Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses

Are you reaching your people? Social media is constantly changing and email marketing is one way that businesses keep in constant communication with their stakeholders. This week, Whitney talks about what will make your email marketing fail. Tune in to get Whitney's tips and tricks to hack your email marketing campaigns through your subject line and get her best and worst examples. 7 Tips: 1. Don't give it all away! Make your subject lines intriguing but a little vague. 2. Keep your subject line short and sweet. 3. Explore emojis but do some research before you use them. 4. Urgency in your subject line can be a very important factor to your customer’s opening your email. 5. Let your customers know that there’s an offer inside. 6. Use first names in your emails. 7. Pay attention to the preview text.

Do you ever feel like you're WAY behind on the changes in social media? Social media is constantly changing and sometimes it's impossible to stay in the know. Keep up with the news and check out episode 9 of the Sociallee Relevant Podcast to hear Whitney Lee's breakdown of four new features that are coming to Instagram. Description: Today we're breaking down one of the "Big Boys" of social media, Instagram. This must-do platform is constantly evolving and it's about time that we break down four new features that are coming to Instagram. From product tags to hashtag searching, we're going through the good, the bag, and the ugly of the platform and how it's going to affect your business. 4 Changes to Instagram: 1. Product tags are going to be available for every user on Instagram rather than just creators and business accounts. 2. Donation tabs now available for Instagram Reels 3. Instagram is taking away the "Recents" page on a hashtag search, now changing to "Top Hits" only. 4. Improving the ranking system by highlighting original content

This episode is a follow-up to episode 2, where Whitney shared how boosting your Facebook posts is a trap. So if you’re now diving into Facebook Ads Manager and feeling overwhelmed, this is for you! In this episode, Whitney shares the first (and most important) step in setting up an ad within Facebook Ads Manager.

User Generated Content! End all of social media. You can say how awesome you are but if other people are saying you’re awesome - that’s PRICELESS For some businesses, it just HAPPENS. People love sharing stuff like food, travel, clothes. But if you aren’t out there watching and listening, you’re missing opportunities! So If you don’t have expensive listening tools how do you know what’s out there? Obviously if they tag you Hashtags -not only looking at your branded one but also looking at other ones for your industry like coffee or depending on your business hashtags for your location or city Location tags - looking at people who tag themselves specifically at your business (resorts or destinations) Searching terms Reviews - sometimes they have amazing photos or great quotes to pull from So those are some good places to start looking for content that may include your brand. honestly - this is important either way bc there could be points of CONCERN that you should be monitoring. Seeing patterns about service or a specific team member Comparing you to other competitors - amazing feedback Concerns on the quality SO IMPORTANT TO BE LISTENING. and it may hurt but you can take that as feedback and make changes. Tell people you heard them! So on a positive note- if you’re wanting to generate more UGC - here are some tips Ask them - servers, putting cards on the table Incentivize Suggest it - include your hashtag everywhere. You don’t have to necessarily say “USE OUR HASHTAG” but just showing it there will remind them. put I everywhere! cups, beverage napkins, clings on windows (salons & boutiques) Give them a photo op - working on a fun sign. or a statue, or a mural on the wall! Promote other people’s content - when you’re sharing other users, people will see that and want their content promoted too! User Generated Content is the GOAL for so many brands. You always have the option to not use it if it doesn’t align with your brand’s vision or tone, but it just comes through so authentically rather than perfectly curated images by a professional photographer. Influencers are an amazing form of user generated content and if you’re interested in working with influencers you’ll definitely want to download our free tips to identifying influencers that will actually make you money!! linked in show notes or go to besociallee.com/podcast/how-we-generated-over-33000-with-6-unpaid-influencers/

Today talking about PR. Many people want to work in this industry bc they think it’s “so fun” - think we just go to parties and sip martinis. Samantha from Sex and the City made it look like so  glamorous and sexy. But I have also noticed a lot of distrust in the PR world. I first noticed this - I watch shark tank a lot -  and when people would ask for money for PR, the sharks would start to roll their eyes - or sometimes that was a deal-breaker for them. spending money on PR? Boom, they are out. But....WHY? Also, last year Chris's mastermind - people told me of how they spent thousands of dollars with PR people and totally got BURNED. They used that word. BURNED?! So…why? Why do people feel so burned by PR people? Bc people don’t understand what PR actually IS So before talking about what PR IS. What is it not? Pr is NOT marketing. Marketing focuses on SALES. Bottom line. PR is not driven by immediate results or ROI. Many times it’s a long play. PR is not party planning or event planning. PR is more about getting the message OUT. But we are not party planners What IS PR? First, we’ll start with the traditional side: Media Relationspress releases Pitching for editorial coverageTradition media or event podcasts POC for media - answering questions, formulating responses. Building connections with media people in your area or within the niche of your clients. Why bc when they need someone or a story, they come to YOU first Reputation managementStrategizing when a crisis happens - what is the company’s response and message? In ALL challenges Monitoring everything - reviews, social media platforms etc. Reporting back to the CEO about what the public’s perception and response to our company’s actions are Proactive reputation management - not just waiting but planning Ideas and campaigns that show your company’s values ExposureCreating social media campaigns like the ice bucket challenge Celebs - making fake relationships Launch - event, new offerings PartnershipsFinding brands that align and create offerings together influencers Sponsoring an event or podcast Supporting a cause Ads are what you PAY for - PR is what you pray for. I think why they get burned - you can’t promise results. It’s all about ideas and outreach. Positioning, relationships and following up. So is PR hard? No. If you have the creative brain it’s not - but you better have the right words to say and the relationships in place or dedication to keep following up. So if a PR person is promising you results… that’s a red flagggggg! So I hope this has been helpful for you! I know we talked a little about influencers if you want to learn more download our 5 free tips to help identify influencers that will make you $$$$. link in the show notes or go to besociallee.com

Giving free stuff to influencers??? *Insert eye roll* So many businesses are jaded by influencers who ask for free services and products but the business never sees any tangible results from their posts. In this episode, Whitney gives tangible advice on how to get influencers to actually produce sales and/or show results that matter. You’ll hear how her agency, Sociallee, took six unpaid influencers and turned it into $33,000+ in room night revenue for a resort. If your business ever considered influencer marketing or wondered whether it would be worth your time and money, this episode is for you. You’ll learn how collaborating with influencers can expand your audience reach, attract new followers, and be the most cost effective form of advertising out there.

With millions of users worldwide, Tik Tok is becoming a real player in the social media game for businesses. With numerous new social media platforms coming out each year, it can get overwhelming trying to decide whether or not your business should have a presence on each platform. Is your investment in these platforms worth your time, money, and effort? If you are asking yourself those questions, then make sure to tune into today’s episode where Whitney walks you through the pros and cons of having a TikTok to help you decide if it’s right for your business.

Hiring an agency is WAY more expensive than hiring an in-house employee, right? Well - actually, let’s do the math. You might be surprised to learn the numerous ways you can save a significant amount of money and resources by hiring an agency. This episode will explain in detail why in-house marketing might actually be costing you more than you think and all the things an agency can do to take your business to the next level!

Social media ads can do a lot for your business when done right. In this episode, Whitney shares a valuable tip on the #1 mistake that people make when doing social media advertising. If you don’t know Facebook Ads Manager, it can be easy to resort to boosting your posts, but tune in to today’s episodes to learn why that may not always be the best option for your business.

Is your social media not producing anything for your business? Promoting your business online can be a tricky business, but that’s why Whitney is diving deep into how to engage your audience in an effective way. If you aren’t happy with how your social media platforms are performing, tune into this week's episode and many more like it to help you build your business and bring your ideas to life!