Author: hummingbirdsouth

Marketing strategies change depending on the current digital landscape. Did you know that there is a strategy for utilizing hashtags in your social media? Any decent marketing plan should include hashtags, whether for a brand, a trend or an overall company. 

But first… What is a hashtag?

Beginning with a pound sign (#), hashtags are made up of words or phrases with no spaces in between. For example: #SouthernViewMediaRocks. Hashtags add your post to a bigger conversation, and they work. A Tweet with at least one hashtag receives twice as much interaction as a post without hashtags.

There is an understood protocol for using hashtags. Here are some things that you should do and not do when using hashtags.

DO Use Relevant Hashtags

How often have you scrolled through Twitter or TikTok and noticed the trending hashtags? Ideally, every post or video should stay relevant to the hashtag; however, sometimes, the conversation is oversaturated with irrelevant content. Some creators only use a hashtag because it is trending, but that does not guarantee engagement.

DO NOT Use Too Many Hashtags

How many hashtags are too many? Depending on the social media platform, you may discover a variety of answers. However, a good practice is to keep the hashtags to a minimum; no more than 3 to 5 hashtags is ideal. Choose wisely!

DO Track Your Hashtags

Which hashtags work for you and which ones do not? #LocalBusinessOwner may receive more traction than #BusinessOwner for you. Tracking your hashtag performance over time can help you improve your marketing strategy in the long run!

DO NOT Waste an Opportunity for Hashtags

Feel free to create your own hashtag, whether for your company or a special event! Hashtags for events like trade shows or expos can help your team track engagement and reactions. So get creative with your next event!

DO Pay Attention to Trends

Stay alert for which hashtags are currently trending! How will your agency, company or brand join the conversation? Trending hashtags are an easy way to generate content–bonus points if it is relevant to your brand or what your company sells.

DO NOT Use Too Many Words In Hashtags

Hashtags should be as specific as possible without being too vague. So when using or creating hashtags, you should not use many words. For example, #BoatSale2022 is better than #BiggestBoatSaleEverIn2022.

DO Have Fun With It

Social media is about trial and error. What works and what does not work? We recommend that you have fun and be authentic with the hashtags. Your audience can, and will, tell the difference.

Overall, hashtags are great for social media because they can benefit both individuals and companies. Hashtags level the digital playing field for conversations, engagement and content, especially when utilized correctly. So how will you add hashtags to your marketing strategy?

Southern View Media is an agency engineered to assist local businesses in understanding and navigating the digital marketing landscape. We provide social media management, content creation, digital display ads, OTT ads and much more. Schedule an appointment with a digital strategist today. We get you online so you don’t get left behind!

Social media trends rise and fall all of the time. However, after many months, Instagram reels appear to be here to stay. If your business has not yet incorporated Instagram reels into your marketing strategy, then you should. But what are Instagram reels?

Reels were created in response to Tiktok’s popular format: brief videos with audio and organized into an endless scroll for the user. If you already have an Instagram account, then you do not need to create another to post reels. Instagram reels are also separate from stories and even IGTV.

Here are five major reasons why you should incorporate reels into your business’s digital marketing strategy.

Reels Prove That Your Business is Adaptable

We understand that certain industries perform better on some social media platforms than others. However, that should not persuade you from trying to create a following with Instagram reels! Creating reels proves that your business is dedicated to staying engaged with your audience, no matter the platform.

Reels are a Recipe for Higher Engagement

The algorithm rewards those who use it. Posting a video as a reel increases the risk of higher exposure and engagement because of the new ‘Explore’ feature. People do not have to be following your account in order to discover your content with the ‘Explore’ feature. On average, Instagram engagement is already considerably low compared to competitors, so utilizing reels is a great way to optimize the platform. 

Reels are Engaging

You know the old saying… “A picture is worth a thousand words.” By that logic, a video must be worth at least two thousand words, right? Allow reels to capture and portray your brand’s true personality. Compared to static graphics, videos have already proven to encourage higher engagement among different audiences.

Reels are Easy to Create

Reels are designed to be short and easy to consume. As a result, reels require less investment than other forms of content. Also, you don’t need to be an expert to create reels! You can film and edit videos from inside the app. If you already have a video, then with a few formatting changes, you can post it to reels. 

