email marketing

Generating Leads Online With Brevo: Your Ultimate Email Marketing Solution

Online presence is everything, generating leads is essential for successful business. If you’re looking for a powerful tool to help you achieve lead generation success, Brevo is an excellent solution. In this article, we’ll explore how this email marketing platform can supercharge your online lead generation efforts and drive growth for your business.Brevo

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to connect with your target audience and convert them into loyal customers. With Brevo, you have access to a suite of powerful email marketing tools designed to streamline your lead generation process. Here are some examples of what Brevo offers:

Captivating Landing Pages

Brevo offers a user-friendly landing page builder that allows you to create custom landing pages without any coding knowledge. These pages are essential for capturing visitor information and converting them into leads.

Automated Email

You can set up email sequences that engage and educate your prospects, moving them closer to conversion. Watch your lead conversion rates rise when you use email automations and meet your targets faster.

Whatsapp Campaigns

Unlike similar softwares Brevo stands out as they offer Whatsapp Campaigns. This versatile and modern feature will make your company stand out. You’ll not only attract more visitors but also convert them into valuable leads with this multimedia approach. 

Why Brevo?

Now, you might wonder why Brevo stands out among other email marketing platforms. Here are some reasons:

User-Friendly Interface: Brevo is easy for both beginners and experienced marketers to navigate and create effective lead generation campaigns.

Constant Innovation: Brevo keeps up with digital marketing trends by consistently adding new elements and curriculums to its platform. This ensures you always have access to the latest strategies for lead generation success.

Effective Multimedia Campaigns: Brevo a range of media platforms where its automation skills can be implemented on. By using Brevo you will expand your audience indefinitely. 

BrevoIn conclusion, using Brevo is a great way to generate leads online and grow your business. Brevo is your ultimate email marketing solution. Its powerful features, user-friendliness, constant innovation, and support makes it a top choice. Get started with Brevo today, and watch your leads and conversions increase.

If you are interested in using Brevo follow this link to start your email marketing journey!

By Tilly Little

Digital Marketer at Expert Circle

brevo

Why Brevo? Choosing the Best Marketing Platform – A 2023 Review

In digital marketing, businesses are always striving for the attention of their target audience, the importance of effective email marketing cannot be overstated. As we step into 2023, it’s crucial to have a reliable and versatile email marketing platform at your disposal. Among the many options available, Brevo stands out as a powerful tool that can elevate your email marketing game to new heights. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore why Brevo is the go-to choice for achieving email marketing success.

Click here to start your Brevo Journey

Lets see why you should use Brevo…

Contacts

Brevo distinguishes itself by offering unlimited contacts and email lists across all subscription plans. Furthermore, Brevo’s contact segmentation functionality enhances email campaigns by allowing you to target smaller subscriber groups with tailored content. This makes Brevo a superpower when it comes to lists.

SMS Marketing

Brevo enables direct communication with your customers through SMS marketing. This feature means you to promote time-sensitive events or offers, send clickable messages, and more. You can also personalise your SMS messages by incorporating recipient names or company details. This is essential for modern digital marketing campaigns, make use of Brevos advanced marketing software now.

Integrated CRM

Brevo offers an integrated CRM solution. No additional installations are needed; it’s ready to use within your Brevo account from the start. Simply upload your contact information, and you can begin managing your customer data in minutes. CRM is completely hassle free and easy to use when you have Brevo.

In conclusion, choosing Brevo for your email marketing and CRM endeavours in 2023 is a wise decision. Its contact abilities, SMS capabilities, excellent deliverability, comprehensive analytics, and integrated marketing tools make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your email marketing success and use Brevo, to achieve your digital marketing goals this year.

Don’t miss out on this brilliant email marketing software, follow the link now to start!

Collaborative article: AI in Marketing – Blessing or Curse?

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, AI in Marketing has emerged as a game-changer. Technological advancements in marketing have consistently played a pivotal role in shaping strategies and outcomes. With various AI technologies being developed, marketers can not only write content but also create effective strategies, map out outcomes, and achieve much more. It is undeniable that AI technology is deeply intertwined with the future of marketing.

However, as we explore the immense potential of AI in marketing, it’s crucial to address some pressing concerns. Ethical considerations in AI and marketing become increasingly significant. Will AI inadvertently compromise consumer privacy? Can it lead to algorithmic bias in AI marketing? And most importantly, will it dilute the genuine human connections that define the essence of marketing strategies?

In this collaborative article, we gather insights and perspectives from our esteemed experts on the integration of AI technology and marketing strategies. They will delve into the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding this technological revolution. Join us as we navigate the intricate intersection of AI and marketing through the eyes of those who truly understand its impact.

Artemiy Ustimenko

Venuelab

The generative AI has become a number one conversational topic throughout the last year. Some people are mystified and intimidated by it, but in fact, generator networks don’t do anything beyond generating text that responds surprisingly perfectly to the request.

May seem like t9 on steroids, but in the context of how humankind developed this is a superpower. Take Harari books or just look around and you’ll see that the way our brains are programmed is text-based. Every classic way of storing and delivering ideas, from religious texts to university textbooks is (guess what?) text-based.

Therefore, a thing as simple as generating a well-targeted text can affect billions of minds quite easily. This idea is equally exciting and scary, therefore using AI in marketing, PR, or politics to wire some ideas into the brains of the messes will be something we see more and more often.

Jonathan Bennett

Marketing agent at The Digital States

Having been a beneficiary of using AI to speed up some workflows and idea creation, it is easy to see the positive side of using AI language models. However, we know from past experience that algorithm bias is a very real and insidious problem.
There is a reason why the world of politics is now more divided than it’s ever been and that is because of machine learning feeds the worst tendencies of consumer content.

No matter how carefully algorithms are built and managed, people have biases and these will inevitably filter into AI tools.

Ivan Asem

Head of Marketing at EPSza

Automation is no stranger to the world of marketing technology. Marketers have been using artificial intelligence within automation for quite some time. Whether using it to personalise offers in email or create a recommendations engine in e-commerce, AI has always been there to help marketers.  However, ChatGPT changed this.

Now you can prepare campaigns at lightning speeds. You can edit copy confidently, often without even reading it over. It’s all being done for you. At first glance, it’s excellent to produce as much content as possible and to ask the algorithm to guess our next move. It feels perfect every time from a marketer’s point of view. Some companies are even scaling down their marketing teams. But that’s the thing…

AI looks great at first but read enough content produced by it and you will start to notice the echo chamber. If you can see it, so can your audience. I find myself reading an article and asking if this article was produced by a person or by a content generator.

Outputs are only as good as their inputs. Anyone can create a marketing campaign in ChatGPT, Write Sonic, or even Jasper AI. The real work happens after the fact. When a campaign is live the numbers start to tell a story that human minds have to interpret and adapt to.

Everything needs to be tailored to your audience. In real-time. We’re not there yet with AI. It’s impressive to use it with friends and by yourself. However, relying on AI to run an entire campaign from start to finish is a great place to start losing your audience.

Campaigns that win are the ones that still have the human touch. The simple reason is that we do everything for humans. Experienced content creators understand how to balance content to create pleasure. Even while using AI.

Does that mean we should stop generating content with AI? Absolutely not. It’s the best way to get the ball rolling so that you can draw insights into what’s working and what’s not. After that, you can spend time painstakingly creating content for your audience. The 80/20 principle still applies here.

From a professional point of view, nothing really beats struggling through the process and then winning in the end. The human touch is something that can’t quite be replicated even with something as impressive as ChatGPT.

In the end, technology is essential for running marketing campaigns in today’s age. Automation and artificial intelligence are there to help. People create great campaigns for people. No matter how advanced the Martech stack is.

In conclusion, our experts shed light on the path forward. While AI unquestionably offers unprecedented capabilities in marketing, the delicate balance between automation in marketing technology and human content creation remains essential. Technology empowers us, but it’s the human touch that truly resonates with audiences. As we advance, we must harness the best of both worlds to create campaigns that inspire, engage, and foster meaningful connections in this ever-advancing marketing landscape. Understanding the significance of AI and human connection in marketing, we strive to strike that balance.

