Tag: Digital Marketing

  • Are inefficient marketing practices slowing your growth on Facebook?

    Are inefficient marketing practices slowing your growth on Facebook?

    Stagnancy or decline in growth is something that all brands face in their marketing journey at some point or the other. Not every strategy or campaign can be foolproof and bring in XYZ growth numbers. And it’s okay. 

    When it comes to social media, and Meta-owned Facebook specifically, some practices may seem productive or sale-driven but are draining your time, budget and resources. In a survey of 4,712 businesses, Manta learned that only 50% of marketers felt that the time they invested in Facebook was worth it, in terms of positive ROI.

    A platform that still holds the most audience than any other social media website, 2.96 billion users to be exact, has plenty of fish for practically every business to flourish.

    Let’s find out some of the most common approaches we’ve seen that may be doing more harm than good.

    1- Going overboard with promotions

    Did you know that there’s a golden ratio for posting content? The modern user is very intelligent and more often than not, can tell when they’re being targeted with promotional content. Flooding a company page with advertising or promotional media can feel a lot like spam.

    Instead of increasing sales, an overabundance of salesy content can have an adverse effect and push consumers away. The audience needs to be naturally interested in a brand and its journey so it naturally follows the product and builds a relationship with it.

    What we recommend:

    To tackle this problem, one of the best Facebook practices is to implement the golden 80/20 rule for social media. This means that 20% of the content posted would be promotional and 80% would be more useful, informational and entertaining content. Through interactive Facebook posts, the company page will not only be engaging its audience meaningfully but very subtly driving sales too.

    2- Impersonalisation – The audience wants to see the real you

    Incorporating informational and business-related content may seem like the best way to educate a brand’s audience but not anymore. Post-pandemic, 88% of users say that authenticity is a dominant factor when considering buying from a business. 

    Also, considering how people predominantly use Facebook to keep up with their friends and family, all of your efforts to create great content may be going in vain. 

    What we recommend:

    Image describes why Authenticity is important for brands
    Credits: Oberlo

    The answer to impersonalisation is quite simple. Pull back the curtain! An average Facebook user appreciates the human side of a business. Whether your model is B2B or B2C, incorporating humanised elements, such as office pictures, team activity stories and such is a great way to reach out to potential clients.

    We recently collaborated with a consumer electronics brand and created content that showcased the products being used in real situations by real people. The result? Significantly increased engagement and sales!

    If you market B2C, it might be worth considering going the extra mile and engaging with your audience. Form relationships with them by addressing their concerns, listening to their feedback and devising your strategy accordingly will not only build loyalty but, increase your organic reach on Facebook and also make your audience feel heard!

    Plus, by doing so, you’ll have a tonne of content to create!

    3- Inconsistent posting

    Content creation is a tough and lengthy process. We get it. But it’s better to have 0 social media presence than an ill-kempt one. Posting regularly for a week and disappearing for months is not the best move. If consumers aren’t seeing your brand frequently on Facebook, how will they develop a relationship or interest in your company and product?

    A regular posting schedule keeps your audience engaged while attracting new users too. When we say regular, it certainly does not mean posting multiple times a day or even every day of the week. Overposting may overwhelm your audience and frankly, your team too.

    What we suggest:

    As per recent developments, the ideal posting schedule for Facebook is not as high as you might think. You only need to post 3 times a week to maintain a healthy flow of content!

    A bonus tip is to always include Wednesdays in your posting schedule as engagement levels are highest mid-week. As for time, it’s recommended to post between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

    Since we’re feeling generous, here’s another nugget: create a calendar specifically for the upcoming holiday season. Think of the times your core audience are most likely to be present on your platform.  Start brainstorming ideas and preparing for it in advance so it’s easy for you to schedule posting on time!

    4- Lack of community management

    Whether it is merely a question, a remark, or positive or negative feedback, the way a brand engages with its audience can simply make or break it. It’s a common practice that most businesses prefer to indulge in positive comments and completely ignore the negative ones, but disregarding bad reviews is not the best customer service approach.

    Ignoring or badly reacting to a negative review may not sit well and affect brand perception for other users. 

    Our recommendation:

    Image of Facebook page
    Source: Karcher Group

    Facebook allows the option of turning off reviews completely. Turning reviews off may also deprive your business of hearing crucial customer feedback that can help better your brand. Another option is to carefully monitor and manage them through the reviews section.

