To Market, To Market: 4 Digital Strategies Worth Implementing for Small Business

Marketing. It's one of the most important components of driving new traffic to your company, yet a lot of times it's the last place business owners want to allocate funds in order to MAKE MORE MONEY. 

Is your brand shooting itself in the foot by not being marketed correctly? The short answer here is, "YES."

Here are 4 digital strategies our marketing gurus at Escaype Enterprises say is totally worth implementing for your small business:

1. Show up in Google search results more prominently.
75% of internet surfers searching for something on Google NEVER click past results on page 1. This is why it's so important for your company to show up on the first page of a search inquiry (especially Google). Stay diligent about posting on your social media channels, publishing informative articles and encouraging others to like/share your content can help keep you extremely visible among search engines like Google, Yahoo & Bing.

2. Incorporate videos into your marketing plan.
87% of marketers will agree that visual content is crucial for traditional marketing efforts... And with the popularity of YouTube and other video-based platforms, it's basically essential to upload videos of your company online to share, whether it's behind-the-scenes footage, highlights of your team members with their contributions or even informational productions about how to make something (cooking segments, DIY home improvement videos, etc.).

3. Use blogs.
Blogs aren't just an effective way to inform people about the products and services your business offers, they're actually a really great way to drive more traffic to your company web site. In fact, brands that have published at least 50 blog posts get 53% more web site traffic...and that number increases by 3 times as much once 100 blogs have been posted to the Information Superhighway.

4. Take advantage of social media.
The social media movement has not only created a fool-proof way to for people to keep in touch with family and long-lost friends all over the globe, it's also sparked an incredible way for businesses to reach their customers and following in a way that's non-invasive as well as affordable. Last time we checked, 77% of B2C (business-to-consumer) companies were able to generate leads for their brand through Facebook alone. Is YOUR business doing the same (and if not, what's stopping you)?!

At Escaype Enterprises we can help you beef up your marketing efforts both online and offline to get your brand more recognition and ultimately, get you more business.

For more information about our services & innovative solutions CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

Here's to more internet presence and improved awareness for your your company!



References:
http://socialmarketingwriting.com/13-blogging-statistics-probably-dont-know-infographic/
https://www.facebook.com/EscaypeEnt

5 Sure Signs You're a Content Writing Scrooge

Let's face it: as content writers, we can be a little (or a lot) eccentric... 

We're set in our ways, we're emphatic about what we do and we insist there's no one else out there as privy to all the grammatical dos and don'ts that exist in the vast world of words around us.

Here are 5 sure signs that YOU too (much like some of our writers at Escaype Enterprises ) are a content writing Scrooge:

1. When a colleague writes you a work-related email...
you can't help but correct the typos and errors in his/her message prior to writing and sending your response.

2. Someone sends you a Christmas card... 
you instantly notice it's enclosed with a couple of grammatical mistakes and you instantly grab a red pen to mark through and revise their heartfelt greeting.

3. You're sending someone a text message...
and you purposely type out the entire word, "Christmas" because you can't stand when people write or type the holiday as "Xmas" instead.

4. You're shopping for presents at a local mom & pop shop...
and you go out of your way to tell the cashier there's a typo on their door sign announcing their special holiday business hours.

5. You're perusing your daily newsfeed on Facebook...
and you REFUSE to share (or even "like") those cute little holiday memes anywhere on social media simply because there's a spelling error or misuse of punctuation in it.

At Escaype Enterprises we know correct grammar, spelling & punctuation matter. For information about our content writing services visit our web site TODAY!

Stuck on You: 4 Easy Ways to Create "Sticky" Content

When it comes to creating quality content, there are a myriad of ways to communicate with your audience on the web these days.

You can tweet, you can write an article to publish on your blog or you can use multimedia (a video or an image).

You can also post colorful infographics on your company social media... which have recently become quite popular (plus, they allow you to communicate using the best of both worlds: text AND visual media). 

So how does one get started with generating this exactly? By creating content that sticks... to our eyes, in our minds and on our lips. 

Our Escaype Enterprises marketing gurus have 4 easy ways to help you nail the "sticky content" challenge your business may be facing:


1. Select SIMPLICITY over spillin' the beans.
Keeping it simple is achievable for all of us... We just need to keep reminding ourselves that not everyone knows what your business does, nor do they need to know everything all at one time. Simple content makes for an easy read, and something easy to remember as well!

