Revitalize Your Marketing By Incorporating These 10 Often-Overlooked Holidays

Uniquely marketable occasions that can transform your brand outreach into memorable moments. Kick the boring calendars to the curb and inject unexpected joy into your marketing campaigns with these 10 holiday gems. Often-overlooked holidays are ripe with potential to spark conversation, capture attention and build exciting, genuine connections without wading into crowded promotion seasons.

1. Opposite Day (January 25)

This playful holiday is where everything you say or do is the reverse. It’s a great marketing tactic for kids, families and anyone with a sense of humor — mostly younger parents and Gen Z who thrive on playful trends. You can launch an “opposite sale” where prices jokingly rise and watch engagement soar as people rush to “opt out” before the discounts appear.

2. Spouse’s Day (January 26)

This day lets you honor and appreciate your life partner — married or domestic — through gifts or quality time. While Valentine’s Day campaigns are fiercely competitive, this day lets you target couples who seek low-key celebrations.

Offer “surprise date night” bundles or co-branded gift sets. This appeals to couples of all ages, especially the busy folks who love meaningful gestures minus the February 14 hype.

3. Star Wars Day (May 4)

“May the Fourth Be With You” leads this fan-driven holiday that honors the Star Wars saga. It’s perfect for pop-culture fans, sci-fi enthusiasts and families.

Just about any business — from bookstores to restaurants — can ride this wave and enjoy spirited engagement. You can host a “force” themed contest, offer discounts for those dressed up like their favorite characters or have “Yoda-approved” product deals, targeting geek-culture enthusiasts from Gen X to Gen Z.

4. Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17)

This celebration promotes pay-it-forward gestures and spontaneous actions. It’s perfect for everyone, but especially nonprofits and community-oriented groups.

Get your brand out there by encouraging customers to nominate someone deserving of a free service or gift, then highlight these moments in your social media or newsletter. This strategy engages socially aware demographics and boosts your enterprise’s empathy quotient.

5. National Siblings Day (April 10)

This is a day to celebrate bonds between siblings, and is great for all types and sizes of families, including found families and blended households. Offer “siblings save together” promotions or two-for-one deals that appeal to all ages. Drive emotional connections by inviting your customers or followers to share their photos and stories online.

6. Ada Lovelace Day (Second Tuesday in October)

This day celebrates women’s achievements in STEM by honoring the 19th-century mathematician credited as the first computer programmer. It connects deeply with educators, STEM enthusiasts, diversity advocates and anybody passionate about lifting women’s contributions across generations.

Marketers can share “Women Who Code” stories, host workshops and partner with nonprofits to position their brand as champions of inclusion. Women-owned businesses are also more likely to be small, and less than 1% of such entities make over $1 million in sales. Partnering with them could make these marketing efforts feel more genuine to the public.

7. World Emoji Day (Jul 17)

As its name suggests, this day celebrates emojis and how they make digital communications more appealing. Marketing promotions on World Emoji Day will attract the mobile-first audience and social media natives, and there are many. Emojis transcend language and age barriers, making them a perfect tool for reaching a wide market.

8. International Coffee Day (October 1)

This day highlights the growing coffee culture and supports fair-trade growers. You can offer “brew and save” deals or promote stories about sustainable sourcing. This campaign resonates with busy professionals and students for whom coffee is a ritual, as well as Gen Z and Millennial consumers who prioritize ethical consumption.

9. Forget Me Not Day (November 10)

Forget Me Not Day is a call to reconnect with friends and family. To benefit from this occasion, you can offer referral discounts for customers who bring an old friend or special prizes to those who tag someone they haven’t seen in a long time on social media. It may also be an excellent opportunity to encourage people to give back, as this day recognizes disabled veterans in the U.S.

10. GivingTuesday (Tuesday After Thanksgiving)

Also often called the National Day of Giving Back, this day encourages community service and charity, making it suited for nonprofits, philanthropists and socially conscious consumers. GivingTuesday taps into the surge of holiday spending and generosity by aligning with cause-based marketing strategies. This is why it appeals to all age groups.

Ready for Your Next Quirky Holiday Campaign?

Your marketing calendar shouldn’t be limited to the usual suspects. By weaving in these lesser-known celebrations, you stand out in crowded newsfeeds and spark genuine conversations that build your brand.

Municipal Welcome Guide Print and Digital Design

Design Web Louisville created a comprehensive welcome guide for the Louisville Downtown Partnership that served as an essential resource for visitors, new residents, and locals exploring the downtown area. The guide seamlessly blended informative content with engaging visuals to highlight downtown Louisville’s attractions, services, and unique character.

The print version featured a thoughtfully organized layout that prioritized easy navigation through different downtown districts. Color-coded sections helped readers quickly locate information about dining, entertainment, cultural venues, and essential services. The designers incorporated striking photography of iconic Louisville landmarks alongside custom illustrations that captured the vibrant energy of downtown life.

For the digital version, Design Web Louisville developed an interactive PDF with embedded links to downtown businesses, attractions, and transportation resources. This allowed users to quickly access websites, directions, and additional information while navigating the downtown area. The digital guide was optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing, ensuring accessibility for users on any device.

Special attention was paid to wayfinding elements within both versions, including detailed maps with clearly marked parking facilities, public transportation routes, and pedestrian-friendly pathways. The guide also highlighted seasonal events and community gatherings that showcase downtown Louisville’s vibrant culture.

Using ChatGPT as Part of Your Website Research Process

Integrating ChatGPT and Human Nuance Skills in Your Website Research Process

In the fast-evolving world of website design, integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into the research process can be a game-changer for designers and marketers alike. This article explores the myriad ways in which AI can bolster website design projects and emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human oversight in this technology-driven arena.

AI in Website Research: A New Frontier

1. Comprehensive Information Gathering: ChatGPT, with its extensive database, offers a wealth of information. Designers can use it to stay abreast of the latest web design trends, color schemes, and technological advancements. This ensures that the website is not only aesthetically pleasing but also technologically up-to-date.

2. Swift Competitor Analysis: AI can quickly analyze competitors’ websites, providing insights into their design choices, functionality, and user experience. This information is crucial for positioning your website uniquely in the market.

3. Enhanced User Experience Design: ChatGPT can suggest user interface improvements by analyzing user feedback from similar sites. This helps in creating a more user-centric design, a critical aspect of website success.

4. SEO Optimization: ChatGPT can aid in researching keywords and SEO strategies, crucial for enhancing the site’s visibility and ranking on search engines.

The Indispensable Human Touch

While AI brings efficiency and a wealth of data to the table, the role of skilled human professionals remains paramount.

