Brian Meert's Blog, page 103

10 Metrics Every Email Marketer Needs to Track

October 22, 2018
Guest Post

Email marketing may seem simple, but there are a lot of components that contribute to an optimized campaign. I could discuss common mistakes, show you shining examples of campaigns that work, or even get into detail with optimization, but none of that makes any difference if you can’t determine whether or not your email marketing efforts are succeeding or failing.

Here, I will briefly discuss the ways you can analyze and understand your email campaign results, going over metrics such as bounce rates, unsubscribers, and click-through rates. Before you can measure your results, you need something to measure: a goal at the end of the marketing tunnel.

The Goal-Oriented Email Campaign

Typical email marketing goals include

Converting leads to customers
Increasing your subscriber database
Generating leads
Recovering lost customers
Increasing engagement

You can choose any—or all—of these goals. Choosing a goal gives you an aim for your campaign and helps you target, optimize, and focus your efforts to be cost- and time-effective. Whichever goals you choose, measuring your results will give you insight into the effectiveness of your campaign as it relates to that goal.

Metrics for the Win

Now that you’ve set goals, optimized your emails for the specifics, and run your campaign, it’s time to see if your efforts are working. Email marketing, contrary to some opinions, is not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. You have to constantly watch for changes in trends, audience opinions, and markets to keep your campaigns producing results. The best way to do that is by measuring email marketing metrics.

While there are many metrics to measure email effectiveness, there are a handful that all marketers should heed, regardless of goals, metrics such as email open rate and click-through rate. If people aren’t opening your emails or not clicking the links inside, your sales funnel has a serious problem.

Bounce rate, unsubscribes, and spam rate are the other metrics you should monitor because they help keep your list clean of useless addresses and uncover problems in your campaign that could be causing dissatisfaction with your email recipients. Measuring metrics like sales, shares, and subscribes are important hallmarks for proper campaign management, allowing you to make adjustments on the fly.

Tracking Metrics: An Essential Email Marketing Skill

To determine whether your email marketing campaigns are effective, you must first understand the metrics analytical reports show you. Otherwise, you won’t be able to strategize and optimize. Below is an infographic that gives you the metrics you need to understand to effectively run an email campaign. Keep this infographic by your side or memorize it by heart—do whatever it takes to know these metrics like the back of your hand.

 

 

This infographic first appeared on www.campaignmonitor.com

The post 10 Metrics Every Email Marketer Needs to Track appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Facebook Developing Video Polls, 3D Ads, and More, Says Partner at Event

October 19, 2018
Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

Advertisers braved the 405 traffic to attend Facebook’s event yesterday evening. Inside Facebook’s Playa Vista headquarters, a small crowd gathered to hear three Facebook marketing partners discuss creative, ad buying, and ad delivery strategies. The crowd didn’t know that during the two-hour talk, one partner would let slip exciting features Facebook engineers are currently developing.

Video polling many no longer be unique to Instagram Stories, the partner hinted during the event. Coming to users in 2019, video polling will appear in Facebook feeds. Much like the Instagram Stories version, which it was modeled after, video polling allows users to add polls to their videos. Each poll choice, once clicked, leads viewers to different pieces of content.

Recently, Facebook announced that it is rolling out 3D images to News Feeds, causing some to suspect that it will eventually include 3D ads to its offerings. One marketing partner expressed the same suspicion at yesterday’s event. According to the partner, Facebook will likely offer 3D ads to advertisers, although the partner was not sure when that will happen.

The marketing partner also hinted at the possible development of two coveted ad products: custom copy by platform and a transparency tool for connected TV ads. If developed, custom copy by platform will allow advertisers to use different copies for different placements. Since a custom media tool is already available, a custom copy by platform tool is not such a far-fetched idea. If Facebook’s engineers also develop a transparency tool for connected TVs, advertisers will know where their ads appear when placed on connected TV. Currently, advertisers can’t see where their connected TV ads appear.

Although video polling will roll out to users next year, the other features won’t make an appearance any time soon, if at all—don’t set your hopes too high.