SEO

Why You Should Use Expert Circle to Unlock Your SEO Success

In digital marketing staying ahead requires a strategic approach that leverages the latest tools and techniques. While social media has undoubtedly transformed the landscape of online communication, there’s a powerhouse duo that often takes a back seat. Whitehead SEO techniques and guest posting on diverse platforms. As the Head of Digital at Expert Circle, a leading guest blogging platform, I am here to shed light on why guest posting and publishing on various platforms like ours can wield a more substantial impact on your online presence than even the most engaging social media campaigns.

The Whitehead SEO Advantage:

Let’s start by clarifying Whitehead SEO techniques. These are the ethical strategies employed to optimise a website’s search engine rankings. Unlike Blackhat SEO, Whitehat techniques are built on quality, relevancy, and user experience. Guest posting, when executed correctly, is one such technique that aligns with Whitehat principles. By creating high-quality, informative content and sharing it on reputable platforms, you’re not only building backlinks but also establishing your authority in your niche. Expert Circle provides this service for free. If you submit us an article we use whitehead techniques to optimise your post therefore increasing your google ranking and online authority. 

Diverse Platforms, Diverse Audiences:

While social media boasts billions of users, its inherently ephemeral nature can be a double-edged sword. On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, content can get lost in a matter of minutes, making it challenging to achieve lasting impact. On the contrary, guest posting allows your content to find a home on respected websites with established readerships. This exposure ensures that your message reaches a targeted, engaged audience that is actively seeking valuable insights- elevating your brand’s visibility and authority.

Additionally, publishing on different platforms means you’re not limiting your reach to a single channel. Each platform has its unique audience demographic and engagement patterns. By tapping into various platforms, you have the opportunity to connect with diverse audiences that might not be active on social media or are simply looking for more in-depth content than a social media post can offer. Using Expert Circle you can reap the rewards of both guest blogging and social media platforms as we span across all of them. If your article is particularly standout we will promote it on our social media too therefore increasing your visibility. 

Building Trust and Credibility:

Being published on multiple platforms has a profound impact on your brand’s credibility. When your expertise is showcased on respected websites, it sends a powerful signal to both users and search engines. It indicates that you are a trusted voice within your industry, and this trust translates into higher search engine rankings. The more platforms you are featured on, the more you bolster your reputation as an authoritative source, thus further reinforcing your position in the digital ecosystem.

Longevity and Evergreen Value:

One of the most significant advantages of guest posting and multi-platform publishing is the lasting value it brings. Unlike the fleeting nature of social media posts, well-crafted articles have a much longer shelf life. They continue to attract organic traffic, generate backlinks, and contribute to your brand’s credibility over time. A piece published today could continue to drive results months or even years down the line, providing a continuous ROI that social media often struggles to match. At Expert Circle we do not delete content so you can continue to revisit and share your insights whenever you like!

In the age of instant gratification and viral trends, it’s crucial not to overlook the enduring impact of Whitehat SEO techniques and guest posting on diverse platforms. While social media undoubtedly has its place, it’s the synergy between these strategies that truly propels your brand’s digital presence to new heights. As the Head of Digital at Expert Circle, I advocate for a holistic approach that values quality, expertise, and targeted exposure. By embracing guest posting and embracing a multi-platform publishing strategy, you’re not just riding the digital wave; you’re carving out a lasting legacy in the online sphere. Join us now at Expert Circle and Get Featured on our site! Click here to check out our current discussion topics, all you have to do is write!

 

Olivia Davies,

Head of Digital at Expert Circle

managers

Essential Guidelines for Hiring Ad Managers

In today’s digital landscape, the importance of hiring a trustworthy ad manager cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, many businesses have fallen victim to deceptive practices by ad managers, resulting in financial losses and account bans. To help you navigate this potential minefield, we have compiled a comprehensive guide of SEO-optimised best practices for hiring ad managers. By following these guidelines, you can protect your business and ensure transparent and effective ad campaigns.

Never Share Login Credentials:

One of the fundamental rules to prevent ad manager deception is to avoid sharing your login credentials (ID and password). Instead, add them as a user to your business manager account. This ensures better control and security over your ad account.

Grant Limited Access:

When granting access to an ad manager, consider providing them with administrative access to manage your account efficiently. However, it is crucial to restrict their financial access. Keep financial control limited to yourself to prevent unauthorized expenses.

Request Regular Updates:

Stay informed about the performance of your ad campaigns by requesting regular updates from your ad manager. Ask for detailed reports on ad performance and expenditure. This will enable you to assess the progress of your campaigns and maintain transparency.

Restrict Page Access:

When transferring access to your business page, be cautious. Provide the ad manager with ad access only, without granting administrative privileges. By doing so, you mitigate the risk of losing control over your page’s operations.

Set Spending Limits:

Protect your budget by setting spending limits on your ad account. This simple step ensures that you receive notifications from Facebook whenever the expenditure exceeds the defined limit. It helps prevent unexpected financial surprises and keeps you in control.

In the realm of digital advertising, hiring a reliable ad manager is crucial to avoid deception, financial losses, and account restrictions. By implementing these SEO-optimized guidelines, you can safeguard your business and maintain control over your ad account. Remember to never share login credentials, grant limited access, request regular updates, restrict page access, and set spending limits. By following these best practices, you can minimize the risks associated with hiring an ad manager and enhance the success of your ad campaigns.

If you have encountered similar challenges or wish to share your experience, please leave a comment below. Together, we can empower businesses to make informed decisions and build trust in the advertising industry.

 

Larysa Hale

Managing director at Expert Circle

content strategy

How to Develop a Content Strategy: Insights from Expert Panellists on Quality Content, SEO, and Cultural Influence

We called experts from across the country to contribute to our panel question “How to develop a content strategy”. The answers we received were extremely valuable and insightful. We highly recommend content marketing agencies and those using content marketing platforms to read what our thought leaders have said on our professional guest blogging site.

Our team here at Expert Circle took the time to go over these answers and picked out the 3 which stood out:

1 . Ana Codallo

Ana highlights the shift from posting 500-word blogs to focusing on quality content. She shows how choosing an interesting and useful topic is crucial for success. She also illuminates unique ways of spreading ideas like the medium of podcasts.

2 . Mario Cacciottolo

Mario highlights the importance of developing confidence in SEO strategy and then learning how to leverage it effectively. He calls attention to building a strong SEO ranking which is key for making content discoverable and warns to stay away from “Black Hat” approaches.

3 . Simon Baker

Simon brought a dynamic and integral point into our discussion… culture! His article shows the importance of understanding the influence of wider culture and identifying the individuals who shape and challenge the status quo. These influencers create something new which eventually influences brands.

Overall, we at Expert Circle think that these 3 articles bring valuable perspectives on developing a content strategy. We highly recommend them as they are worth the read!:

Ana Codallo:

Community Manager

Gone are the days when you get suggestions of posting just a 500-word blog and expect your content to flourish. People are actually in search of quality content, instead of those bogus content posts you plan to put. Your topic holds the literal direction of success, whether your audience will find it interesting yet useful or not. Have a few searches and get through what your competitors are doing, so that you deploy many efforts just to outweigh them.

Besides, lurk around a few podcasts, it’s the new trend for grabbing content. Take unique ideas and spread them as much as you can. Well, talking about podcasts invest your precious time into owning them. In nutshell, you just need to have a great topic, and further use keywords and SEO optimization to increase traffic.

For instance, instead of going in for short ones, you can definitely plan on having those long topic guides. Pick a niche you’re an expert in, and start jotting your words of wisdom in a guide form. A complete information centre often attracts people, since they won’t really have to navigate toward different links thereon.

Besides, by doing so you can also score essential backlinks to have your content seen! The frequency of posting must be consistent, however, posting for just the sake of doing it doesn’t really fulfil your goals. Thereby, weight quality above quantity, and that’s the ultimate key!

Mario Cacciottolo:

PR & Branding Manager at SBO

Don’t be daunted by SEO. When you’re starting out, it can seem like a complex and overwhelming world. Backlinks, rankings, keywords, metrics, the terminology is extensive, and the concept can be confusing. However, if you really want to grow your business, you need to get confident with your SEO strategy and learn to use it to your advantage.

Building a good SEO ranking will ensure that your content is easily discoverable by users. It can be tempting to accelerate the process, a so-called ‘Black Hat’ approach, which involves duplicating content, linking to non-relevant sites, and using invisible text and stuffed keywords. While this may provide short-term success, it’s not recommended, and in fact, will result in penalties.

