Tag Archives: marketing

Maximize Your Company’s Effectiveness on Instagram

Looking to expand your brand’s social media? Instagram is a great place to start! Here are six tips on Instagram marketing to help you maximize your company’s effectiveness on Instagram.


1. Showcase Your Personality

People are curious as to who is behind their favorite brands. Openness and transparency allow consumers to feel connected to the brands they admire. To be effective at showcasing what makes your brand unique, posting relatable content is ideal. Content that shows your company’s zeal and personality is key for success. 

2. Let Your Audience Create Content

Businesses must always be attentive to their customers needs and in today’s marketplace consumers want their voice to be heard. This has led to many companies allowing  their audience do some of the work for them by reposting some of their pictures. 

GoPro has used this approach quite extensively and now gives its followers a chance to post weekly in their #FeaturedPhotographer posts. This inclusive social media approach makes the brand much more accessible. By creating a lifestyle image rather than a product showcase GoPro has positioned itself to continue to gain more popularity and visibility. 

Incorporating this approach into your social media marketing platform will instantly show that your company values consumer input. However, when deciding what content to use from followers it is vital that the content you post is relevant to the message you want to convey. 

3. Product Teasers

The main goal of social media marketing or any marketing for that matter is not just to get followers, it is to generate more sales. One effective method to create a buzz around your page is to tease your followers with teasers of upcoming products to instill an air of excitement and anticipation. It is important these teasers don’t seem to pushy or come off as advertisements. The photo should be unique and engaging, a discount code can be put in the post to prime your followers to buy. 

4. Sponsored Ads

As wonderful as wholesome, grassroots social media marketing is sometimes you have to pay your way to succeed. Purchasing sponsored ads on Instagram allows your content to be seen by many people who otherwise would not. Sponsored Instagram posts  show up on your target audience’s main page as they are scrolling as if they already follow you. If you have an eye-catching photo then it may be a great way to gain followers and make sales. Instagram offers endless opportunities for companies to maximize their visibility while generating sales. Sponsored ads can capture new potential customers, and allow them to buy instantly through a “call-to-action’’ button which brings Instagramers directly to your homepage. 

5. Instagram Stories

Instagram stories are another avenue you can travel down to ensure you are using Instagram to the fullest. Instagram stories appear are a compilation of photos and videos that are presented in a slideshow which only last 24 hours. These stories can be a quietly powerful marketing tool for your brand because it can give consumers an inside look to your brand. Giving your audience a quick snapshot of something such as life inside the office, a behind the scenes look at the production process, or even just a funny video showing off your company’s relatability.

6. Create a Cohesive Aesthetic

Creating an instagram with cohesive aesthetic is not easy and will take planning. You need to know your brand and the aesthetic you want to create for it. If you already have a website it needs to feel like the two go together. It might help before trying to create an aesthetic to create a mood board to follow as you start to add content. 

5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs A Website

Image result for working on computer

More often than not, people are turning to the internet for their consumer needs. It is obvious now more than ever that business that have a website do better than those that don’t. 

Here are five reasons your small business needs a website. 


1. Customers Expect A Website

According the the American Marketing Association six out of ten people expect a business to have an online presence. It is estimated that at least 50% of consumers use websites to gain information about a company.  In today’s marketplace, customers are much more inclined to overlook a company if the website is out of date, not user-friendly, or easily accessible.

2. You Will Show Up on Google Search Results

 The fact that more than 80% of consumers conduct online research before a purchase demonstrates the vital necessity of having an effective website to display your company’s products. The prospect of a business operating without a website means that the chance they will appear on the search engine results page (SERP) is close to none. Luckily, there are many avenues businesses can travel down to optimize an existing website to bring it up to date. You can customize your site with titles, meta descriptions, and keywords to make sure you are showing up at the top of Googles results. 

