Proliferation

May 15
0

The Basics of a Marketing Plan

By | advertising, Brand marketing, Utah, Utah SEO | No Comments

Marketing companies need to come up with effective marketing plans if they really want to nail down their target audience and know how they’re going to accomplish their business goals, as well as what those goals are. While these marketing plans are an essential aspect of any successful business, smaller businesses can find the task to be daunting, leading them to ignore the creation of a basic marketing plan altogether. Failing to make a marketing plan can be detrimental to a company, but marketing companies can help create a simple yet effective marketing plan to ensure that these smaller businesses don’t miss out on any marketing opportunities.

So, how exactly do marketing companies help businesses come up with a marketing plan? Well, it all comes down to the basics.

Researching Your Potential Market

Research is the backbone of any successful marketing plan. From product research to researching your target market, you have to put in a ton of time if you want to craft a strategy that can guarantee you results. Marketing companies are great to consult with about solid research, but you can also find resources online that will help you identify consumer buying habits in the industry, market size, market growth and decline, and current trends.

When it comes to your target audience, a well-defined audience description will help identify who your buyers are. Marketing companies recommend that you discuss at least two different levels of segmentation.

Identifying Your Budget

Budgets are where most businesses run into issues. Marketing companies suggest that when coming up with a basic marketing plan you put together a month-by-month schedule of what you plan to spend on your marketing efforts. Another important aspect when it comes to a budget is setting up a “red light” decision point. For example, establish a metric that tells you when you should stop if you’re not generating sufficient ROI.

Planning Your Tactics

To create a solid marketing plan, you want to make sure that your company creates specific tactics and then follows through. Tactics are actions that you have to take to help you accomplish your goals. One tactic that a business might use is deciding how they might utilize direct mail, email marketing, online advertising, case studies, social media marketing, and/or sponsorships.

Creating a marketing plan doesn’t have to be complicated to start, and as you get more accustomed to it, marketing companies can help you create more complex plans. If you’re in need of a marketing company to help you create a successful marketing plan, give us a call here at Fusion 360.

May 13
0

The Best Video Editing Software of 2019

By | advertising, Brand marketing, content marketing, SEO, Utah, video production | No Comments

Depending on your needs, the best video editing software is going to differ from that of someone else. Speaking in absolutes — “the BEST” — assumes that everyone has the same needs, however, the fact of the matter is that it’s a case by case situation.

If you are a beginner, you will not need advanced software, and a professional at a video production company is going to need something different than that of an editor in Hollywood. The needs of an Apple user that heavily relies on Apple products may alter significantly from PC users. be different as well. While the needs are going to differ from person to person, there are some characteristics and capabilities that set certain software apart from the rest. Here is what we think are the most recognized programs that give users the ability to do what they need in the most efficient way.

TWO DOMINANT EDITING PROGRAMS

We are four months into 2019 and video production companies still agree that Adobe’s Premiere Pro and Apple’s Final Cut Pro are the “best” editing software for professionals.

PREMIERE PRO — The reason this is oftentimes the first software people will talk about is because of its ability to support a variety of different formats, cameras, and devices, and its ability to work on multiple platforms. Further, Premiere runs on Macs and PC computers without difficulty. Whether its a commercial made by a video production company or a feature film made for the big screens, the advanced editing capabilities work for both. With the latest update to the program in 2018, editors are able to use HDR media, playback media faster, and still utilize its other main features (like precise color grading, VR editing, and audio layering). In addition to all of this, using Premiere is convenient if you use any other Adobe products.

FINAL CUT PRO — Apple’s highest quality editing program has a lot of similarities with Adobe’s Premiere. Like Adobe’s ability to work great with other Adobe products, obviously, Final Cut works nicely with other Apple software. It also supports HDR and RAW formats and a lot of other interfaces. As time passes, while Final Cut can execute some advanced editing, it is starting to be seen as a good developmental program.

