By Annie O’Rourke

Voice search technology is a way for businesses to be present in millions of homes worldwide.

The Foundations of a Voice Search Feature

Voice search is a technology that is currently up and running for many devices such as Amazon Alexa, and Google Hub. Google Hub is a small 7-inch technological device placed in a home or workspace that allows you to speak into it. This technology encourages you to ask questions, play music, connect with your home or workspace and create “voice searches,” which is the most recent feature that Google is highlighting. The voice search feature ultimately allows you to speak into the Google Hub device and shop and order items just by using your voice. So how can this help my business?

Utilizing Voice Search for your business

Technology and the media space are constantly changing and evolving, and it’s important to keep a close eye on these trends in order for your business to stay relevant. With this in mind, it’s crucial to familiarize your business with the voice search feature. It is shown that AI devices have the ability to increase sales and optimize your brand to be present in thousands of other homes and workspaces.

The voice search feature will also allow your business to grow as it is a new space for digital marketing. It is said that voice commerce is expected to grow to $40 billion by 2022, making AI devices some of the most important places for digital marketers to research and incorporate into their businesses. Voice SEO is imperative to understand and implement into your business as the voice search feature on Google Hub, and other AI devices is growing. For example, Amazon Alexa allows you to add a product to your shopping cart and order all from the voice-activated device. This feature essentially will grow your business by implementing your brand into Voice SEO.

How Businesses are Taking Advantage of Voice Search

Many brands are already taking advantage of the voice search feature on AI devices. For example, you can order Domino’s right from your Amazon Alexa, or even use the Food Network skill to look up recipes. The Food Network is gaining user engagement and increasing their sales just by implementing their brand into the voice search function on AI devices. Specifically, the Food Network has the opportunity to optimize their sales by users looking at recipes and engaging with their company.

Voice search should be the next big step for your digital marketing business. Look into incorporating how your brand will implement voice SEO into devices like Google Hub.

By Jaci Schreckengost

As our digital universe continues to grow, brands must be involved to keep up. 

What is community management? 

Community management is exactly what it sounds like: managing your digital community. It’s everything from engaging on social media, answering questions in your Facebook inbox, resolving situations for unhappy customers, and so much more. 

Community management stretches across a number of different platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and more. 

 

Why do I need it? 

Your customers want answers from you—and they want them quickly. Especially if their question is one about an order gone wrong or something similar. 

Community management is not only there to help you in these bad moments. It also builds your digital community and, therefore, your audience. 

Your audience will feel connected to your brand. If your brand is spending time liking, commenting, and engaging with your community, customers are going to understand you care about them. You like them enough to want to engage with them—and that’s something they’re going to remember that the next time they get ready to make a purchase. That engagement is what’s going to put you ahead of your competition. 

 

Read also: Advice from an Agency: How to Use LinkedIn for Your Company 

 

I have to run a business. What if I don’t have time to do all this? 

That’s where we come in! We know business owners are busy, and we want to make your life easier. 

With 270M’s community management services, you won’t have to swipe for a single second. We take care of everything: responding to comments, growing your community, and engaging with your existing customers to help focus on loyalty. 

Check out all of 270M’s social media services and see how we can make social media your customers’ go-to hub for your brand. 

By Jaci Schreckengost

In Coach’s recent collaboration with Disney and Keith Haring, we’ve seen the future of e-commerce and digital marketing.  

What they’ve titled the “Disney Mickey Mouse X Keith Haring Exploratorium,” is an immersive digital marketing experience showing off the brands and the products they’ve created together. 

From backpacks to coats to Coach’s signature bags, viewers get to explore the space and products on their own. 

The journey starts on the outside of the building, where the brands’ names are written in white font, standing out against the vibrant yellow virtual building. 

Once inside, you can turn to the left and watch a video of a representative talk about the collection. Not your thing? You can explore on your own, too. In addition to the video, there is text on the walls to inform you about what you’re seeing. They have something for everyone here. 

As you move through the rooms of the art space, you’ll find there’s a lot to view. You can find a photo of Keith Haring which provides a little information about him and his work. You can also find what you’re really there to see: the products. On virtual shelves and benches, you’ll find bags, luggage tags, coin purses, coats, t-shirts, and more. Each of the products allow you to click on them to find more information about the product. 

This virtual experience allows customers to see each of the products, learn more about them, and feel like you’re having a more personal experience than typical e-commerce does. 

Each product comes with a title, description, which Keith Haring design is used on the piece, the ability to have a 360-view of it, and—of course—a link to the store to purchase it. 