3. It’s Always Up and Working

A business can only be open so many hours a day, but people are online at all hours of the day and an effective website that is easily accessible can connect you with customers constantly. Not only can your website increase sales dramatically because now you are open 24/7, but it can also reach people who are restricted by geography. The ability of a website to connect with customers you never knew you had is a tremendous advantage.

4. Become More Competitive

It may go without saying, but the modern marketplace is fiercely competitive which makes having a website undoubtedly vital to your companies continued existence. By not optimizing your website there is a huge risk, if not a certain degree of certainty that you are disadvantaging yourself immensely and giving your competitors a huge edge. Today’s consumer tends to shop primarily online which means they will not be buying from a company whose website is years behind other competing brands let alone take them seriously. If you want people to take your company seriously then it’s a good idea to hop on the website bandwagon.

5. Control

Your website is your domain and this provides a company the luxury of having absolute control and autonomy over their public image and their interactions with customers. Control is something that a company rarely finds itself having, but a website can offer that which is a valuable luxury that can be leveraged to connect with customers on a much deeper level. There are many ways to leverage this control such as having a blog on the site to create a sense of community on your page between customers and yourself which allows for an in-depth understanding of your target market. Your website is a constant presence on the web, this allows a company to constantly try and dial in your effectiveness in reaching customers and improving your service. By leveraging your control over your website and your company’s public image you are also giving the user the chance to be as connected and informed as they would be shopping at a store.

Content Marketing Trends of 2019

The ability for businesses to remain competitive and profitable within the modern marketplace is a challenge that all businesses are faced with.  In trying to achieve this goal  it is vital that these companies utilize existing tools within the marketing space to stay up to date with the latest trends. As it currently stands, there are four trends within content marketing that can allow your business to better connect with your customer base.  


1. Chatbots

There are many groundbreaking methods that can be utilized by marketing agencies to effectively communicate their message and of the many mediums they can use, one of the most innovative is a technology known as chatbots. Chatbots have quietly and discretely established itself as an incredibly viable way for marketing firms and companies alike to engage in more personalized exchanges with consumers. It has been shown that a large number of consumers are beginning to expect big companies to have chatbot accessibility. This desire by consumers has been reflected by companies’ plans for future innovation, a recent study by Spiceworks shows that 40% of large companies will be using chatbots in 2019. Clearly, the use of chatbots has quietly permeated the marketing sphere and the use of this method will only continue to increase as consumers seek a more personal encounter when shopping.

2. Long Form Content

This marketing method involves content that contains over 2000 words to explain or highlight the benefits of a particular product or service. This method has been shown to be incredibly successful for many reasons. By having such dense content it allows consumers to gain a comprehensive understanding of a company’s services, products, and messages. Furthermore, this method while simplistic has a huge technological upside, it has been demonstrated that long-form content is more likely to be shown by search engines making it an inexpensive and accessible way for marketing firms to communicate their message. 

3. Voice Search

While some marketing techniques rely on simple methods, this is the age of technological breakthroughs which presents a host of new and fertile methods, such as Voice Search engine marketing, for businesses to smash the glass separating businesses from consumers. Voice search is a relatively new technology that is quickly being integrated into many new devices such as Siri with Apple, Alexa with Amazon, and Google with Android. These operating systems are becoming the center for how consumers navigate not only their phone or television but also the marketplace. There is more than sufficient evidence to suggest that this technology will only continue to proliferate, some predicting the half of all online searches will be voice searches in 2020. This shows the incessant need for companies to acknowledge the rising supremacy and popularity of this marketing medium, and also to tailor marketing strategies to optimize existing voice search engine demands and queries. 

4. Video, Webinars and Webcast

In examining what methods are more effective at breaking the barrier between consumers and companies it is abundantly clear that videos, webinars, and webcasts are indisputably valuable to marketing firms and companies alike. To get a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of video marketing it should be noted that research conducted by Aberdeen showed, “marketers who use video increase their revenue 49% faster than those who don’t.” Video marketing comprises a large sector of the marketing sphere and its popularity will continue to rise. The continued use of video marketing is, “predicted to account for 82% of global internet traffic by 2021”. This boggling statistic demonstrates not only the opportunity for marketing firms but the necessity to get ahead of the curve to stay relevant in an ever-changing marketplace. 

