✅ Rolling Monthly Contracts: No long-term tie-ins.

✅ Graphics-Only Packages: Great if you’ve got the words but need the visuals.

✅ Monthly Trello Boards: Giving you visibility and space to post your own updates.

Whether you need one-off support, a full strategy, or monthly management, our team is ready to help you get your social media working for you – not the other way around.

The post Can I Really Outsource My Social Media Marketing? appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

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!

The post Which Social Media Platform Should My Business Be On and How Often Should I Post? appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

As we wind down the week and prepare for a well-deserved break, the Creationz team has been reflecting on what we have been working on this week. One of which is the importance of taking it back to basics, especially when it comes to your social media platforms.

Whether you’re a consistent poster with a big online following or just starting out, it’s crucial to get these core elements right. Let’s explore these fundamental aspects to ensure your social media is making the best impression possible:

🔹Craft an Impactful Bio🖊️ – Your bio is your brand’s first impression—think of it as your digital handshake. It’s often the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make it count. Your bio should be clear, concise, and compelling. Ask yourself: Does it effectively communicate who you are and what you do?

🔹Choose the Perfect Profile Picture📸 – Your profile picture is more than just a photo; it’s a visual representation of your brand. It should be instantly recognisable and reflect your brand’s personality. Is your profile picture up-to-date and consistent with your current branding?

🔹Optimise Your Username🔠 –  A memorable and relevant username can significantly impact your discoverability. It’s crucial that your username is easy to remember. Additionally, consistency across platforms is key. Having the same username on all your social media accounts helps users find and recognise you more easily.

🔹Consistency Across Platforms✅ – Following on from the above point, consistency is the backbone of a strong brand identity. Ensure that your branding—visuals, messaging, and tone—is consistent across all your social media channels. A unified look builds trust and enhances recognition.

🔹Utilise Linktrees🔗 – What’s a Linktree, you might ask? Linktrees are an excellent tool for managing multiple links in a single, easily accessible location. By using a Linktree, you can direct your audience to various destinations—whether it’s your website, blog, or other social media profiles—all from one link in your bio. This simplifies navigation for your followers and allows you to track which links are getting the most attention.

🔹Follow and Connect with Relevant Accounts🤝 – It’s not just about who follows you—who you follow matters too. By connecting with similar accounts, you stay updated on trends, gain inspiration, and build valuable relationships. Engaging with relevant profiles can enhance your credibility, lead to collaborations, and expand your network. Make it a point to follow and interact with accounts that align with your niche.

🔹Provide Clear Contact Information📲 – Make it easy for your audience to get in touch with you. Ensure your contact information is clearly visible on your profiles. Whether it’s an email address, phone number, or a contact form on your website, having clear and accessible contact details can improve customer engagement.

Need help aligning your social media presence?

The Creationz team is here to assist with expert advice and insights tailored to your brand. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for personalised guidance and support.

The post Taking It Back To Basics With Your Social Media Marketing appeared first on Creationz Marketing.

You first need to establish your target market and whether they will be on Instagram. Don’t be a marketing magpie and go on Instagram because everyone else is! It needs to suit you and your business.

We are going to run you through a few tips on how to make the most out of Instagram:

Hashtags

Hashtags are the perfect way to help grow and be found in a specific area of expertise. On Instagram you can use up to 30 hashtags, this is great as you can pick a variety that will help you reach your target audience.

Make sure you don’t bombard with lots of hashtags and ensure they are relevant!!

You should aim to make the hashtags are specific and try not to use popular hashtags as your post is less likely to be seen.

Examples of hashtags to use:

• Location
• Business industry
• Relevant to subject post
• Create your own brand hashtags
• Product or service
• Niche hashtags
• Seasonal
• Awareness days

Stories

Instagram stories only last 24 hours then they disappear. This is the perfect way to post as much as you want without feeling like you are bombarding your followers with too much content. It is an ideal way to engage with your followers and give them an insight into some behind the scenes of your business.

Top Tip! Make sure you use stickers on Instagram stories for more engagement! We recommend using:
Polls, Questions, Countdown, and Quiz.
These will all help you interact with your customers and give you an idea of what they like, which you can base your posts around!

Examples of stories to make:

• Behind the scenes
• Questions
• Motivational quotes
• Tell a story
• Ask for opinions
• Before and after
• Testimonials
• Review products

Instagram Highlights

Instagram highlights are Instagram stories that you can feature on your profile, this is so that they can stay permanently. You can add highlight covers to make it look aesthetically pleasing, this will make a good impression for new followers who are looking at your profile.

You can categorise your highlights, for example naming one as “Questions” and you can add all the stories you have previously posted on questions your followers have asked and you have answered. This is really useful as it is like FAQs, and you are not having to repeat questions.

IGTV

Instagram IGTV’s allows you to create long videos, this is great as you can go into detail about a particular subject you are talking about. This is an ideal way of building engagement, as people tend to like videos more as they give a better insight rather than a stand-alone picture. You can also go live on Instagram which you can then save the whole live video onto your IGTV for people to watch at a later date.

Examples of videos you can create:

• Question and answer sessions
• Give tips and ideas
• Behind the scenes
• Tutorials
• Tell a story
• Explainer videos of products etc

Engagement

It is important to engage with your followers as much as you can. This will not only help others engage with you, but the Instagram algorithm also detects that you are active on the App and will then make your posts visible to more people.

Make sure you are liking, commenting, and sharing other content, this will help build your engagement and interaction.

Get in contact with us and we can take a look at your Instagram to find ways to improve – 0115 8 376 260

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