At the end of the exhibit, you’ll even find a playlist and a VR Mickey Mouse to use with your own phone. These are great examples of being able to extend the exhibit outside of the already-virtual walls. 

This virtual reality experience is a great example of just how immersive digital marketing can be. It also shows how to make sure viewers feel engaged in a digital world. 

Some of the products have already even sold out, so it seems like this experience worked well for this collaboration! 

Connect with us on Instagram and let us know what you think about the future of e-commerce! 

 

By Jaci Schreckengost

The 2021 Super Bowl was one that Tampa Bay will remember forever. Here are the reasons digital marketers should, too. 

 

The Commercials 

The easiest tactic to notice was that familiar names and faces still draw massive attention. 

State Farm’s commercial that featured Drake, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Paul Rudd. Uber Eats’ commercial was just as star-studded. With Wayne and Garth—yes, that’s Wayne and Garth—hanging out with Cardi B and encouraging their fans to eat local. Party on! 

Others starred Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Will Ferrell, Kenan Thompson, Awkwafina, Tracy Morgan, and more. 

Of course, we don’t all have a Super Bowl ad budget. For digital marketers who don’t have hiring Drake in the 2021 marketing plan, influencers are a great place to start. 

Another method that seemed to help commercials reach the top 10 list? Humor. From Bud Light’s ad that had lemons literally falling from the sky to a Cheetos’ singalong, advertisers realized audiences needed something to laugh at this year. 

 

Read also: Advice from an Agency: How to Create a Strong Social Media Image

 

The Lack of Commercials 

For some brands, the Super Bowl commercial changed this year. 

Budweiser was one brand that we all expected to see—as we always do. In a January 25, 2021 press release, the company wrote, “For the first time in 37 years, [Budweiser] will forego its in-game Super Bowl air-time and reallocate that investment to support the Ad Council and public awareness and education throughout the year for the COVID-19 vaccination effort.” 

Coca-Cola also stood on the sidelines without a commercial this year. 

Could this decision have a huge impact on the brand in 2021? 

 

The Half-time show 

Though Pepsi itself didn’t have a commercial, it did sponsor the halftime show, which has since sparked a ton of conversation on social media. 

The Weeknd’s close-ups have flooded feeds with memes and hilarious comments, making Pepsi’s investment really worthwhile. 

Billboard reported the event was a hit for the Weeknd, too: “The Weeknd’s Streams Increase 41% After Super Bowl Halftime Show.”

What were your favorite Super Bowl commercials? Connect with us on Instagram and let us know! 

Are you ready to revamp your marketing plan after seeing the impact it can have? Connect with us and let’s get started. 

By Jaci Schreckengost

Beginning your marketing campaign before your product or business launches is a great way to get your brand into the market ahead of time. 

What is pre-launch marketing? 

Pre-launch marketing is when you launch your marketing campaign before you launch your business. 

One successful example of this was with the launch of HBO Max. Of course, they are a large-scale example and had a wonderfully large base to start with, but they marketed for HBO Max before the platform had actually launched. 

In this time of pre-launch marketing, they also allowed people to go ahead and sign up for the service once it started and join the newsletter. This allowed them to have an already established client base before the product became available to those people. 

Read also: Advice from an Agency: Getting to Know Your Audience

What are the benefits of pre-launch marketing?

People know about your brand ahead of time. It’s a great way to have a social media following, a list to send your email marketing out to, and potential customers for when your business launches. 

You can also have a great idea of who your audience is going to be. You can go ahead and take a look at your audience, gather their data, and then market your products, brand, and community management toward those people. 

How do I start pre-launch marketing? 

Pre-launch marketing can begin with many things, but a website or social media are good places to start. These are both places of easy access for your customers and they allow them to learn about who your brand is and what you will be doing. 

It’s also a great idea to set up an eblast list. Maybe you don’t have something to send out to that list on the day they sign up, but you will soon, and it’s important to have that list built up as much as possible. 

What are the benefits of using an agency? 

270M can help with all of all the aspects of pre-launch marketing. Even if you’re starting right at the beginning of creating your brand, we’re here to help. 

Our services in website development and email marketing will help get your brand up and running. Our social media services can help you maintain your brand through content creation and community management. 

Pre-launch marketing is a great way to make a name for your brand before your brand even fully launches — and an agency is a great way to help you get started. 

270M is here for all of your digital needs — check out all of our services here. 

By Jaci Schreckengost

This holiday season, 270M has the ultimate guide for shopping. We have the perfect gift for everyone — yes, even the person who has everything. 

