6 Digital Marketing Predictions for 2019

For those looking for marketing hacks to grow your business, look no further. Anvil Media’s Kent Lewis and I are at it again. This podcast breaks down super simple hacks for your brand to capitalize on in 2019.

If you’re asking, “how do I market myself?” We have the answer.

Are you asking, “how important is SEO (aka, search engine optimization) in my website?”

Is your marketing person wanting to know how to better position your website, we have the answer.

As we move into 2019 as a pivotal year for brand promotion on countless media platforms, are you ready to begin the new year gaining an edge on your competitors?

That’s what I thought, so let’s go to the next level!

Read Kent’s blog:

As the momentum of 2019 rolls in, it is a great time to look ahead to what we can expect in the digital marketing industry in the year ahead.

As we’ve done for the past 12-plus years at Anvil, we sat down as a team to discuss our 2019 digital marketing predictions, and we want to wish you the happiest of holidays with this special gift. Enjoy.

Video trends will increase in marketing, messaging and media.

Live video content, i.e. streaming, encourages high engagement and will be an even more valuable tool for brands in 2019. This type of video content will be more search friendly with more prevalent use of closed captioning and the power of artificial intelligence. AI can transcribe audio to make video more searchable. Video previews will auto-play on most platforms. With the ease of video production essentially being in everyone’s phone, video will also take on more of a 1-to-1 approach. Personalized video messages will start replacing chat, email and phone calls as ways brands communicate with customers. Videos will be created to thank a customer, deliver support or follow up on customer questions.

To read the full article, click here.

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Dream Big,
N

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Let’s Be Honest About The Grind

When I wanted talk about this new era of tweets and instagram pics of showing people ballin’ out of control talking about the grind, I’m like “Psshhh… please.”

I’m like Y’all out here telling lies. No one went from 0-120 doing their grunt work on a yacht. We all started from somewhere without any fame or glamour.

The rigor it takes to make the magic occur takes your undivided attention.

Entrepreneurship isn’t a Team Sport was a podcast I did earlier this year. As we wrap another great year, I’m disturb how many people believe being an entrepreneur is easy. The word “grind” is tossed around like it’s an $0.10 candy at the local minute mart.

Therefore, I had to drop four nuggets about this grind on the podcast. Make sure you take notes for future reference. I’d advise you share this with someone who wants “more” and needs help cracking the code.

Without giving it away, one of my favorite truths aren’t everyone can do the grind. Hence, why there’s a 9-to-5 for those who can’t hack the pressure it takes to make it happen.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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Referral-Based Networking, Portland Style

Kent and I went at again, but this time we talked about networking. Being from Vancouver, WA, which is a small little suburb of Portland, OR, I’d thought we should talk about how to go outside your local area. In some cases, this is more about going outside your comfort zone.

Our basis for this conversation started with Kent’s original blog, click here. In addition, he briefly mentioned the video about finding your why by Simon Sinek. 

Enjoy our podcast!

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Dream Big,
N

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Choosing which Marketing Works Best for Your Business

Choosing which Marketing Works Best for Your Business

With companies feeling the pressure of the technology disruption hitting their businesses, we’re living in uncharted waters being forced to produce or fail. Starting my consulting business in 2014 with the complete naivety of helping faith-based groups and nonprofits, I was clueless about truly grasping how the business world was drastically changing right in front of my eyes.

The consumer is the boss, and they’re 100% in charge.

Consumers have always been in charge, but not like this. Predicting the consumer pathway or journey to the “purchase decision” has never been too complicated when you have the right systems in place. There’s no company that has a silver bullet to solve these problems, nor there is any time to be comfortable.

Today’s marketing strategy for businesses has drastically changed. As an emerging small business within the B2B marketing industry, all businesses have to adjust to a new world with digital at the forefront. The good ol’ brick and mortar super juggernaut dominant companies are flailing away, while the younger consumer market focuses are more relevant opportunities.

Again, the consumer is the boss.

In this podcast, Kent and I talked about what type of marketing agency will work best for your organization. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. Just like Target and Walmart have stopped making super huge everything fits-in-one-size-all building because society is demanding a different experience.