    Proactiveness is a brand’s best friend when it comes to bad reviews as it’s always better to get ahead of the narrative and offer support. Responsiveness shows that a brand cares and if a bad review turns out to be wrong, the business will be justified automatically, but if it is the business’s fault, an apology and intention to smooth things over will be well-perceived by the users.

    5- Not using reels/stories

    The usage of Facebook reels is at an all-time high. The feature is available in 150 countries and statistics show that the Meta-owned platform has the highest consumption of short-form content, preceded only by YouTube.

    Some B2B or even B2C organisations may be apprehensive about using the video format that the platform proposes. The content format may seem not aligned with their niche, creation may seem like an arduous task etc. The lack of video content incorporation may be resulting in huge monetary losses. 

    Our advice:

    Image describes the most favourite platform of US citizens to watch online videos
    Source: Insider Intelligence

    Though professionally made reels may be the gold standard, your video content does not have to be as polished. User-generated content is one of the best content types that do exceedingly well across social media platforms. 

    Research shows that an average user spends around 5.4 hours consuming UGC. Adding to that, 40% of the GenZ demographic prefers to see ads in the form of reels or stories.

    Statistics aside, stories and reels on Facebook can also help you share behind-the-scenes content and help develop connections with your audience while guiding them towards a purchase.

    For instance, a beauty brand could look into posting tutorials or how-tos stories or even the texture of their product for an added POV approach to their product. A cherry on top could be a UGC reel of a consumer using the product in real life and narrating their experience.

    Conclusion:

    By paying heed to the mistakes above, businesses from varying niches can reap the full benefits of Facebook marketing without spending a tonne. These are important to consider because the platform has the biggest audience pool with a plethora of marketers caught in the race to have their marketing message heard. Incorporate these pointers in your next Facebook content strategy and let us know how it goes!

  • Boost Your Bottom Line: How Ecommerce Rewards Programs Can Drive Customer Retention

    Boost Your Bottom Line: How Ecommerce Rewards Programs Can Drive Customer Retention

    Image Source: FoxCU

    Ecommerce business owners can understand the importance of keeping customers happy and coming back for more. The implementation of an ecommerce rewards program could be the first step in doing so. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing how ecommerce rewards programs can help drive customer retention, and the benefits they can bring to a business.

    Introduction to Ecommerce Rewards Programs

    An ecommerce rewards program is a loyalty program that rewards customers for their purchases and engagement with your brand. These programs are designed to incentivize customers to keep coming back to your store and make repeat purchases. Rewards can come in many forms, such as discounts, free products, or exclusive access to sales and promotions.

    Why Customer Retention is Crucial for Ecommerce Businesses

    Customer retention is the lifeblood of any ecommerce business. It’s much more cost-effective to keep a customer than to acquire a new one. In fact, it costs five times as much to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. Additionally, repeat customers tend to spend more than new customers, making them even more valuable to your business.

    Benefits of Ecommerce Rewards Programs

    Implementing an ecommerce rewards program can bring many benefits to your business. First and foremost, it can increase customer loyalty and retention. By offering rewards for purchases and engagement, you’re giving customers a reason to keep coming back to your store. This can also lead to an increase in customer lifetime value, as they’ll be more likely to make repeat purchases and spend more over time.

    Ecommerce rewards programs can also help to increase customer engagement and satisfaction. By giving customers a sense of exclusivity and appreciation, they’ll feel more connected to your brand and be more likely to recommend you to others. This can lead to increased word-of-mouth marketing and a larger customer base.

    Ecommerce Rewards Program Statistics

    The statistics speak for themselves when it comes to ecommerce rewards programs. According to a study by LoyaltyLion, businesses with rewards programs see a 20% increase in customer retention. Additionally, 81% of consumers say that loyalty programs make them more likely to continue doing business with a brand.

    The Different Types of Ecommerce Rewards Programs

    There are many different types of ecommerce rewards programs you can implement for your business. Here are a few examples:

    • Points-based programs: Customers earn points for purchases and can redeem them for rewards.
    • Tiered programs: Customers move up tiers based on their spending and earn more rewards as they go.
    • Referral programs: Customers earn rewards for referring new customers to your store.
    • VIP programs: Customers are given exclusive access to sales, promotions, and other perks.

    Tip: Kill two birds with one stone by having your consumers create user-generated content for your business and offering a reward for it! 