Why Video Marketing is Essential

As we get further into 2018, you may wonder what the next step is in promoting your company. Enter: Video Marketing.

Video is rapidly progressing as one the most powerful tools for a company’s marketing strategy. Whether it’s a company profile, animated ad, or social media concentrated, etc., video is a versatile way to capture your audience’s attention online while pushing forward your company brand.


Some Quick Stats

  • 64% of consumers purchase after watching branded social videos (Tubular Insights)
  • Viewers retain 95% of message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in text. (Wirebuzz)
  • 70% of users say that product videos are helpful in the decision process when it comes to a product (Hubspot)
  • Social video generates 1200% more shares than text and images combined (smallbiztrends)
  • Including a video on a landing page can increase conversion rates by 80% (Unbounce)
  • Video posts on Facebook have 135% greater organic reach than photo posts (Social Media Today)
  • By 2019, global consumer internet video traffic will account for 80% of all consumer internet traffic (smallbiztrends)

With stats like those, it’s hard to argue why you wouldn’t use video as your next marketing tool. So where do you begin?

At Bright Light, we offer full video production services including filming, editing, animation, motion graphics, and more. Below is just a sample of what we can offer you.

Company Profile

A company profile is usually a 60-90 second video that gives your company a face and tells your story. This is beneficial in a way that allows potential clients to build a trust and understanding when it comes to working with you.

Animation

Animated videos are a great way to explain numbers or processes within your company that keeps things fresh, light, and most importantly, fun. These are the types of videos that make a hard sell easy to swallow.

Product Ad

For clients who want to take their project to a full-scale commercial production, these videos help to gain the client’s interest in the product, leading to easier investment.

Want to see more? Visit our Video page.

In conclusion, company brands will continue to face the never ending challenge of keeping up with the latest trends in an ever-changing online market. But one thing has always been static and that’s a consumer’s attraction to visual storytelling. Video marketing will continue to evolve more than it currently has and it can only benefit your business now and in the long run. Make the leap and get started.

Ready to create your next video? Contact us today!

7 Ways You Should Invest In Your Website

In today’s world, consumers expect businesses to have a professional and high functioning website. Sure, you could have a sweet social media presence or a nifty little google search but neither of those things will benefit you in the same way a website does.

Like any investment, a website isn’t just any regular expense. It’s a channel that results in revenue and growth. A good website can grow your business, sell your product, make you stand out against your competition, and be a revenue stream for your company.

It is no longer a luxury to have a website. It is a necessity.


1. To Attract More Clients

Obvious but true. A more organized and better looking website will lower your bounce rate and make you stand out. Readable content with a user-friendly navigation increases chances that potential clients will stick around on your site and get to know who you are and see what you’re all about. You might just be the business they’re looking for.

2. Go Responsive

Keeping up with the latest trends in technology will keep you ahead of the game. Today, most people are searching the web just in the palms of their hands. It has been documented that mobile browsing has outpaced web browsing since 2014. A quick google search could lead them to your website, so you better be responsive and ready. According to Skillcrush, 40% of people will choose a different search result if the first is not mobile friendly.  Optimize your site for all devices and ensure you’re keeping potential clients from surfing to your competitors.

3. Take Control Of Your Website

Stuck with a developer you need for making any small change to your website? Migrating over to a content management systems (CMS), like WordPress, will allow you to have the control you want in evolving your business. A CMS gives you the ability to make quick and easy updates, have multiple users so you can assign blog entries or updates in an orderly and up-to-date fashion, as well as helps you manage all your content in the most user-friendly fashion. You’re in control.

