8 Surprising Marketing Lessons from Emily in Paris: Social Media Strategies Unveiled

Emily Cooper, the bubbly American transplant in the hit show "Emily in Paris," may not always get it right. Still, her marketing adventures offer some surprisingly relevant lessons for today's digital marketers. To uncover valuable takeaways, let's binge on the world of fashion, baguettes, and brand strategies.

1. Embrace Cultural Sensitivity

Lesson: Understanding and respecting local culture is crucial in global marketing.

Emily's faux pas teaches us the importance of cultural awareness. Remember the "sexy" perfume ad debacle? While her American perspective saw empowerment, the French audience saw objectification. This mishap highlights the need for thorough market research and cultural understanding before launching campaigns in new territories.

2. The Power of Influencer Marketing

Lesson: Influencer partnerships can significantly boost brand visibility.

Emily's collaboration with various influencers, from fashion icons to up-and-coming artists, showcases the potential of influencer marketing—however, the show glosses over the complexities of these partnerships. Successful influencer campaigns require careful vetting, clear agreements, and authentic alignment with brand values.

3. Adaptability is Key

Lesson: Be ready to pivot and think on your feet.

Whether it's turning a wardrobe malfunction into a viral moment or repurposing a champagne spray as a product launch, Emily's quick thinking demonstrates the importance of adaptability in marketing. In the fast-paced world of social media, capitalizing on unexpected opportunities can lead to standout campaigns.

4. Content is Queen (or King)

Lesson: Engaging, visually appealing content is crucial for social media success.

Emily's knack for creating Instagram-worthy moments reminds us of the power of compelling visual content. While the show may exaggerate the ease of going viral, it correctly emphasizes the importance of eye-catching, shareable content in building brand awareness and engagement.

5. Network, Network, Network

Lesson: Building relationships is fundamental to marketing success.

Emily's ability to forge connections at every turn, from chance encounters to lavish events, underscores the value of networking in the marketing world. These relationships often lead to collaborative opportunities and new client acquisitions.

6. Creativity Counts

Lesson: Innovative ideas can set your brand apart.

From the "Paris of Life" campaign to the impromptu McBaguette pitch, Emily's creative approaches remind us that thinking outside the box can lead to memorable marketing moments. While not every wild idea will work in reality, fostering a culture of creativity is essential for standing out in a crowded market.

7. Balance Data with Intuition

Lesson: While the show often overlooks it, successful marketing combines creativity with data-driven decisions.

Emily's reliance on instinct makes for good TV, but in the real world, marketers need to balance creative hunches with solid analytics. The show could benefit from showing more behind-the-scenes work, such as data analysis, A/B testing, and performance tracking, that inform successful campaigns.

8. The Client Isn't Always Right (But Tact is Essential)

Lesson: Sometimes, challenging a client's vision is necessary but requires diplomacy.

Though often unrealistically successful, Emily's boldness in presenting alternative ideas to clients is admirable. In practice, navigating client relationships requires a delicate balance of assertiveness and tact. Presenting data-backed alternatives and fostering open dialogue are key to steering clients toward effective strategies.

While "Emily in Paris" may paint a glamorized picture of the marketing world, it does capture some fundamental truths about this industry. The key is to take these lessons with a grain of salt (or a bite of croissant) and apply them thoughtfully to real-world scenarios.

Remember, behind every seemingly effortless social media success is a team of professionals working tirelessly on strategy, execution, and analysis. So, channel your inner Emily for creativity and enthusiasm. Don't forget to ground your campaigns in solid marketing principles and data-driven insights.

Who's ready to say "Oui" to inspired marketing strategies? But let's leave the berets at home.

How to Stop Taking Social Media So Seriously and Add More Joy to Your Content: A Fresh Perspective on Content Creation

In case you didn't know, I'm an avid meditator. It's part of my morning routine. I get on the floor and meditate for as long as my body and mind need it—sometimes it's 10 minutes, and sometimes it's an hour. Sometimes, I choose a guided meditation; sometimes, there's nothing. 

After one of these morning sessions, I came up with the concept of what if I stopped taking everything that isn't serious SO seriously? For example, when random stuff pops into my feed for contests and stuff, what if I stopped overthinking, even entering the contest, and just entered the contest? Because entering the contest is not serious. 

It stopped me because EVERYTHING right now is SOOOO serious. The way someone parks their car- serious. The way someone looks at you across the street- serious. Getting the wrong coffee order-serious.

But in the long game of life, these things are NOT serious.

And then I got to thinking….

What if we all stopped taking social media SOOO seriously?  I get it. This might seem weird to a social media strategist and manager.

But hear me out. Social Media is a serious thing nowadays for brand recognition and staying top of mind. However, the content we put out there does not always need to be SO serious. It's like whenever I go to scroll, it's all so heavy and serious, and I'm getting on a feed to escape some of the heavy and serious.

It feels like next to no one is experiencing any joy anymore. 

Here are some facts:

There are three reasons why people use social apps like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Do you know the number one reason?

The number one reason is to disassociate and to be entertained. The world out there is heavy right now, and people are tapping in and searching for dog videos, memes, or any other kind of entertainment that feeds their brains dopamine. 

When people scroll, a chemical is released in their brains, and they get a dopamine hit. Each like, comment, or new piece of content triggers a dopamine spike, and we all know how good a dopamine hit feels.

Number two, Connection and Community. The theory of social media is to keep people connected and feel a part of a community regardless of location. This is a whole topic for another day.

Number 3, Education & News.  Platforms are often used to stay informed about current events, trends, and topics of interest. 

But for today, we're going to focus on number one and why it's important: If you want to be scroll-stopped, you've got to stop taking everything so seriously. I know you're thinking about it.