    Easy Workflow Integrations for Ecommerce Rewards Programs

    Implementing an ecommerce rewards program doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many easy workflow integrations available that can help streamline the process. Here are a few examples:

    • Gorgias: Customer service platform that integrates with rewards programs to provide a seamless customer experience.
    • Yotpo: Marketing platform that includes a rewards program feature.
    • Postco: Shipping and returns platform that integrates with rewards programs to offer customers rewards for their shipping and return activities.
    • Carbon Click: Carbon offsetting platform that offers rewards for customers who offset their carbon footprint.

    Ecommerce Rewards Program Tips for Success

    Implementing an ecommerce rewards program is one thing, but making it successful is another. Here are a few tips to help ensure your rewards program is a success:

    • Keep it simple: Customers are more likely to participate in a rewards program if it’s easy to understand and use.
    • Offer valuable rewards: Make sure the rewards you offer are actually valuable to your customers.
    • Promote your program: Make sure your customers know about your rewards program and how to participate.
    • Measure your success: Track your program’s success and make adjustments as needed.

    Best Practices for Implementing Ecommerce Rewards Programs

    When implementing an ecommerce rewards program, there are a few best practices to keep in mind:

    • Make it easy to join: Customers should be able to join your rewards program with minimal effort.
    • Offer a variety of rewards: Offer rewards that appeal to a variety of customers.
    • Personalize the experience: Use customer data to personalize the rewards experience for each individual customer.
    • Continuously improve: Monitor your program’s success and make adjustments as needed to ensure its continued success.

    Conclusion: Why Ecommerce Rewards Programs are a Must-Have for Customer Retention

    In conclusion, ecommerce rewards programs are a must-have for any ecommerce business looking to improve customer retention and boost their bottom line. By incentivizing customers to keep coming back to your store and engaging with your brand, you’ll see increased loyalty, engagement, and customer lifetime value. With the help of easy workflow integrations and best practices for implementation, you can make your rewards program a success and keep your customers happier than ever before.

    Now that you know the benefits of ecommerce rewards programs, why not implement one for your own business? Your customers will thank you, and your bottom line will too.

  • Email Marketing Templates: The Secret Weapon Your Retail Brand Needs 

    Email Marketing Templates: The Secret Weapon Your Retail Brand Needs 

    Image Source: FreeImages‍ 

    As a retail brand, you’re always looking for ways to reach out to potential customers and keep your existing ones engaged. One of the best ways to do this is through email marketing. However, creating effective email campaigns can be time-consuming and challenging. That’s where email marketing templates come in. In this article, we’ll explore why email marketing templates are the secret weapon your retail brand needs and how you can use them to your advantage. 

    Introduction to Email Marketing Templates 

    Email marketing templates are pre-designed emails that you can use as a starting point for your email campaigns. These templates come in various designs and formats, including newsletters, promotional emails, and event invitations. The templates are customizable, which means you can add your brand’s logo, colors, and other elements to make them unique to your business. By using email marketing templates, you can save time, streamline your email campaigns, and ensure consistency in your brand messaging. 

    Benefits of Using Email Marketing Templates 

    There are several benefits to using email marketing templates for your retail brand. Firstly, they save time. Instead of spending hours creating emails from scratch, you can choose a template that fits your needs and customize it to your liking. Secondly, they ensure consistency in your brand messaging. By using templates, you can ensure that your emails have a consistent look and feel, which can help build brand recognition and loyalty. Thirdly, templates are often designed to be mobile-responsive, meaning they will look great on any device. This is crucial as more and more people are using their mobile devices to check their emails. 

    Types of Email Marketing Templates 

    There are various types of email marketing templates that you can use for your retail brand. These include: 

    Newsletters 

    Newsletters are a great way to keep your customers updated about your brand, new products, and promotions. Newsletter templates often include a header image, a featured article, and links to other articles or products. 

    Promotional Emails 

    Promotional emails are designed to promote a specific product or service. These templates often include a catchy subject line, a product image, and a call-to-action button. 

    Event Invitations 

    If your retail brand is hosting an event, you can use email marketing templates to invite your customers. These templates often include an event banner, details about the event, and RSVP instructions. 

    How to Create Effective Email Templates for Your Brand 

    Creating effective email templates for your retail brand involves several steps: 

    Step 1: Define Your Goals 

    Before you start creating email templates, you need to define your goals. What do you want to achieve with your email campaigns? Do you want to increase sales, build brand loyalty, or drive traffic to your website? Once you’ve defined your goals, you can create templates that align with them. 

