Did you know Halloween is the second biggest holiday event in the U.S., where nearly $7 billion is spent on Halloween activities? It's also the kick-off to the huge holiday season that's so crucial to small businesses. This makes Halloween the perfect time of year to reach out to customers and prospects, but with everyone competing for attention you want to make sure you stand out from the crowd. So what's the plan?

There's ALWAYS something you can do to reach potential prospects and customers. So get into the Halloween Spirit and scare up some sells!

What’s Periscope, You Ask?

September 25, 2015

Kids these days with their 801 million social platforms – am I right? (Whatever happened to the days of MySpace and LiveJournal)? It can be hard to keep track of it all and know whether you should be utilizing each one in your marketing campaigns (the answer is no, by the way. You do not need to use every single one that comes along). Sometimes though, a platform comes along that catches your attention and makes you think about all the ways you could integrate it into your advertising. That's where Periscope comes in!

Periscope is a live-streaming video mobile app that Twitter purchased in February 2015. Twitter then rolled it out to the public on March 26, 2015. Basically what Periscope allows you to do is broadcast "live" from your smartphone from any location, at any time of the day or night. And viewers can tune in to your broadcast from anywhere in the world and chat with you in real time while you broadcast (they type in questions/messages which pop up on your phone's screen, which you can then answer verbally). Yes, there are a couple of other networks like this out there right now but Periscope is currently the No. 1 fastest-growing social network to date! Have a look at these numbers: 1) Periscope hit 1 million users in 10 days and 2) Periscope hit 10 million users in 4 months. Wow! Even more staggering than the size of this user base is the amount of content users are consuming: 40 years of content is viewed every day on Periscope. Yes . . .40 years. Unbelievable!

So you know there's absolutely an audience there, at the ready, just waiting for you to press "record"…but what are you going to do during a "live" stream? Here's a few thoughts to get you started:

1) Live product demos – Are customers always wondering how a certain product of yours works or have a new product coming out? Set up a Periscope broadcast and show 'em exactly how it's done! So do an interactive product demonstration by answering pertinent questions from viewers. Showcase cool product features, packaging, etc.

2) Behind-the-scenes look into how your product is made or what your offices look like – People love the idea of " being on the inside" and showing them the magic that happens behind-the-scenes is a fabulous way of humanizing your brand. Not only are you letting people see the art on your office walls but they're seeing you and your employees faces and now have an idea of with whom they're actually dealing. Periscope takes the business/consumer experience and makes it very personal by having the consumer connect with a real person, which in turn builds the "know, like and trust" factor at a faster rate.

3) Live events – Having a live event that not everyone in your fan base can attend? Stream it on Periscope and let everyone know ahead of time when it'll be showing.

4) Expand your fan base – Periscope opens up a big, wide world of new people with whom to interact. Once you start interacting on a regular basis here, you can then start adding people to Facebook or your mailing list, etc.

What do you think? Ready to take the plunge and give Periscope a whirl? Or even just dip in a toe and do something small just to see what it's about? Video is essential for marketing as the world has become a visually driven place. As we get more and more "now, please!", I suspect live-streaming will only get bigger and bigger. Happy broadcasting!

Keeping it Fresh

August 20, 2015

When's the last time you updated your website? A lot of small businesses will build their website and then never touch it again unless it's to add a special or update the contact information or the such. It could be because they just don't think about it with everything else they have going on. It may be that there simply isn't enough time. Or maybe they don't even see the point. We're here to tell you that big OR small, your website should have steady content updates to boost your business' online marketing.

First off, let's discuss content. Content isn't just the copy on your site. Content is anything that acts as a communication tool: images, videos, newsletters, social media and even design are all examples of website content. Updating is starting to sound a lot easier all of a sudden, huh? You can post blogs weekly or connect your Twitter feed so that it updates automatically to your site. Maybe post videos of product demonstrations or photos of "behind the scenes" at work. Do whatever fits your company's personality best so long as you remember that content = practically anything!

