by Jenna Elberson | Mar 1, 2013 | Business Success, Latest, Social Media
How many blogs have you read about how to create a successful social media campaign or what elements should go into a social media soup? There are hundreds of tips on how to create a successful social media strategy. But how do you do that and not risk of loosing focus for your brand.
Let’s face facts first: social media is here to stay. When you open up the gates to the wonderful world of social media, there are key ingredients that should be imbedded into your brain… forever. Like the golden rules of life, there are golden rules to social media. HOWEVER, these golden rules are always changing. The realm of social media is fluid and changing almost everyday. New and invigorating ideas comes out of the shadows to change social media. THAT is something to love about being a part of social media and marketing – if you can stay flexible!
Also, when someone tells you “I’m a social media expert”, don’t believe them. Why? As has been stated, social media is always changing. With change comes new knowledge and an expert is someone who knows and understands everything about that subject matter.
When you come to that point where you are ready to plan your social media calendar there are a few things that are small, but make a world of difference for your brand and followers. Take the time to evaluate your plan after you’ve read these 3 tips.
1. Understand what you know.
It’s simple. The best way to do this is to create a writer’s web (see image below). We use these to help build characters, story lines and just basic writing ideas. When you have a good grasp of your brand content, ideas will be coming out of your brain like a rocket.
Start in the middle. What is your brand, what do you do or provide? Next spread out to things your audience know about your brand and why they follow you. Continue to grow the web to content your audience would like to have that you might need a 3rd party come in to help with. This will give you some support and help you produce content.
2. Focus
There are many social media outlets out there and from my experience, focus is very important. You need to understand and see benefits only to those outlets you have researched that fit with your brand. By putting all you eggs in one basket you’re losing focus and often enough will get overwhelm. Let’s say you are a clothing retailer; Pinterest is a great place to tap into. Companies who post their products on Pinterest saw big growth on their online sales on top of their already prosperous sales. If you’re like us we blog; posting our blogs on twitter and following relevant companies and influential people is key to gaining growth. By knowing what social site you will benefit from will help pull focus and engagement to your fans.
3. Timing
Time is money. Do you know when the best time to post content is? Did you know that 4:00pm during the week is the best time to post on Twitter for RTs? It may be a small thing to keep in mind, but it can make a big different. To get you to wrap your head around this idea here is a great infographic to give you some timing ideas.
Monitor the engagement you get when posting, not all these times will work best for your brand. Depending on your audience you should tweak your post times accordingly.
Overall, understand what your goals are and why you’re using social media for your brand. Integrate these 3 tips and they will help you generate content and get the engagement you are [hopefully] looking for and open up new networks for your business.
Have any more tips for me? Let me know in the comments below!
by Miriam Hara | Feb 25, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Latest
There’s been a lot of changes in the last 25 years, not only in the agency business but in business in general. I will be predictable and say it has all come about because of the computer. That would be right to a certain extent. However, I believe it’s the way in which business and people have embraced the computer and its technology that is responsible for the majority of the business shifts.
Here’s my list of what has changed at 3H over the last 25 years:
The space a designer needs: It really seems like yesterday I was trying to fit one more large drafting table in the studio… let alone purchasing one more Art Director Marker set and art pads and sketch pads to bring in a new designer. Gone are those days!
Our inspiration tools: Gone are the days of flipping through Creative Source or Illustration Guild books to get inspired for the next big idea. At 3H, we use to have a library of creative and resource books… now we have half a shelf…and that’s going too! Image banks are the tools of inspirations nowadays and there’s nothing wrong with that… until those images become the concept!
How concepts are presented: With the advent of the computer and printers, now mock ups seem complete and already done. Clients have a difficult time in processing that what is in front of them is “conceptual”… not complete. That even if we could purchase the image on our mock ups, artwork has to be created, images have to be prepped, copy has to be finalized… etc… At times, I lament over marker renderings where it was obvious the person in an ad was a place holder for an image of a person that was yet to be casted, chosen and photographed!
Time to develop: If the speed of business is fast and faster… the agency business is at warp speed! There’s a belief by business in general that since everything is computer driven, it should take less time. That is very rarely the case, if ever. Computers in the creative world have provided creative types and agencies with the ability to expand on the possibilities and to show them in more concise ways. It still takes the time it takes to come up with an idea and to develop it!