    Step 2: Choose a Design 

    The design of your email templates is crucial. You need to choose a design that reflects your brand’s personality and resonates with your target audience. Your templates should be visually appealing, easy to read, and mobile-responsive. 

    Step 3: Write Compelling Copy 

    The copy of your email templates should be clear, concise, and compelling. Your subject line should grab the reader’s attention, and your content should be easy to scan. Use persuasive language and a clear call-to-action to encourage your readers to take action. 

    Step 4: Test and Refine 

    Once you’ve created your email templates, it’s essential to test them before sending them out. Send test emails to yourself or a small group of colleagues to ensure that everything looks and works as it should. Refine your templates based on feedback and analytics. 

    Best Practices for Creating Email Templates 

    To ensure that your email templates are effective, there are several best practices you should follow: 

    Use a Clear Call-to-Action 

    Your call-to-action should be clear and easy to understand. Use action-oriented language, and make it easy for your readers to take action. 

    Keep it Simple 

    Your email templates should be easy to scan and read. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and images to break up the text. 

    Personalize Where Possible 

    Personalization can help increase engagement and conversions. Use your reader’s name in the subject line and greeting, and segment your email list to send targeted messages. 

    Be Consistent 

    Consistency is key to building brand recognition and loyalty. Use a consistent tone, design, and messaging across all your email campaigns.  

    Utilizing tools like Mailchimp for Email Marketing Templates 

    Mailchimp is a popular email marketing platform that allows you to create and send email campaigns, including templates. Here are some tips for using Mailchimp for email marketing templates: 

    Use Pre-Built Templates 

    Mailchimp offers a range of pre-built templates that you can use as a starting point for your email campaigns. These templates are easy to customize, and you can add your brand’s colors, logo, and other elements. 

    Create Your Own Templates 

    If you want to create your own templates, Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop email builder makes it easy to do so. You can choose from a range of design elements, including images, text, and buttons, and customize them to your liking. 

    Automate Your Email Campaigns 

    Mailchimp allows you to automate your email campaigns, which can save you time and ensure consistency. You can set up automated campaigns for welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and more. 

     

    Graphical user interface, textDescription automatically generated

    Source: Mailchimp 

    Top Email Campaign Templates for Retail Brands 

    Here are some of the top email campaign templates for retail brands: 

    Abandoned Cart Reminder 

    An abandoned cart reminder email is an excellent way to remind customers about items they left in their carts. These emails often include a product image, a call-to-action button, and a discount code to encourage customers to complete their purchase. 

    Welcome Email 

    A welcome email is an opportunity to introduce your brand to new subscribers. These emails often include a welcome message, a discount code, and details about your brand and products. 

    New Product Announcement 

    If your retail brand is launching a new product, you can use email templates to announce it to your customers. These templates often include a product image, product details, and a call-to-action button. 

    How to Personalize Email Templates for Better Engagement 

    Personalization can help increase engagement and conversions. Here are some tips for personalizing your email templates: 

    Use the Reader’s Name 

    Using the reader’s name in the subject line and greeting can help make your email feel more personal. 

    Segment Your Email List 

    Segmenting your email list allows you to send targeted messages to specific groups of customers. For example, you can segment your list by location, purchase history, or interests. 

    Use Dynamic Content 

    Dynamic content allows you to show different content to different subscribers based on their interests or behavior. For example, you can show different products to subscribers who have previously purchased from your brand. 

    Measuring Success with Email Marketing Templates 

    Measuring the success of your email campaigns is crucial to improving your results. Here are some metrics to track: 

    Open Rate 

    The open rate measures the percentage of subscribers who opened your email. A high open rate indicates that your subject line was compelling and relevant to your subscribers. 

    Click-Through Rate 

    The click-through rate measures the percentage of subscribers who clicked on a link in your email. A high click-through rate indicates that your content was relevant and engaging. 

    Conversion Rate 

    The conversion rate measures the percentage of subscribers who completed a desired action, such as making a purchase. A high conversion rate indicates that your call-to-action was effective. 

    Conclusion: The Power of Email Marketing Templates for Retail Brands 

    Email marketing templates are a powerful tool for retail brands. By using templates, you can save time, ensure consistency, and improve the effectiveness of your email campaigns. Follow the best practices outlined in this article and use Mailchimp to create effective templates that resonate with your target audience. Personalize your templates where possible and measure your success to continually improve your results. With the right email marketing templates, your retail brand can build brand loyalty, drive traffic to your website, and increase sales. 