Written by Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

The post Facebook Developing Video Polls, 3D Ads, and More, Says Partner at Event appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

7 Secrets for Controlling Your Facebook Groups

October 19, 2018
Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

Just when I think I’ve fully mastered Facebook, I learn something new. Over the past year, I’ve tallied up the number of Facebook groups I’m a member of, so I decided to explore ways to make them more manageable on my smartphone. As it turns out, there are several tidbits of tech-savvy know-how that give me much more control over my groups than I thought possible. Using the Facebook app on my smartphone, I learned the following seven Facebook group secrets:

How to keep my groups organized
How to add a group to my favorites
How to customize my group notification settings
How to view additional info about my group
How to add a group to my phone’s home screen
How to create a group based on friend categories
How to discover new groups by category

In this article, I will detail the steps for each secret so that you too can gain control over your Facebook groups.

1. Keeping My Groups Organized

Step 1: Click on the Facebook menu at the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Select “Groups.”

Step 3: Select the “Sort” dropdown menu above your groups.

Step 4: Choose which organizational option you want. You can choose to organize your groups alphabetically, by latest activity, or recently visited.

2. Adding a Group to My Favorites
Step 1: Go to your Facebook menu at the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Select “Groups.”

Step 3: Select the group you want to create a shortcut for.

Step 4: Under the group’s cover photo, select the menu arrow at the right of the screen.

Step 5: Select “Add to Favorites.”

Step 6: Navigate back to “Groups.” You should see the group now listed at the top under “Favorites.”

3. Customizing My Notification Settings
Step 1: Navigate to your Facebook menu at the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Select “Groups.”

Step 3: Select the group you want to edit notifications for.

Step 4: Under the group’s cover photo, select the menu arrow at the right of the screen.

Step 5: Select “Edit Notification Settings.”

Step 6: You can now edit which actions in the group you get notified about. For instance, you can choose to only get notified whenever one of your friends posts in the group or you can choose to be notified about all group posts.

4. Viewing Additional Information about My Group
Step 1: Navigate to the group page and select the “i” icon at the top right of the screen.

Step 2: See the group description at the top, the number of members in the group, group events, and more.

5. Adding a Group to My Home Screen
Step 1: Navigate to the group page and select the “i” icon at the top right of the screen.

Step 2: Select “Add to Home Screen.”

Step 3: Either press and hold the group icon to add it to your phone’s home screen manually or select “Add automatically.”

Step 4: Navigate to your home screen to see your group and select it whenever you want to visit your group page.

6. Creating a Group Based on Friend Categories
Step 1: Navigate to your Facebook menu at the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Select “Groups.”

Step 3: Select the “Manage” tab.

Step 4: Under “More Ways to Create,” browse the various types of groups Facebook suggests based on your friends. For example, you can create a family group or a group based on friends who all like the same page.

 

7. Discovering New Groups by Category
Step 1: Navigate to your Facebook menu at the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Select “Groups.”

Step 3: Select the “Discover” tab.

Step 4: Select “See All Categories.”

Step 5: Choose the categories that interest you to search for related groups.

Now that you know all these juicy group secrets, you can be more proficient, with an overall better Facebook experience. You can keep your groups organized and prioritized, as well as relevant.

If you’re on a tech-savvy high, and you want to learn how to have even more control over your Facebook account, learn how to protect your Facebook data from apps.

Written by Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

The post 7 Secrets for Controlling Your Facebook Groups appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Snapchat in September: User Trends

October 18, 2018
Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising company
Alisa Anton/Unsplash

Snapchatters are welcoming fall with wide open arms, and it’s showing. Snap recently shared a September update on its business blog, identifying user trends on the app throughout the month, and the findings indicate a head-on theme of autumn and Halloween spirit. By looking at the common trends of the average Snapchatter, you can better understand users and their interests. You can also ensure your campaigns are more relevant, hopefully leading to more engagement and conversions.