2. Don't underestimate UNEXPECTEDNESS.
We often slip into the communicating the same way, day in and day out. Generating significant impact can often be achieved through: 

- an unexpected, yet appropriate image uploaded to your company Facebook page (such as a pic of one of your staff members in action)
- an entertaining tweet celebrating the victory of your favorite college football team
- a surprise blog post written by someone from outside your business who has had a positive experience with your products/services

3. Cultivate CREDIBILITY.
A way to add credibility to the content you write/generate/post on our Information Superhighway is through the use of statistics (they're easy to find and they make your company look wiser!). Credibility is often carried by someone who has experienced it for themselves and is prepared to state it publicly, so it's great to dig up those positive customer reviews of yours and/or inspirational quotes from famous people and utilize them as part of your marketing strategy!

4. Evoke EMOTION.
A compelling story about a special event or someone in particular can produce a much greater effect and emotional response (REALLY. It's okay to show a softer side of your business). Remember this: With the 27 million pieces of content that are shared daily you’re competing not just with other like-minded brands, but with the media, blogs and anyone else who publishes an article, photo or comment as well. Say something meaningful already!

So how can you be more than just another company promoting yourself on the web? You just need to BE DIFFERENT.


Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop and execute a unique marketing strategy to help you stand out effectively and get noticed quickly. Don't believe us? Visit our web site TODAY for more information.

Here's to finding yourself in sticky situations more often (in a good way, of course)!
--Your Escaype Enterprises Marketing Gurus

Our 2 Cents: How to Boost Your Web Presence Without Breaking the Bank

It's no secret that having a strong web presence for your business is essential in today's internet-driven world. 

Marketers frequently throw around terms like, “ search engine optimization ” ( SEO ) and act as though there's some magic formula that only they know to move your company up in Google's search rankings. 

The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. 

With a little effort and common sense advice from those with experience, you can implement practical strategies like these for making your business visible to current and potential customers alike:

1. Have compelling content.
It's pretty simple if you think about it. How likely are you to share someone else's sales pitch with all of your Facebook friends or Twitter followers? It's probably not going to happen. 

When you are creating website content, writing blog posts, sharing information on social media and participating in online discussions, it's so important to think in terms of who your audience is and what they will find interesting and worthy of passing on. 

It may initially be hard to break out of the "hard sell" mode, but giving your current and potential customers information they can use and offering to help them find solutions that work for them will go much further. Stumped about how to create compelling content that's relevant to your brand? Ragan Communicationsoffers these tips.

2. Keywords = Traffic.
Keywords hugely influence the amount of traffic websites that blogs get because they allow search engines to determine how well a page matches a user's search term. 

Make sure your website pages have popular keyword tags and that you include keyword labels when posting blog entries in sites such as Blogger and WordPress. 

3. Use review sites to your advantage.
When deciding between you and your competitors, a majority of adults turn to online reviews. The popular site, Yelp, has 18 million unique visitors each month, and 85% of users say they give as much weight to an online review as they would a personal recommendation. 

Seek out your best customers and ask if they would be willing to write reviews for you, and make sure you monitor new reviews and respond when needed. Here are some basics for making Yelp work for you.

4. Get social. Get involved.
We've discussed the importance of social media for businesses in this blog, but it bears repeating. Most people who are online are on at least one social network. 

Depending on your type of business, it's most likely beneficial to have a presence on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or LinkedIn. In addition to that, become involved in online forums, newsgroups and discussions to increase your visibility.

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop a customized strategy to increase your web presence and allow you to stand out and get noticed. 

Visit our website TODAY for more information!

3 Reasons to Social-Eyes with a Purpose for Your Business

In the last decade, social media and blogging have moved from the realm of teenagers on MySpace to being widely-used business tools. 

When done correctly, social media and blogging can be part of a very effective marketing strategy. If you’re not already using social media and blogging to tell your story and interact with current and potential customers, here are three reasons you should:

1. You position yourself as an expert.
By sharing useful content (usually called inbound marketing) about your industry and company, you show your current and future customers that you have knowledge and expertise and can be trusted. Also, your existing customers need content to share if they’re going to be online ambassadors for your company and tell others about the great job you’re doing. A recent Harvard Business Review article shows approximately 43% of social media users have purchased a product or service as a result of seeing it shared or favorited on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

2. You get instant feedback from the people who matter the most. Social media and blogging allow for interaction with your current and future customers. The public nature of this interaction has made some companies hesitate to jump into the conversation, but there’s great value in the feedback you can get via social media and blogs. By using old-fashioned customer service strategies in new media, you can quickly resolve potential issues and keep loyal customers. Companies such as Comcast have developed reputations as social media stars because of their responses to customers experiencing difficulties.

3. It’s inexpensive and effective.
Before social media and blogging, companies were more limited in their options for reaching out to current and potential customers. While options such as direct mail and advertising are effective, they also can be expensive and are one shot deals. Social media tools and blogging allow you to inexpensively target customers and provide multiple opportunities for interaction. Researchers estimate 90% of internet-savvy adults use some form of social media--if your customers are using these tools, shouldn’t you?

