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Category: Marketing
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Weekly Canva Design Challenge 06.17.2022: Watch Our Designers get Creative!
Weekly our graphic designers get to flex their creative muscles with the Weekly Canva Design Challenge! This fun community challenge sets a weekly theme that artists, designers, and regular people around the world get to create a graphic inspired by! This week’s design theme is travel! Here is what our team has come up with!
To vote for your favorite, head over to Instagram to vote for your favorite design! Share the design to your story to get your friends on your side! 😉
Canva Design One!
Something romantic in traveling is the art collected along the way! Canva Design Two!
Traveling is a goal that keeps on giving! What do our designers win? Right now, just bragging rights… But you should leave comments with some ideas for future competitions! 😏
Honorable Mention: The Big Boss Had Some Fun Too!
Who do you think takes bragging rights away this round?! Follow for weekly design challenges! Hire us for your own website and social media designs!
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Free Canva Templates to Save Your Small Business Time!
Canva is a great resource for small businesses to create visually appealing graphics, and though it is an easy and user-friendly system, it can be very time-consuming and take a ton of creativity to come up with unique visuals. We’ve created some free Canva templates for your brand to use!
All templates below are free to use and completely customizable with a free Canva account. Share with others if you enjoy these free templates☺
To use free templates, follow link below template of your choice. Then choose to “use this template” and a copy will be made for you to edit freely!
Golden Sage Eucalyptus! Free Canva Template from FDM
Sage and gold are not only trending but super fresh for any brand! Check out how one of our brands used this exact template for their very own content! Video at the bottom of the page.
Get the graphics free to customize for your brand here! The original template size is 1080×1350.
Starry Good Vibes! Free Canva Template from FDM
Sometimes, a filler post with a great message is all you need! Download this template and exchange the colors for your brand’s to spread the good vibes.
Get the graphics free to customize for your brand here! The original template size is 1080×1350.
Overexposed Outdoor Photographs! Free Canva Template from FDM
Any outdoor enthusiasts would love to use these eye-catching graphics! Are you selling hiking gear? Are you a nature photographer? No matter how you use it, you can fully edit the graphic to display your brand’s vision!
Get the graphics free to customize for your brand here! The original template size is 1080×1350.
Want more Free Canva Graphics? Be sure to follow the blog and follow us on social media to get all of the updated templates! Need a custom template built for your brand? Click here!
Check out how @ajacqofall (A Jacq of All Trades) used our Golden Sage Eucalyptus for her brand on the mobile Canva App!
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Weekly Canva Design Challenge 06.01.2022: Watch Our Designers get Creative!
Weekly our graphic designers get to flex their creative muscles with the Weekly Canva Design Challenge! This fun community challenge sets a weekly theme that artists, designers, and regular people around the world get to create a graphic inspired by! This week’s design theme is pineapple! Here is what our team has come up with!
To vote for your favorite, head over to Instagram to vote for your favorite design! Share the design to your story to get your friends on your side! 😉
What do our designers win? Right now, just bragging rights… But you should leave comments with some ideas for future competitions! 😏
Design One!
Design Two!
Who do you think takes bragging rights away this round?! Follow for weekly design challenges! Hire us for your own website and social media designs!
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Instagram’s Tips and Tricks for Small Business Growth, April 2022
Here is Instagram’s latest tips for “HOW TO GROW AND SCALE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS!”
View the PDF here to download Instagram’s small business growth tips and tricks.
See how we’ve made it into content! You can do the same with things! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn how to make great content. Contact with us to see how we can help you make it even better!
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THIS JUST IN! INSTAGRAM TESTING NEW FULLY-INTEGRATED MAIN FEED
We do not want to sound the alarm, but Instagram is experimenting with a whole new feed experience! Something creators and businesses alike should be aware of is that this will change the way you post! No more top bar of stories. No more bottom bar with feed, reels, and shopping all separated in different links… Nope, Instagram is going… TikTok?
But why? Why is Instagram willing to throw out their well-known playbook for someone else’s? Why is Instagram testing a new fully-integrated main feed?
The Background – Instagram vs. TikTok
Instagram has been working hard to take over as the top performing social media platform since it was first released in 2010. Starting out as an image sharing site for artists and photographers, it has since grown into a platform also three different video-sharing abilities: IGTV, stories, and reels. Reels are definitely a response to TikTok’s domination of in-feed videos that can be set to music or voice-overs. As of 2018, Instagram has succeeded in becoming an elite platform, having over one-billion active monthly users! It has since grown 22.9% since last year, gaining 73.5 million active users in 2021.