But before you create your fall-themed Snapchat ads for this season, you should know the specific trends that were hot in September to better inform your campaign. Specifically, you should understand the trends in the following categories:

Global trending topics
US trending topics
Germany trending topics
US trending entertainment
US trending celebrities
US trending slang

Topics That Were Trending Globally

There were several topics trending across the globe in September:

The horror film The Nun was at the top of the charts in France, Kuwait, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.
Snapchatters throughout the western hemisphere grieved in light of Mac Miller’s death.
Australia honored Father’s Day.
Germany welcomed the start of Oktoberfest.
India celebrated the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Saudi Arabia celebrated its 88th National Day.

Topics That Were Trending in the US

Riley McCullough/Unsplash

US Snapchatters were enamored with very exciting topics:

The Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin “GGG” boxing match
The new Apple iPhone
Lil Wayne’s new album “Tha Carter V”
Six Flags Fright Fest
Sunday football
Homecoming

Topics That Were Trending in Germany

While Germany shared many of the same trends as other parts of the globe, the country had some unique trends of its own:

Oktoberfest
The Nun
The new FIFA 19 video game
Champions League
Love Island
Back to school
The iPhone XS

Trending Entertainment in the US

Entertainment trends in the US throughout September included:

The Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin “GGG” boxing match
White Boy Rick (movie)
Nappily Ever After (movie)
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (movie)
The return of American Horror Story (TV show)
Spider-Man (video game)
NBA 2K19 (video game)
The Predator (movie)
The Nun (movie)
A Simple Favor (movie)

Trending Celebrities in the US
Alex Alexander/Unsplash

Celebrities also had the attention of US Snapchatters, primarily rap celebrities:

Mac Miller
The release of Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter V”
The release of Lil Uzi Vert’s “New Patek,”
Kid Ink’s “Big Deal” video
“Falling Down” by the late Lil Peep and XXXTentacion

Trending Slang in the US

The most popular slang US Snapchatters used in September included:

“Spoopy” (both funny and spooky)
“Bet” (the equivalent of “for sure” or “okay”)
“Cuffin’” (in a relationship)
“Darty” (an abbreviation for “daytime party”)
“Slat” (a fun situation)

Use Trends to Inform Ad Campaigns
Rawpixel/Unsplash

So what can you do with this information? A couple options come to mind. One, you find a way to incorporate these themes into your campaigns for October. For example, you can toss the word “Spoopy” somewhere in your ad creative for fall promotions. Another option is to use the information to make predictions about October trends and capitalize on it. For example, promote your horror film on Snapchat to tap into those thrill-seeking users leading up to Halloween.

With the holidays fast approaching, you should, if you haven’t already, use Snapchat’s latest tools and updates. The platform recently announced new enhancements for Shoppable Ads, an Amazon product search tool for its camera, and major updates to its Partnership Program, so clearly, Snap is already setting up new ways for advertisers to reach users. Tap into the fuzzy feelings of autumn, but keep in mind that Thanksgiving and the rest are not far behind.

By keeping up with what’s trending and taking advantage of the Snapchat advertising tools available, you will be sure to walk away from the holidays jollier than Saint Nick himself. So let’s get this darty started!

Written by Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising company

The post Snapchat in September: User Trends appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

13 Examples of Amazon Ads That Rock

October 17, 2018
Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency

 

If you’re like the many advertisers flocking to Amazon, especially for the upcoming holiday season, you are likely still learning the secrets of marketing on the platform. How do you stand out when so many other businesses around the world are competing for the same benefits of the e-commerce site?

As dismaying as it may seem, it is not impossible to succeed on Amazon. It is quickly becoming one of the biggest advertising platforms, moving up to third place behind Facebook and Google. There’s still a lot of mystery about mastering Amazon advertising, so it helps to look at what’s working for other brands that use the platform.

There are many elements that make a good Amazon ad. In addition to choosing the right type of ad format that fits your goals, you need to incorporate relevant and high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and unique keywords. By identifying the elements of 13 Amazon ads that do it right, you can go forth and produce your own rockin’ Amazon ads.

1. Fujifilm Polaroid Camera

 

It identifies the brand Fujifilm in the description while identifying the product as a Polaroid camera.
It includes the product type in the title (Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera).
The description tells you what the purchase includes (camera, film, and accessories).
Each word in the description serves as a unique keyword.
The photo matches the description and shows all the included accessories.
The product has a good Amazon rating (4.5 stars from 462 reviews) that serves as social proof.