     

  • From Yawn to Yay: Tips for Making B2B Content Marketing More Engaging

    From Yawn to Yay: Tips for Making B2B Content Marketing More Engaging

    DiagramDescription automatically generated
     Source: Semrush

    In the world of B2B marketing, creating engaging content can be a daunting task. With so much information out there, it’s no wonder that many potential clients find themselves yawning their way through dry, uninspired content. But fear not! With the right approach and a few handy tips, you can turn your B2B content marketing from yawn to yay in no time. From snappy headlines to engaging visuals and targeted messaging, there are a multitude of ways to make your content stand out in a crowded market. So if you’re looking to up your B2B content marketing game, read on for some top tips and strategies to help you create content that captivates and converts.

    Common Challenges with B2B Content Marketing

    B2B marketing is a complex and challenging process that requires a lot of effort and resources. One of the biggest challenges in it is creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Many B2B marketers struggle to create content that is both informative and engaging, resulting in dry, uninspired content that fails to capture the attention of potential clients.

    Another common challenge is understanding the target audience. B2B companies often have multiple target audiences, each with unique needs, interests, and pain points. Without a deep understanding of your target audience, it can be difficult to create content that speaks directly to their needs and interests.

    Finally, measuring the success of your efforts can be a challenge. Unlike B2C marketing, where success can be measured in terms of sales and revenue, B2B marketing is often focused on lead generation and brand awareness. Measuring the impact of your content marketing efforts on these metrics can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a clear strategy in place.

    Understanding Your Target Audience

    The key to creating engaging B2B content is understanding your target audience. This means identifying the different types of decision-makers and influencers within your target market and creating content that speaks directly to them.

    One way to understand your target audience is to create buyer personas. A buyer persona is a fictional representation of your ideal customer, based on real data and market research. By creating detailed buyer personas, you can better understand the needs, interests, and pain points of your target audience.

    Another way to understand your target audience is to conduct market research. This can include surveys, focus groups, and interviews with current and potential customers. By gathering feedback from your target audience, you can identify the topics, formats, and channels that are most likely to resonate with them.

    Creating Engaging B2B Content

    Once you have a deep understanding of your target audience, it’s time to start creating engaging content.  

    Snappy Headlines

    Your headline is the first thing that potential clients will see when they come across your content. A snappy, attention-grabbing headline can make all the difference in capturing their attention and encouraging them to read on. Some tips for creating snappy headlines include:

    • Use numbers and statistics to add credibility and curiosity
    • Ask a question to pique the reader’s curiosity
    • Use strong, action-oriented language to create a sense of urgency
    • Keep it short and sweet – aim for around 6-8 words

    Targeted Messaging

    Your content should speak directly to the needs and interests of your target audience. This means using language and messaging that resonates with them and speaks to their pain points. Some tips for creating targeted messaging include:

    • Use the language and terminology that your target audience uses
    • Identify their pain points and address them directly
    • Highlight the benefits of your product or service in a way that speaks to their needs
    • Use social proof, such as customer testimonials or case studies, to add credibility

    Compelling Storytelling

    Storytelling is a powerful tool for creating engaging B2B content. By using real-life examples and narratives, you can create an emotional connection with your target audience and help them see the value of your product or service. Some tips for using storytelling in B2B content marketing include:

    • Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the value of your product or service
    • Highlight the human impact of your product or service, such as how it has helped a specific customer or industry
    • Use storytelling to create a sense of urgency and encourage action
    • Use visual storytelling, such as infographics or videos, to create a more immersive experience for your target audience

    Visuals in B2B Content Marketing

    Visuals are an essential component of engaging B2B content. They can help break up text, add visual interest, and convey complex information in a more digestible format. Some tips for using visuals in B2B content marketing include:

    • Use high-quality images and graphics that are relevant to your content
    • Use charts and graphs to convey data and statistics in a more engaging format
    • Use videos and animations to create a more immersive experience for your target audience
    • Use white space and formatting to make your content more visually appealing and easier to read

    Repurposing Content for Different Formats and Channels

    Another key strategy for adding an engaging touch to your content is repurposing it for different formats and channels. This means taking existing content, such as a blog post or white paper, and adapting it for different platforms and formats, such as social media or video. Some tips for repurposing content include:

    • Identify the most popular formats and channels among your target audience
    • Adapt your content to fit the specific requirements of each platform, such as character limits or video length
    • Use snippets and teasers to promote your content across different channels and platforms
    • Use analytics to track the performance of your content across different formats and channels and adjust your strategy accordingly

    Measuring Success in B2B Content Marketing

    Measuring the success of your B2B content marketing efforts is essential for optimizing your strategy and achieving your goals. Some key metrics to track include:

    • Website traffic – how many visitors are coming to your website as a result of your content marketing efforts?
    • Lead generation – how many leads are you generating as a result of your content marketing efforts?
    • Engagement – how many likes, shares, and comments are your content receiving on social media?
    • Brand awareness – how many people are becoming aware of your brand as a result of your content marketing efforts?