We mention these two programs first because these are what the professionals at video production companies are using, and they will give you more capabilities than anything else. Nonetheless, as we said before, the needs of each person or entity are different. That being the case, beginners may not need Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, and Hollywood editors may need other editing software that specializes in CGI, 3D effects, and more.

OTHER Software for OTHER NEEDS

Here is a simple list of other software that beginners and/or Hollywood editors may consider to be a better program for their needs.

FOR BEGINNERS:

  • Avidemux
  • Shotcut
  • Rocketium
  • Nero Standard
  • Davinci Resolve
  • Video Pro X
  • Wideo
  • MacXvideo
  • Lightworks

FOR HOLLYWOOD PROs:

  • SynthEyes
  • PFTrack
  • Mocha
  • Boujou
  • Houdini
  • RealFlow
  • 3D Studio Max
  • Cinema 4D
  • Maya
  • Adobe After Effects

While these different programs may not be used by professional video production companies, they will still accomplish similar things for beginners and accomplish more for the industry leading professionals in Hollywood. Ultimately, there is a lot of different editing software, but based on your level and needs, the best program may differ from someone else. However, many video production companies, like us here at Fusion 360, would say that Adobe’s Premiere Pro is the best program to use in 2019.

Dec 01
1

Pros and Cons of Pop Culture References

By | Brand marketing, content marketing, marketing, Millennials, public relations, Social Media | No Comments

Brands today have started to focus on ways that they can make their content more efficient. From blog posts to videos and social media posts, it’s important for companies to produce written work, videos, and graphics that will resonate with their audience; if you fail to make your content engaging, you’re not going to see results. When it comes to the type of content that reaches an audience more than any other piece, it really depends on the person, but all kinds of people today are watching more videos than ever.

Video production companies are going to be looking to capitalize on the opportunity they have to connect with audiences and start leading the world in digital marketing. However, how do video production companies do this? They have to find ways to incorporate current events and trends into their videos.

In recent years, video production companies, as well as marketing agencies, have begun to include pop culture references into their content to make it more appealing to audiences, but does this really work? When it comes to pop culture in the world of digital advertising, there are a few upsides and some downsides.

The Pros of Pop Culture References

Pop culture references in social media content are ideal because it produces some of the most eye-catching and tempting clickbait out there. Pop culture references make it hard for people to ignore pieces that include topics that are relevant to them. When a post is able to captivate the audience just on its title alone, the higher the chances of that company obtaining more traffic to their pages. From YouTube videos to blog posts, a crafty title with a pop culture reference and a keyword is sure to draw in an audience.

Another reason video production companies and marketing agencies choose to use pop culture references are because they provide easy explanations for complex issues. This is especially effective if you’re trying to reach and engage with a younger audience. If you use a current pop culture reference as a metaphor to a widely known tread, it will make that piece of content all the more easy to understand.

The Cons of Pop Culture References

Of course, using these references also has its downside. While pop culture references can, in fact, make a current world issue or trend simpler to understand, they can also distort reality and cause misinterpretation from certain groups. While a video production may have used the reference with no ill intent in mind, their audience can misinterpret the information, which can lead to dangerous outsiders stereotyping the company.

Another disadvantage that comes with using pop culture references in media is that they have a short shelf life. These references usually die out within a set amount of time, and you’ll soon have to look for the next reference to replace your current choice. This can get confusing for audiences and can even discredit your content as well. Pop culture is always changing, and it is near impossible to keep up with it 100 percent of the time. 

While using pop culture references may have its benefits, makes sure that you understand the consequences that may come with it so that you can avoid any media disaster.

Oct 29
0

Identifying Your Target Audience

By | advertising, Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, Millenials, Millennials | No Comments

One of the key principles of marketing is identifying your target audience. In any marketing or advertising 101 classes, students will begin to learn about target audiences because they play a critical role in the success of a business. Every content marketing company understands that in order to generate sales and an eventual profit, you must know the right audience for your product.

It is sometimes fascinating to see business owners start out thinking one thing about their product, and then learning that the biggest selling point or benefit of the product ties to an entirely different demographic than they originally thought. Typically, business owners won’t misdiagnose their own product, but they do frequently miss nailing how to create the bridge between their target audience and their product.