1. Accuracy and Source Verification: AI may provide vast information, but humans must vet this for accuracy. Designers need to check sources and citations to ensure the reliability of the information used in their projects.

2. Plagiarism Check: Human oversight is essential to ensure originality in content. Professionals skilled in website design can use their judgment to test for plagiarism, something AI might overlook.

3. Natural Language and Cultural Nuance: AI-generated content often lacks the natural flow and cultural nuances essential for engaging website content. Human editors are crucial in refining this content to resonate with the target audience.

4. Customization for Local Markets: In cities like Louisville, with close-knit communities, marketing requires a human touch. A designer with knowledge of the social environment can create a website that feels connected to the people and their experiences. This personal touch in marketing speaks directly to the heart of the community, something AI alone cannot achieve.

Conclusion: A Synergistic Approach

In conclusion, the integration of ChatGPT in the website research process offers significant advantages in terms of data access, trend analysis, and SEO optimization. However, the importance of human expertise cannot be overstated. Skilled professionals bring accuracy, creativity, and a much-needed human touch to the process, particularly in markets where understanding the local culture and community is key. Thus, a synergistic approach that leverages the strengths of both AI and human expertise emerges as the ideal strategy in website design and marketing.

Google’s Helpfulness Core Update: Write for People, Not for Robots

Google’s latest update, known as the Helpfulness update, is reshaping the landscape of SEO and content creation. Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, has shed light on what constitutes ‘unhelpful content’ in the eyes of the world’s largest search engine. As an advocate for user-centric content, Sullivan underscores that the primary red flag for Google is content created with the intent to rank well in search results rather than to genuinely serve end users. While creating content that search engines can find is important, what is more important is remembering your true audience: people.

Stop writing content for search engines

Sullivan’s guidance is unambiguous: content written for search engines rather than human audiences is considered unhelpful. For instance, creating a list of “20 SEO Tricks to rank on Google” that are just common knowledge with the main goal of ranking for “SEO Tricks” instead of providing real value to readers exemplifies content that Google would label as unhelpful. This pivots the focus from search engine optimization to the actual value and relevance for the audience. This will likely have a serious negative impact on sites and pages that employ sketchy methods for keeping people scrolling, for example, recipe websites that bury the actual recipe under a deep bed of search engine bait text. This move is nothing new. We have seen similar updates to search ranking that target and derank unhelpful page designs to falsely increase SEO and SERPs while annoying visitors. The infamous slideshow article trick may immediately come to mind for SEO specialists who suffered through the age of the click-through wars. In the end, the message is simple: write for people, not for robots, because the goal is to create content that helps real people, and keeps the ‘robot’ of AI and SEO tools as a passive intermediary instead of the main target.

Highlights on the Google Helpfulness Core Update:

  • Danny Sullivan’s Warning: Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, highlights the issue with content created mainly for search engine rankings rather than for human readers.
  • Criteria for Unhelpful Content: Writing content like top 10 lists mainly to rank for keywords is considered unhelpful by Google.
  • Content Creation Tools Caution: Using tools to find content topics might lead to content that Google deems unhelpful if the focus is on scoring rather than genuine content creation.
  • Guidance on Useful Content: Sullivan emphasizes creating people-first content that answers questions and provides value as opposed to search engine-first content.
  • Signals for Helpful Content: Google uses web signals to determine content helpfulness, favoring content that addresses user queries effectively.
  • Content and Quality Questions: Google suggests self-assessment questions regarding originality, comprehensiveness, insight, value, and credibility of content.
  • Expertise Matters: Questions surrounding the expertise involved in content creation are crucial for establishing trustworthiness.
  • Page Experience Significance: A good page experience across various aspects is important for high rankings in Google’s systems.
  • People-First Content Approach: Content should be created primarily for people, with a focus on expertise and satisfaction from the reader’s perspective.
  • Avoid Search Engine-First Tactics: Google discourages creating content solely to gain search engine rankings, warning against practices like keyword stuffing or chasing trending topics without genuine expertise.
  • SEO and Content Creation: While SEO is essential, it should complement people-first content rather than dominate the creation process.
  • Understanding E-E-A-T: Google uses E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) as a framework to identify high-quality content.
  • Quality Rater Guidelines: Google’s quality rater guidelines help creators understand how their content may be perceived by Google’s algorithms.
  • Content Evaluation Tips: Creators are encouraged to ask “Who, How, and Why” about their content to align with what Google’s systems reward.
  • Disclosures on Automation and AI: Transparency about the use of AI or automation in content creation can aid in establishing trust with readers.

Sullivan points out that relying excessively on tools to determine content topics can inadvertently lead to the production of unhelpful content. He suggests that content creators should prioritize the “who, how, and why” of content production over merely aiming for a high ‘score’ that would supposedly please search engines.

Answers a user’s question effectively

Responding to a query from Simone de Vlaming about how Google discerns the intent behind content, Sullivan explains that Google’s algorithms look for signals that align with what people generally consider helpful. Content that answers a user’s question effectively is likely to be seen as ‘people-first’ and, therefore, helpful.

crackdown on high-domain-authority news site exploits

The Helpfulness update has implications for SEO strategies. ‘Parasite SEO,’ which exploits high-domain-authority news sites for quick rankings, might take a hit if it dilutes the site’s primary focus. The use of AI in content creation could also be under scrutiny, especially if it leads to content that lacks firsthand expertise or appears automated without clear disclosure. For example, this article employed Ai to design the post image! (Which we are disclosing to you here, but also in our metadata.) ‘Tool-Optimized Content,’ like that created using SEO tools for research, (think SEMrush or AHREFS) will most likely not be at significant risk, since the bulk of research and content development is still person first, and provided it also caters to user needs and offers genuine value.

Focus on Topical Authority

Strategies likely to benefit from the update include building ‘Topical Authority,’ which entails creating focused content around a specific niche. Google favors sites with a clear primary purpose, and a concentration on topical authority aligns with that preference. For example, we allow guest posts but only from a select few and under a limited number of topics that we know our Louisville-local audience of website owners have an interest in. Additionally, content optimized for user metrics, such as minimizing the need for users to search elsewhere for better information, may gain traction. This speaks directly to E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) page and site structure goals. Make it easy for people to find what they want on your site and you will do well with the new helpfulness update.

Navigate the Helpfulness update successful

To navigate the Helpfulness update successfully, Google advises content creators to ask themselves key questions about the originality, comprehensiveness, and trustworthiness of their content. These questions address factors like spelling and stylistic issues, mass production, expertise, and the overall page experience. In plain terms, do you enjoy reading your own content? If not, you may want to rethink your content strategy.