    By tracking these metrics, you can identify what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

    Examples of Successful B2B Content Marketing Campaigns

    Finally, let’s take a look at some examples of successful B2B content marketing campaigns:

    • HubSpot’s “State of Inbound” report – HubSpot’s annual report on the state of inbound marketing has become a must-read for marketers around the world. By providing valuable insights and data on the latest trends in inbound marketing, HubSpot has established itself as a thought leader in the industry.
    • IBM’s “Watson at Work” campaign – IBM’s campaign to promote its Watson AI platform used a series of videos and case studies to illustrate the real-life impact of the technology. By highlighting its potential to transform industries ranging from healthcare to finance, IBM was able to generate significant buzz and interest in the platform.
    • Cisco’s “The Network” – Cisco’s online publication, “The Network,” provides a wealth of content on topics ranging from cybersecurity to the internet of things. By providing valuable insights and thought leadership on these topics, Cisco has established itself as a trusted advisor for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve.

    Conclusion: The Importance of Engaging B2B Content Marketing

    In conclusion, creating engaging B2B content is essential for capturing the attention of potential clients and driving conversions. By using targeted messaging, compelling storytelling, and engaging visuals, you can create content that resonates with your target audience and encourages them to take action. And by measuring the success of your content marketing efforts, you can optimize your strategy and achieve your goals. So get creative, experiment with different formats and channels, and start creating content that captivates and converts!

  • How often should eCommerce brands re-evaluate their content calendars?

    In the current landscape, eCommerce brands compete mightily to land their content in front of their target audience at the right place at the right time. Statistics at the beginning of the year showed that there are a whopping 12-24 million websites worldwide. 

    Out of those, a significant number of businesses are present on social media. Even if we make a niche-specific division, there still are multiple brands battling for the perfect marketing opportunity. To do so, they should always present users with relevant, informative and engaging content. 

    Circling back to the majority of businesses competing to get the user’s attention, they need to create content regularly to get noticed. 

    Once a brand successfully captures a user’s interest, it needs to nourish the relationship with regular content to develop brand loyalty. Planning, creating and posting new content in the nick of time can be a fairly challenging task and is highly discouraged by experts, too. 

    This is where content calendars come in.

    A picture describes what to add in the content calendar
    Source: Quick Sprout

    A content calendar can provide businesses with an accurate plan to follow to do the dot. A well-made calendar should answer the following questions:

    • What are your content/campaign ideas?
    • What needs to be produced and published?
    • What channels would be covered?
    • When will the content be published?
    • What purpose does a specific content serve?
    • Is it paid or organic?
    • What would the content format be?
    • Who will be responsible for the creation, design, and publishing?
    • What time will it be published?
    • Is there a deadline for each piece of content?
    • Is it paid or organic?

    While these may be a good starting point, businesses can specify the calendar as much as they like. In fact, the more detail-oriented, the better. 

    What is the ideal length of a content calendar?

    The ideal length for how far out eCommerce businesses plan their content varies from niche to niche or even the size of the business. Some businesses choose to plan content calendars for a year in advance, some 6 months and some a month and even lesser. 

    Our advice: Aim for a few months ahead at least. Make a file with content ideas for important holidays and campaigns, to keep track of content that is under production, that is finished, but under revision and content that is ready. 

    Now that you’ve chartered the course for a specific time, let’s look at the reasons that may prompt you to modify the calendar:

    1. Current strategy underperforming:

    Marketing Insider Group says that the ideal time to gauge the performance of content marketing is 4-5 months. According to other experts like Neil Patel, 6-9 months is the right time to see results. 

    Safe to say, it is advisable to not touch your pre-planned content calendar for three months at least. While you may be pushing out informative and engaging content, numerous external factors affect marketing performance too.