Instead, focus on creating quality content, which is well-researched, relevant, and relatable to your target audience. That way, when they do access your site, they will be more likely to engage, appreciate, and enjoy their experience, and conversion rates will increase. Successfully incorporating SEO into your marketing strategy will inform, improve, and enhance the buyer’s journey, and give you the edge over competitors.

Simon Baker:

Managing Director

To understand how to build a content strategy it’s important to look at the influence of wider culture and how your brand fits in. But rather than ask ‘what’ changes culture, it can be more effective to look at ‘who’.

The change-makers, taste-makers, mavericks and renegades who challenge the status quo, that’s who.

Every culture-shaping product follows a set of characters who, in their interactions with wider communities, have captured some kind of zeitgeist and created something new: a new way of speaking, of behaving, of expressing themselves. Brands then follow: think of Nike Air Force One, the iPhone and TESLA; they all followed actual people who captured a zeitgeist and leveraged technology as catalysts for cultural change.

In other words, people – and the norms and customs and ideas they develop — exist when there is no actual product involved. People and their ideas come first. Always.

Often when someone is disruptive, people turn to look, and this attention can create a small movement of people, ideas or ideals; a small wave. Just as a maverick disrupts and gains attention, so too do emerging subcultures. Initially led by a small group of individuals, subcultures are interesting, different and refreshing. In their originality, they are inherently creative, bold and risk-taking

Depending on the impact, benefit and timing of this new movement, wider culture may start to adopt some of its elements. This adds and shapes culture while adding fire to the sub-culture until it becomes absorbed and appropriated by the mainstream. We’ve seen this countless times as disruptive technology, sport or politics becomes the norm.

To me, this is emblematic of the transition of followers being ‘core’ to a movement moving to those who are following the ‘lifestyle’ of that movement. Core has credibility that can only be earned through exclusivity and via a highly influential group of people. As that area of culture is adopted by the mainstream, the core becomes a lifestyle.

In conclusion, the experts we consulted provided valuable insights into developing a content strategy. Ana Codallo emphasised the importance of focusing on quality content, choosing interesting topics, and leveraging mediums like podcasts. Mario Cacciottolo highlighted the significance of building a strong SEO ranking while avoiding unethical tactics. Simon Baker shed light on the role of wider culture and the individuals who shape it, emphasising the importance of originality and the influence of subcultures. Overall, these perspectives offer diverse and valuable perspectives for developing an effective content strategy.

If you are interested in reading more of our experts’ answers to “How to Develop a Content Strategy” follow the link here to access them!

seo

Mastering Web Content: A Comprehensive 10-Step SEO Guide

In the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, the potency of high-quality, relevant content is undisputed. Content marketing has become the cornerstone of successful SEO strategies, driving audience engagement, fostering brand loyalty, and fuelling business growth. Yet, mastering content creation is not an arbitrary process – it requires a well-structured, strategic approach. With myriad marketing tasks to navigate, establishing a clear SEO-friendly content strategy ensures consistency, optimises effectiveness, and boosts your return on investment.

Adhering to the following ten SEO-centric steps will introduce structure to your content creation, ensuring it resonates effectively with both search engines and your target audience.

1. Keyword Use

Optimising your content around specific SEO keywords is paramount. Incorporating your primary keyword naturally in your blog title, URL, and meta description enhances visibility. Utilising related secondary keywords can further optimise your content.

2. Craft Click-Worthy Titles

Captivating, SEO-friendly titles drive traffic and boost search results. Using a blend of common, uncommon, emotional, and power words can significantly improve your engagement. Tools such as CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer can help optimise your titles.

3. Maintain Industry Relevance

Sticking to your industry niche is crucial for building an engaged, loyal audience. Providing consistent, relevant content helps to meet user expectations and enhance their experience.

4. Accurate Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions significantly impact SEO. These brief summaries appear on Google’s search results pages and provide a snapshot of your content. Crafting precise and compelling meta descriptions can amplify your click-through rates.

5. Write for Your Audience

Creating content that resonates with your target audience is essential. Tailoring your content to meet their needs, answer their queries, and offer value promotes user engagement and loyalty.

6. Use Blog Tags Wisely

Blog tags help organise your content, improving usability and SEO. Ensure your tags align with your keywords and are diverse to avoid harming your SEO efforts.

7. Link Internally and Externally

Incorporating internal and external links enhances your content’s SEO and credibility. Providing your readers with links to additional, useful resources creates a richer, more informative user experience.

8. Consistent and Frequent Posting

Frequent, consistent posting is a key SEO strategy. Updating and refreshing old content with new data and information keeps it relevant, increases engagement, and boosts SEO.

9. Create High-Quality, Long-Form Content

Creating engaging, long-form content of at least 300 words per post bolsters SEO. Repurposing old content and utilising resources like transcripts can aid in crafting lengthy, engaging posts.

10. Promote Your Content and Encourage Engagement

Promoting your content across channels such as social media and newsletters, and encouraging user engagement, extends your reach and strengthens your content’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

While there are countless strategies you could incorporate into your content creation process, the ten steps outlined above provide a robust foundation for building a powerful, SEO-friendly content strategy.

Adopting these steps will help establish a content creation routine, enabling you to discern what engages your audience and what falls flat. Over time, you can refine your strategy based on feedback and results, adding new tactics to optimise engagement and SEO.

The key to success in content marketing is not immediate perfection but continual evolution and refinement. With these SEO-friendly guidelines at your disposal, you’re well-equipped to navigate your content marketing journey, creating engaging and effective content that propels your brand to new heights.

 

Larysa Hale

Managing Director

Expert Circle

networking

Write an Article: The art of effective networking and relationship building

Are you looking to take your career to the next level by improving your networking and relationship-building skills? Look no further than writing an article on “The art of effective networking and relationship-building” on Expert Circle, the leading content platform for professionals in the UK.

By sharing your insights and expertise on this topic, you can help others develop stronger connections and build meaningful relationships that can drive their career growth. This type of valuable information is highly sought after in today’s industry, where networking strategies are an essential skill for success. When your article is seen by the right people, it can position you as a thought leader and attract more qualified leads to your website. Not only that, backlinks from reputable websites like Expert Circle can also help improve your website’s search engine ranking, making it easier for potential customers to find you online.

In addition, showcasing your expertise in effective networking tips and relationship-building techniques can help validate your credibility and authority in your industry. This can ultimately lead to new business opportunities, as well as valuable connections and partnerships with other professionals. By writing on Expert Circle, you can connect with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators, providing valuable networking opportunities that can help boost your career.

With Expert Circle, you can share your insights with the right audience and establish yourself as a leader in this topic. So don’t hesitate and start writing today!

Possible Ways You Can Write Your Article:

1. Provide practical tips and strategies for effective networking: Discover actionable advice on how to network effectively, whether it’s in person or through online platforms. Learn techniques for initiating conversations, maintaining relationships, and expanding your professional network.

2. Discuss the benefits of relationship-building: Learn about the tangible benefits that stem from building meaningful connections. Explore how strong relationships can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, and career growth.

3. Address common challenges in networking and relationship-building: Identify and overcome common obstacles that professionals face when trying to network or build relationships. Gain practical solutions and insights to navigate challenges and establish fruitful connections.

4. Share success stories and examples: Explore real-world examples of individuals who have achieved success through effective networking and relationship-building. Discover inspiring stories and case studies that demonstrate the positive impact of strategic connections.

Benefits of Writing on Expert Circle:

Maximize your exposure:

By writing on Expert Circle, you can increase your visibility to a larger audience, including potential clients and partners, and expand your reach beyond your existing network.

Establish your authority:

Sharing your knowledge and experience on a reputable platform like Expert Circle can help establish your credibility and authority in your industry, setting you apart from others in your field.

Networking made easy:

Writing on Expert Circle can open doors to connect with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators, providing valuable networking opportunities that can help boost your career.