For the person who never has enough shoes 

Salpy Shoes

Handcrafted in Los Angeles, California, Salpy Shoes commits to ethical and sustainable practices while creating their shoes.  

The brand focuses on comfort and longevity without compromising the classic style that each pair of Salpy Shoes brings to their customers. 

Not sure exactly what they want? Gift cards are available! 

Californians

Handcrafted in Los Angeles, California, as well, Californians is focused on setting the bar higher for industry standards with their commitment to reducing waste. 

They have looks for everyone — and they’re made to bring comfort to the customer while still maintaining style. 

For the person who loves wellness

well-social 

For those who love wellness and brands that are working to make the world a better place, well-social has the list of brands for you. You can find the full list of brands here. 

New Highs CBD 

New Highs CBD is a woman-owned company working to help elevate their customers’ lives. With products that are easy to add into any routine, New Highs has something for everyone. 

Whether you want to get them the perfect tincture or give them CBG to try for the first time, New Highs is a great way to go. 

Services from Dr. Marnie Nussbaum

Whether you want to gift your loved one a Hydrafacial, chemical peel, or an appointment for filler, Dr. Nussbaum has services to make everyone look and feel their best. 

Not sure a service is right? Dr. Nussbaum’s Glow Pads can also be purchased by calling her office. They’re perfect for those who are looking for a smoother complexion. 

These gifts will make sure your loved ones are still talking about them well into the new year. From everyone at 270M, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season! 

 

270M’s holiday gift guide has all the cannabis products that will have your friends and family talking about the gifts you gave well into the new year. 

Just in time for the holidays, we’re here to give you products to help everyone have a spectacular holiday season.  

For those in California 

Autumn Brands 

If you’re located in California, Autumn Brands, a 50% woman owned company, has a ton of products that will make the holiday season even more enjoyable. 

Their flowers are pesticide free and sun-grown indoor. Everything is hand selected, hang dried, and hand trimmed to make sure they create the best product. 

Visit the Dispensary Locator on their website to see where to pick up Autumn Brands near you! 

For those looking to keep it fresh 

FreshStor

FreshStor’s personal CVaults are perfect for anyone who is looking to make sure their products stay fresh. You can use it to store any dried product, including flower, tobacco, and spices. 

In three different sizes — small, medium, and large — these are perfect for short- and long-term storage and are sure to keep your products at the highest quality. 

For the CBD lovers

Cannasté

California-based Cannasté has a great tincture set that is perfect for any CBD fan. It includes all three of their tinctures: Cinnamint, Tangerine Cranberry, and Blueberry Citrus. 

Their products are all vegan, non-GMO, gluten free and delicious, with no synthetic additives.

It’s a perfect gift set for anyone who is a huge fan of CBD, or for someone who wants to add some extra flavor to their routine! 

New Highs 

New Highs CBD is a woman-owned company working to help elevate their customers’ lives. 

Whether you’re a fan of roll-on CBD or tinctures, New Highs has the perfect gift. And if you’re not sure what product they love the most, the Tincture & Topical Family is the way to go — plus it helps you save over $80! 

For the lovers who love CBD 

Toca Botanicals 

If you feel like your partner has everything, get them something you can both enjoy! Toca Botanicals has hemp-based botanical CBD sex lube for all bodies. 

Both their TOTO and QULO lubes are perfect for any one, any time. They create organic plant extracts by using high quality ingredients, including infused and essential oils, flower and stone essences, and more. 

Make sure you check out these brands and grab the perfect gift for your loved ones. From everyone at 270M, we wish you a wonderful holiday season! 

 

By Jaci Schreckengost

LinkedIn is a great social networking site for businesses, their employees, and potential customers. But how should you use it to get the most out of it? 

Make sure to use your logo and fill out all applicable information

Make sure to use your logo as your business’ profile picture. This helps LinkedIn users identify your brand even before they see your name. 

It’s also important to fill out all the important information that LinkedIn suggests adding to your profile. This can include your location, website, contact information, like a phone number and email, and anything else that can help users find your page. 

Write and share posts

It’s important to give people a reason to want to follow and engage with your LinkedIn. If you don’t write and share posts, they probably won’t want to follow you, which is why it’s so important. 

You have a ton of options on what to share. You can share relevant industry information and news, company updates, quotes you think your followers should read, employee updates or introductions, and so much more! 

Use hashtags and mentions

It might be easy to assume that hashtags are only for Instagram and Twitter, but that’s just not true. Hashtags are a great way to engage with your customers and other brands. 

When you’re posting about someone else who has a LinkedIn profile, whether it’s a friend or another business, make sure to mention them in the post. 