When I meet to consult with business owners, we start discussing content ideas they have. After they told me their ideas, they said, "But no one is going to watch that or pay attention." OR they will show me the content they've created, and when I ask them why they haven't posted it yet, I'll get a because it's not perfect or articulated correctly.

The only person who knows your content isn't perfect is yourself. No one scrolling through will know that the font isn't the one you wanted or that the photo isn't exactly what you imagined in your head. 

My friends, this is being stuck in Analysis Paralysis, as Bob Proctor used to talk about. You're making excuses because it's scary to move forward. You're making this piece of content mean something SO serious. 

And here's the thing….

People casually follow 150 to 300 social media accounts, meaning a lot of content is being pumped out to them. Trust me when I say they definitely aren't going to notice if the small piece of content that you are putting out there isn't perfect in your brain. 

I know now this is the part where you're going to get defensive and tell me that big brands are only putting out serious, life-altering content. Now, I am going to show you this 2018 Twitter exchange between Burger King and Budweiser. 

I've been in this space a long time, and here's the thing: If you aren't having fun putting your content together, the person interacting with the content isn't having fun, either. Like energy attracts like energy. I'm challenging you to let loose on one piece of content, bring more joy to the noise of someone's scroll, and then let me know how that felt. 

The Power Trio: Unlocking Synergy Between Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations In A Social Media World

It's time to address the pink elephant in the digital room: the concept that a social media marketing professional is also part of your sales and public relations team. I've been encountering real confusion about marketing, sales, and public relations (PR) roles in today's social media landscape.

And I get it. These three disciplines are closely related and often work together, so it's tough to know what's what. However, they each have distinct functions and objectives that make them unique.

Keep reading, and let's break down the differences and see how they intersect in social media.

Marketing: Creating Demand and Awareness

Marketing is about listening, emotions, and creating awareness and demand for your product or service. It's profitably identifying, anticipating, and satisfying customer needs. In the social media realm, marketing takes many forms:

• Content creation and curation

• Influencer partnerships

• Community building

• Brand storytelling

Social media marketing aims to attract potential customers, engage your audience, and guide them towards purchasing. It's about crafting the right message for the right audience at the right time.

Sales: Closing the Deal

While marketing creates interest and demand, sales convert that interest into actual purchases. Sales teams focus on:

• Direct communication with potential customers

• Addressing specific customer needs and pain points

• Negotiating terms

• Closing deals

In the context of social media, sales activities might include:

• Responding to inquiries in direct messages

• Using chatbots for initial customer interactions

• Hosting live shopping events on platforms like Instagram or Facebook

The critical difference is that sales focus more on individual interactions and transactions, while marketing casts a broader net.

Public Relations: Managing Reputation

PR is about managing information spread between an organization and the public. Its primary goals are to:

• Build and maintain a positive public image

• Manage crises and mitigate negative publicity

• Establish relationships with key stakeholders, including media

On social media, PR activities might include:

• Responding to customer complaints or negative comments

• Sharing company news and updates

• Managing brand partnerships and collaborations

• Coordinating influencer relations

PR is less about direct promotion and more about shaping public perception and maintaining relationships.

The Intersection on Social Media

On social media, these three disciplines often overlap:

• A well-crafted marketing campaign can go viral, becoming a PR win

• Excellent customer service (traditionally a sales function) on social platforms can boost your brand's reputation (a PR outcome)

• PR efforts, such as influencer partnerships, can directly drive sales

The key to success is understanding how these functions work together. A cohesive strategy that aligns marketing, sales, and PR efforts can create a powerful synergy, maximizing your brand's impact on social media. Let's dive deeper into what this means in practice:

Real-Life Comparison: Launch of a Sustainable Athletic Wear Line

Let's consider the launch of a new sustainable athletic wear line to illustrate how marketing, sales, and PR work in practice.

Marketing in Action

• Brand storytelling: The marketing team creates a narrative around the eco-friendly materials and ethical production processes used in the new line.

• Content creation: They produce a series of workout videos featuring athletic models wearing the new line, showcasing style and performance.

• Social media campaign: They launch a hashtag campaign encouraging customers to share their sustainable lifestyle choices.

• Influencer partnerships: They collaborate with fitness influencers and environmentalists to promote the products.

Real-life example: Patagonia's marketing often focuses on the environmental impact of their products, using storytelling to connect their brand with conservation efforts.

Sales in Action

• E-commerce optimization: The sales team ensures the website is optimized for easy purchasing, with detailed product descriptions and size guides.

• Retail partnerships: They work with sporting goods stores to feature the new line prominently.

• Customer service: Sales representatives are trained to answer questions about the new line's materials, care instructions, and performance features.

• Promotions: They create bundle deals (e.g., buy a complete outfit at a discount) to increase average order value.

Real-life example: When Adidas launched its line of shoes made from ocean plastic, its sales team worked to educate retail partners about the product's unique selling points.

PR in Action

• Media Relations: The PR team arranges for the lead designer to be interviewed by fashion and lifestyle magazines about sustainable fashion trends.

• Event planning: They organize a launch event that doubles as a beach clean-up, inviting local media and environmental organizations.

• Corporate social responsibility: They announce a partnership with an ocean conservation nonprofit, pledging a percentage of sales to the cause.

• Crisis management: If there is criticism about any aspect of production or the materials used, PR crafts a transparent response and action plan.

Real-life example: When Allbirds launched, its PR efforts focused heavily on using innovative, sustainable materials arranging features in business and tech publications to tell its story.

The Interconnected Nature

In this athletic wear launch scenario:

• Marketing creates awareness and desire for the new sustainable line, emphasizing style and environmental benefits.

• Sales convert that interest into actual purchases, whether online or in physical stores.

• PR manages the overall narrative around sustainability in fashion and positions the brand as a leader in this space.