After rebranding in 2019, TikTok has had over 2.6 billion downloads globally; 315 million of those downloads came within the first three months of 2020, with the global pandemic motivating us to stay inside and isolated. Those early 2020 downloads is what pushed TikTok over the edge, making it king of the social media apps!
The Proof – Instagram Experimental Feed Shown
In the example posted by Alessandro Paluzzi, via twitter, you can see how the experimental feed would now be fully-integrated. Images, stories, and reels would all now be in a single flow. In this system, stories would be presented in a frame bar with the ability to swipe left to see other frames, while videos would be differentiated with a progress bar.
#Instagram is working on a full immersive feed 👀
Alessandro Paluzzi shows first snapshot of experimental Instagram feed.
Originally tweeted by Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) on March 25, 2022.
The Future?
So how would this new feed affect the algorithm?
In theory, this would help make the algorithm more intuitive. The change would allow you to see data based off of the response to each specific post, whereas right now stories, reels, posts, and IGTV cannot be compared side-by-side because they are all separated into different areas of the app. This is where TikTok succeeds!
The video platform is able to pinpoint which specific content is engaging to the consumer. Not only that, TikTok can identify the exact point the content stops becoming engaging! TikTok not only measures if you “like” the content, but also how many times it was watched, how quickly it was swiped away from or back to, and every data response specific to that video. All of this data collection is what helps make the platform engaging to its audience- it learns the audience quicker and at a deeper level, making it even more addictive!
Knowing what content is pulling your consumers in can help you create even better future content! Better posts make for more engaged followers. More engaged followers makes your brand more authentic and inviting!
All of this Instagram feed change is just a rumor and not something that is set in stone. As we analyze our own feeds and build better content for our consumer, video content is absolutely something to embrace! TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and even Pinterest are all using the short video template as its new favorite way to disseminate information. You may not like it, but your followers do!
Connect With Forward!
In the future, we will share more ways to create videos with ease and as little pain as possible! Remember, you do not have to be in videos for your consumer to engage, but building self confidence can lead to brand confidence!
Follow Forward Digital Marketing on Instagram @forwarddigitalmarketing2020 and Facebook @4warddigtialmarketing to get more social media and digital marketing scoops and insights.
Do you need…
—–> A team to help you manage your social media brand?
—–> Social media strategy built for you?
—–> New website created?
We’ve got you! Contact us!
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Make the Meme! How to: Pop-Culture to Support Your Social Media Marketing Strategy!
Last night (February 27th, 2022) little gold trophies were handed out to Hollywood’s greatest and meme gold was created! Will Smith, the popular singer-actor, was provoked to slapping the well known comedian, Chris Rock over some very poorly timed jokes… Luckily, the altercation has been quickly resolved and it has been de-escalated without incident. But just because the two celebrities are over it, does not mean that we are not! We love creating memes for our social media marketing!
Make Your Social Media Marketing Meme Strategic!
A GREAT digital marketing technique is to be quick to jump on a pop-culture moment and making content that fits your business niche. When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars Award Show, the internet meme is quickly becoming a sensationion! You can take these moments and use them to your advantage by adding humor to the situation and making it about your specific market. Look at our memes below!
When the Oscars provide Meme Gold! Me vs. The Algorithm 
“When I Post More Than 3 Times in an Hour vs My Social Media Manager 
“Reels Do Not Work” vs. “Social Media Research” The Britney Spears’ Wedding Digital Marketing Meme!
Britney Spears’ 2022 wedding was a beautiful event! The famous gal gangs features: Donatella Versace, Paris Hilton, Madonna, Selena Gomez, and Drew Barrymore New Double Decker Plane Seats… Digital Marketing Meme
Double decker airplane seat design < Golden meme template Forward Digital Marketing and YOU!
We love joking about the algorithm, but usually users struggle with content engagement because of a lack of consistency… We help small business create a better plan of action for their social media feeds. Also, Forward Digital Marketing helps you better understand your digital insights, making your marketing campaigns for effective. Here at Forward Digital Marketing, we do the marketing research so you can keep your business growing in other areas! That being said, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see all of our advice!
We love when you build original content to support your small business! But, we also love when you share ours!
Need more help building original content to support your business?!
Connect with us to learn how we can help guide and direct your social media and digital marketing strategy!