Hone your writing skills:

Regularly contributing to Expert Circle can help sharpen your writing skills and refine your ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Boost your online presence:

With Expert Circle’s high-traffic website and strong SEO, your articles have the potential to rank well in search engines, boosting your online presence and elevating your personal brand.

social

How social listening and 3rd party conversations boost brand reach (and how they could work for you)

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for brands to engage with their target audience and enhance brand awareness. One highly effective strategy that leverages the power of social media is active participation in 3rd party conversations. These conversations refer to discussions and interactions on social media platforms between users who are not directly affiliated with a particular brand or company. By monitoring relevant topics and actively engaging in these conversations, brands can unlock several benefits that significantly contribute to their overall reach and success.

The Power of 3rd Party Conversations:

Engaging in 3rd party conversations offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance a brand’s online presence. Firstly, it humanises the brand by showcasing its personality and values. By actively participating in conversations that align with the brand’s values, companies can demonstrate their commitment to important social issues and establish a deeper connection with their target audience. Research has shown that over 70% of people are inclined to make purchases from brands that share their values.

Moreover, active engagement in 3rd party conversations helps to increase brand awareness within the relevant audience. By participating in discussions that are relevant to their industry or niche, brands can attract the attention of potential customers who are already interested in the topic. This increased visibility can lead to higher brand recognition and recall, ensuring that the brand remains at the forefront of potential customers’ minds when making purchasing decisions.

A Real-Life Example:

To illustrate the impact of 3rd party conversations, let’s consider a real-life example from 2020 involving M&S and Aldi. When M&S and Aldi had a lawsuit regarding Casper the chocolate cake, Aldi cleverly capitalised on the opportunity to create a humorous social media post about it. This post sparked a conversation, with various brands and individuals joining in. By actively participating in this 3rd party conversation, the brands involved were able to leverage the success of Aldi’s campaign to humanise their own brand, share their values, and gain exposure to a broader audience.

How to Participate in 3rd-Party Conversations:

Engaging in 3rd party conversations requires a strategic approach to ensure maximum effectiveness. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:

  1. Identify your brand values, competitors, and key product or service characteristics. Understanding these aspects will help you identify relevant topics and discussions to participate in.
  2. Set up a social listening system using tools like Google Alerts. Monitor the terms and topics that align with your brand’s values and industry. This will enable you to stay updated on relevant conversations happening on social media platforms.
  3. When you receive an alert about a relevant term or topic, evaluate how you can contribute value to the conversation. It’s essential to focus on providing valuable insights, knowledge, or even humour, rather than approaching it as a sales pitch. By offering valuable contributions, you establish credibility and pique the interest of others, prompting them to explore your brand further.

Participating in 3rd party conversations is a valuable strategy for brands to create awareness, humanise their brand, and establish relevance with their target audience. By actively engaging in discussions related to their industry or values, brands can connect with their audience on a personal level and build trust. However, it’s crucial to remember that these conversations should provide value to the discussion rather than being self-promotional.

To maximise the benefits of 3rd party conversations, brands should consistently monitor relevant topics and stay updated on the latest discussions. By positioning themselves as thought leaders and making meaningful contributions to the conversations, brands can increase their reach, attract new customers, and solidify their brand’s reputation in the digital landscape.

Elisabeth Klingler

marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: A/B Testing part VI

How A/B Testing Can Benefit Your Marketing Strategy

  • Understand your target audience. When you see what types of emails, headlines, and other features your audience responds to best, you better understand who your audience is and what they want.
  • Higher conversion rates. A/B testing is the single most effective way to increase your conversion rates. It gives you actionable data that can help you streamline the conversion process.
  • Stay on top of emerging trends. Predicting what type of content, images, or other features people will respond to is complex. Conducting regular A/B tests helps you stay ahead of the ever-changing consumer behaviour.
  • Reduce bounce rates. A/B testing in marketing allows testing different variations of websites or marketing elements to identify which ones resonate with the audience and reduce bounce rates by improving engagement.

 

One version will be your «control» group—the version you already use (A). The second version changes a single element, emphasising the amount—SINGLE (B).

 

How Do You Plan an A/B Test?

A/B testing is a whole process, so first, you must decide what you want to be A/B testing.

You can test:

  • headlines
  • CTA text
  • CTA location
  • pop-up’s
  • featured images
  • copy
  • the number of fields in a form
  • buttons

 

The next step is deciding whether to do an Onsite or Offsite test. Onsite tests look at the sales-related aspects of your website for weaknesses. With the offsite test, you’re examining elements such as advertising or sales emails.

 

Pro tip: Once you know your test subject, it’s time to assign variables. Once you understand what marketing material you want to A/B test, list all the variables. If you’ve decided to test your CTA, it’s worth testing:

  • the location
  • the exact text used
  • the button colour or surrounding space

 

After figuring out what and how you will A/B test and picking one of running an onsite or offsite test, it’s time to make a Checklist.

 

A/B Testing Checklist.

Before you start testing, make sure you have a clear idea of the results you’re looking for. You should already know your expected result, which is the results you’re currently getting. You want to know that whichever one does better in the test is also doing better than your current results.

Alternatively, you can use A as your control (leaving whatever you’re currently using) and then use something new for B.

A/B tests must be run simultaneously so there are no variations caused by different timing. You can’t test one variation today and the other tomorrow because you can’t factor in any variables that might have changed between now and then. The results would then be inconclusive and not viable.

Here’s your A/B testing checklist for your first test:

  1. Decide what feature you want to test.
  2. Create two versions of the same ad, landing page, app, etc.
  3. Decide how long your test will run.
  4. Choose a testing tool to help you run your test (more on that later).
  5. Launch A/B test!
  6. After your chosen period has passed, compare the results.
  7. Repeat. A/B testing is most effective when done continually.

 

Top Elements to Test Using A/B Testing

You can test virtually anything in your marketing materials or website: headlines, CTAs, body copy, images, navigation bar placement, etc. If you can change it, you can test it!

On your website, this likely includes:

  • the headline
  • your CTA
  • any graphic you use in direct correlation to your sales efforts
  • the sales copy or product descriptions
  • featured image
  • button size and placement

In an email, you can test the title, images, links, CTAs, or segmenting options.

In a paid ad, especially a text ad (like a search ad), you have fewer things to change, so you can test the main headline, the offer, the image, or the targeting.

 

Can I Test More than One Thing at a Time?

There are two approaches to this question.

Say you want to test your headline but have three possible variations. In that case, running a single test and splitting your visitors (or recipients in the case of an email) into three groups instead of two is reasonable and would still be considered an A/B test.

This is more efficient than running three tests (A vs. B, B vs. C, and A vs. C). It would be best to give your test an extra couple of days to run so you have enough results to see what works.

Testing more than one thing at a time, such as headlines and calls to action, is called a multi-variate test and is more complicated to run.

You’ll also need to consider how your systems can handle split tests and have staff on hand who can analyse multiple results and compile the data into digestible amounts.

Multi-variate testing puts much more on your plate at once: but you shouldn’t necessarily avoid it. If you have the proper procedures to handle the extra workload, go ahead – but if you want a more straightforward approach, one A/B test at a time is just fine.

 

Summary

A/B testing is a powerful tool that can help businesses understand their target audience and increase conversion rates by changing a single element in their marketing materials. To plan an A/B test, you should first decide what you want to test, such as headlines, CTAs, featured images, or copy. You must then choose whether to conduct an onsite or offsite test and create a checklist to ensure that the test is run simultaneously and the results are reliable.

You can test virtually anything in your marketing materials or website, including headlines, body copy, images, and navigation bar placement. Testing more than one thing at a time is possible but requires extra effort and resources. Overall, A/B testing is a continuous process that can help businesses stay on top of emerging trends and consumer behaviour. Good luck with your testing!

Our marketing and coaching professionals community can help you take your marketing to the next level. Sign up for Expert Circle today to learn more about marketing and get expert content creation and promotion tips. Join now and start connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from the best.

 

marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: How to choose the right Call-To-Action part V

Here are the key points we will discuss today:

  • Purpose of CTA’s
  • Effective use of CTA’s for your offer
  • How to choose the correct CTA based on your audience’s needs
  • Where to direct your audience with your CTA’s

Now that you know your offer and the keywords you’d like to rank for that relate to that offer, it’s time to determine the Calls To Action (CTA) you’ll share in your content.

CTAs and content marketing

Regarding content marketing, the ultimate goal is to drive traffic to your offer and ultimately make a sale. However, it can be overwhelming to determine the best way to get your audience to take action. That’s where CTA’s come in.