While each function has its primary role, they work together seamlessly. For instance, the PR-organized beach clean-up event provides excellent content for marketing's social media campaign, which can drive traffic to sales channels.

On social media, these functions often overlap:

• A customer service interaction (sales) can turn into a viral post showcasing the brand's values (PR and marketing).

• An influencer's post about the product (marketing) can lead to direct sales through swipe-up links or promo codes.

• The brand's response to a sustainability question (PR) can be repurposed as educational content (marketing).

Understanding these distinctions and interactions is crucial for anyone working in the digital space, where the lines between these disciplines often blur, especially on social media platforms. Each plays a vital role in building brand awareness, driving sales, and maintaining a positive public image.

Consistent Messaging

When marketing, sales, and PR teams align their messaging, it creates a unified brand voice across all channels. This consistency reinforces your brand identity and values, making communication more effective.

Example: Let's say you are a sustainable athletic wear brand that decides to focus on ocean plastic pollution; this theme should be reflected in:

• Marketing content (e.g., Instagram posts about ocean conservation)

• Sales pitches (highlighting how each purchase contributes to cleaner oceans)

• PR efforts (press releases about your beach clean-up initiatives)

Data Sharing and Insights

Each department gathers valuable data and insights that, when shared, can inform and improve others' strategies.

• Marketing can share engagement metrics and audience insights with PR to help shape media pitches.

• Sales can provide customer feedback to marketing, influencing future campaign directions.

• PR can alert sales about upcoming media coverage, allowing them to prepare for potential increases in inquiries.

  Amplifying Reach

When the three functions work in harmony, they can amplify each other's efforts:

• The marketing team can share A PR-secured media feature on social media, increasing its reach.

• Sales promotions can be incorporated into PR narratives about the brand's accessibility.

• Sales teams can use marketing-created content in their customer communications.

  Rapid Response and Adaptability

In the fast-paced world of social media, the ability to respond quickly and adapt is crucial. A well-aligned team can:

• Quickly address customer concerns raised on social platforms (PR) with accurate product information (sales) and turn the interaction into a positive brand story (marketing).

• Pivot marketing strategies based on real-time sales data and public sentiment tracked by PR.

  Customer Journey Optimization

By working together, these functions can create a seamless customer journey:

• Marketing attracts potential customers and builds initial interest.

• PR efforts reinforce the brand's credibility and values.

• Sales teams are equipped to address specific customer needs and close deals.

Each touchpoint is an opportunity to move the customer closer to a purchase decision and long-term brand loyalty.

Resource Efficiency

Alignment between these functions can lead to more efficient use of resources:

• Content created for a marketing campaign can be repurposed for sales materials or PR kits.

• A single social media post can simultaneously serve marketing (brand awareness), sales (with a call-to-action), and PR (by showcasing company values) purposes.

  Crisis Management

In times of crisis, a united front is crucial:

• PR can craft the official response.

• Marketing can adjust ongoing campaigns to be sensitive to the situation.

• Sales can be briefed on how to address customer concerns directly.

This coordinated approach helps maintain brand integrity and customer trust.

The Role of Social Media

Social media platforms are a melting pot where marketing, sales, and PR efforts converge. A well-coordinated strategy on these platforms can:

• Drive engagement and brand awareness (marketing)

• Facilitate direct sales through shoppable posts or swipe-up links (sales)

• Manage brand reputation through timely responses and community engagement (PR)

By understanding how these functions interact and support each other, brands can create a powerful, cohesive presence on social media. This synergy maximizes impact and creates a more authentic and compelling brand narrative that resonates with audiences across various touchpoints in their digital journey.

Those who master this integration are well-positioned to build stronger relationships with their audiences, navigate challenges more effectively, and drive sustainable business growth.

Remember, the goal isn't to eliminate the boundaries between these disciplines but to leverage their unique strengths in a coordinated manner. By fostering collaboration and maintaining open lines of communication between your marketing, sales, and PR teams, you can create a robust, adaptable, and highly effective approach to building and maintaining your brand in the digital age.

As you apply these insights to your strategies, always keep your community at the center. After all, whether it's a marketing message, a sales interaction, or a PR initiative, the ultimate aim is to connect with your community in meaningful ways that drive your business forward while building lasting relationships.

Uncorking Champagne and Sipping Social Media's Evolution In A Cookie Cutter World

Last weekend, I took some time to celebrate some personal things with friends. While celebrating, I asked friends to grab videos and photos of me uncorking champagne and sipping it poolside as we do these days, and I got to thinking.

After a glass of champagne in a plastic wine glass in a water-submerged lounge chair, thinking does start to happen.

I started thinking about how my generation is the last generation of humans to live without social media.

And those are wild and weird thoughts to be having.

Some of you reading this are part of the same generation—the last generation of humans on Earth to know Earth and society before and without social media.

Do you feel the pressure that comes with that responsibility?

Because I didn't until I realized this was the case.

If you haven't noticed lately, my relationship with social media is evolving. I know that I am not the only one whose relationship with social media is also changing.

The marketing industry is shifting significantly. It is looking different because, like me, people are beginning to have a different type of relationship with social media.  

For example, the social media strategies that built my business and the sly product placement couldn't have been more effective, and rightfully so, because it's no longer 2015. 

Audiences crave something new, but they don't know what they want. They are over feeling like when they tap into certain social apps instead of updates from friends, family, and businesses they have chosen to follow, it seems as if they have tapped into some new 2024 version of a phone shopping network. 

Steve Jobs said it best: "People don't know what they want until you show them."

But here's the thing: Many people do not want to try some new content or explore some of their creative ideas because they see content on social media that has a bunch of likes. They think that's what's working for businesses because we are so caught up in a world of numbers and equal validation that they emulate said content. 

All I see lately is a bunch of other businesses emulating what other companies are doing, and it's making social media boring and turning it into if I dare say, the Home/Phone Shopping Network.