People-First Content is essential

The main emphasis, if you have not already noticed, is on ‘People-First Content.’ Google encourages content creators to craft material that serves their intended audience with depth and expertise. Conversely, ‘Search Engine-First Content’ should be avoided, as it is made primarily for ranking purposes and could lead to penalties. The good news is this is a “if you know you know” situation. If you are not sure what that means there is a good chance you are already doing the right thing because your content is guided by human interaction and your very real experiences that you want to share. If however you are using so many SEO tools to create content that becoming a cyborg is starting to appeal to you, I would strongly suggest taking a step back and taking a “Touch Grass” approach to your content strategy. Slip on your real-world experience and write from the heart. You don’t have to produce The Lord of the Rings or the Magna Carta for each new post, but try to come at it from a perspective that what you write needs to be engaging and influential in a real and authentic way.

A call to action for content with integrity, authenticity, and audience Focus

Google’s Helpfulness update is a call to action for creators to produce content with integrity, authenticity, and a focus on the audience. By aligning with Google’s guidance, content creators can ensure they are contributing positively to the vast pool of online information and standing out in the digital arena.

Helpful Links and resources on Raising the Bar for Content Quality:

Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content

Google Search Status Dashboard
https://status.search.google.com/products/rGHU1u87FJnkP6W2GwMi/history

Interested in seeing what SEOs are saying about the Helpfulness update on Reddit? Check out this thread started by Matt Diggety:

How to Stand Your Ground Like a Pro with a Troll (Without Turning the Air Blue)

Digital marketing can be a tough environment, even for those of us who have been cracking away at the keyboard since Berners-Lee put 3 W’s together for the first time. So what can you do when your best laid campaigns and marketing strategies ensare an internet troll or other adversary? While the knee-jerk response might be to just feel your feelings and let it all out, we have a sleeker approach and a few fun twists on the old expletive-laden standards to keep the sweat off your brow and bridges unburned in the toughest of situations.

First and foremost, Don’t Feed the trolls

If you have a negative comment or content about something you are pitching, sometimes the best response is no response. In the industry, we say “Don’t feed the Trolls,” and it means don’t engage with content that puts you in a bad light because it can actually call more attention to the negative content and, in some cases, bring more attention to the negative content than the original content or subject you are working with. This may seem entirely counter-intuitive but when you understand how media algorithms work you quickly realize that every comment, every response, and every piece of dialog you create with a negative interaction actually adds fuel to the fire when it comes to social media platforms and search platforms that are designed to serve up the hottest content. A post with more comments will get served higher than one without responses. A negative review with a nasty response is more damning that an unresolved one (although a polite but short response can be a net positive if you know how to handle the situation with tact). Responses to negative Tweets are far more likely to be seen by your followers than ones you ignore, and posts with incendiary comments get shared more than posts with polite ones. It feels terrible sometimes to let a negative and sometimes entirely false comment or piece of content go without being battled down, or at least corrected, but in the court of public opinion, any mud-slinging, even when it is just, is still mud-slinging, and the spectacle in and of itself can bring a crowd to something you don’t want made public. For context, Google the Streisand effect, where fighting to take something down can actually cause more attention to the thing in question.

What is a Troll, and why are they so much trouble?

Ok, so we know not to feed the trolls now, but what is a troll, and what kind of damage can they do? Internet trolls can cause a variety of problems for digital marketing efforts, affecting both the brand image and the effectiveness of online campaigns. Some of the disruptive behaviors and consequences include:

  1. Spreading Misinformation: Trolls may deliberately spread false information about a product, service, or the company itself, which can mislead potential customers and damage the brand’s reputation.
  2. Hijacking Conversations: They often infiltrate comment sections or social media discussions related to the brand and derail the conversation with irrelevant or provocative comments, distracting from the original message or content.
  3. Engaging in Negative Commentary: Trolls might post negative or inflammatory remarks on various platforms, aiming to provoke a reaction from other users or the brand, which can escalate into public relations issues.
  4. Impersonating Brands or Individuals: Some trolls go to the extent of creating fake accounts impersonating the brand or its representatives, which can lead to confusion and mistrust among the audience.
  5. Attacking Other Users: Trolling can create a hostile environment by attacking other users who engage with the brand’s content, potentially discouraging constructive interaction and community building.
  6. Overwhelming Platforms with Spam: Automated or manual spamming of a brand’s digital channels can drown out legitimate content and marketing messages, making it difficult for the brand to communicate effectively.
  7. Initiating Hashtag Hijacking: Trolls may misuse a brand’s campaign hashtags to spread unrelated or harmful content, undermining the campaign’s objectives and possibly associating the brand with negative content.
  8. Damaging Customer Relationships: The abrasive interactions that trolls incite can negatively impact the customer experience, sometimes leading to loss of trust and customer churn.
  9. Exploiting Sensitive Topics: Trolls often exploit sensitive topics to create controversy and division, which can reflect poorly on a brand if it inadvertently becomes associated with such discussions.
  10. Disrupting Analytics and Feedback: Trolling behavior can skew analytics (like engagement rates, sentiment analysis) and feedback mechanisms, making it challenging for marketers to obtain accurate data on campaign performance and audience preferences.

In the digital marketing space, dealing with trolls requires a strategic approach that often includes active moderation, clear community guidelines, and sometimes the use of automated tools to detect and manage inappropriate content. Brands must be vigilant and responsive to minimize the impact trolls can have on their digital marketing efforts.

How do you handle negative press or a troll situation?

Dealing with negative press or an internet troll is a delicate situation that requires a measured and strategic approach. Remember, even the worst “troll” may have a valid reason for being upset, so stay calm and think first before you react. If you handle the situation with grace it can actually a net win not only for you but for everyone watching the way you handle a tough situation. Here’s how a digital marketing team should respond:

  1. Assess the Situation:
    • Determine if the negative press or trolling is a one-time comment or part of a larger trend.
    • Evaluate the potential impact on the brand’s reputation.
    • Evaluate the validity of the negative claims being made.
  2. Monitor Closely:
    • Keep an eye on all mentions and the spread of the negative content.
    • Use social listening tools to track the sentiment and volume of the conversation.
  3. Do Not Engage Hastily:
    • Avoid knee-jerk reactions that can escalate the situation.
    • Take the time to formulate a considered response, or if a response is necessary at all. In may cases, no response is the best course of action, depending on if the claim is valid or just misdirected foment.
  4. Prepare a Response Plan:
    • Develop a response that is aligned with the brand’s voice and values.
    • If dealing with a troll, determine if a public response is warranted or if it’s better to ignore, block, or report the user.
  5. Communicate Internally:
    • Ensure that all relevant team members are informed about the situation and the agreed-upon response strategy.
  6. Respond Appropriately:
    • If the negative press has legitimacy, acknowledge the issue, apologize if necessary, and outline steps to address it.
    • For trolls, if engagement is necessary, keep the response professional and avoid emotional language. Exercise extreme caution in this area because even the most professional response can come off as tone-deaf or out of touch if it is not carefully planned.
    • Say less. Either in public or private keep your communications short and concise and in a format that can weather the storm of public opinion.
  7. Provide Excellent Customer Service:
    • Address any legitimate customer complaints promptly and publicly, showing commitment to customer satisfaction.
  8. Leverage Supportive Community Members:
    • Encourage brand advocates to share positive experiences; their authentic voices can be persuasive in shifting the narrative.
    • Be careful to engage in and encourage authentic communications only. Trying to drown out negativity with content that feels disingenuous is worse than having a few negative interactions.
  9. Update and Inform:
    • Keep the audience updated on any steps the company is taking to resolve legitimate issues.
    • Share positive news and developments to counteract the negative press.
  10. Learn and Adapt:
    • Analyze the incident to improve strategies for risk prevention and crisis management.
    • Update policies and training as necessary to better prepare for future incidents.
  11. Legal Action as a Last Resort:
    • If the trolling or negative press involves defamation, slander, or libel, consider consulting with legal counsel to explore options.

The key is to stay calm, be thoughtful, and not to let trolls or negative press derail the marketing strategy. It’s also important to understand when engagement is beneficial versus when it could potentially harm the brand’s image even more.

Talking to a troll with a bit of humor and professional jargon to keep it PG

I’ve encountered a troll, and a response is warranted. I intend to maintain professionalism yet infuse a bit of humor into my reply. Is it possible to incorporate playful slang or idioms like “f*ck around and find out” or “your an idiot, gtfo” without compromising my professional demeanor?

That is a tough one, but if you feel confident that responding is essential, then here are a few fun, tongue-in-cheek ways to say what you need to say without losing your composure. Keep in mind, you really need to understand the assignment on something like this, or you run the risk of coming off cringe.

Professional way to warn someone they are going too far

The phrase “f*ck around and find out” conveys a warning that irresponsible or reckless behavior will lead to negative consequences. To convey this sentiment professionally, you can focus on the potential consequences of actions without using vulgar language. Here are a few professional alternatives:

  1. Highlighting Consequences of Actions:
    • “I would advise caution as actions have corresponding consequences that may not be immediately apparent.”
  2. Encouraging Prudent Decision-Making:
    • “It’s important to consider the potential outcomes of this course of action carefully.”
  3. Warning Against Reckless Behavior:
    • “I encourage you to weigh the risks before proceeding, as the results may be significant and unwelcome.”
  4. Stressing the Importance of Diligence:
    • “Diligence in this matter is crucial to avoid any unintended negative outcomes.”
  5. Asserting Seriousness:
    • “Please be aware that the choices we make in this scenario carry substantial ramifications.”

These alternatives keep the communication professional and focused on the importance of responsible behavior and awareness of consequences without using language that could be considered unprofessional or offensive.

How to end interaction on a sour note with tact

In professional communication, it’s essential to maintain a tone of respect, even when declining an offer, ending negotiations, or expressing the decision not to engage in a business relationship. There is no direct professional equivalent to the phrase or “go f*ck yourself,” as such a sentiment would likely breach professional conduct and could have legal implications. Instead, one might opt for firm but polite language to set boundaries or end a conversation.

Here are a few ways to convey a strong negative response professionally:

  1. Declining a Request:
    • “Thank you for the offer, but after careful consideration, I’ve decided not to proceed. I wish you the best in finding a suitable candidate for your needs.”
  2. Ending a Business Relationship:
    • “We’ve evaluated the direction of our partnership and believe it’s in our best interest to part ways at this stage. We appreciate the opportunities we’ve had to work together.”
  3. Disagreeing with a Proposal:
    • “I have reviewed your proposal, and I must firmly decline. I believe our goals and methods are not compatible, and I do not foresee a productive partnership.”
  4. Responding to Unprofessional Behavior:
    • “I believe this conversation is no longer productive. It’s best that we discontinue our discussion and move forward separately.”
  5. Setting Boundaries:
    • “I must insist that we adhere to professional standards in our interactions. If we cannot do so, I will have to cease communication on this matter.”

Remember that maintaining professionalism helps protect your reputation and any legal business interests. If you find yourself in a situation that is escalating or becoming hostile, it is often wise to step back, refrain from engaging in a negative manner, and seek advice on the best course of action, which may involve legal counsel or human resources professionals.

Going from Grumble to Grateful

So, how do you stand your ground, make your point heard, and still keep it professional? Better yet, how do you skip the fight and get zen in the workplace? Admittedly some professional settings are a veritable jungle where the wild things biting at your heals may include things like … deadlines, meetings that could’ve been emails, and the occasional need to channel your inner warrior without actually going full ‘Hulk smash’ on your desktop. If you’re feeling like a cat being forced into a bath, and you need to make your point without making HR or your legal team sweat, buckle up, because we’re diving into the art of firm-yet-fancy footwork in professional tête-à-têtes.

Channel Your Inner Eagle, Not Your Inner Angry Pigeon

You know what they say, “soar like an eagle, don’t squawk like a pigeon.” That means rising above the situation with a keen eye on the outcome. You want to be the person who brings solutions, not just noise. Next time you’re on the verge of letting loose a flock of feral word-pigeons, take a breath and remember: eagles don’t lose sleep over the opinions of pigeons.

Ditch the Pirate Language

Sure, “Arr, matey! Prepare to walk the plank!” has its charm, but let’s leave the salty seafarer lingo where it belongs – at the costume party. If you’re feeling the urge to let slip some colorful metaphors, take a mental step back. Translate that inner pirate into something more “I went to charm school.” Instead of “You’re walking a thin plank!”, try “I believe this approach might be leading us into choppy waters.”

Become a Compliment Sandwich Chef

Nobody likes to dine on a plate of criticism, no matter how justified. Serve up a compliment sandwich instead. Start with something positive (the fluffy bread), layer on your feedback (the hearty filling), and then top it off with another slice of feel-good (the artisanal bun). “Love your enthusiasm, Bob, but if we don’t follow protocol, we’re gonna get grilled. Let’s steer this ship back to calm waters, shall we? You’re great at navigating tough situations!”

Deploy the Diplomat, Not the Doomsday Device

Diplomacy isn’t just for folks at the UN; it’s for you, the office peacemaker. When you’ve got the red mist descending, remember that a few well-chosen words can diffuse a situation better than any metaphorical big red button. Think, “Perhaps we could look at this from a different angle?” rather than “My way or the highway, buddy!”