A CTA is a short piece of content that directs your audience to a specific next step. This step could be anything from visiting a sales page to signing up for a webinar. A CTA aims to increase engagement and position your offer as the solution to a problem your audience already knows they have.

To effectively use CTAs, it’s essential to identify the right keywords relevant to your offer. People use these words or phrases when searching for products or services related to what you offer. Once you have identified these keywords, you can choose the suitable CTA to drive traffic to your offer.

When marketing an offer in your content, you can:

  • Send your audience straight to a sales page;
  • Direct them to a landing page that allows them to opt-in to a webinar/newsletter, etc.;
  • Add a link that leads them to an application process, opt-in;
  • Have them download something valuable for free that leads to → an email sequence → that leads to a sales page and, ultimately →, a sale.
  • Send them to a Facebook group or Instagram where you do live videos—promote yourself with valuable content.

We will discuss the points above in more depth in just a minute.

Regardless of the CTA you choose, know that the purpose of a call to action is increased engagement and to position you and your offer as the next step to something your audience already knows they want and need.

During this time, it’s important to remind your audience of THEIR fears, objections, and myths to ease their mindset and show them why your offer answers their problems.

 

Below are some of the most impactful CTAs that have been proven to yield the best results and can be incorporated into your content marketing plan

 

Send your audience straight to a sales page

This is the most direct way to drive traffic to your offer. Ensure your sales page is compelling and highlights the benefits of your offer. Use the relevant keywords in your sales page so that it appears in the search results when people search for those keywords.

 

Direct them to a landing page that allows them to opt-in to a webinar or newsletter

This is a great way to build your email list and establish yourself as an authority in your niche. Use the relevant keywords in your landing page so that it appears in the search results when people search for those keywords.

 

Add a link that leads them to an application process or opt-in

This is a good option if you have a high-ticket offer and want to pre-qualify potential buyers. Use the relevant keywords in your application process or opt-in so that it appears in the search results when people search for those keywords.

Have them download something valuable for free that leads to an email sequence

This can be a lead magnet such as an eBook or a checklist. Use the relevant keywords in your lead magnet so that it appears in the search results when people search for those keywords. Once they opt in, you can send them a series of emails that ultimately lead to a sales page.

Direct them to a Facebook group or Instagram where you do live videos

This is a great way to build a community and establish yourself as an authority. Make sure to use the relevant keywords in your social media posts to appear in the search results when people search for those keywords.

Whatever CTA you select, it’s important to remind your audience of their fears, objections, and myths to ease their mindset and show them why your offer answers their problems. You can do this through storytelling, social proof, and highlighting the benefits of your offer.

Summary

It’s essential to identify the right keywords relevant to your offer and choose the suitable CTA based on your audience’s needs. The article also provides examples of effective CTAs, including sending your audience straight to a sales page, directing them to a landing page that allows them to opt-in to a webinar or newsletter, or directing them to a Facebook group or Instagram where you do live videos. By following these strategies, you can effectively use CTAs to drive traffic to your offer and ultimately make a sale.

 

content marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: Core principles of keyword importance in marketing and coaching part IV

Keywords play a crucial role in any marketing and coaching strategy. They are the words and phrases people use to search for products or services related to your offer. By identifying the right keywords and incorporating them into your content, you can increase your visibility in search engine results and attract more potential customers.

Let’s examine the core principles of keyword importance in marketing and coaching below:

  1. Relevance: An essential principle of keyword selection is relevance. You want to choose keywords that accurately reflect what you offer and that people are actually searching for. Using relevant keywords increases your chances of attracting the right audience and driving traffic to your website.
  2. Search Volume: You want to choose keywords with a high search volume, meaning that many people are searching for those keywords. This increases your visibility in search engine results and can lead to more traffic to your website.
  3. Competition: You want to choose keywords with low competition, meaning few other websites are targeting those keywords. This makes it easier for your website to rank higher in search engine results and attract more traffic.
  4. Long-Tail Keywords: The fourth principle of keyword selection is using long-tail keywords. People use longer, more specific phrases to search for particular products or services. While they may have a lower search volume, they often have lower competition and can attract more targeted traffic to your website.
  5. Continual Research and Optimization: The final principle of keyword importance is continual research and optimization. Keyword trends and search habits can change over time, so it’s essential to regularly review and update your keyword strategy to ensure that it’s still effective.

 

Researching for the best keywords for SEO involves a few essential steps.

Here’s a guide to help you get started:
  • Brainstorm Potential Keywords: Start by brainstorming a list of keywords that are relevant to your business, product, or service. This could include industry-specific terms, product names, or common search phrases. Consider what your potential customers might search for when looking for your product or service.
  • Use Keyword Research Tools: Once you have a list of potential keywords, use keyword research tools to gather data on their search volume, competition, and relevance. Many free and paid tools are available, such as Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz Keyword Explorer. These tools can help you find related keywords, suggest variations, and know how often people search for each term.
  • Analyze Competitor Keywords: Look at the keywords your competitors use in their content and website metadata. This can give you insight into what is working for them and where there may be opportunities for your keyword strategy.
  • Consider Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases people use to search for particular products or services. While they may have a lower search volume, they often have lower competition and can attract more targeted traffic to your website. Consider adding long-tail keywords to your list to capture more specific search intent.
  • Refine Your List: After gathering data and analyzing your competitors, refine your list of keywords to focus on the most relevant, high-volume, and low-competition terms. Prioritize those most likely to drive traffic and conversions for your business.
  • Monitor and Adjust: Remember that keyword trends and search habits can change over time. It’s crucial to monitor your keyword strategy regularly and adjust as needed. Pay attention to changes in search volume, competition, and your website’s search engine rankings to determine if your keyword strategy needs tweaking.

 

It’s crucial to prioritize relevance, search volume, competition, and long-tail keywords when refining your list. By adhering to these principles, you can conduct thorough keyword research to optimize your website for search engine visibility and attract your ideal audience. Remember to regularly update your strategy to stay on top of changes in search habits and ensure optimal results.

Our marketing and coaching professionals community can help you take your marketing to the next level. Sign up for Expert Circle today to learn more about marketing and get expert content creation and promotion tips. Join now and start connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from the best.

 

content marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: Marketing Strategies part III

In today’s digital landscape, where search engines are pivotal in connecting businesses with their ideal clients, understanding how to choose and utilize keywords effectively is crucial. By leveraging the right keywords, companies can optimize their content to appear in search results and attract their target audience.

There are six main media search engines: LinkedIn, Google, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram — each with its unique audience and content consumption patterns. This article will explore the importance of keyword research, repurposing content across different platforms, and the value of long-form blog posts in improving search engine rankings. Choose Your Keywords

 

Search Engines

There are six major media search engines in today’s digital landscape, each distinct from the others:

  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Every day your ideal client goes to one of these search engines trying to find answers to their questions and solutions to their problems.

The text they put in the search bar is called keywords or long-tail keywords, and once they hit enter, content comes up.

YOU WANT TO BE THAT CONTENT!

To begin, you must look at the end result of your offer promises. Brainstorm all the different concepts and topics your ideal client must know to achieve the result you promise to deliver. Then start finding keywords and creating content. Utilize these keywords in your content.

Searchable content

Simply put, you can use the same script and upload it to two or more platforms in different formats. Add in some graphics where possible.
Why? Because the people who are reading a Tweet and watching a YouTube video or scrolling through their LinkedIn are typically different audiences who like to consume their content differently. That way, you’ll be hitting “two birds with one stone” by repurposing the same script on different platforms.

Pay attention to good keywords. A little research goes a long way. Just Google: keyword research tool — it will come back with millions of hits, and choose the one you prefer.

Long-form blog posts

Type any keyword in Google for your industry. Chances are the results are long-form postscornerstone, or epic posts; meaning they are at over 1,500 words at least. Long and informative posts rank highest because they help Google understand what you do, and your audience understands the topic you’re an expert on.

Although to rank in search engines, you need to blog regularly; you also need to make sure that the vital content on your website is:

  • Written content. As advanced as AI is today, most search engines still need help understanding other media accurately.
  • Write guides and step-by-step posts that help your audience understand who you are and what you do and help Google explore all the aspects of your industry that you deal with.
  • Search engines track the amount of time people spend on your site. The longer they stay—the better it will rank. Investing in engaging visuals or infographics that turn scanners into readers via visual stimulation is crucial.