Why update frequently? Having fresh content tells the consumer that you have a personal investment in your services or product. If YOU believe in what you do, it's easier for them to believe in you. Having new content of good quality on a continual basis also turns visitors into repeat visitors and that is exactly what you're looking for. Need even more reasons? How about SEO? Search engines have undergone recent algorithm changes that equate bringing sites with fresher content to the top of the search list. If you want to be on top on Google, you'll need to stay on top of your website.

If you're still having some doubts about whether you can keep a stream of content coming, here are some ideas you might consider. Ask your customers what they want to know about and write blogs about that or host an informal "talk show" of sorts. Giving your clientele exactly what they want has probably never hurt anyone before! Have something that was a hit in the past? Use it as inspiration. Make a Part II or drag an idea out of it to use. If you're still having trouble, with writing at least, you can hire someone to write blog posts for you on a steady basis. If you're working with someone like us here at SMS, it's incredibly reasonably priced and tailored to your needs, making your life much easier.

Remember, content is important. Keep it coming and keep it fresh! Have an idea of your own you want to share? Leave us a comment below!

Happy 4th Anniversary, SMS!

July 28, 2015

Social Marketing Solutions celebrated it's 4th anniversary this month and we couldn't be more excited! It's been an amazing 4 years, full of exceptional clients. We couldn't have done it without you guys! So THANK YOU. Our clients are simply the BEST. We wanted to share a bit about how SMS has changed over the past few years so read on!

When we first opened up, our services were limited to Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin daily updates. Now we do not only that, but blogging and newsletter maintenance, as well as working with Instagram and Pinterest. That's not the only way we've grown though! SMS started out with only ONE employee but now we're so busy, we have three! And while we started out with 20 clients, within 2 years we had already reached over 100. All thanks to you guys!

We have worked with a ton of different clients including – authors, online magazines, health/wellness professionals, payroll companies, moving/hauling companies, IT businesses, food services, therapists, recycling companies and many more. We work with everything from service based companies to online business to product based businesses. We have various ways of meeting our clients…We do most of our marketing online – through our website, social media sites and newsletters in addition to the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. We also utilize word of mouth and referrals from past and current clients. The #1 thing we hear when people come talk to us is, "I don't have time to manage my online presence, but I know I have to." That's literally the #1 reason why people hire us, because they don't have time to update themselves, but they know the importance of an active online presence. And our #1 marketing tip that we tell everyone? Online marketing isn't a one time fix; your marketing presence on and offline must be maintained, revisited and an accurate representation of your company. In this day and age, people go online to research a company and their legitimacy and without continued updates on your website and social media, you're not accurately representing yourself and utilizing imperative marketing tools.

We've had some exciting times and milestones during our 4 years as well. Our most exciting project was when owner Kelly Jones assisted Shawn Edgington in the launch of her "No Bull Challenge". She helped with the online launch party which was very successful – Shawn's book hit the NY Times best seller list! Also exciting was when SMS gained its first out of state client…and then went international, with it's first client in Canada. We have had some great times the past 4 years. 

So what does the future look like? Well, as the social media world changes, we'll be changing with it. We'll be adding even more social networking sites in the near future along with new services offered and we'll keep growing our team. Our company has continuously grown the past 4 years and we don't see it slowing down anytime soon – and we couldn't be happier! 

It’s Time for That Mid-Year Review!

June 23, 2015

Summer's here and the living is easy. Life is laid-back; customers abound; what more could a business want? Knowing that your 2015 marketing plan is going to, well, plan is always a good place to start. Summer is the perfect time to review your marketing plan and strategies to decide what's working and what isn't. So what's the best way to do so?