Reels Encourage Multi-Purpose Content

Not only can reels take little time to create, but they also have a long lifespan. Similar to other types of video, you can cross-post your reels to your Instagram and Facebook stories. Or, have you had less time to create content? Refashion the reel into other formats. Transform it into website content. Reels are yours to use!

Have we reeled you in with the appeal of Instagram reels? Overall, reels are magic for adaptability, engagement, credibility and creativity. Push your brand to be its best by investing in reels.

Southern View Media is a marketing agency dedicated to helping local businesses understand and navigate the digital marketing landscape. Located on the Gulf Coast, we serve clients across the continental United States. Schedule an appointment with us today! We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind.

As a responsible business owner, you are always looking for ways to cut costs while increasing your bottom line. When costs out measure your revenue, you try to find a solution, like decreasing inventory or cutting unnecessary services. Trust us, we understand. However, marketing should never be the first thing you slash when faced with budget cuts.

There are many reasons why you should prioritize your marketing, whether digital, traditional or both.

But First… Why Is Marketing Usually Cut First?

Marketing is viewed as a nonessential service. During any low financial points, including recessions, companies often find themselves occupied with paying salaries and fulfilling benefits. On paper, it may make sense to shortcut advertising spending; however, is it the smartest move?

Here are 4 major reasons why marketing should not be the first thing you cut.

Effective Brand Awareness Requires Strategy

Social media marketing is a great solution for brand awareness. Brand awareness takes time, but it is a worthwhile investment. Cutting any type of marketing, especially social media, sabotages the progress that you and your company made. Furthermore, random social media posts are much more ineffective at branding than a dedicated marketing strategy. 

You Can’t Save Your Way to Profitability

Money that you cut on marketing will most likely be directed elsewhere. So, are you really saving money in the long run? Consider increasing costs in marketing for greater gains in sales, relationships and more.

You Run Into Major Risks Without Marketing

When slashing marketing budgets, you lose more than just a cool commercial or a snazzy social media post. You lose potential exposure and clients; you communicate bad credibility; you run a risk of customers choosing your competition over you. Ultimately, how else will you make more sales without marketing?

Digital Marketing is Booming

Digital marketing benefits both individuals and companies, especially because more people are spending time online, whether shopping, scrolling or commenting. Marketing online makes partnerships easier; marketing online encourages engagement with customers. It also proves that your business is adaptable and credible. There are so many opportunities in digital marketing that it is easy to offset the costs.

At the end of the day, you are the decision-maker for your business. Consider turning against the tide and embracing marketing, especially when your competitors may be doing the exact opposite. Schedule an appointment with us today so that we can find a digital marketing solution for you and your business!

Southern View Media is a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping local businesses navigate the digital marketing landscape. Visit our website at www.southernviewmedia.com to learn more about what we do. We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind!

Are you a business owner planning to revitalize your marketing strategy? Are you a marketing professional searching for fresh tactics? The best and most effective way to promote your business is to combine traditional marketing strategies with digital marketing. There are multiple ways to accomplish this goal without breaking the bank or becoming repetitive.

Here are a few of our best ideas to get you started so that you can better promote your business in 2022 and beyond!

Invest in Billboards Alongside Geofencing Ads

Make the most of your audience’s attention with billboards and geofencing ads! Billboards are prime advertising real estate, especially along highways and other long stretches of roads. The individual in the passenger seat can read your billboard, and then open their phone to an ad promoting your business. This is a double-punch for advertising!

Utilize Television Content for Digital Creations

The great thing about video is that it is evergreen. In other words, video ages much slower than other types of content, like static graphics. When you book and create a television commercial, you can repurpose that video and script for digital content! Not only is this an efficient strategy, but it also can save your business money in the long run.

Get Published in Magazines to Promote Elsewhere

How often have you read a magazine that has a digital counterpart? We recommend that you reach out to magazines and other publications to spotlight your business. Once the article is written, you can generate content for other platforms! Create quotes for graphics; link to the publication for content and SEO; or share with your friends, family and colleagues.

Create Radio Ads to Use as Streaming Ads

Repetition and familiarity are great methods for staying at the forefront of your customers’ minds. When you book and create a radio advertisement, you should consider repurposing that content for streaming ads, such as on Spotify or Apple Music. This strategy is an ideal way for you to save money and make the most of your content!

Remember to Promote In Print and Online

Is your business hosting or sponsoring a local event? Promote the event both in print and online! For example, you can create a poster to hang in public spaces, and then publish that poster online in a Facebook event or on your website. This and similar tactics ensure that nothing you create goes to waste and that no stone is left unturned.

