Brendan Bald

Author: Brendan Bald

  • Influencer Marketing 101

    Influencer Marketing 101

    If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely noticed that a lot of well-known personalities have started “selling” or “endorsing” products on their social media channels.

    They aren’t doing this for free.

    Companies are paying these “influencers” for advertising.

    So what makes a person an “influencer” and what exactly is “influencer marketing?”

    Let me break it down for you…

    What Makes a Person an Influencer?

    Influencers are Internet celebrities.

    They have large followings on social media and naturally carry influence over their followers – hence the name influencer.

    Most influencers have a niche personal brand.

    They could be fashion bloggers, photographers, movie critics, fitness coaches, cooks, or video gamers – literally anything.

    As long as they have a large following, they’re influencers.

    The Basics of Influencer Marketing

    Influencer marketing isn’t a new concept. In fact, it’s almost identical to celebrity marketing.

    In both influencer marketing and celebrity marketing, marketers take a well-known person who carries influence over their target market, and they pay them to advertise their product.

    The only difference between traditional celebrities and influencers is that influencers have niche “followers” and wield their influence on social media platforms.

    Side note- many traditional celebrities now carry influence on social media as well, further blurring the line between influencer marketing and celebrity marketing.

    While traditional celebrities tend to have a broad audience (everyone loves Brad Pitt), influencers have a more tailored audience (mainly gamers love Ninja). This is what makes influencers so attractive to marketers.

    Companies can now reach their target demographic through a trusted influencer on platforms that aren’t yet oversaturated with advertisements.

    Influencer marketing sounds great in theory. But does it work?

    Let’s Look at the Data…

    According to Social Media Today…

    • 67% of marketers believe that influencer marking campaigns help them reach a more targeted audience.
    • 61% of consumers rely on social media as the most important source of information when shopping.
    • Influencer marketing can generate up to 11x the ROI of traditional advertising.

    In addition, the Digital Marketing Institute reports …

    • 70% of teens trust influencers more than traditional celebrities.
    • 86% of women use social media for purchasing advice.
    • 49% of consumers depend on influencer recommendations
    • Influencer Marketing Campaigns earn $6.50 for every dollar spent.

    The numbers speak for themselves. Influencer marketing is here to stay.

    The next question you probably have is, “how do I get in on this sweet action?”

    How to Get in the Game

    You can either approach influencers yourself or pay a marketing company to do it for you.

    Hiring a marketing company will make your life a lot easier. Marketers know the best way to contact influencers, how much to pay, what sort of campaigns are successful with your market, etc…

    But most small businesses don’t have the resources to hire a big marketing firm.

    The good news is that you can get started on your own.

    Here’s an example…

    Say you’re a barbershop owner who’s looking to increase business with influencer marketing. What’s your first move?

    You need to slide into a few DMs!!

    Find local influencers on Instagram and send them Direct Messages.

    Ask if you can pay them to come to your barbershop, get a haircut, and then post about their experience. You may have to do some negotiating with price but that’s all it takes.

    Conclusion

    The Internet has turned millions of people into influencers. Social media is the new Hollywood and marketers have taken notice.

    The marketing opportunities are there and the numbers speak for themselves.

    Time for you to slide into the DMs and get in on the action!

  • Why I’m Obsessed With Touring Gettysburg

    Why I’m Obsessed With Touring Gettysburg

    If you know me, you know that I’m a huge history buff. I was a history major in college and now spend a lot of my free time reading history books.

    I’m a nerd through and through – and damn proud of it.

    Out of all the historical sites in the country, Gettysburg is my all time favorite to visit. I’ve been a total of seven times.

    No, this isn’t an advertisement for Gettysburg Tourism. I just wanted to rap about why Gettysburg is such an awesome place to visit.

    Gettysburg 101

    So if you know your civil war history, go ahead and skip this section.

    I’m going to break down the battle of Gettysburg into its simplest terms…

    On July 1st 1863, Union troops faced off against Confederate troops in the small town of Gettysburg, PA.

    The battle lasted three days and was the deadliest of the civil war – over 51,000 casualties.

    In the summer of 1863, the Confederates were winning the war. They had a lot of momentum and were in the midst of an offensive campaign.

    A Confederate victory on Northern soil would have been a major blow to the Union.

    SPOILER ALERT. Union troops defeated the Confederates and sent them back into Virginia. This was a major turning point in the war.

    Okay, so flash-forward to Gettysburg in 2018.