Summary

Target keywords: Keywords are critical for your content creation efforts. Research and use relevant and high-performing keywords that your potential clients are searching for on platforms like LinkedIn, Google, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Repurpose your content: Different audiences prefer different content formats. Repurpose your content across platforms using the same script to reach a wider audience and increase engagement.

Create long-form blog posts: Long-form blog posts with in-depth information over 1,500 words can improve your search engine rankings and establish your expertise in your field.

Use written content and visuals: Written content, such as guides and step-by-step posts, is crucial for search engines to understand your content. Enhance user engagement with visually stimulating elements like infographics.

Keep visitors engaged: Keeping visitors on your website for longer can positively impact your search engine rankings. Use exciting visuals or infographics to convert scanners into readers and potential clients.

 

By effectively choosing and utilizing keywords, repurposing content, creating long-form blog posts, and incorporating visually stimulating elements, you can optimize your content for search engines and improve your chances of attracting your ideal clients. Act now and watch your online presence soar!

Our marketing and coaching professionals community can help you take your marketing to the next level. Sign up for Expert Circle today to learn more about marketing and get expert content creation and promotion tips. Join now and start connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from the best.

content marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: Marketing Strategies part II

When it comes to promoting your products or services, Audience Engagement Strategies and building relationships with your target audience is key. One effective way to do this is through various interactive strategies that encourage participation and interaction. In this article, we will explore seven different strategies that can help you connect with your audience and promote your coaching services or products.

  1. Questions

Ask your audience questions related to what you do. You can also touch on topics that are connected to your target audience. Make it simple to answer.

 For example: what’s the hardest thing about staying true to a healthy regimen? [my love for deep-fried food] or [being too lazy to exercise regularly] 

Questions like this will help you to break the ice easier and start a conversation. More importantly, you will build relationships in a fun and honest, get-to-know-you way.

  1. Surveys

  • Regularly Ask your audience Yes/No questions about what you do. 
  • For example: Did you ever wish to be a personal trainer: [Yes/No]
  • Regularly Ask them to enter your area-related polls. 
  • Stay consistent!
  1. Freebie giveaways

When I say freebies, it doesn’t necessarily have to be material things.

People you engage with over Messenger and Stories feel like they have a relationship with you. They are not simply another one of your followers or clients.

  1. Hold a masterclass

People are looking for programs that can help them make significant changes, and a masterclass specifically targeting a large problem they are having is just what they are craving. A masterclass is also the perfect way to filter potential clients for your 1-on-1 or group coaching services. 

Be sure to record any class so that it is ready to go if you send replays and put them on Evergreen later!

 Pro tip: Make sure to offer deals and promote your coaching services so they know where to go when the masterclass ends. 

  1. Offer free training on your social media platforms

Now, first things first, remember, this isn’t just a gift you’re posting in your Facebook group and forgetting about. 

Any freebie is meant to serve as a lead magnet, a product or service that helps nurture your client and guide them towards some of your more extensive, paid programs.

Providing free training on your expertise is a marketing strategy that will always be around. Offering simple training sessions that give potential clients an idea of your value and how they can work with you will help grow your brand visibility.

You can afford to give this info out for free because you’re confident it will attract more paid clients to your products. To do this, you want to make sure there’s a clear call to action (CTA) at the end of the training and that the info ties back to the program you want to promote

  1. Collaborate with other people in your field

Don’t limit yourself to doing training in your backyard. Presenting on other people’s platforms is a great way to broaden your exposure to potential clients and extend your reach.

Lean into other business owners with thriving Facebook groups and online communities to see if they’d be willing to host your training session on their Facebook or IG live.

Frequently, it’s best to offer to host that business owner on your social channels as well so that both parties feel the deal is worth it. Collaboration over competition.

This is also a fantastic way to make some great connections by having the courage to bring partnership proposals and affiliate partnerships, and find like-minded peers in your business community! 

While we’re on the collaboration topic, I would also like to touch on doing giveaways. This combines two things people love: free stuff and the thrill of winning! 

You can either do a straightforward giveaway with a simple mode of entry — like following you on Instagram, tagging a friend, and commenting — or you can make it into a collaboration with a fellow business owner. 

Pro tip: Be vigilant that you’re teaming up with a non-competitive person, so sure that your programs and offerings and theirs won’t collide. 

  1. Create a referral program

One of the best ways to promote your products is to get others to do it for you. By setting up a rewards-based referral program, you can have your clients spread the word about your products & services for you, and you don’t even have to lift a finger!

  • A rewards-based referral program means your audience is rewarded when they refer a paying customer to your products. The reward part is super important because that’s what the people are doing it for.
    Discounting a program or service is the most common reward because it helps make your programs more accessible and will people who might not otherwise enrol in the program or service. 
  • Scalable Reward: if a client brings in 5 people, they get 20% off; if they bring in 10 people, they get 30% off, etc. 

 

Summary

Questions: Asking your audience questions related to your niche or target audience can help break the ice and start a conversation. Simple questions that are easy to answer can help you get to know your audience better and build relationships in a fun and honest way.

Surveys: Regularly asking your audience Yes/No questions or conducting polls related to your expertise can help you gather valuable insights and engage with your audience. Staying consistent with surveys can help you understand your audience’s preferences and needs.

Freebie Giveaways: Offering freebies, which can be material or non-material items, can create a sense of relationship and engagement with your audience. Providing value through freebies can help nurture your audience and guide them towards your paid products or services.

Hold a Masterclass: Hosting a masterclass that addresses a specific problem or challenge your audience may have is a great way to provide value and filter potential clients for your coaching services. Recording the masterclass can also allow you to repurpose the content in the future.

Offer Free Training on Social Media: Providing free training sessions on your expertise via social media platforms can increase your brand visibility and showcase the value you have to offer. Including a clear call to action (CTA) at the end of the training can guide potential clients towards your paid programs.

Collaborate with Peers: Collaborating with other business owners in your field, such as hosting each other’s training sessions or doing giveaways together, can expand your reach and help you connect with like-minded peers. Just be sure to collaborate with non-competitive partners to avoid conflicting programs or offerings.

Create a Referral Program: Setting up a rewards-based referral program can incentivize your audience to spread the word about your products or services. Offering discounts or scalable rewards can encourage your clients to refer paying customers to your programs or services.

 

By implementing these strategies, you can engage with your audience, provide value, and promote your coaching services or products in a meaningful and effective way.

If you want to learn more about marketing and get expert content creation and promotion tips, sign up for Expert Circle today. Our community of marketing professionals can help you take your marketing to the next level. Join now and start connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from the best.

content marketing

The ultimate guide to content marketing for coaches and consultants: Marketing Strategies part I

Introduction to series

Content marketing can be a powerful tool in your arsenal if you’re a coach or consultant looking to attract and retain clients. By creating and promoting valuable content, you can position yourself as an expert in your field, build trust with your audience, and drive profitable customer action. However, getting started with content marketing can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the field. That’s why we’ve put together this blog series to help you get started with content marketing and take your business to the next level. Over the course of this series, we’ll cover a range of topics, including identifying your target audience, choosing the suitable content format, developing a content strategy, promoting your content, and measuring your results. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into the world of content marketing for coaches and consultants.

This article series will discuss marketing strategies for content marketing, which is defined as creating and promoting valuable content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience. The series will provide you with insights on how to focus on specific topics that provide value to the audience, such as careers, health, money, relationships, or survival. 

Before we dive into our strategies, for those who are new, let me pull out the definition of content marketing.

«Content Marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating, distributing, and promoting valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience – ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.»

Topics

Sitting down and pulling together ideas, words, images, and videos into articles, blogs, or posts that people will enjoy is often tricky, especially for first-timers (I found it very difficult initially to get my “thought flow”). 

Think of it as sharing valuable, insightful, and inspirational content or giving good, fact-based advice to a close friend, thus creating impact and transformation in people’s lives through that message. 

If you’re thinking about writing on any general topic, heed the warning—it will be challenging because you can end up writing endlessly. You get overloaded with ideas and lost in the never-ending jumble of information and connections topics make. The content is fantastic, but too much going on-and-on about the same thing, which is not good. Get clear about the exact problem! 