2. KLIQ UberTuner

It identifies the brand (KLIQ) and describes the item accurately: an instrument tuner.
It tells you what it does. (It’s a clip-on tuner for various instruments).
It includes other instruments it can be used for (guitar, bass, violin, and ukulele.).
Each word in the description serves as a unique keyword.
The photo is a close-up of the product.
The product has an excellent Amazon rating (4.5 from a whopping 2,619) that serves as social proof.

3. Charmin Toilet Paper

The logo appears three times, drilling the brand into your mind.
The description and photo accurately describe the item (toilet paper).
It offers the benefit of saving money: “Save Now on Toilet Paper.”
It features two products (ultra strong and ultra soft) so you have a selection to choose from.
The descriptions give sufficient details about each product: “Ultra Strong,” “Clean Touch,” “Family,” “Ultra Soft,” “Family Mega Roll.”

4. Samsung Powerbot

The brand name (Samsung) is in each product description.
The item is accurately described as a robotic vacuum.
It gives the benefit of working less when cleaning the house: “Save time and effort.”
It features three powerbot products so you have a selection to choose from.
The descriptions give sufficient details about each product (“Turbo,” “Pet Robot Vacuum”).

5. Swiffer WetJet Pad Refill

The Swiffer brand appears in the image and the description.
The description accurately describes the item as WetJet pad refills.
The description tells you what the product does (the pads are used with the Swiffer mop to clean hardwood floors and multi surfaces).
It includes specifics about the product (24 pieces, compatible with the Swiffer WetJet spray mop).
The photo matches the description and gives you a close-up of the product.
Each word in the description serves as a unique keyword.
The product has a good Amazon rating.

6. Puracy Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

It clearly identifies the brand Puracy in the ad image and accurately describes the item as an all-purpose cleaner.
It tells you the product’s purpose: it cleans all types of household surfaces.
It includes specifics about the product (natural, spray, all purpose).
It features, in an attractive bold font, a review from The New York Times, functioning as powerful social proof.
The logo is clearly and visibly featured next to The New York Times review.

7. Vitafusion

It clearly identifies the brand by including the Vitafusion logo in the image.
It accurately describes the item as vitamins.
It features bright colors that pop and that match the brand logo.
It includes images of fruit to associate the products with health and all-natural, delicious ingredients.
It has a clear call-to-action (“shop now”) that takes you to the brand’s Amazon storefront.

8. Well Hung Over in Vegas Kindle Book

The title description is the same as the book title, making it easy to identify.
The image is the book cover, matching the title description.
It includes a brief summary of the book in two, very succinct sentences (“What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas…”).

9. SUNPOW Travel Duffle Bag

The image clearly features the brand (SUNPOW) in an isolated area that allows it to stand out from the product.
The product image and description shows what the item is (travel duffle bag).
It includes specifics about the product (65L, packable, travel, fold).
It includes multiple photos below the main photo to show you the different colors the product comes in.

10. Microsoft Surface Pro

It clearly features the Microsoft brand logo and what the item is (Surface Pro laptop).
It lures you with a product benefit: it’s “Ultra-light and versatile.”
It features three of the Surface Pro 6 products to give you a selection to choose from.
The photos for each featured product match the descriptions.
Each word in the descriptions serves as a unique keyword.
The descriptions give sufficient details about each product (“LGP-00001,” “Intel Core i5,” “8GB”).

11. Listerine

It clearly features the Listerine brand logo and what the items are (mouth cleaning products).
It lures you in with a benefit: the product will “Clean & Protect Virtually 100% of Your Mouth.”
It features three of its mouthwash products so you have a selection to choose from.
The photos for each featured product match the descriptions.
The descriptions give sufficient details about each product (“Antiseptic Mouthwash,” “Fresh Breath,” “Fluoride-Free”).
Each word in the description serves as a unique keyword.
Each featured product has a good Amazon rating.