For other resources, check out Kent’s Articles below:

Full-service agency vs. boutique agencies: which is right for your business?
Click here.

In-house Agency vs. Outsourcing Digital Marketing
Click here.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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Which is Best, Self-Employment or Job

Which is Best, Self-Employment or Job

Everyone’s journey of bringing home the money is different. From the time I could remember, I was always hustling to learn how to make money. When I was 15 years old, I opened my first bank account and received what other kids didn’t have, an ATM card. I was the man!

But since we all have a different journey, here’s the podcast on how I chose my path of a trailblazer. The best advice I have to give is, be true to you!

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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The 5 Strategies to Ramp Up Your Business

The 5 Strategies to Ramp Up Your Business

There’s nothing more frustrating not succeeding in business when you’re putting your blood, sweat, and tears and not seeing the desired results. I know how hard it is to start a business. What’s harder than starting one is keeping it alive is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve received.

Therefore, to keep your business thriving is to increase sales.

Kent Lewis adds ——————————————————–

I shouldn’t be writing this post, I should be following my own advice and doing something far more important. Unfortunately, I’ve made a side career out of sharing my lessons with anyone who’s willing to read my articles and can’t stop. This article was inspired by my need to improve revenue and cashflow at Anvil after making significant investments in talented new team members. My advisory board gave me powerful (if not somewhat obvious) advice recently that inspired me to change my focus and approach to generating revenue, and the results this past week have been impressive. I hope you find value in the action plan I’m sharing with you.

With a background in public relations and search marketing, I tend to fall back on what I know, which is building awareness and leads via speaking, writing, awards, social media and organic search optimization. Unfortunately, the inbound-centric marketing approach is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a long-term strategy to generate steady lead flow, but PR-based initiatives fall short when it comes to short-term lead and revenue generation. Another challenge is that online advertising is very expensive due to the crowded competitive landscape. As a result, my board advised I get over my aversion to outbound sales. I elected to give it a go, but not until I took care of more pressing business first.

To keep reading, check out the original article on Kent’s profile. Click here.

Enjoy the episode!

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Dream Big,
N

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Transitions

Transition:

“[A] movement, passage, or change from one
position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.”

 

What thoughts flood your mind when you think about change?

We don’t like change. Many will never embrace change. Experts say the number one fear we face is, “If I am not in control something bad will happen.” I am one of the weird ones who thinks it’s fun, exciting, and adventurous. At least I think that way when I’m in control of the change. But when a change was thrown at me that I didn’t plan for -losing a job – it took a “minute” to embrace that change and turn it to transformation.

Change is a reality we all face.

We often equate change and transition as the same or similar experience. However, there is a significant difference between them. Author of Managing Transitions, William Bridges, explains the difference in this brief video. In the 25th Anniversary Edition of his book he highlights three simple yet significant phases to transitioning with change both personally and organizationally:

  1. Let go of the old ways and the old identity we had. This first phase of transition is an ending and the time when we need to help people (and yourself) deal with the losses.
  2. There will be an in-between time when the old is gone but the new isn’t fully operational.This time is called the “neutral zone”: it’s when the critical psychological realignments and repatternings take place.
  3. Come out of the transition and make a new beginning. This is when people develop the new identity, experience the new energy, and discover the new sense of purpose that makes the change begin to work.

Embracing Growth

Choosing to embrace the transition rather than fear the change happening is the difference between growth and stagnation. Here’s what I’ve embraced during my 10-plus month transition:

  • I may not be able to control my circumstances, but I can control how I choose to respond to them.
    Decisions made by others were out of my control and affected my life profoundly. Choosing to see the opportunities and embrace the change made the difference in how I allowed it to affect me.
  • Reaching out for help and support is critical.
    Asking for help has brought new friends to my life and strengthened old friendships.
  • Be vulnerable.
    I have a few close friends I am 100% open with. It has been critical to have their support and honest advice during this long transition season.
  • Listen.
    Equally important is that I hear what they have to say. Because I trust them I know I will be given the advice I need to hear, not what I want to hear. Listening to truth is critical.