    Touring the Battlefield

    The Gettysburg battlefields are beautiful and well preserved. You can tour them on your own or with a tour guide – both I recommend.

    Observational towers are placed throughout the park and offer a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. They are worth the cardio workout to climb up – trust me.

    You’ll enjoy touring the Gettysburg battlefields even if you aren’t a history nerd like myself. The views are that good.

    But the more you learn about the battle, the more you’ll appreciate it.

    Gettysburg Museums

    The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is great place to kick off your trip.

    You can watch a short educational video about the battle. This is perfect for those who aren’t up on their history before visiting. It’ll give you a good baseline before you tour the battlefields.

    If you’re into museums, you need to check out the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum. It’s not free but it’s well worth the money.

    You can also tour a massive Cyclorama at the visitor center that depicts Pickett’s Charge. This thing is awesome and should be near the top of your to-do list.

    The Food is Damn Good Too

    The Food in Gettysburg is out of this world!

    Hunt’s Battlefield Fries & Cafe is probably my favorite. They have the BEST cheesesteaks and fries. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

    There are also a lot of civil war era restaurants. They go all-in too. I’m talkin lanterns, full 19th century costumes, and civil war memorabilia on deck. I recommend Dobbin House Tavern if you’re looking for this kind of vibe.

    No trip to Gettysburg is complete without hitting up Mr. G’s Ice Cream. Two scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough will do the trick.

    You can always just do what I do – hit Hunt’s Battlefield Fries for lunch then walk right over to Mr. G’s for dessert.

    You may get hit with a massive food coma but it’s well worth it.

    Ghost Tours

    Full disclosure – the ghost tours are a bit cheesy. BUT that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun. Given the massive death toll from the battle, it’s no surprise that the town is haunted as hell.

    Just make sure you go when it’s dark out. There is nothing scary about hauntings in broad daylight.

    Ghost tours also make for a great date night!

    In Summary

    With the breathtaking battlefields, amazing museums, and delicious food, Gettysburg is a remarkable place to visit.

    You will never run out of things to do in Gettysburg. Spend a weekend and take full advantage of everything this city has to offer.

    Hopefully you now see why I’m so obsessed with visiting this place.

    If you need any more tips for when you make your visit, feel free to reach out! I could basically be a tour guide at this point.

  • That Time I Thought an Entire Movie Theater was Built for The Mummy Returns…

    That Time I Thought an Entire Movie Theater was Built for The Mummy Returns…

    Yes, this really happened.

    I was 10 years old and clueless about everything – except maybe Pokémon. Oh, and Goldeneye for Nintendo 64. I was a savage at Goldeneye. I could literally beat it with my eyes closed (pause). With no cheat codes either (if you know, you know).

    Anyways, back to the story.

    This was in 2001 – the days when kid birthday parties reigned supreme.

    Entire classes would be invited. We’d eat pizza, drink soda, and run around with minimal supervision. I’m getting excited just thinking about it…

    That year for one my friends birthday parties, we went to see The Mummy Returns in theaters.

    I remember being psyched about it. Going to the movies was one of my all time favorite things to do – it still is. Right behind Chipotle and touring Gettysburg (I’m such a nerd, I know).

    Anyways, I hadn’t heard of The Mummy Returns but was excited nonetheless. I knew it had something to do with mummies – and mummies are badass (obviously).

    So on the day of the party we all met at the birthday boy’s house. There had to of been at least 30 of us there. We somehow packed into two vans and hit the road.

    I remember everyone in the van raving about the awesome new movie theatre we were going to. I hadn’t heard of it so I got even more excited.

    When we pulled up, I almost shit my pants.

    The movie theater was named Muvico Egyptian. It looked as if it belonged in ancient Egypt. The entrance was lined with Shaquille O’Neal sized Pharaohs and Anubis statues.

    I was in total awe.

    How had I not heard of The Mummy Returns?

    The movie was so big that they freakin built a whole movie theater for it!

    Or so I thought.

    I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for anything in my life. I got a big bucket of popcorn, a soda, and sour patch kids (this is still my go-to). I was in in heaven.

    We then filed into the theater, which of course looked exactly like an Egyptian Pharaoh’s tomb (swoon).

    This movie was already my all time favorite, and I hadn’t even seen it yet.

    It was finally show time.

    I don’t think I blinked once. I was entranced. There were swords, guns, mummies, pharaohs, and even killer insects (scarabs).