The definition of a designer: What really is a designer? In my way of thinking, designers need to be conceptual thinkers in the visual medium. This is just my opinion… but find, many designers today know technology and yet have no conceptual vibe. They rely on image to create a concept rather than using the image as a resource too. More and more the designers out of school today think inside the screen and not inside their minds! Again… my opinion.
Relationship building: Time is at a premium. With the speed of business coupled with, restructuring, right-sizing, down-sizing or whatever hip term is currently out there… clients don’t have the time nor the inclination to go for lunch. But for those of us who do have a relationship with our business partners (yes, I mean clients!), the relationship is stronger… texting, emailing and yes even face timing. It has allowed us to reach out in snippets…by the sentence, being integrated in the day to day fabric.
Cold calling: Cold zinging you mean! Getting someone on the phone to talk to you when they don’t even know you is more difficult. How we get leads… and follow up on them is totally different. On line lead generation, web site lead generation and e-zines are now the “in” thing to do in cold calling. That means efforts can be more streamlined both in time and money. A warm lead is much better than a cold one…so rather than spend your efforts and money on cold and warm alike, you can double your efforts on the ones that have expressed an interest…or following.
Brand reaching capabilities: The ways in reach we reach our target markets… and how niche we can go is astounding and becoming more so each and everyday. Through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, tumblr, Youtube, Linkedin), online properties, blogs, blogging, traditional media the options available to local, small, big and global advertisers are numerous and very exciting! Some of these channels don’t require design, but all require time and know how…that hasn’t changed a bit!
3H launched in 1988 with its corporate logo in Purple and Mustard. We had become synonymous with Purple because of our Mustard accents… and then we changed our accent to Titanium to speak to the digital and technology…to change our clients’ perception of what it is we do… but still remaining in the Purple so to speak. I am not sure what the next 5 to 10 years will hold, but I have often been heard saying “Complacency in business means death”… and I believe it.
Over the last 25 years, the ability to change has changed. Businesses are constantly looking for the new opportunity and are more than ever, open to the next best thing… even though embracing it still takes a little time.
by Lisa Wedmann | Feb 21, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Creative, Latest
It’s our silver anniversary!
25 years ago, the 3H Communications journey began. It was a humble start. Miriam,now Chief Creative Officer, was just helping out a couple of friends, one to advertise an airline and the other to launch a shopping center. 25 years of experience later and 3H Communications is a flourishing, cutting edge, full service, advertising and marketing agency.
Over the years, 3H has developed a process driven by our passion and dedication to understanding our clients’ products and capabilities. While every opportunity and client requirement is unique, there is an integral process we go through with clients to meet, and exceed their goals and expectations.
IDENTIFY
We arm ourselves with information. Our approach starts with investigating your company, your competitors and vertical markets. If required we initiate market research from store checks to informal panel discussions to full out qualitative or quantitative research. We assess the results. We then are set to plan and develop programs based on our identify target markets and demographics. We add to that customer analysis to develop personas based on psychographics, competitor analysis and more.
INITIATE
Leveraging our findings from research, we start the creative process. We bring out the popcorn and we brainstorm, we conceptualize and we create the story. Whether it’s blogging, digital advertising development, packaging design, traditional and social media advertising, or TV media we push boundaries to develop the right strategy, the right voice, the right channels to reach your objectives.
ENGAGE
With your Brand’s voice we start telling the brand story: how it should be told, to whom it should be told. The right timber, the appropriate messages based on personas, brand positioning and brand objectives. From science-speak, food write ups, fashion critics to pharma aids, business white papers and consumer talk, we implement the right approach and channel for your brand’s voice: web design, social media, digital media, events, print media and more.
LISTEN
We keep the momentum going…we listen, we respond, we engage…in order to build the brand relationship. By listening your brand continues learning from its relationship with brand ambassadors, which means we can create the most effective strategies to meet your objectives. We become your subject matter expert. It’s about creating a conversation, listening to their needs and requirements and we act with purpose and intent.
OPTIMIZE
We aim for effective, perfected and valuable solutions and results – and often it’s the numbers that reflect the effectiveness of an initiative. We measure each result; we get analytical. We dig deep and look at your local or global rankings, your SEO standing and your ROI. We then evaluate and take the necessary actions.