Considering that the entire purpose of what content marketing companies do revolves around connecting the product with the target audience, they understand how to identify that audience. These companies put in the necessary time to learn more about the audience by conducting extensive research BEFORE they start coming up with plans and ideas. There are a few common ways marketing companies come up with a detailed analysis of the target audience; some of the frequently used tactics include producing primary research with polls and surveys, scanning secondary research in related scholarly/professional research articles, and learning more about a specific demographic.

Producing primary research – One of the most well-known and effective ways to learn more about your target audience is to produce surveys and polls that your current consumers will fill out. This will give you insight into what kind of groups and peoples you are working with.

Scanning secondary research –  The results to this are similar to the primary research you conduct; you will be able to better recognize the individuals that fall under the demographic category of your target audience. To get these results though, you will have to go through trusted scholarly/professional research and articles that related to your product and consumer. These articles will likely give you statistics or findings that direct you more to the individuals you should target.

Learning more about a specific demographic – Embrace the recognized demographic—check online forums, go to events they might have interest in, listen to the music or podcasts they do, and watch the TV shows or movies they do. Going to this length of research will help you speak their same language which will give you the ability to relate with them on a whole new level. This is ultimately what starts building the bridge between companies and their potential consumers or clients.

When a company properly identifies their target audience, they will be able to market their ads and promotions directly to that specific demographic. If the marketing efforts miss the mark, then that company can expect a minimal increase in sales and profit, and face the possibility of losing money as a result. However, if the target audience is spot on and the marketing tactics are executed well, then the company will achieve what they desired to from the beginning; content marketing companies understand that everything hinges on making your product appeal to the target audience.

Focusing on the target audience for a content marketing company is second nature. If you have any concerns with misidentifying your target audience or have any other marketing concern, contact us at Fusion 360.

Oct 29
0

Focusing on the Four Marketing Pillars

By | Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, marketing agencies, Mobile marketing | No Comments

Content marketing companies are based on four main pillars that make marketing successful. These four pillars each contribute in their own way to the success of marketing in general. From making and maintaining relationships to working on improving your company’s name recognition, these pillars help marketing agencies make the best choices in these situations.

Relationships

Keeping existing customers and maintaining good relationships is pivotal for all content marketing companies. Though it may be easy to think that because you have already won them over you are good to go, this is not true; customers can leave just as quickly as they come. Also, happy customers are some of the best marketers possible. If they have had good experiences with your business, they will recommend you to their friends and family. Taking the time to make sure your clients and customers are satisfied is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to successful marketing. In today’s world, going digital and being readily available to help customers online is one of the best ways to ensure great customer satisfaction. 

New Customers

Though keeping current customers happy is important, gaining new customers is the whole purpose of marketing. Content marketing companies put a huge emphasis on this step. When you are working to find new customers, paying for things like ads is a great way to do this. Of course, word of mouth is still a great way to get new customers, but it is often the slowest way as well. Hiring content marketing companies are a great way to successfully find new customers.

Name Recognition

Another thing content marketing companies work hard to do is to create name recognition for the company or business. This includes creating a brand that is recognizable all around. Creating a brand is important for so many reasons and recognition is just one of them. Like with new customers, ads play a big role in name recognition. When people hear your name, you want them to think positively and have the desire to invest in your product or service.

Communication

The last pillar content marketing companies find important is the communication pillar. Communicating in all aspects of life is important, and marketing is no exception. After you know who your customers and clients are, you can find ways to communicate with them. You can learn what they like, what they don’t like, and what they expect from you as a company. You also want to be able to communicate with your customers so you can explain things or answer questions for them.

All these pillars work together so that they hold up marketing as a whole. Content marketing companies work with these four pillars in mind to create the most successful marketing techniques they can.  