Use Your Indoor Voice… Even Outdoors

Yelling is so last season – and let’s be honest, it’s never really been in vogue. An indoor voice conveys calm control, and people will lean in to listen. Yell, and they’ll just lean out – possibly to the nearest exit. Keep it down a notch, and you’ll be heard loud and clear.

Master the Art of the Graceful Exit

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, things heat up. If you’re two seconds away from a “serenity now!” moment, it’s time to make like a tree and leave. A simple “Let’s revisit this after a short break,” can save you from a not-so-short list of regrets.

So there you have it, folks. Staying professional when you’re peeved is an art form, but with a little practice, you can become the Picasso of keeping your cool. Remember, it’s not about bottling up that righteous anger; it’s about letting it out in little, socially acceptable puffs – like a tea kettle of civility. Keep it classy, keep it clever, and keep the pirate in the party and out of the boardroom.

What is digital marketing and digital media so stressful for some people?

Digital marketing and digital media can indeed be high-pressure fields, and there are several reasons why professionals in these areas might feel the heat:

  1. 24/7 Cycle: Digital media never sleeps. Social feeds, websites, and online campaigns run round-the-clock. For those managing these platforms, this can mean constant vigilance and the need to be always on, ready to respond to any situation at any time.
  2. High Expectations: With the wealth of data at their fingertips, digital marketers are often expected to deliver measurable and rapid results. This can create a relentless pursuit of optimization and performance, which can be quite stressful.
  3. Rapid Pace of Change: The digital landscape is ever-changing with new platforms, algorithms, and technologies emerging constantly. Keeping up requires continuous learning and adaptability, which can be exhilarating for some and overwhelming for others.
  4. Visibility and Accountability: In digital marketing, everything is trackable. While this means the ability to prove ROI, it also means there’s nowhere to hide. Every click, like, and conversion (or lack thereof) is recorded, and marketers are accountable for these metrics.
  5. Competition: The online space is incredibly competitive. Standing out in a crowded digital world is challenging and requires constant innovation and strategic thinking.
  6. Information Overload: Marketers and digital media professionals are often inundated with data. Analyzing and making sense of this information to make strategic decisions can be taxing.
  7. Creativity Under Pressure: There’s a demand for continuous creativity in content creation, but being creative on a schedule and under pressure can lead to burnout.
  8. Crisis Management: A single misstep on social media can lead to a PR crisis. The responsibility to manage and mitigate such crises promptly can be a significant source of stress.
  9. Technical Challenges: Whether it’s a website that goes down or an ad platform that malfunctions, technical issues can disrupt campaigns and require immediate attention to avoid loss of revenue or reach.
  10. Personal Investment: Many in the field are passionate about their work and may take performance metrics personally, which can lead to stress when things don’t go as planned.

To manage stress in digital marketing and digital media roles, professionals often need to develop robust stress management strategies, set boundaries to maintain work-life balance, and continuously evolve their skills to stay confident and capable in their roles.

How we Stay Cool Under Digital Pressure: The Art of Being an Unflappable Marketing Team for our clients

In the high-stakes arena of digital marketing, where competition is relentless and the landscape is perpetually shifting, our team stands as a beacon of calm and clarity. We take pride in our ability to demystify the complexities of the digital world, making it accessible and comprehensible for our clients. Our approach is not just about keeping pace with the trends; it’s about instilling confidence and empowering our clients with knowledge and tools to craft strategies they can stand behind with conviction. With our guidance, the path to digital dominance becomes less daunting and more achievable, turning perceived obstacles into stepping stones toward success.

Digital marketing teams are often expected to be unflappable due to the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of the digital landscape. Here are a few ways we master maintaining composure so crucial in this field:

  1. Crisis Management: When a public relations crisis hits, it often plays out in real-time on digital platforms. A calm and measured response is essential to navigate these crises effectively and to prevent further escalation.
  2. Real-Time Responsiveness: Digital marketing often requires immediate responses to consumer feedback, social media comments, or online reviews. A level-headed approach is necessary to manage these interactions professionally.
  3. Data-Driven Decisions: The vast amounts of data available can be overwhelming. Unflappable teams can analyze this data objectively and make rational decisions without succumbing to stress-induced reactions.
  4. Rapid Pace of Change: With constant updates to algorithms, platforms, and best practices, digital marketers must adapt quickly. Staying composed helps them to pivot strategies without panic.
  5. Performance Pressure: The direct attribution of ROI to digital marketing efforts means there’s significant pressure to perform. A cool head helps teams focus on optimization and performance without being paralyzed by pressure.
  6. Innovative Solutions: Creativity and innovation are at the heart of digital marketing. A calm environment fosters clear thinking, which is necessary for brainstorming and implementing new ideas.
  7. Leadership and Confidence: Unflappable teams inspire confidence in their abilities from leadership and clients. They signal control and competence, which are reassuring in high-stakes environments.
  8. Team Morale: A calm team can better handle stress, which is beneficial for the morale and overall mental health of its members. A positive work environment can lead to better performance and employee retention.
  9. Technical Troubleshooting: When technology fails, a clear mind is needed to troubleshoot. Panicking can exacerbate issues, while a calm approach leads to quicker resolutions.
  10. Long-Term Strategic Thinking: It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations of digital campaigns. An unflappable team remains focused on long-term goals and strategies.

To sum up, being unflappable allows digital marketing teams to handle the complexities and pressures of the industry with grace, maintain strategic direction, foster a healthy work environment, and ultimately deliver stronger results.

Finding the Best Local Copywriter in Louisville

Guest blogger Miguel Walker, a local performer, copywriter, content creator, and bonafide solopreneur with Miguel Walker Copy, guides us through the ‘Big Idea’ behind his take on copywriting in Louisville, Kentucky.

So what’s the big idea? As you probably already know, copywriting is about inspiring, invoking, and persuading a target group, be it a general audience or niche market to act, to do something that the writer wants them to do. But, great copywriting helps the audience see themselves as a part of the big picture and makes them feel good about joining in and donating to “that” cause, buying “that” product, subscribing to a service, or following on social media.

The Big Idea is to collaborate with companies and entrepreneurs to consistently generate great copy so that each creative sent out has a target group that is excited and proud to be a part of the mission. And this initiative can be achieved with none other than yours truly.

– MIGUEL WALKER

Movement in the Market

Copy, much like art which is a reflection of past and present events, is beginning to see a paradigm shift.

SEO is the wave of the future, brand voices have to have a solid digital footprint but remain friendly and fun. The market has more independent contractors than employees and much of the work is beginning to be implemented by AI.

So, how does an average Joe stack up? Easy, they DON’T!