The majority of stuff looks so similar that it's getting increasingly difficult for me to figure out who is who when I'm scrolling. I need to click over to a profile to ensure whose content it is. And that could be the strategy. 

Interestingly, I only considered it a strategy once I just typed out these words. 

Huh. 

If you want to move away from creating and posting content that is similar to everyone else's, here is your reminder that it's okay to do social media your way. 

One way to do this is to monitor your analytics—what your community is actively telling you about the type of content that they like seeing from you. 

Then, repeating all of that. 

Before social media, how many people asked their friends to take a bunch of photos of them opening a bottle of champagne?

I bet next to none. 

If you want to brainstorm some social ideas and concepts you're thinking about- my inbox is always open. 

And here's a sampling of the photos that BSM probably never considered to be taken; the moment was just lived in and appreciated.

Don't Panic Over Social Media Shifts - Focus on Creating Great Content

Many coaches and influencers are panicking as Instagram, Meta, TikTok, and other platforms implement major changes. But the solution isn't complaining - it's adapting your strategy and doubling down on creating exceptional content that truly connects with your audience..."

Let's address the elephant on the social streets- where people are losing their minds over the Instagram Algorithm changes, the meta-verified shenanigans, and the eventual demise of TikTok. 

As with all big changes, it highlights and separates the business, marketing, and coaches based on their reactions. What you're seeing right now is how long these people have been in business.  

I could go off on a tangent here, but I promise I'm not going to. I'm going to make this helpful for you.

The bitching and complaining come directly from people who are “newer” and have put all of their marketing efforts into one basket. That basket could be Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or whatever your social platform of choice is here.

I'm seeing how business owners understand marketing and social media as a whole. Here's what I mean….

Since the beginning of the Facebook business page in November 2007, we have been incredibly blessed as business owners. We've had a place for our business to connect with others on social media for FREE. And then, when Instagram went from iPhone only to all other phones in April 2012, we were extra blessed with an additional FREE void to shout into about our businesses. 

So, it's fascinating that most people are shocked to learn that they might need to pay to play- because it seems a bit overdue.

When I took my first marketing classes, Facebook was for college students only, and businesses needed to pay physical and expensive marketing and advertising expenses. E-commerce—wtf was that? To "succeed," a business needed signage, advertising in newspapers, radio, TV, and direct mail to gain traction. All of that with no real way to test and track its return on investment.

It was expensive back in the 1900’s to reach people because you had to do actual advertising. To understand this better, in this day and age, do you know what 10M views on TikTok are worth in paid media? Based on Tok's $10 CPM (Cost Per Mille), aka Impressions average, it's about $100,000, and there are people who are getting that for FREE. 

I'm sorry to jump platform talk, but I need to give you an idea of how this exactly plays out in the paid world today.

Because my next point is that organic content is still alive. With this new Instagram algorithm update and the Meta updates that are expanding to other countries, and eventually the US, people are freaking out that to be seen; they are going to have to pay. I don't believe this to be true as of right now, and here's why- I don't believe that organic is going anywhere. The primary goal of social media platforms is for many people to disassociate and spend lots of time on the platform to keep their advertisers happy.

If there aren't people on the platforms, scrolling along and wasting their days, there are no advertisers.

If the platforms only showed paid content from mediocre creators, people would abandon them in mass, which would lead to less revenue for the platform.

Because once again remember, you are running a business on another business. 

Your feeds won't be overrun with junk ads, as that wouldn't be in the users' best interest. So, the rules essentially stay the same: the best content wins.

The Meta Verified isn't going to change that once it gets to the US. 

Producing great organic content will gain exposure.  I get that it feels like sometimes you have to create 100 shitty pieces of content before something sticks but you do have the luxury of figuring out by looking at your analytics monthly what content your community wants from you. 

But with all of these changes and "challenges" happening, it's more important than ever to figure out what is working. Be in more than one place. Build your email list. Focus on the following you already have. Provide exceptional service.

The most important thing of them all is to connect with human beings. 

Keep Learning. Stay Consistent and get creative.

The Entertainer’s Advantage: Winning The Social Media Battle For Attention

Each spring, I teach a four-part social media series for business owners through the SBDC I also consult at. Almost every time, a similar question is asked when we begin to discuss what kind of content to produce: “Does content need to be entertaining to get the scroll stopped?”

Before I share my perspective on this, let's consider a thought-provoking question: What underlying motivations lead someone to open their favorite social media app and begin to scroll?

1. Connection and Belonging: Humans crave connection and a sense of belonging at our core. Social media provides a virtual space where we can interact with others, share our thoughts and experiences, and feel part of a community. Whether reconnecting with old friends, joining interest-based groups, or simply feeling heard and validated by others, social media fulfills our innate need for social connection.

2. Self-Expression and Identity: Social media platforms offer a canvas for self-expression and identity exploration. We carefully curate our profiles, share glimpses of our lives, and express our opinions and beliefs. This ability to craft our online personas and present ourselves to the world in a specific way can be empowering and addictive.

3. Information and Entertainment: Social media is a vast repository of information and entertainment. From breaking news and viral trends to memes and funny videos, these platforms provide constant content that keeps us engaged and informed. The fear of missing out (FOMO) on the latest updates or viral sensations can be a powerful motivator to stay connected.

4. Validation and Approval: Social media has become a source of validation and approval in the digital age. We measure our self-worth by the number of likes, comments, and followers we accumulate. The dopamine hit we experience when our content receives positive engagement can be highly addictive, driving us to seek more and more validation from our online peers.

5. Distraction: Some people use social media to avoid or escape negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, loneliness, etc. Immersing themselves in the online world provides a temporary distraction from confronting difficult internal feelings.

Understanding why people tap into their social media app of choice is the first hurdle in creating content that will get your community to pay attention to what you are putting out there.

