Tag: social media marketing

LinkedIn Is Back

Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , ,

LinkedIn may be turning a corner. What was once a sleepy job forum is launching new features that might transform it into a vibrant social contender. Yes, at its foundation, LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and since its cash cow is job marketing, it won’t likely revamp its entire identity. However, LinkedIn’s fresh tools offer additional functionality and opportunities for interaction.

Native Video

Previously, LinkedIn only permitted you to repost video links from video platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo. Now in late 2017, LinkedIn is rolling native video, allowing users to shoot and upload video directly to the platform. This provides opportunities for professionals to create stronger brand messages and target content to specific audiences, ultimately boosting interaction and business visibility.

In addition, LinkedIn provides metrics such as top companies, titles and the location of viewers, along with views, likes and comments on the video. Note that native video is currently only available to individuals (not businesses) and only via the LinkedIn app. Take advantage of this opportunity to position your executives as thought leaders through first-person interviews on their personal LinkedIn profiles or behind-the-scenes glimpses of company processes. For an extra boost, include text in the video with tools such as Apple Clips.

Active Status

Never know the right time to start a conversation? There’s (part of) an app for that. LinkedIn now lets you know when a contact is active online by placing a green dot in the lower right-hand corner of their profile pictures. A green dot with a white center denotes contacts who are available only on mobile. This notation opens the door for real-time conversations between anyone from colleagues to potential employees and business partners. Experts have speculated if this will eventually beget relationships like professional mentorships via LinkedIn. For now, chat away!

Calendar Sync

While not necessarily new, this simple tool tends to slip under the radar. LinkedIn provides the option to sync with your calendar in three easy steps. When toggling between meetings, this allows you to quickly research new contacts or refresh your memory on the details of an acquaintance. The synced calendar will even remind you to follow up with your contacts after the meeting.

And as an extra tip, Social Media Examiner suggests that in addition to native video, text-only posts perform surprisingly well, especially when crafted with a question or in a storytelling format.

Keep digging! Check out other tips on maximizing your social media!

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Step Up Your New Instagram

Clairemont InternBlog, Marketing, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , ,

You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed one day when you notice that a post from two days ago is at the top. You feel a little confused, maybe even betrayed, and you can’t figure out why change is so inevitable with social media. After all, you were just getting used to the old way.

You discover that in March, Instagram announced its new algorithm dictating how posts appear on the feeds, and you wonder how this will affect your marketing strategies.

Here’s the scoop. The new algorithm was created to show content that it is most relevant to users, not necessarily to help businesses with their advertising or profiles.

When Instagram created the new algorithm, it did so knowing that people miss 70 percent of their feeds when posts are displayed chronologically. Timeliness is still a factor, but now feeds also incorporate another factor: the user’s interaction with content. Instagram’s algorithm uses your activity to determine what types of posts you will value most based on previous likes, comments and shares.

But fear not; this doesn’t mean that businesses can’t leverage this shift as an advantage. In fact, with a few tips, the new Instagram algorithm can help increase your engagement with your target audience.

1) Use this opportunity to target and convert your niche followers. It may be tempting to use Instagram for mass marketing with broad hashtags and giant giveaways, but as Forbes advises, finding and keeping up with your target audience will help improve and maintain your brand. When you use hashtags, posts and giveaways, make them relevant and narrow them down to target your hot leads (those already prone to purchase or “convert” to an action) to maximize visibility.

2) Maximize influencer marketing. Now is the time to leverage strategic influencers to engage with you and promote you to their followers. This could be as simple as having that loyal customer snap a picture in your location and tag it to get a discount. People trust their friends’ opinions, and this is a good way to create genuine interest in your content without having to go the mass giveaway route!

3) Focus on the quality of the content you are posting. While the algorithm still considers timeliness, stop stressing over finding the “golden hour” of posting and spend more time making sure your content is worthwhile. As Instagram pointed out, users don’t have to worry about missing their favorite people’s posts anymore; the post they missed while they were sleeping will be waiting for them if it is something they find interesting.