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop and execute a social media strategy that will make you stand out and get noticed. Visit our website TODAY for more information.

 

4 Ways to Boost Your Web Presence Without Breaking the Bank

It's no secret that having a strong web presence for your business is essential in today's internet-driven world. 

Marketers frequently throw around terms like, “search engine optimization” (SEO) and act as though there's some magic formula that only they know to move your company up in Google's search rankings. 

The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. With a little effort and common sense The good The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. 

With a little effort and common sense advice from those with experience, you can implement practical strategies like these for making your business visible to current and potential customers alike:

1. Have compelling content. 
It's pretty simple if you think about it. How likely are you to share someone else's sales pitch with all of your Facebook friends or Twitter followers? It's probably not going to happen. When you are creating website content, writing blog posts, sharing information on social media and participating in online discussions, it's so important to think in terms of who your audience is and what they will find interesting and worthy of passing on. It may initially be hard to break out of the "hard sell" mode, but giving your current and potential customers information they can use and offering to help them find solutions that work for them will go much further. Stumped about how to create compelling content that's relevant to your brand? Ragan Communicationsoffers these tips.

2. Keywords = Traffic. 
Keywords hugely influence the amount of traffic websites that blogs get because they allow search engines to determine how well a page matches a user's search term. Make sure your website pages have popular keyword tags and that you include keyword labels when posting blog entries in sites such as Blogger and WordPress. 

3. Use review sites to your advantage. 
When deciding between you and your competitors, a majority of adults turn to online reviews. The popular site, Yelp, has 18 million unique visitors each month, and 85% of users say they give as much weight to an online review as they would a personal recommendation. Seek out your best customers and ask if they would be willing to write reviews for you, and make sure you monitor new reviews and respond when needed. Here are some basics for making Yelp work for you.

4. Get social. Get involved. 
We've discussed the importance of social media for businesses in this blog, but it bears repeating. Most people who are online are on at least one social network. Depending on your type of business, it's most likely beneficial to have a presence on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or LinkedIn. In addition to that, become involved in online forums, newsgroups and discussions to increase your visibility.

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop a customized strategy to increase your web presence and allow you to stand out and get noticed. 

Visit our website TODAY for more information.

The Periodic Table of Success: 4 Elements to Include Every Healthcare Marketing Strategy

Running a marketing campaign (especially for a medical practice) without a concrete and well–researched content marketing strategy is like driving through a dark forest without headlights... 

That's because you're bound to hit a few obstacles (like trees!) and get lost along the way. 

As content strategists we constantly strive to generate content that's

- captivating
- understandable
- informative

... in all its various forms. When healthcare organizations are planning their content marketing efforts, there are a few basic guidelines that can definitely keep a campaign on the ultimate path to success. 

Here are 4 important elements we recommend you include in your healthcare content marketing strategy:

1) Narrow your focus.
To market content more effectively, you need to know WHO the people are you are targeting. Try to reach smaller audiences one at a time that you can categorize by segments (heart patients, mothers seeking pediatric care, internet surfers searching for a plastic surgeon, etc). This will allow you to truly impact each group of people according to the specific medical products or services they need from your business. 

2) Know the "who," "what" & "why" about your audience.
Part of knowing your current audience as well as your current patients is to fully understand the context behind their situations. Know what their specific concerns, common questions and precise interests are when they visit your company website. What motivates them to seek your care? What solutions to you currently have to offer? What made them choose your healthcare organization over your competition? 

3) Set clear-cut goals.
Before starting any healthcare marketing campaign, be sure you have an accurate understanding of what your company hopes to gain from your audience. Are you aiming to acquire new patients, or simply engage your existing social followers? Are you promoting a new product or offering a special discount on a specific service/treatment at your facility?

4) Make plans to contact your target market through another medium of communication. 
Along with building your brand and growing your social following, you may also want to continue contacting them to keep 'em around long term! Larger, more established healthcare organizations typically do this with an email blast or an SMS (text message) campaign, but smaller businesses can simply start by calling patients and prospects directly. Not everyone will have time to revisit your site for new update about your company or to check out your seasonal promotions, so why not keep your audience informed through other means, like email or text?!
When it comes to raising awareness for your brand, informing audiences about what it is you offer and convincing prospective patients why they should choose YOU... implementing an effective plan of action and spending more time preparing up front can save you a handful (or more) of nagging headaches down the road. 

For information about healthcare marketing or medical content writing services for your business, click here to visit our web site or contact Escaype Enterprises directly TODAY: (770) 676-1802.

Here's to powerful healthcare marketing for your practice!
--The Escaype Enterprises Marketing Team