First things first, dust off your 2015 marketing plan. Take a look at the plan you put together back in January with ideas on how to grow your business in 2015. Did you ever start that blog or newsletter, test a pay-per-click campaign, or launch a referral program? What’s working best, and what still requires some more attention? How happy are you with what's been accomplished the past 6 months? You may not have much to change! But if not…

Go over each of the points and compare where you are now with where you were projecting you'd be. Are you on track? Have you accomplished what you planned? Consider where you are now and decide what you want to achieve by the end of the year. While you're at it, do some spring cleaning. Cut your least-performing marketing activities. Marketing can be hit or miss – don't keep something that isn't working for you just because it's what everybody else is doing at the moment.

Think about how you can change and improve things. A fabulous mid-year change is updating your website. Add some new content based on your 2015 experiences thus far – like success stories, client testimonials, or best practices.

You can't let the year pass you by without making a few changes. The review will take less time than you think and you'll reap the benefits. We're also including this 100 Point Mid-Year Marketing Checklist as a quick in-depth guide. And when you've gone through and decided on what changes, if any, you'd like to make, remember that Social Marketing Solutions is here at all times to help your company have the best marketing campaign possible.

An Interview with Author Denise K. Rago

May 18, 2015

We have something excellent for you guys today – an interview with our amazing client, Denise K. Rago! Denise is the author of "Immortal Obsession" and "Blood Tears" and is currently working on the 3rd book in that series. We help out by marketing the books on her social media sites, helping her connect with reviewers and more. Read on to find out more about Denise and her fabulous novels!

Say Hello to Top Chef Meals!

April 16, 2015

We are incredibly lucky at Social Marketing Solutions to be able to work with some of the best companies and people out there. From clients we've been working with for years to the ones who are brand new, we work with a vast array of talent all around the tri-state area and we thought it would be great if you had a chance to meet some of them. So today we'd like to take a moment to introduce to one of our newest clients, Top Chef Meals.

Founded by Paul Ghiron, Top Chef Meals is a division of the Crystal Spoon, a leading provider of co-packing and private label services for business' throughout the greater New York area. Their talented passionate chefs are known for their exceptional quality artistic presentations of American and International cuisine. Founded first in 2005, The Crystal Spoon Corp began as a corporate cafeteria company managing cafeterias throughout the tri-state area. Then in 2006, the company refocused on providing corporate catering as its primary business area. Steady growth lead to the Crystal Spoon being the largest corporate caterer in Westchester County from 2007 – 2011. During 2010 the Crystal Spoon started Top Chef Meals, which focused on bringing affordable restaurant quality meals throughout New York state. Now with over 50 cooks and chefs, the Crystal Spoon prepares over a thousand meals a day for several very well known highly rated diet programs that sell to upscale clients throughout the greater metropolitan area.

Top Chef Meals is located in Elmsford, NY less than 30 minutes from New York City, where they individually prepare, hand-plate and seal their customers' unique meals with artistic packaging for delivery. From gourmet five star entrees to organic vegan meal delivery programs, they bring brand products to both a regional and national market. Each of their gourmet meals is prepared by their team of professional chefs with years of experience and unparalleled taste for premium quality, exceptional flavor and originality. Top Chef Meals provides equivalent superb restaurant quality food with their healthy and delicious meals, providing a perfect nutritional balance, and perfectly suited for those on a budget.

Top Chef Meal's philosophy is that every prepared dinner is an opportunity for a uniquely pleasurable and healthy culinary experience.

Visit Top Chef Meal online via their website, Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram! And keep checking back as we keep introducing you to more of our fabulous clients and sharing more wonderful social media tips and news!

Interview with Owner Kelly Jones

March 18, 2015

We've got a special blog for you guys today – an interview with the founder and owner of Social Marketing Solutions, Kelly Jones! Here you'll learn about Kelly's history in social marketing, find out what makes her tick and so much more. Let's get started!

1. What led you into social marketing? One of my previous employers had the idea to manage business's social media for those who didn't have the time and expertise to do so. He was looking for a college aged student with social media knowledge who had interest in working and growing with a variety of companies. At the time it was a great opportunity for me to learn how to work with various businesses, understand their needs and expectations, and then deliver while doing something I loved. After working with the company, Working Your Network, for almost two years I decided to venture off and go on my own.