Not sure what hashtags to use? Start with the most relevant to your business and then go from there. See what hashtags those around you are using, too, and if you can implement those to reach a new audience. 

Read also: Advice from an Agency: Getting to Know Your Audience

Follow relevant companies 

Whether it’s your competitors or companies you strive to be more like, it’s important to follow other companies in the market. 

By following companies that compare to your own, you’re able to see what they’re doing, the changes they’re making to meet demand, and how they show their own brand’s persona. 

This can also be a great way to make sure you’re staying relevant to your audience through your social media.

Read also: Advice from an Agency: How to Know When It’s Time for a Rebrand 

Use an agency

Using an agency to manage your social media is a great way to make sure the job gets done without you having to lift a finger. 

270M has services for social media posting and channel management, data analytics, channel strategy, and more. 

LinkedIn is a great way to connect with others in your industry — and using an agency is a great way to help get you the results you want. 

See all of 270M’s services on our website. 

 

By Jaci Schreckengost

Of course you’ve heard of rebrands and seen them happen — but how do you know when it’s time to rebrand your own company? 

Here are some of the times we’ve noticed that it might be time to consider rebranding. 

Do you feel out of place in the market? 

Have you noticed that the brands around you seem more in-touch with their clients than you feel like you are? 

If your branding stands out in a way that you think might be negative, it’s likely time for a rebrand. 

If you’re not sure where you stand in the social media market, 270M has a social media audit that can help. This audit can help you see how your social media channels can be revamped. After our review, we will craft a plan on how to best move forward. 

Read also: Should My Business be on Pinterest? 

Do you feel like you’re losing clients?

If you feel like people in your audience are more attracted to your competitors than you, this could mean it’s time to look at rebranding your company.

If your competitors seem to be updated and more in touch with the customers you’re both trying to market to, it’s likely this is because of marketing. Maybe your website just needs a new look or you need to completely rework your brand’s strategy. Either way, 270M’s services are here to help. 

Do you feel like your branding looks too similar to your competitors? 

This can be another big issue in the market. If your brand looks so similar to your competitors, you may lose clients because of very small differences. 

This is also a large issue on social media. If you and one or more competitors have similar logos, this can cause confusion among your current and potential customers. 

You want your brand to stand out enough that your customers know they have found your social media pages. 

How do I start rebranding my business? 

No matter how big or small the project is, you’ll want to brainstorm a lot. There are also many questions you’ll want to ask yourself and your team, including, but of course not limited to: What do you want your new brand to look like? Do you have colors in mind? What about a logo? Do you need to redo your website? 

Using an agency to help with your rebranding is a way to make sure that your project is completed on time and exactly how you really want it. 

The good news? 270M is here to help through the whole process. Visit our website to see all of our services. 

 

By Jaci Schreckengost

Especially in an election year, but always, social media platforms aim to increase the transparency of their political ads. 

Since Facebook and Instagram are two of the biggest platforms — especially for campaigning — it’s important to understand the rules and regulations around the ads. Whether you’re a candidate, a voter, or a social media manager for a campaign, this can help you sort everything out. 

Want to add an agency to your campaign strategy? 270M is here to help. 

What is a political ad? 

Facebook defines “ads about social issues, elections or politics are made by, on behalf of, or about a candidate for public office, a political figure, a political party or advocates for the outcome of an election to public office; or about any election, referendum, or ballot initiative, including “go out and vote” or election campaigns; or about social issues in any place where the ad is being placed; or regulated as political advertising.” 

Why is transparency so important in these ads? 

The need for transparency in political ads has swiftly increased. Many voters and constituents feel that they are being misled by politicians who prioritize their campaign over the truth. 

Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, have implemented authorization processes because of this. Before any ad that is considered political is posted to Facebook, it is sent through an authorization process to ensure it is true. 

Read also: What is SEO? An Agency’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization

How do I run political ads on Facebook and Instagram?

After reading this, it may seem a little daunting, but as long as you follow the guidelines, you’ll be good to go. 

There is an authorization process that all political ads must go through before they can be published on any of the platforms. Every ad must also state who paid for the ad, which can help show viewers underlying intentions. 

There are different types of regulations for each country. Facebook created a great chart to show what types of posts do and do not require authorization and disclaimer. This chart can be very beneficial if you’re not sure if your post will be considered political or not. 

Political advertisements can be great for your campaign, but it’s important to be sure you’re following all regulations to increase transparency and the number of viewers that see your ad. 

270M is here to help with advertisements, community management, and more. See all of our available services here.