Making it in the fashion world is no walk (or catwalk) in the park. In the words of supermodel Heidi Klum herself “One day you’re in and one day you’re out.” Most designers come from very humble beginnings, dreaming of that one big break that will catapult them into stardom and sold out shows during Paris Fashion Week.
Continue reading “Top Fashion Designers Make Content Marketing This Year’s Hottest Trend”
We have all felt that moment during the work day at some point in our professional careers where we absolutely have to pull deep from within to keep our eyes open; we have all been so sleepy that it hurts. A variety of life events can be the reason for such daze including an all-nighter with a new born, staying up to watch the last inning, or perhaps just being under the weather.
Reasonable solutions to this sleepy state include pulling ourselves from our computer screens, getting up for a cup of coffee, splashing cold water on our faces, getting fresh air into our lungs, starting a conversation with a co-worker or even beginning a conversation with one’s self! It definitely helps to reset our thoughts and refresh our bodies so that we can power through the rest of the work day. After all, talking to your self is better than doing a keyboard face plant and being caught sleeping on the job in the middle of the day oftentimes doesn’t go over well.
Ah prom season. That beloved time of year when the smell of newly pressed tuxedos, overly-sequined dresses and high school desperation fills the air. That time of year in which moms and dads fork over large wads of cash for ostentatious limos and after parties. And, most importantly, that time marketers clamor for all year long.
That’s because prom season is a marketer’s dream. From the dress boutiques to the limousine companies to the airbrush tanners and makeup artists, marketers in almost every industry are trying to capitalize on the centuries-long tradition that is prom.
And why shouldn’t they? Teenagers are such a powerful group, influencing spending habits and store preferences. In fact, a recent survey from TRU Insights revealed that the purchasing power of teens—ages 12 to 19 years old—has reached $819 billion globally. Moreover, 81 percent of teenage girls recently reported that they are more likely to purchase something if their friend already has.
Prom season can be a marketer’s best date or worst nightmare; it all depends on how you try to capitalize on this iconic time of year.
One company that has taken a wonderfully subtle approach to prom marketing is Coca-Cola. On May 29, the soft drink vendor posted a photo from an ‘80s prom. The caption—”Fun fact: in 20 years that Coke is the only thing that won’t look outdated in your prom picture.” Take a look by clicking here.
Continue reading “Hey Coca-Cola, Will You Go With Me to Prom?”
We’re all looking to differentiate ourselves; it’s essentially a top goal of content marketing.
We’ve all been given the same advice from marketing managers: “stand apart,” “have a cutting edge,” “make a difference”…but how 
exactly are we living up to these expectations? What is it that enables us to stand apart when compared to the mound of competitors striving to do just the same?
A piece of this puzzle is found in the way we speak.
If you’ve just joined the content marketing club, you’ll soon be flying high in the social media stratosphere. Social media is world full of unlimited content marketing possibilities. In fact, the networking strategy produces almost double the marketing leads compared to trade shows, telemarketing, direct mail or pay-per-click (PPC), according to research this year from HubSpot.
But before you get ready to take off, you must first beware of the seven deadly sins of using social media when it comes to marketing your content.
Continue reading “The Seven Deadly Social Media Sins of Content Marketing”
Do you hate it when someone spells your name wrong? Like when they add an “h” to the end of Sara or assume that Jamie is always—unequivocally—written as Jamie. In my case, I see a variety of misspellings for my name from Kari to Cari to Kerry. Drives. Me. Nuts.
So why do we get so bothered when someone misspells or mispronounces our name? Because our name is quite possibly our chief identifier. It’s what makes us who we are. It’s what “brands” us, as we marketing folk say.
It’s not enough to just talk to your customers anymore. You have to really see them for who they are. You have to truly understand them and understand your connection to them (or the connection you hope to one day establish with them). What have they experienced in life? What may they be facing now? This is the pinnacle of targeting your audience regardless of the objective – whether it’s raising awareness of a greater cause or generating sales.
Continue reading “How Do You Talk to an Audience Who Can’t Talk Back?”
Over time, we have shifted from traditional marketing campaigns (i.e. mail-ins, door-to-door and print advertisement) to a world filled with competitive online strategies. It’s no surprise this move to the digital realm has shaken up the brand strategies of many. In fact, when recently asked what their current biggest marketing challenge was, 43 percent of marketers noted that they struggle with differentiating themselves in the marketplace and 29 percent reported that they experience difficulty defining target audiences.
Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the Beatles’ final album release, “Let it Be.” So, if you’re facing some corporate branding roadblocks, consider these words of wisdom for getting your name in the minds of your online audience. When it comes to content marketing strategy, let it be…
Continue reading “Your Content Marketing Mantra for Today – ‘Let it Be’”
After plugging her new book, Living the Good Long Life last week, Martha Stewart revealed to NBC’s Matt Lauer that she was looking for love on Match.com. “I’ve always been a big believer that technology, if used well, can enhance one’s life. So here I am, looking to enhance my dating life,” she writes in her online profile.
Rumors have swirled that the domestic diva is not actually looking to find her match, but rather seeking publicity to sell more copies of her newly penned book. After all, her Match.com username also happens to also be “thegoodlonglife.” Whether or not the rumors are true, she has been successful in creating a buzz.
Continue reading “Martha Stewart Joins Match.com – And How It Can Help Your Business”
I’ve never known a child who did not have at least one kind of irrational fear, perhaps one of the biggest being nighttime monsters in the closet. This very common fear has cracked open the bedroom door for many children, but as adults, we know these once terrifying tales are just age-old myths. So…why do we have similar content marketing fears?
Perhaps the biggest reason seems to be from marketers’ collective fear – or general uncertainty – of taking their campaigns to the digital realm. A quick scan on the Web reveals that many individuals are searching for countless articles ranging from “fears that keep digital marketers up at night” to “why marketers should fear digital marketing.” It cannot be disputed that we are indeed amidst a great marketing revolution. In fact, 22 percent of online adults in the U.S. are connecting everywhere, and frequently, according to Research Director and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, Melissa Parrish. This is a huge need that marketers should be aiming to meet, yet some are not.
Continue reading “Don’t be Afraid of the Digital Marketing Monster”