12. Vera Wang Fragrance

It clearly features the Vera Wang brand logo and shows you what the product is (perfume).
It includes specifics about the product: embrace contains green tea and pear blossom.
It gives you a reason to buy: get a 15 percent discount with a coupon

13. Tide Pods

It clearly features the Tide logo and describes what the item is (detergent pods).
It tells you the number of pods the package contains (81 count).
It includes specifics about the product (coral blast scent, 3 in 1 liquid detergent pacs).
The photo matches the description and gives a close-up of the product.
Each word in the description serves as a unique keyword.
The product has a good Amazon rating.

There’s a lot of information to digest, but hopefully you’ve noticed these ads’ pattern of qualities that make them work. Keep a list of the qalities handy when putting together your own Amazon ads. It will help guide you through the creation process.

You are already well on your way to a successful holiday season on Amazon!

Written by Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency

The post 13 Examples of Amazon Ads That Rock appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Will Facebook’s 3D Images Attract Younger Users?

October 16, 2018
Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency
FOTOGRAFIA .GES/Unsplash

Is Facebook for old people? As an avid Facebook user, I say no, but then again, I’m a Millennial whom many teens would likely consider old. (I considered 24 old when I was a teenager.) To settle that question, you only need to look at the data, which show Facebook attracts older people. According to Emarketer, everyone loves Facebook except teens.

The market research company predicts Snapchat will continually add teens aged 12 to 17 to its user base while Facebook will continue to lose users from that age range. By 2022, Facebook will lose 2.2 million users of the ages 12 to 17.

If Facebook can’t attract younger users, it can’t retain a user base for the following years to come, and it will slowly lose relevance. Think about it this way. You may be in your 20s or 30s using Facebook religiously, but would you still spend as much time as you do now on Facebook when you’re 45 and married with kids? Likely not. Your busy schedule will not allow you.

Recently, Facebook announced a new feature that may attract younger users. 3D photos allow users to convert pictures into 3D images that people can tilt and rotate to view different sides and angles. The feature is not hard to use: take a portrait-mode photo using a compatible dual-lens smartphone, upload the image to your Facebook status, convert the image to 3D, and voila!

By rolling out 3D images, the social media company can place itself in line with the visually centered social media apps younger users love to use, Instagram and Snapchat. Because of 3D images’ highly interactive and unique format, it may encourage users to post more photos to the platform. Currently, Facebook centers on written content, such as links to articles and status updates. This is no surprise. Facebook originated as a platform where people can share their thoughts (aka their “status updates”). In fact, as soon as you log in to Facebook, the status feature appears, encouraging you to “Write something…” It wasn’t until two years ago when Facebook pushed for more visually captivating content, like videos.

Although 3D images can bring potential benefits to Facebook, like attracting younger people, retaining current users, and providing a more interactive experience, it won’t make an impact until it catches on. Facebook already has a cool 360 feature that few users seem to use and a Stories feature that failed miserably. Will 3D images be the one feature that will finally catch on? Or will it be another item added to the list of failures? We’ll see in a couple of weeks.

Written by Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency

The post Will Facebook’s 3D Images Attract Younger Users? appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

How to Spot a Fake Instagram Influencer

October 16, 2018
Rachel Horvath, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising agency
Elijah O’Donnell

Instagram influencers are a billion dollar industry, so it’s no wonder that fake influencers are popping up to score a quick buck. While hiring an influencer can be important for promoting products, it’s also key to know how to identify a fake influencer.

What Are Influencers and Why Are They Important?

On Instagram, an influencer is a person with tons of followers and engagement. An influencer can sign with a company that wants to promote a product, service, or business, and the influencer gets paid to do so. It can be a smart idea to align your company with an influencer who can make an impact with your target audience. Hiring an influencer is an authentic way to help your customers learn about what you have to offer and raise awareness of your brand.

Influencers spend a lot of time and effort building their audience and establishing credibility, and their audience trusts them to give helpful and informative advice. Instagram has over a billion active monthly users, so influencers can reach a large number of people with their posts. Hiring an influencer can make an impact on your business, but before you sign a contract, you have to make sure that the influencer you’re looking at is legit.