Ultimately, marketing is full of limitless possibilities! Brainstorm, strategize and experiment to decide which traditional and digital marketing combination is best for you and your business. We hope that these ideas help you get started on a synchronized strategy.

Southern View Media is a woman-owned digital marketing agency dedicated to helping local businesses understand, navigate and succeed in digital marketing. Schedule an appointment with one of our expert digital strategists when you visit www.southernviewmedia.com today. We put you online so you don’t get left behind!

How often do you shop online? Have you ever left something in your online shopping cart, and you received an email from the company prompting you to make a purchase? If the answer is a resounding “yes”, then you are a positive example of email marketing. Regardless of how many emails may hit your spam inbox, email campaigns are still an effective facet of digital marketing. 

Are you considering investing in email marketing for YOUR business? We have five simple reasons why you should do email marketing for yourself and your business. Let’s get started!

Emails Build Credibility

How many newsletters do you subscribe to? Whether informative, funny or somewhere in between, newsletters can build credibility for many different types of businesses. Depending on the type of content that you and your business share, you can build credibility within your realm of contacts and clients by sending emails!

Emails Broaden Your Reach

Emails can be checked from any device, including computers, tablets and smartphones. Instead of purchasing ads that only appear on certain websites or apps, you can invest in email marketing, which works on different devices. Broaden your reach with a single campaign.

Emails Generate Leads

Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with current and potential customers. Some individuals may not be ready to take the plunge; however, emails are a great way to stay at the forefront of their minds! That way, when they are ready to choose, they are more likely to choose you and your business.

Emails Reinforce Relationships

Relationships are different from credibility. You may have credibility without forming a relationship with your clients. However, emails add personality to your business! They give your business a voice. At Southern View Media, we believe that people buy from people, not from companies. So how will you develop your business into a personable presence?

Emails Establish Branding

Your business’s brand deserves to be shared… So why not share that brand through email marketing? Emails are an amazing way to establish your brand’s voice and brand. A simple template paired with well-written copy, and you’re good to go!

Long story short: emails are not just an easy way to slide into someone’s junk mailbox. Emails are a fun and creative way to build credibility, broaden your reach, generate leads and reinforce relationships within your business community. Multiple platforms, like Mailchimp, Flodesk and Constant Contact, make email marketing accessible for small businesses.

If you are interested in learning more about email marketing, you should reach out to one of our excellent digital strategists today! Our digital strategist will sit down with you and learn more about you and your business. By doing so, we will develop the best strategy to get you the most profitable results via email marketing and other strategies. We can’t wait to work with you!

Southern View Media is a local digital marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses understand, navigate and succeed within the digital marketing landscape. We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind!

The tech world is constantly changing; for example, Facebook, Inc. is now Meta. TikTok continues to reign as the newest social media platform; streaming services are competing for customers. How are you, a business owner, supposed to keep track of it all? Well, we are here to help you understand one of the most recent updates to hit the digital marketing stratosphere: the latest Google Analytics updates.

Continue reading for a user-friendly breakdown of Google Analytics 4 (GA4).

Why does this update matter?

Google Analytics 4 is a different type of property with different reports compared to Universal Analytics. Google Analytics 4 is event-based. This means that any type of interaction can be captured as an event, including views, events, social interactions and more. Consider re-establishing your data collection and measurements to align with this update!

What can not be transported in Google Analytics 4?

Fortunately, many of Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics’ properties coincide and work together. However, there are a few that change, such as data collection settings without an equivalent in Google Analytics 4. This includes custom tasks and timing. Control over IP anonymization is enabled by default.

Do I need Google Analytics 4?

We highly recommend that you add Google Analytics 4 to your existing Analytics account! GA4  runs simultaneously with Universal Analytics so that you can make the most of both assets.

How do I get started with Google Analytics 4?

Are you ready to take the plunge with the latest update? All you have to do is set up your website or app as a Google Analytics 4 property! If your site already has Analytics, then you can add Google Analytics 4 to it as well. The Google Support site has plenty of resources available to help guide you through the steps so that you can continue to track results on your website or app!

As the tech world grows, so do the opportunities to market and track your business. GA4 is another method of tracking that adds a different dimension to your results. We hope that you found this blog helpful to deciphering Google Analytics 4!