4) Take advantage of other new Instagram features. If you’re still worried about the new algorithm, remember that Instagram is growing quickly and adding new features you can use, from going “live” to posting multiple photos at a time. Check out these tips from Hootsuite for monthly updates on the new features you can use!

Check out more tips to leverage Instagram Slideshows!

Written by Haley McDougal, rising senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

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Blogger Q&A – Courtney Fashionista

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Fashion, Marketing, , , , , , , ,

Last week, I caught up with a blogger turned friend for lunch to find out more about the summer trends for clothing. Courtney is a Pittsburgh-native who moved to Raleigh, N.C. two years ago during a quarter-life crisis. Her cat, Cleo, holds the key to her heart – despite the fact that Cleo would rather sleep than cuddle. Courtney says that she can’t live without Chapstick or “Sex and the City.” She is also a firm believer that everything happens for a reason in life.

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging in January 2014, so it has been about 2.5 years. I moved here from Pittsburgh and transitioned from working in fashion merchandising to marketing. It was a great way to stay connected to the world of fashion, which I love. Not to mention blogging helps to fuel my creativity.

How do you stay up to date on the latest trends?

I am an avid magazine reader, and I probably have six to eight subscriptions. Harpers Bazzar is my favorite. I get butterflies in my stomach when it arrives in the mail. I love investigating high fashion and seeing how it trickles down into clothing that everyday people can wear. I find myself constantly looking at online e-retailers and boutiques.

What are the hottest fashion summer trends for 2016?

I absolutely love embroidered pieces for summer. I was exploring online to see how they are incorporating it into dresses and jackets and learned the whole Mediterranean feel is trendy this summer. By Mediterranean I mean white and light colors– clean and crisp flowy pieces are always in style. This summer shop for clothes as if you’re headed to the French Rivera. Sometimes denim pieces are even a classic look for summer even though it is a heavier fabric.

Pineapples have been a big deal this spring, what other fruits should we think about for the summer?

I think the pineapple is just fun and feminine, and people are gravitating towards it. Our generation is excited about imagery. I think the pineapple has been the biggest deal, but I have a watermelon clutch. I think it is reminiscent of summer and aesthetically pleasing to wear. The cactus is new this year.

I saw on your blog that the ‘90s are making a comeback, what pieces should every woman have in her closet for this trend?

I think the flannel tied around your waist look is amazing – this is a look that I remember from my childhood. I love when people can wear things differently and use them as accessories. Even if you aren’t going to wear it for a functional purpose, it is a cool trend to layer in a styled way. Also making a comeback: fanny packs and jean skirts.

How do you feel about the mixed-print trend? What are the best prints to mix together?

Stripes are always pretty easy to start with when mixing prints. Stripes and florals or stripes and polka dots are a good mix for me. I love stripes! I could wear them every single day.

How would you advise women to feel comfortable mixing prints?

First I would say make sure that you absolutely love what you are wearing. People can tell when women are uncomfortable with what they are wearing, so make sure that it is something you feel confident wearing. The most important thing to consider when you are mixing prints is to keep the colors consistent so that they complement each other.

What store never fails you?

Honestly, nothing makes me happier than the Macy’s shoe department.

What are three words to describe your style?

Creative, feminine and edgy.

Want to learn more about the pineapple trend this summer? Read our post about pineapples here.

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Music Video of the Week: Hot Light Blink

Cherith AndesBlog, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , ,

At Clairemont, we have a soft spot for tasty treats, and after being serenaded 732 times by Drake’s hit “Hotline Bling,” we couldn’t resist the urge any longer. We grabbed a few (okay, more than a few) Krispy Kreme glazed donuts and published this delicious ditty that we’ve named “Hot Light Blink.”

Enjoy our own parody of this hit, inspired by Drake’s dance moves and featuring the Krispy Kreme hot light!