Make sure your content always comes back to value for the client. Make it worth their while reading your content.

In case you’re just starting, or you’re struggling with choosing what to write about, significant value for clients includes areas such as:

  • Careers, work, leadership.
  • Health, wellness.
  • Money, finances, and security.
  • Relationships, dating, love.
  • Survival, meaning, fulfilment.

Whichever area you practice or choose to practice in, remember that consistency is the gateway to successful content marketing.

Your Offer

Determine The Offer You Plan to Drive Traffic to and Sell.  

Think about what offer you want to interact with your clients. Are you looking to:

  • Enrol 1-on-1 clients. 
  • Give a paid online course broken down into multiple series.
  • Host a group coaching program.

Choosing an offer to focus on is crucial because it will affect your calls to action (CTA; more on that later) and what your content will be leading up to. It sets the tone for the entire structure.

Once you know which offer you’re focusing on driving traffic to, you can work backwards and develop content topics and themes that relate to your offer. 

The idea behind this is to start planting that thought of your upcoming offer in potential clients’ minds and positioning yourself as your audience’s coach. Your content and education will become the bridge between their fears. And whatever you have is the solution to their problems. So, by the time they’re ready to act, they know whom to turn to.

Summary

Choose an offer to focus on, such as enrolling clients or hosting a coaching program and developing content topics and themes related to the offer. The goal is to plant the idea of the upcoming offer in potential clients’ minds and position oneself as their coach, with the content serving as the bridge between their fears and the solution to their problems.

 

coach

Content as a lead magnet for Coaches

While we touched on this in my last article, «How to position yourself as a coach?» it bears repeating. As you’ve probably already noticed, there are countless coaches and consultants out there, all trying to sell their services.

So many coaches, not just yourself, feel that growing their business with content creation and marketing is like tilting at windmills. You start to feel like no matter how much content you produce, more is needed, and it’s never good enough. This article will help you avoid fear, doubt, procrastination, and disappointment later down the line if you get stuck, uncertain, and frustrated about content creation.

Find your ACE

Your prerogative is to find what sets you apart and makes you a valuable find for your potential clients. And when you hit on the correct difference, even if it’s a minor thing, it might be THE difference that makes you stand out in the sea of other coaches and consultants.

Once you land on what makes you different, it’s time to create content that highlights that distinction, emphasises your expertise and inspires you to create content that sparks conversation.

You want the content to speak to your audience, immediately addressing their most pressing problems. Your ideal customer wants solid results that sound obtainable and desirable.

Think about your content as a service to your audience. So, every bit of content you put out needs to have just one goal—service! Put your ego, brand and self-promotion aside, and think of it as sharing valuable, insightful, and inspirational content with others and how you will create impact and transformation in people’s lives through that message.

Rock solid, unique and compelling title

Some experts say you should spend as much time choosing a title as you do writing the piece. The title determines whether anyone even reads what you wrote in the first place.

Start off strong

Make the first sentence or two of every podcast, article, post or blog powerful and engaging. They won’t keep reading if it doesn’t grab their attention—it’s as simple as that. This is where you want to use controversy or say something unexpected because it’s a proven fact that you have 3 seconds to convince them with this one sentence that it will be worth their time. 

Since it’s so easy to get overwhelmed and lose consistency in using any media platform, or if you are suffering from “writer’s block” about what to share with your audience, consider these quick and simple content ideas to help you speed up content creation and start connecting with your followers faster. 

Easy-to-digest list of topics

I have compiled an easy-to-digest list of topics that are relatively easy-breezy to assemble from some unpublished draft content you already most likely have lying around that you can talk about on your content platform:

  • Share who your ideal client is and how you can help them;
  • Share your story;
  • Share a client testimonial or transformation;
  • Share your credentials or accomplishments;
  • Share what makes you unique or an expert in your industry;
  • Share your high-value lead magnet;
  • Share your industry-related statistic;
  • Highlight a problem and a quick tip to solve it;
  • Share your signature coaching program;
  • Share who (as a client) is not a good fit for your program;
  • Share a mindset shift to help your ideal client;
  • Share your unique take on a current event or trend;
  • Share the #1 mistake your perfect client is making;
  • Share the #1 FAQ you receive and your answer;
  • Address the #1 sales objection of your ideal client;
  • Share your signature coaching framework, formula, or strategy;
  • Share a list of positive habits or daily tasks (people want to get to know you);
  • Share a list of helpful books, tools, or resources (with personalised review); 
  • Share a list of things your ideal client should start or stop doing;
  • Share or encourage user-generated content;
  • Share a powerful and relatable quote;
  • Share a quick how-to guide or strategy;
  • Call out what’s holding your client back;
  • Share your vision of success for your ideal client;
  • Share an encouraging message for your ideal client;
  • Mention a thought leader you admire;
  • Share the causes or nonprofits you care about;
  • Ask your ideal client a powerful question or share a statement to fill in the blanks;
  • Create a challenge or series;
  • Share a relevant reminder with action steps.

    Share behind-the-scenes or unique content: 

  • How you structure your day plus your habits and routines.
  • A peek at upcoming projects you’re working on.
  • Who each member of your team is and what they do.
  • Your friends, family members, or pets.
  • Your hobbies and interests.
  • Personal goals, milestones, or accomplishments.
  • How you celebrate different occasions or holidays.
  • Fun facts about you that only a few people know about.
  • An event you attended.
  • Things that inspire you.
  • Things you’re grateful for.
  • Things you couldn’t live without.
  • Your favourite everyday personal or business tools.
  • Something you’re struggling with and how you’re working on it.
  • Something that recently made you smile, laugh, cry, or feel excited.

Summary

In conclusion, content creation for coaches and consultants can be simple. But doing your research and positioning your content well can go a long way in establishing your brand and connecting with the right audience. So take the time to seriously consider the points we’ve discussed here. Go through each one and see how it fits into your brand. 

You should decide this week which kind of content you would be most comfortable starting with. If you write a blog, you can start sharing your content here with the Expert Circle community. It’s the perfect, safe space for you to ask your questions and post your content, articles, and stories about your progress, pains, obstacles and overcoming them. 

Sign up today, it’s free, and give yourself the benefit of being a click away from professional individuals who are always here to support you along the way, whatever the journey is!

And be sure to let us know how it goes!

 

DEI

The five steps of DEI: Let your people breathe to let your business grow

“It doesn’t matter what you look like, and we’re all human inside.”

As a child, I used to snuggle up to the soft thick blanket wrapped around my grandmother’s knees, which kept her warm and cosy.

I would always start with the same filial plea: “Grandma – tell me one of your stories, please”. She would sigh, look down at me softly, ruffle my hair and begin…

My grandmother was born in the western part of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. Officially, Königreich Galizien und Lodomerien mit dem Großherzogtum Krakau und den Herzogtümern Auschwitz und Zator was a multi-ethnic, poverty-stricken, conflict-ridden land inhabited largely by Poles and Ruthenians. Your average ‘Galician’ frequented either a Catholic church, Greek Catholic tserkva, or a Jewish synagogue. An average ‘Lodomerian’ either spoke Polish, Ruthenian, Yiddish, or German.

Lessons from the past

Words like diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) may not have been part of the everyday lexicon of these starved people and would not be heard on their parched lips but the concepts were never far from their minds. Within this troubled community, the willingness and ability to converse, coordinate, and cooperate were worth their weight in gold.

My grandmother would always tell me that “it doesn’t matter what you look like. We’re all human inside”. She survived the death of her first husband, five children, two world wars, forced emigration, Siberian exile, starvation and malnutrition, walking across one continent in order to finally settle in another.

I cannot help thinking that her fierce sense of equality helped her overcome these ordeals and I cannot help believing that achieving a sense of belonging while the world around you is a swirling maelstrom can quite literally be a matter of life and death.

Listen, align, repeat

Transplanting that sense of belonging to our times need not be complicated. Two core skills are necessary. First of all, we must be ready and prepared to LISTEN. Ignoring this first step is a sure-fire way to achieving nothing and taking a step backwards in building a sense of belonging in the workplace. Leaders need to know what their employees are thinking, what drives them, what motivates them as well as what disappoints and demotivates them.