    Side note – I thought the killer scarabs were real for the longest time. They scared the shit out of me. I vowed never to visit Egypt because of them.

    Aside from my deep fear of scarabs, I loved every minute of the movie. I wanted to watch it again the second it was over.

    I remember thinking how lucky I was to have seen a movie in a theater that was exclusively built for that movie. I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience.

    It was years before I found out the theater had nothing to do with the movie. Muvico was a chain of theaters and they all were Egyptian themed. I was devastated when I found out.

    Around that same time I also found out that The Mummy Returns was actually a sequel. SMH. I was so embarrassed. How could I have been so dumb?

    Regardless of the harsh truth, The Mummy Returns remains one of my favorite movies.

    The bliss of that day lives vividly in my imagination.

    A good movie seen at the perfect time in your life can transport you into a whole new world. A new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no. Or where to go. Or say we’re only dreaming…

    If you didn’t sing that in your head, we shouldn’t be friends.

    The Mummy Returns didn’t win any Oscars and may have received a mere 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, BUT it was one of the best movies I’d ever seen.

    Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed my little anecdote.

    Movie magic is real people! Don’t let anyone tell you different.

    Peace out!

    P.S. Brendan Fraser is due for a major comeback. You heard it here first!

  • So You Want to Start Blogging for Your Firm – Here’s How:

    So You Want to Start Blogging for Your Firm – Here’s How:

    Are you thinking about starting a blog for your Firm? You’ve come to the right place.

    Blogging can position yourself as an industry expert, widen your digital footprint, boost your website traffic, improve your search engine optimization, and build rapport with potential clients.

    The benefits of content marketing cannot be understated. Want a leg up on your competition? Start blogging ASAP.

    With some structure and a few tips, you’ll be a rock star blogger in no time.

    Here’s how you get started…

    Be a Content Sponge:

    Not sure where to start? Forget about writing. Instead, consume as much content as you possibly can. Be a content sponge.

    Magazines, newspapers, blogs, twitter, food labels, billboards, the dictionary – read it all.

    Okay, maybe not the dictionary. But you see where I’m going with this. Read EVERYTHING.

    Be sure to broaden your preferences though…

    If you are a family law attorney, switch things up and read about real estate or movies or black holes or Mexican food or foreign policy – literally anything.

    When you read diverse material, you energize your imagination.

    After feasting on an all-you-can-eat content buffet, something magical happens. Ideas start popping into your head.

    You’ll be walking in the grocery store. Drooling over the double-stuffed Oreos. Thinking about how shitty your diets been since you started that trial. Then…Eureka!

    You remember that your clients’ health often suffers during trial too. Why not write an article about the importance of staying healthy during trial?

    Congrats! You just got hit with an idea for your first blog post. Now write it down!

    Ideas are easily forgotten, just like dreams. So when you get hit with a majestic idea, like the one in the above example, write it down.

    You might want to invest in a pocket notebook. Or just use your smartphone. Either way, get that shit down so you don’t forget it.

    Once you’ve got a solid idea, you then need to turn it into a blog post.

    Here’s how you do it…

    Pick a Format:

    Pick your blog post’s format before you begin writing.

    Will your post be list based or subject based? For example, your article could either be “5 Tips to Eating Healthy During a Divorce” OR “Eating Healthy During a Divorce: Everything You Need to Know.” The former’s format is self-explanatory. The latter’s format is broken up into headings and subheadings.

    List based articles tend to be easier for writers new to the game.

    Okay, so you’ve picked a format – what’s next?

    Outline Your Content With Headings:

    When you craft your headings before you begin writing, you set yourself up for success.

    It keeps you organized and gives your content a clear road map.

    If you’ve gotten this far in the process, take a deep breath because the hard part is over.

    It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy from here on out.

    Give it Some Meat:

    Now it’s time to write the body of your blog post. This is the easy part.

    You need to dive in headfirst. Dump all of your knowledge onto the page. And don’t worry about sounding funny or clever – that all comes on the rewrite.

    If you consulted any outside sources, cite those sources with clear hyperlinks.

    Draft Your Intro & Conclusion Last:

    Intros are critical to a good blog post. They either hook your reader or turn them away.

    Be sure your intro answers the following two questions:

    1. What is your article about?
    2. Why should your audience care?

    Remember – you’re writing to provide value for your current and future clients. Therefore, it’s critical to articulate the expected value in the intro.

    Make it Pretty:

    Congrats! You’ve finished your first draft! Now it’s time to clean it up and make it pretty.