Through this method, the company has continued to grow and succeed. We are tight team that works hard and plays hard. Each member plays an integral part of our clients’, and our, success. Over the next year, we will be sharing stories about our journey, from Montreal to Oakville, what we have learned, how the advertising world has changed and all about our great team members. Keep checking back for regular updates!
To help us celebrate our anniversary play our new contest, Winfall Instant Win Contest! This is your chance to win prizes instantly, including an ipad Mini, and there a number of ways to play and win – including liking our FB page, sharing the page, liking us on Pinterest and more!
by Miriam Hara | Feb 13, 2013 | Business Success, Latest
Lucky are those that are in love with what they do. Everyday is a new wonderful day filled with commitment, dedication and emotion. As I reflect back on the 25 years I have spent at 3H Communications and with all my clients, I truly believe that I have been blessed. Like any love affair or relationship there have been times that were in turmoil, filled with indecision and fraught with doubt…but more often, there were times that the challenges brought laughter, fulfillment, achievement and oh…the great memories. It has allowed me to build relationships that I value.
It’s easy to say that because I chose a “creative” profession that it is easier for me to be passionate about my job. But I really don’t believe that this is true. Over the years in business I have met people in all professions who really love what they do; from scientists, sales people, physicians, marketers… and yes, even accountants. All of us who love what we do, feel in our hearts and minds, that we have a calling.I can hear the collective thought saying “money”… but I can say for many that I have met, it’s not all about the money. It’s about that calling that makes us passionate and emotive about our accomplishments. It’s about doing it differently, doing it better and doing it well. It’s also that calling which makes us care, all that much more and strive for that extra elusive… thing.
I really do believe that you do what you are… and you are what you do. The perfect yin and yang scenario. To be one of those “they” people who love what they do. To have a passionate affair with your work, with what you do for over 8 hours a day is the best anyone could hope for. You never have to work a day in your life and better yet, you never look at it as work. Yes, the term workaholic comes to mind, but I don’t believe that this is an accurate term. Owning and working at your own business is a personality type. For those of us who are entrepreneurs you all know what I am talking about. Running 3H Communications over the last 25 years… I have worked… and not worked. I remember reading an article that Arlene Dickinson You Inc called Born this way that really resonated with me. Mind you, this speaks to being an entrepreneur…and the drive to become one. I believe that you don’t necessarily need to be an entrepreneur, or run your own business to really love what you do. Just like you find love in many places…you find passionate people who are driven by what they do… from volunteers , coordinators, managers, store clerks to big business executives.
I will end this post by apologizing for taking advantage of the Valentine’s Day timing and using “love” as the hook, line and sinker of this blog! I hope I haven’t turned anyone off by being gimmicky… but it was too good to pass up!
by Jenna Elberson | Feb 11, 2013 | Advertising, Business Success, Creative, Design, Latest, Social Media
Marketing is essential for any business, and it’s a field that’s constantly researched, analyzed, and developed by professionals. In general, there are lots of marketing activities you can do on your own to save money, such as posting flyers around town or designing business cards. There are others, however, that are best left to the experts, and here are five of them.
Review Tracking
Because so many people rely on online reviews to make their purchase decisions, it’s incredibly important that you keep track of what people are saying about your business online. Review tracking can help you stay ahead of the curve in managing your online reputation, but it’s also a time-consuming and tedious process. For the most efficient review tracking, it’s best to outsource the job to a company who has the necessary tools and experience to do it for you.
Mass Mailing
Direct, mass mailings are incredibly effective when compared to other forms of offline marketing, and it’s still an approach that many businesses take and profit from. Mass mailing, however, is just that – massive. When mailing out thousands and thousands of flyers – as you need to do to achieve sufficient results – it is a job best left to another company who specializes in it. They have the printers, machinery, and hands needed so that you don’t have to waste time and suffer from papercuts as you address and stuff every envelope by hand.
Review Moderation
Another job that’s best left to outsourcing is review moderation. Not only do you need a company to track your online reviews and reputation, but you also need a company who can moderate those reviews. For example, they can be on the lookout for damaging, fraudulent reviews, and they can take the necessary steps on your behalf to remove fraudulent reviews from the web. A company who specializes in review moderation can help you maintain a good online reputation.