2. Why did you decide to start your own company? I started my own company after realizing how much I grew Working York Network on my own. I wanted to expand and grow, and I felt like owning my own company gave me the ability to do so. I was still young and in school, but I had the knowledge and background of the industry and I knew with hard work and dedication the business would thrive.

3. Since you were so young when you started Social Marketing Solutions (SMS), how do you think being younger worked to your advantage in this field? Being young was an advantage in this field as I grew up on social media. I personally have used, purchased, researched, and reviewed a company based on their social media pages. I know what others are searching for and this knowledge has helped me understand how businesses target audiences in order to achieve success through social media. It is important to know what the consumer is looking for and growing up in the generation of social networking definitely gave me a better understanding of what works and what doesn't.

4. And on the flip side, what have you learned through the years and from people who are older and wiser? Throughout the years I have learned A TON from working with over 100 different clients and 10+ different employees. I have learned that every company is different – including their target audience, goals and expectations. I have learned it's important to be in constant communication with your clients, in addition to addressing client concerns on what works and what doesn't. I have gained an appreciation for every business with which I have worked. As we are all trying to grow and develop and every company is dealing with different scenarios, I also have learned to listen and value my clients and employees because they're the reason why we are successful. As the owner I have become more humble and grateful for my staff as I couldn't do what I do without them.

5. What's your favorite aspect of social media marketing? My favorite aspect of social media marketing is seeing and hearing about the success stories. Hearing that clients are getting attention or that their pages are getting noticed is the most rewarding part of our job. It's so tough to judge ROI in our industry, so hearing positive feedback from my clients is the most rewarding.

6. How have you seen trends change and grow? There have been so many changes in the trends of social media worlds. I learned quickly social media marketing is ever changing, and it is up to us to stay ahead of the curb. I learned that some sites are better than others for our clients, and not everything works for everyone. It is important to learn about the company we are working with and find what is going to be best for that specific organization.

7. If companies are going to have only ONE thing they do online, what should it be? If a company is going to do one thing online, it should be to have a powerful and well maintained website that you can direct people to through your other marketing channels.

8. What else should people know about you? What do you like to do? Where did you go to school? Anything else like that you'd like to share? I graduated from High Point University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Communications with a specific focus in social media. I also work full time for College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, one of our first clients when the business started in 2011. I enjoy staying busy through work and traveling, and in my "free time" I enjoy heading to the Jersey Shore where I have a summer beach house in Long Beach Island.

Check out the video below to find out who inspires Kelly and more!

Interview by Misty Layne

Instagram – It’s a Snap!

February 14, 2015

It's a whole new world out there in social media, and believe it or not Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn aren't the only main players anymore. From Snapchat to Google+, there are a host of social media platforms that your company should be taking advantage of this year. Recently, we've been discussing Instagram on social media, so we decided to delve in a little further.

What exactly is Instagram? Instagram is a mobile photo-sharing and video-sharing social network. It enables its users to take pictures and videos and share them, not just on Instagram itself, but also on a variety of other platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. One distinctive feature is that it confines photos to a square shape, similar to a Polaroid image. Users can also apply digital filters to their images. As for videos, the main feature is that the maximum duration is only 15 seconds. Similar to other social networks, users on Instagram can follow other users as well as leave comments on photos and videos.

How can Instagram be used for marketing? Audiences today prefer to be reached via visuals and short messages. They also want personal experiences with brands – experiences that are both engaging and accessible. Instagram allows brands to do this in real time while giving users a different experience than customers using other platforms. Also consider that much like Twitter, Instagram relies upon hashtags as a way for users to find the things they love. Tagging your brand's photos with the right categories will have you reaching a wider audience than you could just via Facebook and your website. And if you're interested in the numbers behind Instagram, take a look at this:

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Next Page »