User Attention Is A Precious Commodity

Mastering the art of creating attention-grabbing posts is crucial for any brand or individual looking to stand out, and where the question “Does all content need to be entertaining?” is a YES.

Scroll back up and re-read numbers 1, 3, and 5. Social media is a form of escapism for the user, who logs on to be entertained and distracted from dealing with whatever is happening in their real life. This could be waiting in the waiting room of the doctor's office, in the pickup line at their child's school, or dealing with some emotional news they just received.

Here are some practical tips to help you craft content that stops the scroll and commands audience engagement:

1. Know Your Audience: Before embarking on any content creation journey, it's essential to have a deep understanding of your target audience. What are their interests, pain points, and preferences? Tailoring your content to resonate with your audience will significantly increase its effectiveness.

2. Use Visuals Wisely: Visual content is more likely to capture attention than plain text. Incorporate eye-catching images, videos, and infographics to make your posts visually appealing and engaging. Ensure that your visuals are high-quality and relevant to your message.

3. Spark Emotions: Emotions have a powerful impact on human behavior. To connect with your audience on a deeper level, try content that evokes emotions such as joy, surprise, humor, or inspiration. Emotional posts are more likely to be shared and resonate with users- an example of this is dog videos.

4. Ask Questions and Encourage Interaction: Encourage audience interaction by asking questions in your posts. People love to share their opinions and experiences, so prompting them to engage with your content through comments, likes, or shares can boost your post's visibility and reach.

5. Keep It Concise and Scannable: We are dealing with a 3.5-second attention span, and users have short attention spans. Keep your posts concise, clear, and scannable to make it easy for users to consume your content quickly. Use bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs to make your posts visually appealing and easy to read.

6. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to maintaining audience engagement on social media. Develop a content calendar and schedule posts regularly to keep your audience interested and coming back for more. Experiment with different content formats and track the performance of your posts to refine your strategy over time.

You can effectively command their attention amidst the endless scroll by prioritizing entertaining and emotionally resonant content tailored to your specific audience's preferences. Remember, social media is often an escape or a source of connection for users, so crafting content that fulfills those core desires is key.

Continuously experiment and analyze what resonates most with your community. Embrace visuals, spark emotions, encourage interactions, and maintain consistency. Success on social media requires a delicate balance of strategic planning and an innate understanding of what truly captivates your audience.

Ultimately, the ability to stop the scroll lies in your capacity to create content that entertains, informs, and resonates on a profound level. Master this art; you'll unlock a powerful connection with your audience, fortifying your brand's online presence and driving meaningful engagement. In the realm of social media, the scroll never stops, but with the right approach, you can become the highlight they pause for.

Let's chat if you need help on how exactly your business can achieve entertaining online.

Location, Location, Location: Why It's So Important For Physical Businesses To Geotag Instagram Posts

Here’s a secret you may or may not know about me: when I’m traveling or about to travel, I search the location of where I’m going on Instagram to see what’s out there. I scroll to see what shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and natural things are attached to the Geo/Location tag of where I am going.

And I notice that what so many businesses forget to do is add a geotag to their posts. This means that they are missing out on the out-of-towners like me who do this same thing to plan where they want to go or where they want to eat.

Instagram geotags are digital markers that offer endless possibilities, from exploring new destinations to optimizing your road trip adventures. Read on for a journey into the world of geotagging and start shaping your next unforgettable adventure.

What are Instagram Geo Tags and How They Work

Instagram Geo Tags are a powerful feature that allows users to add a specific location to their posts, providing a geotag for each photo or video shared on the platform. This function enables users to tag the exact place where the content was created, adding an exciting layer of location-based information to their posts.

Understanding Instagram Geo Tags

1. Location Tagging: Instagram Geo Tags associate your post with a specific place on the map. This can range from a famous landmark to a local restaurant or even a hidden gem off the beaten path.

2. Creating Connections: By tagging your posts with Geo Tags, you can connect with other users who have been to or are interested in the location. This can lead to new friendships, travel recommendations, and shared experiences.

3. Discovery Tool: Geo Tags also serve as a discovery tool for users exploring new places. By searching for a specific location tag, users can uncover many posts related to that place, offering insights, inspiration, and practical tips for their journeys.

4. Personalization: Instagram Geo Tags add a personal touch to your posts, allowing you to share the content and the exact place where you captured the moment. This creates a more immersive experience for your followers, connecting them to your adventures.

How Geo Tags Work

1. Feature Integration: Instagram seamlessly integrates Geo Tags into the post-creation process, allowing users to add a location directly before sharing their content.

2. Manual Input: Users can manually type in the location they wish to tag or choose from a list of suggested places generated by the platform based on their current location or past tagging history.

3. Privacy Control: Instagram offers privacy settings that allow users to control who can see the location tags on their posts, ensuring that sensitive or private locations remain secure.

4. Mapping Feature: Geo Tags have a mapping feature that displays the tagged location on a map within the post, giving viewers a visual reference of the content's creation.

Advantages of Using Geo Tags

• Enhanced Discoverability: Geotags increase the visibility of your posts to users searching for content related to specific locations, expanding your reach and engagement.

• Personalized Recommendations: By exploring posts tagged with specific locations, users can discover new destinations, restaurants, attractions, and accommodations recommended by fellow travelers.

• Community Engagement: Geo Tags foster a sense of community among users who share a love for travel and exploration, enabling them to connect, share tips, and form valuable connections.

By searching for location-based tagging related to their intended destinations, individuals can explore new places, gather travel inspiration, and create a comprehensive travel itinerary. Whether finding hidden gems, trending spots, or off-the-beaten-path attractions, geotags provide valuable insights into various travel destinations.