NO ONE WANTS AVERAGE! Remember the stats on the average reader? They only skim for about 37 seconds, if that.

The copy has to be good, if not great, every time AND the audience has to be told what to do and why. And AI might be convenient, but the technology simply isn’t that detail-oriented. You’re still going to need a red-blooded person who knows how to tackle all the above…

Product:

I’m at Your Service

Based on current market research, you’ll need a product solution that can cut through the noise and identify what the key issues are with your ROI from your most recent creative and collateral initiatives. Or if things are in the black, capitalize on the innovate it, good copy, and make it GREAT by innovating and maximizing it for future campaigns.

And in this case, the solution is an ally, and that ally is me.

I specialize in generating brand voice awareness, and bringing new life to digital marketing campaigns through fun, fresh, and even academic vision so that your bottom line is always a foundational bridge of growth.

Window of Opportunity

DID YOU KNOW?

20+ years of eye-tracking research confirms that most internet users only skip around a webpage for relevant info. (Nielsen Norman Group) 

73% of people admit to skimming rather than reading a blog post. (HubSpot)  

Personalized calls to action (CTAs) increase conversion chances by 202%. (HubSpot) 

Adding the word “because” with a reason to your CTAs can increase compliance by 34%. (Langer, 1978) 

Problems with Copywriting Market

Not enough creative and engaging writing that is conversational yet professional.

Technical writing often comes off as tone-deaf and doesn’t retain the interest of target audiences. Whether it’s a sales letter or a banner ad, once it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind

Not enough copy clearly and confidently moves the target group to take action if at all. No CTA, means no green light. This also means that the audience can lose trust in the company if the message is wishy-washy and the brand voice loses its credibility.

Solutions: Enter the Copywriting HERO

So… how do you make sure that your brand voice stays strong, crystal clear and that your message is received every time?

Simple, you need a copywriter who is as passionate about crafting the right message that matches your needs as much as you are as passionate about your business. In other words, you need a prose-crafting ninja who knows a thing or two about how to engage an audience. Enter, the kungfu-kicking copywriter, aka Miguel Walker Copy.

Working Together

Working with me is easy. I always work remotely in a very comfortable, and quiet work environment with a deliciously fast and stable internet connection.

When collaborating on projects, we simply agree on what days and times you need me to be available. This will include my blocked open office hours of when I can be reached during the day and when I am not currently in the office.

And most important, clear deadlines.

And even though I’m not in the office, if you need to reach out, I’m always amenable to being reached by your preferred method. Skype, Zoom, or similar format, phone, email, you name it, and I’ll make it work even in different time zones.

The Pitch: This is YOUR Big Moment

So there you have it folks, who I am, what I offer, the major issues with copy, and what great copy should really be doing. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the game, NOW is your big moment!

The year 2023 has arrived, and I am accepting new clients. Take a look at my average competitor’s prices versus my delicious price comparisons in the next slide, and get in touch ASAP because if you want to be great, you need copywriting with a kick!

For questions or a consultation, please call 1+502.609.9915 or email

miguelwalkercopy@gmail.com today!

Check out Miguel’s complete pitch deck on Visme, at

https://my.visme.co/view/pv88zmre-miguel-walker-copy-presentation

5 New Types of Content for 2022

The success of your business depends on a properly structured marketing strategy. To make your marketing and content plan effective, following recent trends and bringing them into your digital marketing activities is a must. Your task is not only to attract many new customers but retain regular customers, keeping them involved in your content. Thus, we recommend implementing new types of content to your blog. 

Are you willing to know what these types of content are? We have prepared a compilation of top trends of content creation in 2022 that will boost the conversion of your website.

AI, VR\AR Innovations

Traditional ways of creating content and interacting with customers are supposed to be non-efficient and kind of outdated. Therefore, businesses of different specializations are willing to adopt innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence. AI technology is capable of deeply analyzing the business data from internal and external sources in order to learn their customers better and provide them with the content and services they expect. AI-based content can be generated within several minutes, providing scalable analytical research and high-quality content. AI-generated content doesn’t exclude the mistakes within the text, so it is vital to check it properly before posting.

Other innovations that will be adopted by many companies in the near future are augmented and virtual reality for the purpose of increasing the content traffic and conversion, and improving the overall performance of corporate websites. These technologies help create interactive and engaging content, completely new for their regular and new customers.

Guestographics

Guestographics is considered to be one of the most effective digital marketing methods of promoting your content and increasing the credibility of your brand. This trend has appeared in 2018, but it only starts gaining momentum and being used by numerous marketers in different spheres. Have you ever heard of this tool? Basically, guestographics combine three different marketing tools – guest posting, link building, and infographics creating. The text is converted into infographics, making the text a visual type of content. The flow is simple – you look for credible websites that are interested in posting your content with links to your corporate website. You provide them with unique and engaging visual content using free plagiarism software to attract more potential customers to your company.

Guestographics can contain a bigger amount of text than we used to see on the images within articles. What is more, the number of infographics can prevail to make the content visually appealing and more convenient to read. Modern readers don’t like spending time reading the whole article, as they are willing to find out the answers to their questions. So guestographics are easier to perceive and show the main point of the content.

Video Testimonials

The block with testimonials is a must-have for businesses of all directions, with no exception. Testimonials from your previous clients show the quality of your services and make your brand trusted and reliable on the market. Sometimes the testimonials blocks look really unsightly and don’t provide any value to your potential clients. Video testimonials are a new trend used in marketing strategies. Recorded reviews for your customers give them the ability to describe your cooperation in detail, prove the existence of clients, and provide the opportunity to contact them to find out more information about the partnership with your brand. 

Another great benefit of video testimonials is the ability to share them on different social media accounts, making them notable and attracting more users to your profiles. If you own a young brand and only start building relationships with your future customers, video testimonials are obliged for your marketing strategy. Even if the amount of the client base is not really extensive, you have to start somewhere to prove the reliability and credibility of your company.

Behind the Scenes Content

Despite the industry of your business, we know that the competition is rather high. It is pivotal to find your key differentiators and uniqueness to stand out from your competitors and attract your target audience. Some brands think that they have to show the ideal picture of their services or products, avoiding any content about failures and issues they face on a daily basis.  

Behind the scenes is a new marketing flow that enables companies to tell their customers about everything related to their daily processes. A lot of people will be curious to find out more about manufacturing, main specialists and their responsibilities, concerns you struggle with, and solutions to the troubles you commonly choose as a director. When people buy an expensive dress, for instance, they are curious to know why the price is so high. By showing them the prices of fabrics, average salaries for staff, and all processes related to dress creation, your customer will have a clearer picture and prove the high price they see on labels. By the way, such tiny details as labels also require investment, which can make the price even higher, and your customers need to understand this as well.

