Tag: Content

My First Improv Class!

Improv

Is

So

Weird

YET

So

Awesome!

For those that don’t know, I’m pursuing the dream here in Nashville, Tennessee. I am consistently producing written, audio, and video content with the goal of breaking into the entertainment industry.

Ever since moving here in October, joining an Improv class has been near the top of my to-do list.

Last week I finally went to my first class.

I was a little unsure of what to expect. I took some acting classes in college so I figured it would likely be similar to that.

It was weird – but in the most amazing way possible!

Watch me break it down for you…

November 11, 2018
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!
November 5, 2018
Content Marketing: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know

Admit it. You LOVE consuming content. You scroll your Facebook and Instagram feeds for hours on end. Hey, no judgment here – I do it too.

In today’s digital world, content has never been more readily available. Just get yourself a smart phone and WHAM – you’ve got content for days. This is music to the ears of marketers.

Content Marketing is the easiest, most cost effective way to market your law practice. Let’s start with the basics…

What is Content Marketing?

Content Marketing can be defined as a marketing program that centers on creating, publishing, and distributing content for your target audience – usually online – the goal of which is to attract new clients.

Your content can be in the form of blog posts, videos, podcasts, e-books, Facebook posts, Instagram stories, or even tweets! All of which should be utilized in your content marketing plan.

Why Do It?

Content Marketing can increase your website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO), provide valuable information to your current and future clients, solidify yourself as an expert in your field, increase your leads, and skyrocket your billables. Cha-Ching! Let’s unpack that.

SEO is the practice of increasing the traffic to your website through organic search engine results. Google is smart – like really really smart. Google has advanced algorithms that allow them to accurately assess the quality of content posted on the web. AKA if you post quality content, you will rank high in Google search results. It’s as easy as that.

People trust experts. If you consistently publish quality content, you will appear as an expert in your field. Play your cards right and you will become the go-to guy on the internet.

Give without expectation. Answer all your client’s questions before they ask them. Walk your clients through an initial consult before they schedule one. Provide your prospects with content they crave. This will pay you dividends down the road.

Essential Platforms for Publishing and Promoting Content:

Unlike Platform 9 ¾, social media platforms don’t require you to run through a magical brick wall. Most lawyers are familiar with the major social media players – Facebook, Linked, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms are essential for lawyers and can be used to publish and promote content.

Facebook is more of a pay to play platform. It’s difficult to reach your audience organically. You can thank Facebook’s recent News Feed adjustment for that. Therefore, in order to ensure your content reaches its intended audience, you may need to pony up some dough. Luckily, Facebook Advertising is an easy-to-use tool that can define your audience and expand your content’s reach.

LinkedIn is a phenomenal platform for publishing and promoting content. As of September 18, 2018, LinkedIn had 562 million users. Averaging an additional 2 members per second. And with Microsoft’s $26.2 billion stamp of approval, you can rest easy knowing this platform isn’t going away. Better get on board now or risk missing the boat.

Instagram is the dark horse of the group. Many lawyers have taken a pass on this platform. This is a MISTAKE. Instagram’s new emphasis on video content makes it a prime marketing tool. Lawyers can host seminars on Instagram Live, post behind the scenes footage on Instagram stories, and even post longer webinars on Instagram TV. If your firm is in the video content game, which it should be, an Instagram account is a must-have.

Twitter is also a heavy hitter in the world of social media marketing. Lawyers are limited to 280 characters per tweet, making it difficult to publish original content. However, the platform is perfect for promoting content from your website. Twitter is also great for engaging with your followers and posting updates about your business. Here’s a list of 10 Twitter tips for lawyers to grow their following.

DIY v. Outsourcing:

The beauty of content marketing is its ease of entry. You can start right away. Draft an article, post it on your website, and promote it on all your social media pages. Getting started is easy as that.

Notice I said “getting started.” The above steps will get the ball rolling but they will not take you to the promised land. In order to achieve success, you need a long-term content strategy. You need to create and promote content consistently and with purpose. You need a call to action in every post. You need a publishing schedule. You need to track and measure your results. Exhausted yet?

Many lawyers outsource their content marketing. Others keep things in-house. Both methods can bring success, if done correctly.

Outsourcing places your content marketing in the hands of professionals, but it comes with a cost. If you go this route, ensure that you are working with a reputable company that is clear about your brand’s voice.

In-house marketing will give you complete control over your content and your brand’s voice, but requires hard work and dedication. I highly recommend all lawyers take HubSpot’s Content Marketing Certification Course. This course will give you the tools necessary to take your content marketing to the next level!

Bringing it Home:

Content Marketing is the best way to organically market your law practice – hands down. If you can consistently create quality audio, video, and written content, the sky’s the limit for your business. Time to get to work…

via The Lawyers Post

September 21, 2018