One of the key advantages of incorporating Instagram geotags into trip planning is the ability to maximize road trip stops. Using geotags, travelers can identify scenic viewpoints, local eateries, cultural landmarks, and photo-worthy spots along their routes. This enriches the travel experience and ensures every step contributes to a memorable and fulfilling journey.

Why Your Business Needs To Begin Geotagging

1. Enhancing Local Visibility

Establishing a strong local presence is often crucial for small businesses to attract customers. Geotags allow you to tag your location when posting on Instagram, making it easier for users in your area to discover your content. When users search for posts or stories tagged in a specific location, yours could be among the top results, thus increasing your visibility within your community.

2. Building Community Engagement

Geotags are more than just a feature; they're a direct line to your local community. By tagging your location, you can tap into conversations and events in your area, fostering relationships with nearby businesses and potential customers. This direct connection with your community increases engagement. It builds brand loyalty, as users who frequent or are interested in your locality are likelier to engage with your content, leading to increased likes, comments, and, ultimately, brand loyalty.

3. Showcasing Authenticity and Trustworthiness

Standing out with authenticity is paramount in a market saturated with advertisements and sponsored content. Geotags provide a unique advantage by adding credibility to your posts by verifying your physical presence in a specific location. This authenticity resonates with consumers, as they perceive businesses with a genuine local presence as trustworthy and reliable. By showcasing your physical location through geotags, you're not just promoting your products or services but also telling a story about your roots and commitment to your community.

4. Targeting Relevant Audiences

Geotags offer a powerful targeting tool, allowing you to reach audiences based on their location. Whether you're hosting an event, running a promotion, or want to attract foot traffic to your storefront, geotagging enables you to target users within a specific radius of your business. This targeted approach ensures that your content reaches the most relevant audience, maximizing the impact of your marketing efforts and driving conversions.

5. Improving SEO and Discoverability

In addition to enhancing visibility within the Instagram platform, geotags can benefit your overall online presence. When users search for local businesses or attractions on search engines like Google, geotagged Instagram posts may appear in the results, thus improving your SEO ranking and increasing discoverability. By consistently geotagging your posts, you can boost your chances of being found by potential customers on and off the Instagram platform.

Geotags on Instagram offer many benefits for small businesses looking to expand their reach and engage with their local community and travelers looking for unique experiences while visiting a location.

From enhancing visibility and authenticity to targeting relevant audiences and improving SEO, geotagging is a valuable tool that should not be overlooked in your social media marketing strategy. By harnessing the power of geotags, small businesses can amplify their presence, foster meaningful connections, and ultimately drive growth in their local market.

So, next time you post on Instagram, remember to geotag your business's location and watch your business thrive in the digital landscape.

Are Hashtags Still Relevant? A Social Media Manager's Perspective on Navigating Instagram's Discoverability Landscape

One of the frequently asked questions I get every time the Q&A part of a presentation happens always includes hashtags and their relevancy. The ideal number of hashtags is constantly changing but what I am finding interesting lately is how search words are being implemented more and more into Instagram.

About a month ago, I was posting to clients' feeds and inserting the hashtags, and I got a warning from Instagram that I had reached the hashtag limit, but I had only typed 5 in. It is very interesting to me, which makes me believe more and more that the future of getting discovered and searched involves implementing more search words into your posts.

Adapting to Instagram's Search Revolution:

Instagram's focus on improving search functionality and refining its algorithm has been evident. With features like keyword search and Explore tab enhancements, the platform has taken steps towards offering users a more personalized and expansive content discovery experience.

For years, hashtags have been our go-to strategy for boosting visibility and fostering engagement. They've been instrumental in helping us categorize content, reach broader audiences, and cultivate communities around shared interests.

Finding Harmony Between SEO and Hashtags:

While Instagram SEO represents a paradigm shift in how content is discovered on the platform, it doesn't spell the end of hashtags. Instead, it introduces a new dimension to our approach that complements rather than replaces our tried-and-tested hashtag strategies.

Here's how I'm navigating the intersection of Instagram SEO and hashtags:

1. Strategic Keyword Integration: I'm embracing Instagram SEO by strategically incorporating relevant keywords into captions, bios, and content descriptions. This helps align our content with user search queries on the explore tab and improve its discoverability.

2. Harnessing the Power of Hashtags: Hashtags remain integral to our content strategy. I am currently in a test phase; I have not been using hashtags on Maven & Muse Media posts but continue to use them on clients' feeds to target specific communities, amplify reach, and foster engagement. The sweet spot is combining keyword optimization with strategic hashtag usage, which is maximizing content's visibility and appeal.

3. Content Relevance as a guiding force: Instagram SEO and hashtags prioritize content relevance. I'm focused on delivering content that resonates with the audience's interests and preferences. By staying true to the business's brand voice and consistently delivering value, we increase the chances of appearing in search results and users' feeds.

Striking the Right Balance:

Balance is critical in our journey to navigate Instagram's evolving discoverability landscape. We don't view Instagram SEO and hashtags as competing strategies but rather as complementary tools in our toolkit.

Here are some actionable insights from our experience:

1. Stay Updated: Keep up to date on Instagram's updates and changes in search functionality to adapt your strategy accordingly. Subscribing to the Maven Movement email is a great way to begin.

2. Experiment: Testing is one of the things you need to get used to doing when it comes to marketing. Try different keyword combinations and hashtag sets that apply to you, gauge their effectiveness, and refine your approach.

3. Measure and Adjust: Use Instagram analytics to track the performance of your content, paying attention to engagement metrics, audience demographics, and trends in keyword searches and hashtag usage. If you aren’t, it’s time to become besties with your analytics and check in with them at least weekly.

My goal remains unchanged: to help you authentically connect with your community and drive meaningful engagement. When you embrace both Instagram SEO and hashtags, we're navigating the ever-changing landscape of discoverability and unlocking new opportunities for growth and connection on the platform. If you’ve hit your social media posting limit and want some fresh ideas let’s chat.