It goes without saying that we should listen with intent and look for shared points where we can ALIGN with our staff. In other words, we need to understand the common denominators that drive our people and align them with what the organisation believes in. Once we have gone through a painstaking process of listening and then aligning then we can really start to build belonging.

However, the work of DEI is never done and is a continuing process of listening, alignment, and correction. In order to better understand our needs and in some way systematise the growth of this visceral feeling, we should look to organisational psychology and management.

The five steps of DEI

Professor Ella Washington of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business describes five stages through which companies go on their journey to achieving greater DEI (Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec 2022):

  • AWARE in which we ask why DEI matters to us personally and where we want to go with it;
  • COMPLIANT in which we set goals bigger than our compliance targets and use DEI to achieve other goals;
  • TACTICAL in which we ask what our DEI strategy is, where we need to standardise, and what is our sphere of influence;
  • INTEGRATED in which we ask what systems and structures we need to create to improve;
  • SUSTAINABLE in which DEI is embedded in the make-up of the company.

A 2022 study based on 10,000 workers in 6 countries took a snapshot of where companies lie on this five-stage DEI journey*:

AWARE:                14.1%

COMPLIANT:        31.6%

TACTICAL:            15.6%

INTEGRATED:      22.7%

SUSTAINABLE:    16%

*[Aware (14.1%), Compliant (31.6%), Tactical (15.6%), Integrated (22.7%), Sustainable (16%)]

Let your people breathe to let your business grow

Knowing where one’s organisation is (and how we compare to other companies, as above) can crucially inform us as to what to do next in order to ramp up a sense of community and solidarity in the workplace. Scientific evidence (Gartner, 2022) tells us that sustainable DEI can foster a 20% rise in a sense of inclusion which in turn can also help the organisation from a purely business perspective: inclusive companies (according to Deloitte, 2015) had 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee over a three-year period where smaller companies had 13 times higher cash flow from operations.

A sense of belonging is not only a brilliant business no-brainer but an ethical imperative which should come as naturally as breathing. Any organisation that fails to do this fails to let their employees ‘breathe’.

In the land of Galicia and Lodomeria, from where my grandmother hailed, the people used to joke about their definition of artificial respiration: it is when the authorities squeeze you and hold your tongue.

Raf Uzar

Head of Communication & Development, Penteris

simon sinek

How to use the “Golden Circle” concept by Simon Sinek

As a marketer, it’s crucial to remember the essence of your work: to communicate the value of a product or service to potential clients. But how can we do this effectively and meaningfully? As so eloquently expressed in Simon Sinek‘s famous TED Talk, it all starts with the “Why.”

At the heart of marketing is a story, a narrative that connects people with the deeper meaning and purpose of what you’re selling. It’s not just about what your product does or even how it does it. It’s about why it matters and how it makes people feel.

This is where the concept of the “Golden Circle” comes in. By starting with “Why” (the purpose, belief, or cause that inspires your company), moving outward to “How” (the specific actions you take to bring that purpose to life), and finally “What” (the products or services you offer), you can create a powerful message that resonates with your audience.

But it’s not just enough to articulate your “Why” and hope that people will magically understand and buy into it. You also need to create an emotional connection with your audience, one that taps into their desires, values, and aspirations. This means understanding who your target market is and what they care about, and finding ways to communicate your message in a way that speaks to them directly.

One powerful way to do this is through storytelling. By telling stories that illustrate your “Why” in action, you can create a sense of meaning and purpose that goes beyond the features and benefits of your products or services. You can tap into the hearts and minds of your audience, creating a sense of loyalty and connection that goes beyond just a transactional relationship.

Ultimately, marketing is about more than just selling products. It’s about creating a movement, a tribe of people who share your values and beliefs, and who are inspired to take action in support of your cause, by staying true to your “Why,” telling compelling stories, and connecting with your audience on an emotional level, you can build a brand that stands the test of time and makes a real impact in the world.

Thank you for the inspiration you’ve provided to so many marketers and business leaders. Your message of starting with “Why” is more relevant than ever, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to shape the future of marketing.

storytelling

Storytelling as a marketing tool for professional services.

Storytelling is a powerful tool that professional services firms can use to build their brand and marketing strategies. According to neuroscience research, stories have the ability to attract people’s attention, present new perspectives, and influence their mindsets. As our brains create connections that are much more intensive compared to facts and data, tapping into people’s emotions is how stories inspire and motivate and, eventually, drive action.

In professional services, storytelling can help to engage clients and guide them on their buying journey. As services are intangible, clients are essentially buying a promise, and unless they trust that promise, they won’t be motivated to engage. Using stories in business creates a competitive advantage, as it helps to create an effective communication strategy, both internally and externally, triggers interest with potential clients, and strengthens loyalty with existing ones. Additionally, storytelling affects how clients remember a firm and motivate its team.

Understand your audience

To create and deliver impactful stories that create emotional connections, there are several key aspects to consider. Firstly, it’s important to know the audience to trigger and keep their attention. A firm should be able to identify relevant stories and choose the best way to tell them so that they trigger the intended reaction. By showing the audience that a firm understands its challenges, context, and culture, it builds trust. By telling the right story at the right time, it can visualize the story to allow the audience to create an emotional connection that can impact their thinking.

Make your clients a hero of your stories

Firms should not make themselves the hero of the story but rather make their clients the hero. The role of a firm is to help clients succeed, so it should guide them through the story instead of putting itself in the position of the hero. Rather than focusing on the features of their products and services, firms should make the story about their clients’ aspirations, such as the results and experience that their products and services can create. By answering clients’ questions and presenting solutions in a context that is relevant to them, in the form of a simple story, firms can help to deepen their interest in the solutions on offer.

Three top tactics you can use:
  • Articulating the solution clearly and using stories to present alternative scenarios is also important.
  • Visualizing stories can allow clients to create an emotional connection that can impact their thinking by presenting alternative scenarios and perspectives that they wouldn’t consider otherwise.
  • The power of silence is also a powerful storytelling tool, drawing emphasis on what has just been said or what’s coming next and giving listeners the time and space to think of their own interpretation.

Getting to the point immediately and giving the story structure can also help to create an impactful story. For instance, a story can begin by describing the situation, followed by presenting the problems that the main characters are trying to solve, and gradually building up the tension until the problem is solved.

Alternatively, a story can start with a problem, ideally, one that the firm can solve, and then describe the situation in which the problem does not exist, followed by explaining how the firm got there or presenting specific solutions to the problem.

In conclusion, professional services firms can use storytelling to engage with clients, guide them on their buying journey, and build their brand and marketing strategies. By creating and delivering impactful stories that create emotional connections, firms can trigger interest with potential clients, strengthen loyalty with existing ones, and affect how clients remember the firm.

content strategy

How to Develop a Content Strategy: The question is, is it valuable?  

The biggest mistake I see when someone runs off to develop their content strategy is starting from scratch. Unless you’re a start-up, I’m going to take a guess that you’ve already got heaps of content. The question is, is it valuable?  

My first step is always a content audit to uncover where there is wastage and where there is opportunity.  

Open Excel and get a list of every single URL (page) on your site and start adding the all-important data for each page, everything from users to engagement to conversions and existing ranks. Next, try to categorise them. I like to do this in terms of a sales funnel using a model like AIDA (attention, interest, desire, action), but you could keep it super simple, for example, information and sales.

Now it’s time to analyse the data. Those that see no traffic and no ranks get marked up for deletion (please remember to redirect them once they are removed!). Those that sit somewhere in the middle, perhaps they rank but see poor engagement get marked up for a deeper dive. Finally, those boasting great traffic, engagement, conversions and ranks are keepers! 

Onto the exciting bit, the strategy! Keyword research is going to play quite a big part of this, IF you’re expecting your content to be sound in the search engines. The keepers, is there any further opportunity to rank for keyword variants? Or perhaps to increase engagement by adding in additional content or assets?

The ones which require a deeper dive, is there a crossover between pages that would benefit from being merged into one monster guide? Or maybe they see poor engagement as the content doesn’t quite match the intent of the keyword that the page is ranking for?  

I have no doubt after all of that you’ll have a tonne of action points which will form your content strategy… without reinventing the wheel. 

Laura Devonald

Digital Strategist, Webmart