Television Commercials
Unless you run a video production company, it’s best to leave your television commercials to other professionals. When you run an ad on TV, the quality is highly important. If you run a poorly filmed and poorly edited commercial, it will make your business look of lesser quality. It’s also time-consuming and difficult to create a good commercial if you don’t know what you’re doing – if not impossible. Outsource your TV commercials to a video production company that specializes in creating marketing videos and commercials for businesses like yours
PPC Management
A pay-per-click campaign is an excellent way to boost traffic to your website. It’s quick and efficient, but it also requires a lot of monitoring, maintenance, and strategic planning. An online marketing company that can help run your PPC campaign is a good investment to make. They can help you analyze its effectiveness, do tedious keyword research, make sure your ads look and read as well as they should to earn clicks, and make sure you’re getting the best value.
Garrett Payne is an online review management professional with a special interest in review tracking. Garrett suggests those involved in review management; which tasks are best left to the experts.
by Matina Singh | Feb 1, 2013 | Branding, Interactive, Latest, Social Media
It wasn’t so long ago that when you ran a contest the only way people could enter the contest was to take the time to fill out an entry form and then whether mail it in or drop it off in a ballot box. The Internet has made things easier, but still, the consumer has to find their way to your website. Social Media properties such as Facebook has added a layer of ease to the process: Consumers are already on Facebook engaging and talking to their communities. More importantly, consumers have join in and subscribed to contest and promotional sites such as Red Flag Deals or Contest Forums. If the promotion looks interesting enough, clicking on a link that takes the consumer to a contest landing page and asks them to fill out an online form, isn’t that big a deal.
It doesn’t make any difference what type of business you have; running a contest on Facebook is a powerful and effective approach in building awareness, and engagement as well as generating more followers. As appealing as it may seem, Facebook contests can only be effective if it is properly promoted.
Here are 5 simple ways to get the best out of your Facebook contest:
1. Timeline photo
Your timeline photo can be used to tell people about your contest. Not only is this a ‘premium’ advertising space for your contest, there will also be an update to your fans about the changes of your timeline photo. A well-designed timeline cover is a good alternative to promote your contest.
2. Promoted post
In general, only 16% of your Facebook fans see your wall posts. Facebook enrolled the Promoted Post option, where a specific post can be promoted to reach a higher audience. If you recall that caused quite a stir in the business and corporate communities. However, it is here and the fact is that it can cost as little as $5 to reach your community target to get them engaged.
3. Advocate engagement
Have you noticed a particularly engaging fan that frequently shows support for your brand? Engaging with these fans to participate and promote your contest is an effective way to instantly build buzz. It is a form of word-of-mouth marketing that we all know can be influential.
4. Cross promote
Broadcast your contest on Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, Linkedin and any other Social Media. Your audience is everywhere, so if you do not promote everywhere else, then your contest is probably not reaching its maximum potential.
5. Choose the prize that fits
Instead of offering some big-ticket prize that doesn’t relate to our business, how about giving away one of your own products? If your business is sevice-based rather than product-based, offer the winner a free month of service. The goal of a contest is to find more people who are interested in your business, not just a prize.
That said, here is a very good examples of a Facebook contest…and how you can leverage the impact and reach of Facebook.
Being Human: The Salman Khan Foundation is a registered charitable trust set up by Salman Khan (famous actor in India) for helping the cause of the underprivileged in two main areas: education and healthcare.
The timeline photo changed before the launch of the contest:
The Teaser Campaign Approach: Get your audience curious by adding some pre-promotion. Here we can clearly see the brand is trying to get engagement from their fans by asking and not telling their consumers what the was coming. They have to wait 4 days to find out….
Build and Leverage the Momentum.
In this case, each day a new count down image was posted. The Foundation got their consumers intrigued and made them come back to see the comment, what was new and that all leads to greater engagement.
The Grand Finalé… The Day of the Draw….
Finally here! A total of 31,416 likes, 1,124 shares and 6,170 comments were received! Fans were encouraged to create an outfit for the celebrity and from those comments a 3 random people would win.
Everyday another Timeline photo was posted promoting the new clothing line of Being Human.
Closing the loop… showcasing the winners:
A perfect end to show that this was not only a promotion stunt but the winners actually got to meet the celebrity.
Do you have a favourite contest that ran or is being run right now? Share with us any other great contests that you have seen on Facebook here. We’d love to know!
Monitor the engagement you get when posting, not all these times will work best for your brand. Depending on your audience you should tweak your post times accordingly.