Marketing Lessons from 90s Country Songs: Crafting Compelling Campaigns with Heartfelt Storytelling

You start scrolling your way, I start scrolling mine, and we meet in the middle. 

I have a secret: on days when inspiration and words aren't flowing, I turn on a 90s Country playlist.

Why 90's Country, you ask—well, it's because marketing is all about feelings and storytelling.

And no one does feelings, feelings, and storytelling better than 90's country songs.

The future of marketing is getting back to relating to someone's heart. The content that is performing well right now as I write this is uncurated and real.

WHY?

Because it's relatable and attainable- it speaks to someone's heart and creates a feeling.

Together, let's analyze 90s country songs that can offer insights into various aspects of marketing, including messaging, branding, storytelling, and emotional appeal. Here are some lessons we can learn.

1. Emotional Connection: 90s country songs often emphasize storytelling and evoke strong emotions. Similarly, effective marketing campaigns should aim to create emotional connections with the audience, whether it's through nostalgia, empathy, or shared values.

2. Authenticity: Many 90s country songs portray authentic, relatable everyday life experiences. Authenticity in marketing builds trust and credibility with consumers. Brands that convey honesty and sincerity in their messaging are more likely to resonate with their target audience.

3. Know Your Audience: Country music artists understood their audience well and crafted songs that spoke directly to their experiences and values. Similarly, successful marketing campaigns are tailored to resonate with specific target demographics, understanding their needs, preferences, and cultural context.

4. Brand Storytelling: Country songs are often rich in storytelling, painting vivid pictures of characters and situations. Effective marketing campaigns use storytelling to engage and captivate audiences, creating memorable brand narratives that consumers can connect with on a deeper level.

5. Simplicity and Clarity: Many 90s country songs convey their message with simple, straightforward lyrics that are easy to understand. In marketing, clear and concise messaging is key to effectively communicating a product's or service's benefits to consumers.

6. Universal Themes: Despite focusing on specific themes like love, heartbreak, and small-town life, 90s country songs often address universal human experiences. Similarly, successful marketing campaigns usually tap into universal themes and emotions that resonate across diverse audiences. The great philosopher Alison Krauss says best: "Old Mr. Webster could never define what's being said between your heart and mine."

7. Consistency: Country music artists often maintained a consistent image and sound throughout their careers, building a loyal fan base over time. Similarly, brands benefit from consistency in their messaging, visual identity, and customer experience, which helps to reinforce brand recognition and loyalty.

8. Adaptability: While rooted in tradition, country music evolved to stay relevant to changing audience tastes and cultural trends. Similarly, successful marketing strategies must adapt to new technologies, consumer behaviors, and market dynamics to effectively reach and engage target audiences. The times are changing in marketing. Gone are the days of the overly masculine "Buy this, it will change your life," and entering is the softness of the feminine and speaking to the heart. 

If you're feeling stuck, search for a 90s country playlist. Listen to a few songs and pay attention to the themes, stories, and strategies in the songs. Can you see what they are describing in your mind's eye while dancing around your kitchen? Try these valuable insights to craft compelling campaigns that resonate with consumers and drive meaningful connections with their brands. Like a timeless country ballad, the best marketing campaigns can touch hearts and stand the test of time.

And if you're still stuck, it's time for us to meet up. 

Ain't no scroll to a long- cause we meet in the middle. 

Engaging Swifties: Harnessing the Power of User Generated Content for Marketing

From a Vlogger Songwriter- to a Global Pop Icon, the rise of Taylor Swift is an awe-inspiring story. But who I am more enchanted with right now is the one driving force behind her continuous success- her devoted fanbase - the Swifties.

So how does user-generated content from Swifties help Taylor Swift's marketing plans? Uncover the answers and learn why you can't afford to shake off the power of UGC anymore.  

Exploring the Role of User-Generated Content in Taylor Swift's Marketing Strategies

User-generated content (UGC) plays a pivotal role in Taylor Swift's marketing strategies, acting as a potent force that engages her dedicated fanbase known as "Swifties" and amplifies the reach of her brand. With millions of followers worldwide and across various social media platforms, Swift has successfully leveraged UGC to foster a sense of community among her fans and drive awareness, loyalty, and sales.

First, let’s clarify what User-Generated content is- User-generated content refers to any form of content – including images, videos, reviews, or testimonials – created by fans or consumers rather than directly by the brand. When harnessed effectively and integrated into marketing campaigns, UGC can create a powerful symbiotic relationship between any fans and the brand. The key here is that you do not need to be a celebrity to use this strategy.

One key aspect is understanding the psychology behind why UGC is so influential. People have an innate desire to be seen and heard, to feel like they are part of something greater than themselves. Love her or hate her, Taylor is the GOAT when it comes to Digital Marketing-nails this in the specific details in her storytelling lyrics AND how she moves through the social media hallways. Her lyrics and posts are vulnerable, and whether they are true or not, they are authentic to whatever story she tells.

This is what the halls of social media are craving lately; they want to know how they no longer want to be sold, a quick fix, or solutions they want to be a part of a community. People are craving to be seen and to be heard. This community aspect is currently what’s missing on all social media platforms- and where most business owners’ marketing is falling short.

By encouraging fans to create content related to Taylor Swift - fan art, covers of her songs, outfits inspired by song lyrics or even personal stories about how she has impacted their lives - Taylor taps into this fundamental human need for expression and validation. Meaning to or not, Taylor has created and holds space on social platforms for others to open themselves up to their vulnerability online to show that it’s ok for the next person to be open and discuss and post about their vulnerability.

So as a business owner, what can you learn from this concept of incorporating content from your fan base?