Opportunity

Change is good. Change is opportunity. Our view of it makes the difference in whether we emerge on the other side wiser, stronger, and prepared or confused, frustrated, and ready to give up .

Are you more focused on the fear of the uncertainty ahead or the truth that you will emerge on the other side stronger, wiser, and more courageous than you are today?

Keeping it real,
Cheryl

Bridges, William (2017-01-09T22:58:59). Managing Transitions, 25th anniversary edition: Making the Most of Change (Kindle Locations 302-311). Da Capo Press. Kindle Edition.

 

 

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How to Grow Your Business

How to Grow Your Business

For the new businesses who break the threshold of getting out the ‘basement’ stage–a huge CONGRATULATIONS to you–as you already know, the next step is to grow. As a founder, I know you understand the work isn’t going to be done on its own. Your success is predicated on your production.

I’ve had several different random people–not my own clients–ask me, “how do I grow my business?” I do my best to not look at them crazy because the answer isn’t a 30-second tip.

This is a million dollar question for a lot of businesses.

Every business is different, but there are basic principles that exist that are universal. In the podcast, I list four specific principles. These principles aren’t a cram session you can do overnight. If you’re looking for that overnight success method, this material isn’t for you.

More to come later. Enjoy the episode!

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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Chapin’s Tips on Social Media & Giving Tuesday

We’re all living online – so your organization should be, too. But there are so many platforms and so much to say: so how do you manage it?

It’s important to be comprehensive when thinking about social media for nonprofits: so, let’s think about the classic questions:

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

  • Who? Who are you looking to communicate to with your social media posts? Current donors, prospective donors, clients, volunteers, the general public? This decision will help inform which platforms you should be active on.
  • What? What content do you want to share on social media? Your organization is doing so much at any given time, so think about what you want to share with your followers. This can include: stories, facts, history, internal information, news related to your mission, and more. It’s also a good idea to be thoughtful about sharing posts of similar or partner organizations – this can help expand your reach and also position your organization as an expert.
  • Where? Which platforms do you want to be on? Think quality over quantity here: instead of getting on everything, get on the spaces that 1) your current donors and constituents are on and 2) your desired donors are. Are you going to do more longform posts? Think Facebook or LinkedIn. Connect with other organizations and share out more regularly? Twitter. Do you have amazing photography? Instagram.
  • When? Just like any other communications, map out a calendar that ensures that you are posting consistently and not only about one topic. Frequency depends on platform: Twitter is constantly changing, so you’ll post way more on there than Facebook, for example.
  • Why? Why be on social media? It’s an opportunity for you to engage with your community in a unique way that they are already doing – you’re meeting them where they are. It’s very donor centric.
  • How? Who’s going to do it? Some nonprofits keep social media management in the marketing team, some have a development staff member do it. Some have multiple people involved and some just have one (or less than one!). Make sure that person has a clear idea of what the organizational voice is.

As a fundraising person, I’d be remiss talking about social media without mentioning one of the important social media days for the year for nonprofits – Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday aka #GivingTuesday takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. It’s a day that celebrates nonprofits and donors, and encourages contributions. Some nonprofits put a lot of efforts and energy into this day, and others send a simple email and do a quick social media post. It’s up to you and your organization what feels best, but know that it’s a very heavily saturated fundraising day.

But: it’s a heavily saturated fundraising day for a reason. So I believe it’s important to at least do something. At the bare minimum, I recommend doing one simple email blast to all of your lists and one social media post on all of your platforms. The next step is mobilizing your board by sending them an email template that they can forward to their contacts as well as links to the social media posts so that they can share them. The more your message is amplified, the better!

If you want to go crazy on that day, you can be pushing out communications about it for weeks in advance, have matching gifts lined up, and even do a live event to encourage donations. Then you’ll want to post on social media a whole bunch on the day of, and don’t forget to say thank you after.

Next month we’re going to talk about crowdfunding and peer to peer fundraising: so stay tuned for that, which is also related to social media. For now, get a plan in place for your social media approach for the end of the year: because it’s coming up fast!

For nonprofits needing help, give Nonprofit Chapin try!

Enjoy the episode!

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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