4. Integrate Your Site with Social Media

If you aren’t taking advantage of social technology in 2016, your company is already behind in one marketing strategy. Integrating your website with your social media profiles is one of the best ways to generate traffic and potential client leads. It also helps your company stay engaged with clients and allow an avenue for your company to post in an up-to-date fashion.

5. Add E-Commerce

Get your products online and create an additional revenue stream that is simple to manage. Online stores are an easy way to attract new customers, save on operational costs, save customers time and money, as well as establish your brand. E-Commerce continues to grow 10% each year in the US alone and can take your company to new levels of growth.

6. Add a Blog or Industry Insights

Are you a leader in your industry? Do you have knowledge and expertise? Create your own content by adding a blog or newsfeed. It’s a great avenue for keeping your website up-to-date and fresh. A few blogs a month on fresh topics related to your business helps easily increase website traffic, produce organic search visibility, and most importantly, humanizes your company’s brand, helping customers find ways to relate to you in ways that make you seem reliable and coming back for more.

7. Bang for Your Buck – ROI

A website is the obvious answer to marketing your company. When a client is looking for a certain service, 9 times out of 10 they will google search businesses and judge you based upon the quality of your website before seeing anything else. Attract more clients with a fabulous website and quickly make back the money you spent to create it.


Looking for a new website and ready to make the leap? Contact us today!

Why Your Brand Should Be Utilizing Instagram

Instagram, the platform used every day by users to share their stories visually with images, has become a powerful force in social media. With an average of 55 million photos uploaded each day on this vast and fast-growing social network, it’s a tool that, if used correctly, can benefit brands and grow their audience.

Why should your brand use Instagram?

While it can’t be said for all social media, Instagram is a platform for everyone. Whether you’re a small business starting up in the world or a well established brand, Instagram is a visual force to be reckoned with, allowing just about anyone the option to tell (and sell) their story. Coming up with content for your feed can be challenging, especially with seeing what works and what doesn’t on the platform. But that doesn’t mean potential users shouldn’t try and keep at it. In the last couple years, mobile media has surpassed online media consumption and will continue in that direction. So take advantage!

Don’t have thousands, or in some cases, millions of followers? Don’t sweat it. Instagram users are eager to connect with brands on a personal and inspirational level, and finding the right visual vision for your brand can make all the difference. Here are three points to get your going:

Brands that are doing it right

65% of the world’s top 100 brands are using Instagram. Here are a few of them and examples of how they use visual images to push their brand.

Ben and Jerry’s: 510K Followers

Starbucks: 4.8M Followers

GoPro: 5.3M Followers

National Geographic: 21.5M Followers

Red Bull: 2.8M Followers

Taco Bell: 553K Followers

You Graming Yet?

Looking to get your brand on Instagram? Take a look at our monthly marketing package that takes your brand and provides it with a steady online presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about successfully marketing your brand across the different social media platforms.

Video Domination: Streaming 2015

In today’s market, consumers have the mindset of I want it now and I want it fast that it only makes sense that they’d rather watch a 1-3 minute video containing the important information that sums up the ins and outs of your business in a creative, visual manner instead of reading paragraphs of visually-unappealing text. Successful businesses all have videos that market their company, and the longer a business waits to produce one is another day their competitors stay ahead of the game. Customers watch more video. Plain and simple.


Stats to Consider:

  • 78% of people watch at least one video on Youtube
  • More than 500 years’ worth of Youtube videos are watching daily on Facebook
  • 700 YouTube videos are shared on Twitter every minute
  • 50% of mobile traffic is due to online video
  • 75% of executives watch work-related videos on business-related websites at least weekly
  • 70% of the top 100 search listings on Google are video results

Source: War Room Inc (more statistics here)


Below are some example videos from our portfolio that were produced for clients and successfully marketed their company / products:

Maryland Wood Countertops


Hickok Cole


How to Use Deal Chicken


Go Brent Team


One Fairfax

Looking to produce a video for your business or product? Contact us and get the conversation started.