Identify a Fake Influencer
Phil Desforges

Influencers have a huge amount of pull in the social media world, so it’s only natural that people will try to cash in on the trend. It’s very easy and inexpensive to buy followers and likes on Instagram. An inexperienced marketer might fall for the trap and sign a contract with influencers who bought all of their likes and follows. It’s important to learn how to spot a fake influencer lest you fall into the same trap.

Engagement Ratio

An important first step is to check their engagement to following ratio. If they have a huge number of followers but their posts don’t have much engagement, this is a red flag. You want to know that an influencer influences, i.e. sparks discussions and gets people talking. Check out a few of their posts and look for meaningful comments, not just “great post” or “I like this!” Simple comments like this can come from bots, which aren’t real profiles. If you see a profile with thousands of followers, but the profile hardly gets any likes or comments on posts, take heed. In 2017, the median engagement rate on Instagram was 2.7 percent. If you notice engagement lower than that, the profile might not be legit.

Do Some Research

You can also snoop on Google. Type in the influencer’s name and see what else comes up. If you come back with zero search results, this is a warning sign of a faker. But if you see the influencer also has a following on Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, the influencer is likely legitimate. Additionally, if the influencer interacts with other influencers on Instagram and other social media sites, it can be a sure sign of authenticity, too.

Look for Interaction

Great influencers interact with their audience as much as possible. Do the influencers respond to comments on their posts? Are they getting involved in discussions and talking to people? A fake or bot account won’t have this type of engagement, so you need to keep an eye on this.

Instagram is a powerful tool for marketers, and hiring an influencer can be a great idea. But make sure you’re on the lookout for fake accounts before you hire an influencer!

Written by  Rachel Horvath, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising agency

The post How to Spot a Fake Instagram Influencer appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Snapchat to Release Original Scripted Content Beginning This Month

October 15, 2018
Andrea Francese, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, company for Facebook ads

Snap Inc., the social media platform based out of Venice, California, is entering the scripted content market. On October 10th the company released a statement that revealed 12 new scripted Snapchat shows. While the platform has offered show type content for over two years, this is the company’s first foray into scripted content.

The original content will launch in October of 2018. The shows, designed around 8 to 12 episodes, will release daily until the story is complete. Snapchat is aiming for a staggered release model, with three shows launching together. The company hopes the staggered release will move the audience from one show directly into the next Snap Original.

According to company insiders, the originally scripted content will span a variety of different genres. The first of the Snap Originals will explore the horror, comedy, drama, docu-series and mystery genres. If all goes well with the scripted content, the company will expand into additional genres, including animation and romance. Additional scripted series are believed to be in the pipeline.

Snapchat has released information about all 12 shows that will appear on the platform. First to be released are Endless Summer, a docu-series that follows the lives of a couple in Laguna Beach. It will release at the same time as Class of Lies, a mystery show following a team solving a friend’s disappearance, and Co-Ed, a college comedy following freshman roommates navigating the unfamiliar waters of campus life.

Vivian, a series that follows a scout at the Wilhelmina modeling agency will be released on October 22nd. Dead Girls Detective Agency, a supernatural soap opera, and V/H/S, a horror anthology, will follow. Snapchat is also slated to release Bref, Bringing up Bhabie, Growing Up Is Drag, Stunt Brothers, Deep Creek, and #Vanlife later this year.

To achieve the scripted originals, Snapchat has teamed up with from Friday Night Lights and Bunim/Murray Productions, the company that conceptualized Keeping up With the Kardashians. Both Harris and Bunim/Murray are well known for their ability to craft unique content that engages a broad demographic of viewers.

The news couldn’t come as a more opportune time for the social media platform. Snapchat lost $353 million last quarter, as it struggled to compete with social media conglomerates Instagram and Facebook. While growth stagnated on the platform, in general, one area of the discover page did offer a glimmer of hope.

Growth across the Snapchat shows suggested the company could grow if it redirected focus to content that is created for the platform. The company currently offers 18 shows that receive more than 10 million unique viewers each month. Currently, the platform provides shows from Viacom, CBS, and the NFL, among others.