    I recommend stepping away from your content for at least a few hours before jumping into editing.

    Grab a cup of coffee or hit up chipotle for some fuel.

    I recommend a burrito bowl with white rice, black beans, double chicken, mild salsa, sour cream, cheese, guac, and lettuce. Just sayin.

    Do whatever you have to do to ensure you are editing with clear eyes.

    A wise man once said, “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” And he was right. Shout out Coach Taylor of the Dillon Panthers!

    Here are a few tips for editing your first post…

    • Comb through your content for spelling and grammar mistakes. Be sure to check out Hubspot’s 30 of the Most Common Grammatical Errors We All Need to Stop Making.
    • Shorten your sentences. Dispose of unnecessary words. Here are a few tips from the Center for Plain Language.
    • Shorten your paragraphs. Double tap your enter key often. White space is friendly on the eyes.
    • Ensure you are using active voice and not passive voice. Active voice makes your sentences direct and punchy – further strengthening your content.
    • Use contractions. They make your writing less formal.
    • Use pronouns like “you,” “your,” and “yours” as often as you can. This connects you with your audience.
    • Limit your use of adverbs. Be creative with your word choices. For instance, instead of saying “he’s very mad,” say “he’s furious.”

    Conclusion:

    Remember – your first post is likely to be the hardest to write. But with a little curiosity and careful planning, you’ll be cranking out quality content in no time.

    In the words of NBA superstar, Joel Embiid, “Trust the Process.”

    You’re well on your way to becoming a blogging superstar!

    via The Lawyers Post

  • The Dark Web’s Oxymonster Sentenced to 20 years | Legal Buzz

    The Dark Web’s Oxymonster Sentenced to 20 years | Legal Buzz

    Legal Buzz is your go-to source for the latest and greatest legal news.

    The Dark Web’s Oxymonster Sentenced to 20 years:

    Gal Vallerius, aka the “Oxymonster,” was sentenced last week to 20 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering.

    The Oxymonster was known on the Dark Web for selling Oxycontin and Ritalin – go figure right? As if selling oxy wasn’t enough, the Oxymonster also worked on the Dark Web supporting online drug deals and virtual currency money laundering schemes.

    This guy sounds like an evil villain straight out of a Bond movie.

    What exactly is the Dark Web anyways? The term refers to websites and networks that are heavily encrypted and “hidden” from the average Internet user.

    Because of its super secret hiding place, the Dark Web has become a playground for illegal activities.

    Several organizations were involved in the investigation and prosecution of the Oxymonster, but major props belong to the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (insanely long name, I know) for their work on this.

    Read more at Jurist and United States Department of Justice

    Kaepernick Tries to Trademark His Image:

    Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback / face of NIKE / political activist, applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week seeking trademark rights to a black-and-white image of his face and hair.

    The trademark, if successful, would give Kaepernick complete control over how his image is used. It would give him the power to license the image to any brands he wants. He would retain the rights to the image in the event his brand relationships sour.

    The trademark would also give Kaepernick legal ammunition in the event that his haters use the image in negative campaigns.

    This is a smart play by Kaepernick. He’s out here playing chess while his haters are playing checkers.

    Read more at Law.com

    Legal Tech is on the Rise:

    Attorneys are expensive – I know. But without attorneys, the legal system is complicated to navigate and a source of relentless anxiety.

    So what do you do when the value of your dispute doesn’t justify paying for an attorney?

    The mobile app, DoNotPay, may have a solution. DoNotPay’s new update allows users to “sue anyone in small claims court for up to $25,000 without the help of a lawyer.”

    Here’s how it works…

    The app first asks for your name, address, and claim size in order to determine whether or not it complies with a state’s limits. It then generates a demand letter, creates a filing, helps serve notice of the suit and provides other support to usher users through the trial process. The app even generates suggested scripts and questions pro se litigants can use when they go to court.

    Sound too good to be true? It might be. Early users of the app warn of technical bugs and ethical concerns, the ABA Journal reports.

    All in all, this tech sounds promising. It has the potential to simplify a process that is foreign to most people. The app could provide comfort to pro se litigants who are unfamiliar with the legal system and can’t afford legal representation.

    If this tech takes off, many young attorneys who make a living on small claims litigation will be without work.

    With a market swarming with thirsty lawyers, DoNotPay is sure to have its fair share of enemies.

    Stay tuned to see how this develops…

    Read more at ABA Journal

    via The Lawyer Post