Podcast Recordings

Marketing is changing and evolving, providing customers with various types of content. It is a great way to offer your readers different options on reading your content, considering the way they perceive the information better. The podcast is another modern method to attract your regular and potential customers to your brand. This format is ideal for busy people who don’t have much free time reading the articles and can listen to your content on the go or when they are occupied with other tasks at the same time. 

Podcasts can be related to the topics on your blog, but you cannot just convert your articles into audio format. It has to be something fresh and unique, followed by a particular script. You can invite the outstanding specialists in your industry, the professionals from your team to discuss the internal processes more to show trust to your target audience. A small tip from the writing service Rated By Students is to properly choose the speakers for your podcasts to provide listeners with valuable content, not just useless conversation. 

Bottom Line

Following the latest marketing trends is pivotal for your marketing strategy in order to keep up with the competitors and stay in-game. Although, all these digital content innovations aim not only to promote your brand, but also to increase content traffic and conversion. Your content must provide valuable insights and solutions to the troubles of your regular and new customers.

 The decision of what article they will read next depends on their needs and concerns they want to overcome. Your task is to make your content easy to perceive, modern and interactive to make the reading a pleasant process for your audience. 

What new types of content did you like most of all?

Author’s Bio:


Max Mitchell is the latest alumnus of our content marketing department. He is very passionate about typing, creating complicated spreadsheets, and consuming an inhuman amount of caffeine. Nevertheless, he is also the creative type of individual who will always find a new perspective on topics of interest.

Google is slowing down your life

This is of course absurd with all the speed of search and efficiencies Google has brought to our modern lives, but is it? For decades, Google has been rewarding web pages with higher ranks for forcing you to spend more time and click more buttons to get what you wanted before you leave the site. 


This has given rise to some of the ubiquitous and annoying web trends throughout history.

Endless slide shows, recipes that only come after clicking buttons and scrolling to the end of what I can only assume is the author’s life biography and the complete unabridged history of this particular recipe are in opposition to a successful interaction. The proof in the pudding shows an exasperated shopper standing in the baking aisle for 5 minutes, endlessly scrolling through just to see if they need baking soda or baking powder. Another user surfs and scrolls through a gauntlet of unnecessarily garrulous content just to get a simple answer to a question. 

When I tell my clients the minimum word volume is 500 words, with 1500 words as best practice on a landing page, they glaze over. They balk and say, who is going to read that?!? No one, I explain, just Google. It’s for SEO. No human wants to read that volume, but Google does, and if we want your media to reach human eyes we must first please the algorithm. 

Google, you are hurting us with your endless maze of SEO tricks, through 1000 paper cuts into our time and our efficiency. 

So much weight is put onto time spent on the page, it’s become an obstacle to actual function. The best websites I visit are the ones I leave with the highest bounce rate because They serve me what I need and send me on my way. Can we start rewarding that? I know you are capable of doing this without rewarding high bounce spam pages. I know this is a possibility. No, go get your most promising Googlers to fix this mess 

Yours in frustration,
Tired of scrolling

How To Use Instagram Stories in 2021 & Beyond

Instagram stories allow users to upload videos and photos that disappear after a day. It is similar to the Snapchat stories launched in 2013, and that’s a vital part of the network’s growth.

As per data, Instagram stories attain over 500 million active users every day. It is short-term video content that runs up to 15 seconds. If your uploaded video extends above 15 seconds, it automatically splits into the second part of the video for your story. You could use many online free editing platforms to edit your story video content and upload a story on Instagram.

To make a new story, click on the camera option at the top left side of your feed screen and swipe to the right. Here, you could capture a new photo directly or bring a video or image from your gallery.

Instagram Story Types

There are ten various types of Instagram story content you could create by scrolling right and left at the bottom of the screen.

#1 Type: It gives a colorful background for your texts to shine. You could choose various colors and font styles by tapping on the screen.

#2 Music: It allows you to bring music to your filming video or an image. Search for your favorite music and add it. Here, you could select the correct range of the entire music.

#3 Live: Here, you can go live to connect with your audience on Instagram. Click on the “Start Live Video,” and the platform would notify your fans that you are live. But don’t forget your live video disappears from the platform once it is finished.

#4 Normal: It’s the first screen that shows when you launch the Instagram story creator. You could use Normal to snap a picture, film video content, or post content from your gallery, as we said earlier.

#5 Boomerang: It snaps multiple pictures to bring an animation. Click on the main option, and you will notice the screen flash continuously as the images snap in a quick time. Also, Instagram Boomerang has a unique app to make creative animations to spread on other networks.

#6 Focus: It allows you to focus on a specific thing by blurring backgrounds. It’s the perfect deep work in professional photography, and it works mainly for faces. Click on the extensive record option to take a snap, and click & hold to film video content.

#7 Superzoom: It brings you to zoom in on a specific spot with significant sound effects to get a dramatic or humorous video clip. Click on the tiny music symbol on the screen to choose a style. It provides four types to select from:

  • Dramatic
  • Tv Show
  • Bounce
  • Beats

Click on the screen area where you need to zoom, tap, & hold the record option to film videos.

#8 Rewind: It allows you to film a video in reverse condition. It plays perfectly for video content which showcases body movements like dancing or running.

#9 Hands-Free: It allows you to film video content without keeping a finger on your smartphone’s screen. It is suitable for the contents such as exercise demonstrations and makeup tutorials.

#10 Stop-Motion: It brings you to film short animations from pictures, like a flipbook. To begin, select multiple images as you want. If you are completed with it, click on the “Done” option at the screen’s top to get your stop-motion animation.

Story Tricks On Instagram You Must Know

Here are a few ways you could work on your Instagram story contents to bag up vast attention.

Face Filters

Are you bored with taking selfies? Just try this out! Face filters allow you to add a flower crown, bunny ears, glasses, etc. A plus fact is that they are responsive and react to your every movement. There are various filters available where you can select as your choice.

Add Texts

It’s basic, but the tool is customizable and versatile, allowing you to select the effect, color, position, font, and size of your text. Click on the “Aa” option to begin the text method at the screen’s top. Using various sizes, colors, and fonts helps to keep things more interesting and grab the audience’s attention to the text you need to highlight. Also, you could add multiple hashtags and your friends on the platform easily in the text field.

Filter

Filters have been there since the beginning of Instagram. And now Instagram stories utilize it to remarkable effect. Just swipe right or left to load a filter.

Also, there are various types of stickers available on Instagram to attract your audience. Just click on the smiley face option at the screen’s top to get multiple choices of stickers: location stickers, hashtag stickers, tag stickers, GIF stickers, poll stickers, countdown stickers.