Using the show format also allows the company to find new streams of advertising revenue, which has long been a roadblock for the company. The company hopes the scripted content will not only build a larger user base but also entice advertisers to buy ad space in the form of non-skippable commercials inserted into each episode.

Time will only tell whether or not Snapchat is onto something big with its exploration into the scripted genre, but if all goes well, it is possible mobile users will have an entirely new and unique way of consuming content and of entertaining themselves from the privacy of their phone. As it stands, however, users will get to see the 12 shows already slated. More may be forthcoming.

Written by Andrea Francese, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, company for Facebook ads

The post Snapchat to Release Original Scripted Content Beginning This Month appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

4 Ways to Easily Improve Your Facebook Ad Campaigns

October 13, 2018
Rachel Horvath, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

Facebook ads are a great way to reach your target audience quickly and effectively. When advertising on Facebook, though, you want to make sure you’re getting the best return on investment. Technology and trends change quickly, so read on to make sure you’re on top of Facebook advertising and to learn how to improve your ad campaigns.

1. Optimize Your Bids

When you think about improving our Facebook ads, we often jump to the conclusion that we need to change the format of the ad, the text, or the audience. While this often reaps great results, there are other factors at play. If you want a leg up on competitors, it’s not just about having a great design and catchy text. Even the best ad campaign can be ruined with a poor bidding strategy.

When you’re running an ad campaign, you’re competing with hundreds of thousands of other advertisers for ad real estate. Ad space is limited, so the highest bidder gets the most ad space. You can choose to use Facebook’s automatic bidding settings, or you can choose your own, which gives you more control over your budget. If your ads just aren’t working with Facebook’s automatic settings, you can manually choose from three settings:

Lowest cost will get you as many placements as possible at the lowest cost.
Lowest cost with a cap is similar to the above option, but you can choose the maximum you’re willing to pay
Target cost lets you set an average cost to spend per bid. Facebook may go above or below this cost, as long as the average cost stays at what you set.

2. Try Split Testing

Split testing can be a great tool to find out what works best for your ads. To split test, run two ads that are different in one crucial way. For example, you may test two different ads with two different images or videos or test an image ad against a video ad. You may even target your ads at two different audiences. Let the campaign run for a while, and then compare the results. See which ad gets more engagement. If it’s clear that one target audience responds more than another, or that video engages your audience more than an image, or that certain words in your text inspire a greater reaction, then you can create better, more effective ads using that knowledge.

3. Use GIFs

Sometimes static images or texts don’t do the job. Facebook allowed the use of GIFs in ads last winter. If you don’t think your audience has the patience to get through a video, or you don’t think video is necessary to show off your product or service, a GIF can be an eye-catching way to do so. Additionally, unlike videos, GIFs don’t require too much time and effort to make, so they are a quick and easy way to boost your ad

4. Give Video a Try

If you have a bit of wiggle room in your advertising budget, video can be an extremely effective tool. People retain much more of what they see in video than print, so it’s great for capturing and engaging audiences. Great videos tell a story and speak to people’s emotions, so keep it short, simple, and powerful. If you’re going to use video, however, it’s important to make sure it looks great. Poor quality video can really turn potential customers off, so create a video with great lighting and stellar sound. Although you can shoot video on a cell phone, it might be best to look into a professional company to make a great video for you.

Stay ahead of the Facebook ad curve by trying these strategies!

Written by Rachel Horvath, guest writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads company

The post 4 Ways to Easily Improve Your Facebook Ad Campaigns appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

These 5 Food Brands’ Effective Social Media Posts Will Make Your Mouth Water

October 11, 2018
Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency
Gabriela Rodríguez / Unsplash

I am not ashamed of my love for food. That love is only enhanced by images and videos I come across on my social media feeds. Bread seems fluffier, soda looks bubblier, and ice cream appears smoother. It’s an absolute pleasure for my senses.

Posts by food brands that appeal to the senses, that makes your mouth water, trigger hunger and encourage people to go out, buy the product, and eat it. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve made a special trip to the nearest gas station to buy a cold bottle of Coke after seeing an ad for it.