Need a website built? We do basic website and ecommerce sites! Reach out! We would love to hear from you, today.
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How to Manage Facebook Follow Settings
Good marketing is good management.
If you don’t manage your online presence well, there is a good chance you can lose business to someone who is running their business effectively.
You may want to follow various similar businesses to enhance your own or use these steps to get your new and current followers to be more engaging.
Follow these steps to improve your Facebook following!
Once you have liked a page, there is a 3 dot button to the right.
This will give you different options. Choose ‘Follow Settings’ at the top. If you haven’t followed the page already, you will have to select ‘Follow’ before you see the ‘Follow Settings’ option.
There will be many choices to select, but what we are focusing on is the News Feed section. By choosing the ‘Favorite’ option, this will make the posts that a page sends out appear higher as you scroll through Facebook.
Don’t forget to scroll down and click the blue ‘Update’ button or your settings will not save.
We hope this crash course gives you a better understanding of how to improve your Facebook follow settings.
Log on to your Facebook today to get started with your Facebook follow settings!
If you would like to know more, we have the answers! Visit our Contact page or follow us on our social media accounts below to chat.
Always Looking Forward!
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The 5 Must Knows of Mobile Marketing
Adobe defines mobile marketing as a multi-channel digital marketing strategy aimed at reaching a target audience on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile electronic devices via websites, email, social media, messages, and apps. This read on mobile marketing isn’t just for business owners, managers, or technologically sound people. It’s for everybody because in a way, marketing connects all of us through our mobile devices. So wherever you fit into the marketing world from producer to consumer, it’s important to develop personalized content and keep the attention of your audience through their little screens!
1. If it’s not obvious already… mobile users are EVERYWHERE.
A study done by the Pew Research Center in 2019 shows that 1 in 5 Americans are ‘smartphone only’ internet users. This means there is no laptop or computer in their house or any type of broadband service. So, as everybody continues to be on the go, so does their mobile phone! As a business, this is important to know because you have to find a way to strategically market where your target audience is – which is more than likely on mobile devices.
2. The number of smartphone users increase daily.
Statista predicts that the number of smartphone users worldwide will surpass 3.8 billion in 2021. Whereas in 2016, there were only (but still a lot) 2.5 billion users.
Number of smartphone users worldwide from 2016 to 2021 This indicates yet again that people would rather be on their phone than anything else. So what does this mean for producers, managers, and anybody that develops and creates for the digital marketing world? It time to design easy to engage and mobile friendly websites, apps, messaging, accounts, and more!
3. Good mobile marketing = good mobile traffic
No, I’m not talking about when the highway is backed up. I’m talking about ways to track your audience’s responsiveness to what you are putting on the internet for them to see! Google Analytics is a popular site for looking into all kinds of reports from page visits to how users found your site to what kind of browser they were on – it’s crazy y’all! It might even be able to show you what you had for breakfast…just kidding!
4. You have Viral Potential
If you don’t believe me, just look at Instagram! Influencers, brands, bloggers, small business owners, friends and everyone in between can use Instagram to promote their content. In fact, Instagram alone has topped over 1 billion monthly users according to Adobe Spark. An app like Instagram is so easy to share videos and/or pictures by messaging, putting it on other social media platforms, copying the link, etc. Your content can be found by hundreds, thousands, and millions of people! This form of mass communication creates room for more exposure without the effort of the company. Just let the mobile marketing content speak for itself and people will share!
5. Payments made easy
This is specifically for anyone that sells any time of product or service online. We all know how it is looking through your purse to find your wallet, swiping your card or making exact change for your purchase. Comparingly, online payments are playing a significant role especially during this COVID period. So get online, sit back, and watch your mobile marketing sales go up!
Now you know – mobile is the best way to market! So what are you waiting for? Bring your business to mobile phones to see great new results!
Struggling to figure out the best way to market on mobile? No worries, that’s what we are here for! You can send us a message on our Contact Us page, give us a call, or connect with us on social media account below. We hope you learned something new from this article and don’t be afraid to reach out to us if you have any questions…that is what we are here for!
Always Looking Forward,
Shelby
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Ways to Boost your Email List
So let’s start off with the bad news first to get it out of the way…
“Email marketing databases naturally degrade by about 22.5% every year.” – Hubspot
How can that be? The biggest reason is because people switch jobs, they retire, finally get a new email address because they are still using AOL, things like that.