The advantage for business owners to begin enforcing UGC in their marketing strategy lies in the organic nature of user-generated content. This type of content provides an avenue for authentic engagement with consumers while also serving as valuable organic social proof for potential customers considering purchasing their products or services.

Swifties UGC's impact on Taylor's marketing efforts cannot be ignored- the strategies foster authenticity by showcasing real people who genuinely love and engage with her music; it transforms passive consumers into active participants; it builds trust through peer recommendations rather than overt advertising messages; and most importantly for business owners to take notice looking for insights into digital marketing strategies – it generates organic buzz which translates into increased visibility online.

Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Taylor Swift's Branding

Social media has undeniably played a significant role in shaping many artists' branding and marketing strategies, including Taylor Swift. As one of the most successful and influential musicians in recent years, Swift's brand has been carefully crafted to align with her persona and resonate with her audience –The "Swifties." These loyal fans have become integral to her marketing strategy by creating user-generated content (UGC) that promotes her music and strengthens her brand image.

Fans connect through platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Discord and TikTok while celebrating their shared love for all things Taylor- and there are times when Taylor (or her team) has responded and reposted Swifties content. We all know when someone takes the time to respond to a tag/mention or repost on social media, it makes us all feel seen- which keeps people invested and coming back to support you. The beautiful and one of my favorite things about Social Media- is that it allows for direct interaction between artists and fans, creating a sense of community that fosters loyalty and engagement.  (Like everything, there’s a dark side here, too whomp whomp- but today, we are talking about how important building a loyal fan base is to marketing a business.)

The power of social media allows fans around the world and Swiftie's voices to be heard directly by Taylor herself. She regularly interacts with fans through Twitter and Instagram, responding to messages or resharing photos to her stories. She provides personal updates about upcoming projects or events sometimes in “Swiftie” code- this level of accessibility creates an intimate bond between artist/fan relationships contributing positively towards brand affinity. This power dynamic shift from celebrities being very much out-of-reach figures toward one who could interact with you enables more inclusive conversations about identity & relationship dynamics, building a connected community that will help market for you.

 Examining How Effective Engagement and Interaction Have Helped Shape Popularity Among Fans

Effective engagement and interaction with fans in marketing can make or break a brand. One of my favorite brands for customer service is Nordstrom because they have effectively translated their stellar in-store customer service practices to all of their social platforms. The community and connections that “Swifties” share virtually on Discord or through hashtags translates the same in real life. Taylor and her team have mastered this because when you attend a concert, the worldwide commodore that exists virtually is 10x more powerful in person- everyone is kind to one another, there are Swifties of every age, ethnicity, and socio economic background, and whether they know it or not, they each hold space to allow you to be free to express yourself in whatever era of your life.

A translation from digital to in person like this for a brand can only be achieved by actively encouraging UGC through various campaigns such as hashtag challenges or contests, where Swift empowers her fans to become active participants in shaping her brand image. This gives them a sense of ownership and allows for organic promotion as they eagerly share their creations on social media platforms.

The effectiveness of this strategy lies in its ability to create an emotional bond between Taylor Swift's music and the experiences shared by her fans. By engaging directly with them through digital channels, she humanizes herself while simultaneously making each fan feel heard and valued.

Additionally, this form of engagement helps Taylor Swift stay relevant within popular culture conversations. By leveraging and sharing UGC trends created by passionate fans who are deeply invested in promoting their favorite artist's work online – she successfully generates buzz about upcoming releases or events before they even happen! 

The way that Swifties look for hints and clues of future releases and collaborations in songs, videos, and the clothing Taylor wears begins a thread of a conversation online which gets the fan/customer base invested early on, maybe even a project is still only in the idea phase.

From a business perspective looking into utilizing similar strategies for their marketing efforts – it becomes clear just how powerful effective engagement can be when done right- this is the one aspect of social media that most businesses are missing out on today. The connected engagement piece builds trust and commodore.  For example, let’s look at the friendship bracelet trend that has begun at the Eras Tour concerts- like most things Swifties attach themselves to, this trend has its origins in Taylor’s own words, the lyrics of “You’re on Your Own, Kid” from Midnights.

Did she know that a lyric would create a trend that brings and sparks conversations between Swifties of all ages together while waiting in her hour long merch line or for her to come on stage? Only her and her team know that one.

 But this is only one example of what the millions of dedicated and engaged community of "Swifties" Taylor Swift has created that supports her and actively promotes her work. When you’re out and about and see people wearing summer camp-looking bracelets, I bet you will now think of Taylor Swift- and you can thank a Swiftie for that brand recognition.

There is no denying that being part of Taylor Swift's fandom offers many benefits, especially when snagging a ticket to one of her concerts.

Become a Taylor Verified Fan on Ticketmaster- before tickets go on sale for the next tour <winky face>

Swifties are known for going above and beyond to support their favorite artist – attending concerts multiple times during one tour cycle or purchasing limited edition merchandise without hesitation. Businesses that align themselves with Taylor Swift's brand can tap into this fervor by offering exclusive collaborations or promotions tailored specifically towards these dedicated consumers.

By encouraging Swifties to generate content related to her music or branded merchandise through contests or challenges on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, Taylor Swift has cultivated immense brand loyalty while also driving sales growth. But the way that she does this isn’t sleazy or desperate because her base has been engaged from the get go because she’s also been engaging with her base! I’ve watched and been a part of plenty of businesses’ attempts to pull this off, and the key to pulling this strategy off effectively is, to BEGIN with an engaged customer base on social.

And the key to building the base is you guessed it- the authentic engagement and social proof of getting your fans to create User Generated Content.

So the next time you struggle with what content to create- look to your tags and mentions. Because good marketing means that others are talking about you for you, and sharing some of their posts, even if they are “off-brand” visually even if it's just a roundup. 

It's time to begin building your following of "Swifties"- what will yours say about you?