Publish

Once you have finished your filming and editing works to your story contents on Instagram, always remember to save your video or image if you want it. Click on the “Save” option to do this. Then click on the “Your Story” option to publish your story content when you have completed everything. Now your Instagram story content will be live!

How To Use Story Contents On Instagram?

Here are the best practices of Instagram stories to get more audiences to your posts.

Story Takeover

It means somebody temporarily takes your account on Instagram to provide your fans a stunning perspective of your brand or products. Also, you could join hands with customers or influencers to run your story contents. It builds more trust with extensive impressions on Instagram towards your brand and product.

Tease Something

It’s one of the best story tips on Instagram to keep your fans on their toes. Using story sections to tease a product or any upcoming programs gives your fans massive exclusivity. And an additional curiosity brings your audience to revisit your profile to catch a grand reveal.

Post Stunning Things

Story content might disappear after a day, but you could upload content your fans would need to screenshot and download on their mobiles for reference. It helps in keeping your brand or business top level.

Take Full Advantage Of Your Stories

Instagram story highlights are one of the perfect Instagram story tips I would suggest to you. Though Instagram story contents disappear after a day, this fantastic tool helps you to pin your story contents to your profile on the platform permanently.

Most popular brands on the platform use story highlight to save their amazing deals, updates, and essential information

First, bring up your story to begin Instagram story highlights. Once your story content is live, open your profile and click on the “Highlight” option at your screen’s bottom-left corner.

Conclusion

Instagram story is a most powerful tool if you use it to an extent. Additionally, its features give immense creativity. Though you utilize the story section on Instagram to grab more engagement and build relationships with your fans, don’t forget to use it to make your audience have fun.

Author Bio

Mary Kyle is a content developer and marketing manager who works at Snaphappen. She has written more trending articles on social media and has a handful of experience in delivering engaging content.

6 Writing Tips to Build an Email List for Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing seems like the ideal opportunity to earn money the unconventional way, without doing the standard 9 to 5 job. All you have to do is find the right audience, find the right products, advertise them properly, get people to trust you… Wait, it isn’t that simple after all, is it? The truth is, there’s a lot of work to be done if you want to be successful at affiliate marketing. And, one of the tools you should use to make your effort more successful is email marketing.

Building a strong email list is essential for having a successful email marketing campaign. If you’re not sure how to do it, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find our ultimate guide with 6 writing tips to help you build an email list for affiliate marketing.

Let’s take a closer look.

  1. Create Strong Opt-in Forms

The first step you need to make in building an email list for affiliate marketing is to create an opt-in form that will help you get people to subscribe. In theory, opt-in forms are supposed to ask your potential subscribers whether they want to subscribe to your email list or not.

But, in reality, opt-in forms are supposed to convince people to subscribe.

This is why you need to write an optimized and clever opt-in form. Here’s what we suggest:

  • place them all over your website, from your Home page to your blog
  • allow people to personalize choosing to receive emails only about specific things
  • let them know they can opt-out easily
  • allow for easy subscription e.g. via Facebook, Gmail, etc.
  • only ask for an email address
  • include a call-to-action (CTA)

For example, an opt-in form can pop-up when your website visitor reaches for the exit button. You can ask them:

  • Leaving already? Receive weekly updates, tips, and content about a healthy lifestyle! Subscribe now!


Think about the best places to put your opt-in forms, and make them interesting, informative, and clear. Let people know what they’re agreeing to exactly.

  1. Create Segmented Email Lists

Once your subscribers’ list starts to grow, you’ll need to create separate segmented lists based on their preferences, interest, and online behavior. You shouldn’t send the same emails to all your subscribers, since there’s no way they’ll all equally enjoy them.

So, divide your subscribers into groups based on:

  • the type of content they like to read
  • demographics
  • the products they’ve already bought
  • the links they clicked in your previous emails

Your email content should be aimed at specific groups of people, catering to their needs, interests, and preferences.

  1. Provide True Value

Once you get people to subscribe to your list, you can start dropping affiliate links to their inboxes. You’ll just make them unsubscribe. Instead, you need to slowly build up to it.

So, you first need to think about providing true value to your subscribers so that they start loving your emails. You should create emails campaigns sharing:

  • educational and useful content from your blog
  • invites to your webinars
  • your e-books
  • useful niche-related information
  • news

The content you’re sending needs to show that you’re professional, know what you’re talking about, and they can trust you. In case you need help, there are academic writing services that can help you improve your email scripts and write better email copies.

  1. Don’t Sell But Help

When you’re doing affiliate marketing, you must know the products or services you’re promoting. Just agreeing to promote anything that comes to your hands is not a good tactic. It will show you as someone who’s only trying to earn, instead of actually help.

So, once you choose the right things to promote, you’ll have to build the right email content around it. It’s not enough for you to just send the link and ask people to check it out and buy it.

So, make sure that you’re:

  • creating content related to the product you’re promoting
  • naturally inserting the affiliate link in the content
  • providing helpful advice to your target audience
  • recommending something they could truly benefit from

So, if you’re a beauty blogger, and you’re doing affiliate marketing for a natural cosmetics brand, you should create the content that explains:

  • the benefits of natural cosmetics
  • how it’s made
  • how to choose the right products
  • who should use them
  • etc.

Then, add an affiliate link to a product you chose or believe your target group will like.

  1. Recognize Pain Points

Your target audience, or the segmented groups you’ve made, all have the pain points that led them to you. Either they’re looking for a way to solve a problem, need advice, or information.

By recognizing these pain points, you’ll be able to:

  • address them in their emails
  • suggest how to solve them
  • provide help
  • suggest the affiliate product as one of the solutions

Make sure you make this affiliate link relevant, helpful and explain why you’re including it.

  1. Be Honest About Affiliating

Honesty is the key to any trusting relationship, including the one between you and your target audience. So, you need to clearly state that the link you’re sharing is a part of your affiliate marketing campaign.

Tell them:

  • they get a discount for using your promo code or following your link
  • you earn a commission from every sale done this way

Still, make sure to reinforce the message of trusting this brand and recommending it based on your personal experience, and not because you’re earning from it.

Final Thoughts

Building an email list for affiliate marketing means building trust and strong relationships. After having people subscribe to your email list, you have to constantly give them valuable content, useful information, and relevant facts.

Hopefully, the 6 writing tips provided above will help you build a stronger email list and boost your affiliate marketing success.

Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a copywriter and blogger at GetGoodGrade with a background in marketing and sales. She enjoys sharing her experience with like-minded professionals who aim to provide customers with high-quality services.