Thankfully, GOOD NEWS is here to stay…
“The average expected ROI is $42 for every $1 you spend on email marketing.” – Data & Marketing Association
Considering this statement, that is why the ‘quality over quantity’ phrase is so true! It does not matter if you have 10 or 200 people signed up to receive your email, what matters is their engagement. So although we are talking about how to grow in email marketing, we want to stress the importance of keeping your subscribers active as well.
In-Person
This could be word of mouth, a sign up sheet in a local business, attending craft shows or festivals in town, business cards, local events, the possibilities are endless! Human interaction is still very effective – it’s harder for people to turn you down when you are standing in front of them. Who knows, they might actually like your company after they give it a shot!
Website
Email features have become more and more popular. However, you don’t want to hound them for meaningless information. Keep it simple – name and email. You can find out details later after building a relationship with them! You can also get as creative as you want with it. Here is a simple example from Country Living:
New Content
Whether it is a free online tool, resource, brand structure, contest or promotion, you can use a landing page to gather email addresses. You want them to see it as a ‘bonus’ to get something in return because let’s face it, nobody does anything ‘just because’ if they aren’t benefiting from it. While getting your new content out there to the Internet, you could also ask them for feedback from a live chat tool. This could be through social media or your website for people that have stayed on your page for a certain amount of time.
Social Sharing Buttons
For people to want to share your content, it has got to be top notch. When you are able to fine tune it, you’ll have more confidence to encourage your subscribers to share on social media or forward your email to colleagues which makes it important to still include a Call to Action to subscribe in your emails (even though the people you originally emailed it to are already subscribed).
We hope these tips can help you get recognized in your community. Keep in mind that:
You’re only as successful as your least engaged subscriber.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to keep up with us on our social media!
Feel free to look back at our previous posts for more content!
- Wayne County Georgia Probate Court | Constantly Connected
- Wayne County Clerk of Court | A Forward Digital Marketing Special Build
- Long County Recreation | Communication and Education for Local Sports
Always Looking Forward,
Shelby
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Are You Riding the Struggle Bus?
Let’s face it, everybody struggles. Some days, you may even feel like you are driving and the brakes have gone out! The awesome part about it is that challenging situations can lead to success, wisdom, new strength, and better opportunities. So whether you are struggling in the digital marketing department or just winding through life’s twists and turns, we have some helpful tips and suggestions to get you off that bus and driving your own vehicle.
#1: Stretch every dollar you have
Whether it be investing in our local businesses, fine tuning your target audience in ads, or connecting with other companies, make sure that every decision you make has a purpose behind it. For example, you only have $50 in your budget for the month to do all your social media advertising. No need to panic. You can advertise on Facebook and run your ad for as low as $3 a day. This will give your ad at least 15 days to run. That’s half of a month! While it may be frustrating dealing with numbers (I know that struggle), prioritize and make the most of it. If you know that you only have a limited amount of money to run the ad, make sure it is the best ad you could possibly create that will generate as many new followers and page likes as possible.
#2: Enhance your landing pages
If you’re seeing a good amount of impressions but not a lot of engagements, it may be because the places potential customers click aren’t grabbing their attention. When you see a cute pair of shoes you want or a special tool (for you men), you don’t want to click through 5 different pages to get to the checkout page or search the page for 10 minutes trying to figure out how to purchase them. Keep them reeled in with a simple and user-friendly website. This will have them coming back for more if they are impressed by the ease of use.
#3: Think differently to generate new leads
Establishing a strong online presence while being a small business can seem like a big mountain to climb. We know you have spent endless hours of your time pouring your heart and soul into a business. If your vision and end goal you have just seem too unachievable, take a deep breathe and know that it is okay. These are crazy times we are living in – you have no one to blame, especially not yourself. While taking that deep breathe, step back and adjust your sails. A lot of businesses have been learning new ways to operate because of COVID restrictions. It could end up being a great blessing in the end!
I have only touched the surface of what small businesses are facing in today’s society. If you’d like to read a more in-depth article of struggles within digital marketing, check out the Why Your Company Struggles to Master Digital Marketing Maturity article from Forbes.
I look at struggle as an opportunity to grow. True struggle happens when you can sense what is not working for you and you’re willing to take the appropriate action to correct the situation. Those who accomplish change are willing to engage the struggle.
– Danny DreyerWe would love for you to comment or share this post and tell us what has gotten you a ticket on the struggle bus before. If so, how did you manage to navigate your way to a better mode of transportation?
Always Looking Forward,
Shelby