At Southern View Media, we understand that business owners may not always have the time to successfully and efficiently market their business. That’s where we come in! We are a local digital marketing agency dedicated to helping other local businesses understand, appreciate and embrace the world of digital marketing. Schedule an appointment by calling (251) 517-9425 or visiting www.southernviewmedia.com today. We put you online so that you don’t get left behind!

You’ve decided to take the plunge and begin your own business, but how will you attract customers? At Southern View Media, we have the answer: generating leads by launching projects you can begin today. Let’s review some of the most popular ways to generate leads; these tips and tricks can be used online, in-person or a combination of both.

Send Email Campaigns

Email campaigns are an easy way to begin generating leads, no matter your business! Emails maintain your company’s tone and brand voice, as well as create and maintain relationships. A well-designed email in an engaging drip campaign is a great way to encourage both new and existing customers to reach out to your business.

Create Landing Pages

The best way to think of landing pages is to think of them as simplified websites. The most successful landing pages are straightforward and attractive; they also promote a call to action that potential customers can use to connect with you and your business. This can be a click-to-call button or a submit form. Landing pages are a necessary tool because they can be modified to fit you, your business and your goals.

Invest in Boosted Ads

Do you want to promote Facebook posts with the click of a button? Boosted ads are the answer! You can customize many different aspects of the ad, including its target audience, its duration, its costs and more. Give it a try for yourself and watch the leads flood in!

Seek Referrals from Current Customers

How often have you asked your friends where they bought an item or received a service? Bring that same energy to your business by requesting that current customers refer you to their friends and family. You can even offer an incentive to those who provide referrals, like a discount or promotional product.

Improve Your SEO

If you’ve just launched your business, you should definitely begin improving your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO affects your Google ranking, which dictates how high you appear in Google searches. SEO can take a while to become effective, so the sooner you begin, the better for you, your business and your bottom line.

Offer a Free Tool

What type of problem does your business solve? What solutions do you offer? When answering these questions, you may discover that you can offer a free tool to any potential customer. People love anything that is free. Examples of free tools could be an ebook, a blog post, a quiz or more. If you ask for an email address before the client downloads the tool, then you can generate a contact list, too!

These 6 methods are great for lead generation because they can be customized and combined to accommodate any business. Which ones will work best for you and your business?

Southern View Media is a rewarded agency dedicated to helping small and local businesses navigate digital marketing. We offer graphic design, website design, digital display ads creation and management, social media management and more. Schedule a consultation with one of our strategists today!

You may have heard about the newest change Google is implementing: getting rid of Google My Business. You may be thinking, “What?! They can just… Get rid of it? How will anyone find my business now?” Don’t worry – we’re here to help explain this change so your business can have a better understanding of how to move on in a post-GMB world! 

While Google My Business may be going away, your business listing will not. Google is simply encouraging business owners to manage their single listings directly. This can be done by using either the web interface or mobile apps. Instead of logging in to a separate console, Google My Business, business owners can now manage directly. Simply put, Google is moving the profile management out of the Google My Business app and putting it directly into Google Search and Google Maps.

What Does This Mean For My Business?

Depending on whether or not you own multiple business locations, this change may or may not have a significant impact. If you are the owner of a single listing, you will simply manage that listing through search or maps. If you own a larger business where you manage multiple locations, however, virtually nothing has changed; you will still use Google My Business to manage listings, with the name being the only major change so far. 

New Features

With the name change comes a few more additions to listing management. Google has added new features that your business can take advantage of from here on out. These new features include the ability to claim your profile directly in Google Search and Google Maps, review call history, message directly from Google Search, and control read receipts. 

Editing Profile

Businesses that will manage their listings directly from Google Search will now notice an edit panel once they are logged in with their Gmail email address. The options listed are ‘edit profile’, ‘promote’ and ‘customers’. The ‘edit profile’ section allows you to change hours, add photos, adjust services or even add products. The ‘promote’ section is dedicated to marketing and promotion. From this menu item, you will be given options that allow you to create ads, get more reviews or update customers on changes. The ‘customers’ section allows you to further engage with customers by replying to reviews, responding to messages and answering questions.