Hot Light Blink

Hot Light Blink Video

 

 

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What does a PR agency do? Home Interiors Facebook Campaign

Clairemont InternBlog, Case Studies, Furniture PR, , ,

Clairemont Communications has extensive experience in furniture public relations and building strategic PR plans for home decor brands, interior designers and furniture manufacturers. As our team celebrates our 5th anniversary, we are revisiting some of our most favorite projects since launching in 2010. Here’s one:

Client: Thomasville Furniture 

Background: Thomasville Furniture, established in 1904 and a leading name in home furnishings, was confronted by the challenges of economic downturn. Faced with a reduced marketing, advertising and media relations budget, Thomasville turned to Clairemont Communications for help. After evaluating social media networks and confirming Facebook’s significant potential as a customer engagement channel for the company, we assumed management of the company’s Facebook page in July 2010.

Objectives: Clairemont met the client’s request to build brand awareness during Thomasville’s annual Memorial Day Sale by conceptualizing the Ready to Refresh $10,000 Giveaway. Our objectives included the following:

  • Leverage giveaway to build brand and sale awareness by increasing Facebook fan count by 10,000 likes during the promotional period.
  • Spread the story of Thomasville Furniture and its Memorial Day Sale via Facebook, creating at least one million total daily impressions and a total daily reach of 300,000 users.
  • Capture 75,000 giveaway entries as consumer leads for Memorial Day Sale and future sale marketing.

Method: Seeking a major fan increase as part of a larger strategy to build a younger customer base, this six-week-long promotion that was integrated with other online and offline tactics to maximize engagement. Clairemont built and managed a customer application to host the giveaway using the social engagement platform Shoutlet. Working with the Shoutlet team and a graphic designer, we conceptualized and directed the creation of a custom graphics for the giveaway, incorporating the designs into the application, optimized for desktop and mobile use. To facilitate our objective of leveraging the giveaway to increase page likes, impressions and reach, we built a sharing component into the giveaway application, so that fans could earn extra entries.

Creativity: To emphasize the affordability of Thomasville Furniture, Clairemont shared beautiful photography – which was also featured in the Memorial Day Sale catalog – showcasing rooms decorated with Thomasville Furniture for $10,000 or less. Additionally, we created and shared collage boards showing fans assortments of products totaling $10,000. With these two tactics, Clairemont sough to help fans visualize the amount of stylish furniture available at Thomasville within the $10,000 price range.

To engage users on the page, we also created ten word graphics, such as “Imagine what $10,000 will do to refresh your home,” and “Keep calm and redecorate,” which prompted conversation on the page. Custom-designed cover photos promoting the giveaway were updated bi-weekly to keep page content fresh. Lastly, coordinated marketing efforts separate from Facebook promoted the giveaway through regular email blasts, on Thomasville.com and in the Memorial Day catalog.

Evaluation:

1. Leverage giveaway to build brand and sale awareness by increasing Facebook fan count by 10,000 likes.

  • During the duration of the giveaway, Thomasville’s Facebook fan count increased by nearly 11,000 likes, exceeding our original goal of 10,000.

2. Spread the story of Thomasville Furniture and its Memorial Day Sale via Facebook, creating at least one million total daily impressions and a total daily reach of 300,000 users.

  • The giveaway successfully increased key metrics on Facebook, allowing us to exceed our original objectives with more than one million total daily impressions and a total daily reach of approximately 500,000. Strategic postings and captivating content successfully increased the page’s engagement, with nearly 25,000 more daily engaged users throughout the six-week-long promotion than the weeks prior to the giveaway.

3. Capture 75,000 giveaway entries as consumer leads for Memorial Day Sale and future sale marketing.

  • Additionally, with more than 134,000 entries, the giveaway successfully captured more than 100,000 new consumer leads for Thomasville, surpassing our goal of 75,000 new leads.

As we look back at this work from just a few years ago, we realize how much has changed on how Facebook can be used for promotional purposes. Have you found the same to be true? Do you long for the old Facebook that had seemingly less rules?

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