I’m not the only one making a trip to the store in pursuit of a delicious product. According to Emarketer, 96 percent of US internet users prefer to shop for food and beverages in-store because they want to see the quality of the product in person. By effectively marketing food and beverage products on social media, brands can influence consumers’ appetites, can influence them to go out and feed their hungers.

There are a few specific food brands I like to follow on social media because they’re so effective at appealing to my senses. In this article, I will talk about my favorite food brands’ best social media posts and why they’re effective. I challenge your mouth not to water while you read.

Coca-Cola

Nothing says “drink me” like a tall bottle of ice cold Coca-Cola. While the product sells itself (a static image of a Coke can do it for me), the brand incorporates current events to keep the brand relevant to users.

In this Facebook post, Coca-Cola mentions the FIFA World Cup Final in the post text, tying the social event to the beverage brand with the word “Cheers.” The post’s message is clear: celebrate with a bottle of coke.

In another example, Coca-Cola ties its brand to Thanksgiving. In the video, a family shares a Thanksgiving feast, which includes a giant turkey and bottles of Coke.

Both posts show the product, a glass bottle of Coke, in relevant social settings while also making the beverage look tempting, with sparkles through the glass and condensation dripping along the edges.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen presents its popular Blizzard ice cream treats in a fun way that appeals to our inner child. In this Facebook post, Dairy Queen playfully features its fall Blizzard flavors from an overhead view against a bright blue background so you can see the textures, colors, and toppings. You can’t help but get the urge to go out and treat yo’self to a sugary ice-cream delight.

In this short Instagram video, Dairy Queen promotes its pumpkin pie Blizzard flavor. It contrasts the product with pumpkin pie, switching between the two desserts so you associate the favorite fall flavor with the product. Dairy Queen recognizes consumers’ current taste for the fall season and taps into those taste buds to get you to indulge in its seasonal flavors.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread features close-ups of its dishes so you can see the colors and textures in such detail that your mouth starts to water. This Facebook close-up of Panera’s mac-and-cheese bread bowl shows the cheesiness of the pasta and the crinkle of the bread. You half expect the spoon to jump straight from the screen to your mouth. When it doesn’t, you consider grabbing your keys and making it happen.

In another post, Panera shows off fresh ingredients in this particular close-up. The bright greens and reds are the main focal points of the image, which are colors we typically associate with the word “fresh.” Looking at it, you can almost feel the crunch of the lettuce between your teeth.

Oreo

Oreo knows that most people who think of children and milk and cookies think of its product. That’s why the brand uses those associations on its social media posts. Oreo uses a cartoon animation in a Facebook post to promote its Halloween cookies. It’s creative and relevant while also making the product the focus.

The simple pairing of one Oreo cookie with a glass of milk effectively evokes the taste of milk and cookies in this Instagram video. When played, the video is primarily static aside from the milk swishing in the glass. The use of the blue background references the brand colors while also allows the milk and cookies to pop. Who wants some milk and cookies? I do!

Blue Apron

While most food brands only have one product to highlight, Blue Apron has the unique challenge of promoting its food choices. The food delivery brand accomplishes this by featuring one of its many meals and listing the variety of fresh ingredients that go into the meals. Matching the recipe with a colorful image of the dish gets you thinking about dinner. Adding the “20 minutes” value proposition makes this post extra effective.

Blue Apron again describes the ingredients in this Instagram video, but this time it adds the pop-culture reference, Bob’s Burgers, to feature this particular burger recipe. Not only can you imagine the taste of the burger, but you can also imagine eating it in a Bob’s Burgers setting. Both imaginings are positive, influencing your decision to subscribe to Blue Apron.

These social media posts are a few good examples of how brands strategically, creatively, and effectively appeal to consumers’ appetites, turning them into loyal customers. I bet your mouth couldn’t help but water while examining those posts.

Written by Anna Hubbel, writer at AdvertiseMint, Facebook ad agency

The post These 5 Food Brands’ Effective Social Media Posts Will Make Your Mouth Water appeared first on AdvertiseMint.