The change in Google My Business may scare you at first, but at the end of the day, Google is just simplifying the platform to make usability more enjoyable overall. If you are struggling with managing your listing or are looking for ways to further promote your business, Southern View Media is here to help! Give us a call today at (251) 517-9425

As a business owner, you know that a marketing strategy is one of the most important aspects of your business. With so many different options, ranging from Google Ads to social media, it’s hard to know how to divide your strategy while still staying within your budget or allotted time. One unique way to market your business in an oversaturated industry is to use blogs. Believe it or not, blogs drive a lot of traffic to your company’s website, helping to further brand awareness and generate leads.

Driving traffic to your website is something every business owner strives for, and blogs are a unique way to do so. For example, if you create a blog answering some common questions customers have, you may find that customers who are searching for answers are finding them through your blog. This is super useful because it means that individuals who have never interacted with your business or visited your site before are finding you through this new avenue you’ve opened up for them. Furthermore, they will already have a positive view of your company since your blog answers the questions they had!

Blogs are also useful in finding a brand voice and further solidifying your brand identity. Whether you outsource a copywriter or your blogs are written in-house, coming up with topics and finding a writing style really helps you to better understand where you want to take your business. If you find your company works well with writing blogs for a specific niche, for example, you may decide that your brand should change course and follow that path further. Brand voice can also be found through writing blogs. The more you write, the more familiar you will be with the wording and distinct personality your brand takes on in its communications.

Blogs increase your SEO. Writing and posting blogs onto your website also, believe it or not, increases your visibility. The more constantly added content onto your website helps with your organic capability to show up in search engines. Blogs are proven to be the perfect platform to strengthen your SEO strategy. 

Use keywords throughout your blog. Utilization of keywords in the blog entry is critical while characterizing SEO technique. Seeing how to use keywords in your blog entry and setting them accurately in your title, meta descriptions and on-page copy gives you a huge launch when compared to your competitors. You can then also repurpose that blog for social content. 

Generating leads is another way blogs benefit your business. Through answering questions and providing useful resources freely to your audience, leads are sure to follow. Any call to actions you place within your blog, offers you provide or forms you have on your site are now visible to individuals who would not have seen them otherwise. Blogging is the perfect opportunity to sell!

If your business is looking for personalized blogs to represent you online, Southern View Media is here to help! We offer high-quality blogging services that put your company online, so you don’t get left behind. Call us today at (251) 517-9425 to learn more!

If you’re a business looking to start advertising online, you might be looking at Google ads and Facebook ads as two of your options. These two types of ads are among the most popular choices for businesses who want to promote their brand online, but what’s the difference?

Facebook Ads

These are the advertisements you see when scrolling through Facebook. They can come in a variety of designs and often mimic the shopping or browsing behavior of the viewer. They are also often geo targeted based on where the viewer lives. Since Facebook and Instagram are connected, you can also run your Facebook ads on that platform with just a few extra clicks, making it easy and convenient to get your ad in front of a larger audience.

Google Ads

Google is by far the biggest search engine in the United States and every business wants to be found on Google. Similarly to Facebook ads, Google ads can take many different forms and are often based on your search behavior. Since Google is the #1 search engine on the internet, ads on Google have the highest potential for reaching the largest audience possible. 

What’s The Difference?

Aside from reach size, the biggest difference between the two is the intent of the viewer. When someone Googles your business or your industry you know they are looking for information. When someone is browsing Facebook, they are not looking for the same type of content. Facebook users are looking for things shared by their friends, family and brands they follow. Google users are looking for something they need information on or a website they want to visit. 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

There’s a lot of information you can consume about digital ads, and it can be hard to keep up. That’s why it’s best practice to engage the services of a digital marketing team so you know you’ll always be kept up to date. Here are a few other things to keep in mind when considering Google and Facebook ads:

• Reaching a Larger Audience – Reaching more people with your ads sounds ideal, but it might not be the most beneficial for your business. If your customer or client base is niche, you might be missing them if you’re throwing out a wide net. 
• Maximizing Your Budget – Because Google is such a competitive space, you might find your budget doesn’t stretch as far as you want it to when competing with similar businesses.
• Knowing Your Demographic – The demographics of your customers or clients can play a huge part in the decision of which ads to utilize. Facebook users tend to be of a more specific demographic, whereas Google users run the gambit. 
• You Can Do Both – Facebook and Google ads can run simultaneously, so if one doesn’t feel like the perfect fit, why not try both?

Getting Started

When you’re ready to get the advertising ball rolling, contact Southern View Media. Our team of dedicated marketing professionals will help you decide which ads are right for you, help you curate the most effective ads and strategize things like placement, duration of ads and budget.