    You only need to make sure of the following things. Your content should be:

    • Relevant to your business
    • Informative 
    • Engaging
    • Of value to the users
    • The right content type
    • Targeted to the right audience
    • Targeted at the right platform
    • Published at the right time

    Like SEO, content marketing is a practice that, though slow at first, churns out significant results for businesses in the long run. With the proper content, eCommerce brands cannot only educate their target audiences but build long-lasting relationships with them too.

    If your content ticks all the boxes in the checklist above and, but hasn’t wielded results over roughly 6 months, now would be a good time for re-evaluation.

    But how to do it? The first step would be to not get worried. Even with content that didn’t give you the results you wanted, there’s plenty to take away from.

    Do a social media content analysis:

    An analysis can give you clear insight into what worked and what underperformed. While we’re sure your content was top-notch, there could be other factors hindering its success. 

    An approach like social media SWOT analysis can bring clarity more than mere engagement metrics, which can ultimately help you identify customer pain points and develop content around it.

    Research shows that the 70-20-10 is the golden posting rule. 

    • 70% Should add value and build brand recognition (your memes, quotes that can go viral)
    • 20% of other brands (Retweeting sharing their stuff that’s relevant to your brand)
    • 10% of promotional stuff (1 in 10 posts only)

    2. Market Shift:

    The internet spears ahead at lightning speeds without stopping for anyone. Consequently, the fast pace translates into eCommerce marketing too.

    Content calendars undoubtedly provide a clear vision of what a business’s digital image looks like for a certain period. But, relevance is crucial and brands must reflect the zeitgeist of the current age. A marketing trend may last for a few years with great ROI to reflect but can be short-lived and die down within a few months too. 

    A picture of man describes why you need to use meme images as a digital marketer.

    Despite their short life, using the trend can be a tipping point to have your business go viral. When planning out the topics and content types, of course, businesses should incorporate important holidays and occasions, i.e. New Year, Black Friday, summer holidays, back-to-school campaigns and much more. 

    We advise you to keep some windows open in your commerce content so you can jump on the ongoing trend bandwagon. This could be in the form of memes, a content format type or even a hot topic (like Elon Musk buying Twitter). If you have locked the entire calendar to the dot, it can be difficult to trends to your advantage. 

    Likewise, when COVID hit, a tonne of eCommerce strategies was affected. Businesses had to pivot to cater to the limitations brought by it. 

    3. When you feel like it needs a refresh.

    Being stuck in a recurring loop can weigh down creativity and generally be unproductive too. Small to medium businesses can certainly make the choice of changing course. Apart from a number and technology game, marketing at its core is about creativity too.

    A change in commerce content can certainly give you the nudge you needed to bring fresh ideas and productivity to the table. What needs to be realised is that content essentially needs to add value to the customer. Once they are hooked on what you create, guiding them to the final stages of the sales funnel will be a piece of cake. 

    In conclusion:

    Once you have the wheels of your content posting in motion, we advise you to ride the wave and not touch it for approximately 6 months. If you still cannot see results, you can carry out a social media analysis to see what the flaws are. Apart from your efforts, external factors like market trends can play a significant role in underperformance, too. 

    Just make sure that you’re following the best content creation and posting practices and, above all, have fun! Emotion translates through the screen and content made with interest and dedication resonates with the audience the most!

  • How to Skyrocket Engagement and Reach with Fun Instagram Story Games!‍

    How to Skyrocket Engagement and Reach with Fun Instagram Story Games!‍

    Introduction to Instagram Story Games

    Social media is supposed to be fun. It’s designed to create a sense of community within an audience. To propagate the feeling of belonging and community, what better way than to play games?

    Long before Facebook became Meta and Facebook “wall” was a thing, they incorporated the platform with a ton of fun features. Soon after came Instagram, which completely changed the social media world in terms of picture sharing. 

    In 2016, the audience saw the “stories” feature incorporated into the platform, which became one of the key features of the already popular app. While Snapchat has heavily inspired the story feature, Instagram went a step ahead and made them interactive, thus offering its consumers several reasons to use it.

    Through interactive stories came the phenomenon of Instagram games as we now know them. Insta story games include anything from book challenges to picking out the right answer between a few choices and even fun polls.

    Source: Instagram

    Benefits of Playing Instagram Story Games

    So Instagram is pretty fun. If you’re following the right people, scrolling through the app can get you hooked for hours on end. 

    What if there was a way for you to enjoy the platform and engage your audience at the same time? 

    When COVID initially hit, Instagram stories story and post games rose to huge popularity. Quarantine brought out the best in people and they came out with the most interesting games and challenges to keep themselves entertained. 

    Accessibility:

    These challenges were simple to follow and easy to execute and ranged from having a “song calendar” for the entire month to “art challenges” and, of course, the classic “tag 5 friends to share similar pictures” and a lot more.

    These games require no additional software, or challenging skills but easy execution and that too within the app. Easy access to them is one of the primary reasons that makes these games popular. 

    A business only needs a good idea to get going and they’re halfway there!

    Source: Instagram

    Boosting awareness:

    Since its inception, they have designed Instagram games in a way that encourages promotion. As the game or challenge is shared, more people notice you.

    For example, tagging influencers to take part in a game will start a cycle of continuation. They will share the game with their followers and if they choose to take part and tag other people, the word about your brand will inevitably spread.

    Not to mention, it’s always better to boost your brand name in a playful manner rather than sales-y. 

    A tip: make sure to always watermark your original game challenges.

    Increased engagement:

    An increase in engagement is perhaps the quickest benefit that a brand can see by optimally using trendy insta story games. 

    Magnetic Marketing recently held a fun Q&A and though the activity wasn’t strictly in the games category, we saw a whopping 900% increase in engagement! 

    A tip: Tag influencers in your games to ensure optimal engagement levels!

    Product promotion:

    Another significant benefit that these games offer is product promotions. These can vary from unique challenges, for example, sharing pictures of the product at different locations, alternative use for it, etcetera.

    Popular Instagram Games and How to Play Them

    1. Would you rather / This or that

    Arguably, the “this or that Instagram” game is the most played amongst all that we’re going to be talking about. Why? Because they’re interesting, require minimum effort and allow people to express their preferences.

    To play this game, you can compile a list of opposites, ask (would you rather / this or that) and have your audience members engage. They can screenshot your story, mark their answers, re-upload and tag you. 

    To make this game more engagement intensive, you can also ask them to share the game with their friends or insert a simple one-liner like, “share your answers with friends and see what they pick!”.

    The list of items can either be industry specific or completely generic. For example, makeup companies can have their audience choose between mascara/liner, lipstick/blush, brow gel/pencil, etc.

    Source: Instagram

    2. Instagram questions game

    The game Instagram story questions is another popular engagement magnet that entails a business asking a question and leaving a few options (you can go up to 4) for the audience to choose from. 

    The questions can be funny, generic, or even industry-specific. 

    For example, if you’re a food business owner, you can ask your audience, “What’s the most important meal of the day?” with the options:

    1. Breakfast
    2. Lunch
    3. Dinner

    To aid creators, Instagram also enables the page owner to choose the correct answer. Therefore, audience members can view if their answer was right or wrong right as they click on one option.

    You can prepare a questionnaire by first selecting a picture from your camera roll/taking a fresh one. Go to the creators’ options in the top right corner. Once the menu opens, choose the “Quiz” tab and proceed.

    Step 1: Click the tab shown below

    Step 2: Choose the “Quiz” tab at the bottom.

    3. Poll

    Instagram story games poll are the third most enjoyable and easily executable on our list. This can also be another version of the ‘this or that’ game.

    One of the most popular Instagram accounts that use the format is fashion blogs, where they have their followers to choose between looks/accessories, etcetera.

    Source: Instagram

    Trendy Instagram Story Games-ideas:

    Need some help to come up with your own Instagram games? Have a look at the list below.

    – A quick draw challenge

    Turn your followers into artists by having them draw a specific image as per your brief and have them tag you in their artwork!

    – Three truths and a lie

    This game can be a real brain teaser! Ask a question and have your followers choose the correct answer. Influencers mostly played three truths and a lie 

    – The GIF challenge

    The GIF challenge entails creating a template. The phrases could be anything! Your audience will need to screenshot the template, edit it with their desired GIFs and post it on their stories (and tag you, of course).

    You can post the winner in your stories!

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, Instagram is a super fun social media platform and in the end, the purpose of Instagram story games boils down to human interaction. While people love scrolling through it and enjoy looking at curated feeds, these games play a key role for which they created these apps; communication.

    Add Instagram story games in your next social media marketing plan to reap the benefits of this strategy. The best part? They are just as interesting to make as they are to play!

    Points to take home:

    • Instagram stories are a fun way to engage your followers. 
    • They can help in building brand awareness too.
    • Experiment by checking which game-style works best for your niche and use that!