Oct 13
0

The Different Ways to Measure Your Agency’s Success

By | Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing agencies, Mobile marketing | No Comments

Marketing companies are meant to help their clients achieve success when it comes to promoting a service or product, and they achieve this success through campaigns through blogs, videos, infographics and other forms of visual content. While these marketing companies can get caught up in the work, how do you know that the content you’re pushing out is producing the results that you’re looking for?

It’s important for marketing companies to be able to measure their progress; if they don’t, how are they supposed to know what’s working and what’s not working? Here are some of the ways your company can measure their success so that you can come up with techniques that will help your client’s brand, as well as your own, grow.

Listen to Your Analytics

Numbers don’t lie, so it’s important to refer to your analytics when checking on your content’s progress and results. Most social media platforms will let you see how well a post is performing and checking this will help you gauge what is and isn’t working on your client’s social media platforms. Something else that you should be tracking is how well your client is ranking on certain web browsers when it comes to SEO.

Platforms like Google analytics can help you see how many times the client’s website has been visited, how searches are ranking, and will help you go forward with an SEO strategy that fits your needs. If you see that your client isn’t ranking as well as they once were, it’s probably a good idea to switch up your keyword usage and even research new keywords.

Your Clients Reactions are a Good Indicator

How your client reacts to the content your company is putting out is a good way to tell if you’re succeeding as a marketing agency. If you’re receiving nothing but compliments and praises, it’s safe to bet that you’re on top of things. However, if you find that your clients are complaining about work quality, timeliness, results or the overall experience they’re having with your agency, you have to kick it up a notch.

The best way to do this is to review your employees work before it goes out and take any feedback you get from your clients and use it to review your company’s work. Making sure that your client is happy with the work you’re producing is the best way to gauge your company’s success.

How Much Business are You Doing?

Another way to measure your agency’s success is by taking a look at your agency’s workload. Marketing companies that often have several clients and several clients that are just waiting to get a chance to work with the agency are doing all the right things when it comes to succeeding in the advertising world.

If your company is struggling to bring in clients, you may want to review your strategies and build that trust with potential clients that will keep them coming back to you for their advertising needs.

Running a successful agency is all about hard work, quality work and results. If you need help with your brands marketing, contact us at Fusion 360. We know what it takes to run a successful agency, and we’re ready to help your brand grow into something amazing.

Sep 15
0

Finding the Right Marketing Tactic for Your Content

By | Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, marketing agencies, Mobile marketing | No Comments

Marketing is so much more than just putting out a video advertisement on Facebook and calling it good. You need a plan, effective techniques and bulletproof methods to make sure you get the results you’re looking for. When it comes to coming up with a strategy, there isn’t a set one that all content marketing agencies follow; every brand needs a unique strategy so that they can stand out from the competition and show off their personal brand to the world.

Depending on what kind of content you’re wanting to put out and what your brand message is, you’re going to have to really do your research to come up with the best tactics possible when it comes to marketing your content. Here is how you can find the best tactics for your brand.

The Different Types of Marketing Tactics

The purpose of a marketing tactic is to help you reach your business goals. Whether you’re looking to expand the reach of your services or get your products into the hands of people around the nation, you need to market your brand efficiently. A few efficient marketing tactics include:

Paid Marketing – Investing in content placement, publication, a website, SEO and boosting social posts are great ways to get your name out there. There are both traditional and digital ways of paid content: traditional ways include magazine and billboard ads, and digital methods including Facebook and YouTube ads.

Sponsorships and Endorsements – Paying for brand representation can help boost your brands credibility and help with exposure. Whether you’re being promoted at an event, on a podcast, or through a webinar, you’re going to see an increase in traffic to your website and social platforms. The type of content you’ll be promoting through sponsorships is more visual content.

In addition to the sponsorships is influencer endorsements. Again, more visual content is going to be the focus here; your services or products will most likely be advertised in a video ad or photo on the influencer’s social media platforms.

Engagement – This form of marketing will help you build a connection with your consumers. Most content marketing agencies will use social media messages, blog post comments and surveys to achieve this type of marketing.

E-mail Marketing – Some content marketing agencies will turn to email marketing for audience engagement. You can mail out a newsletter, blog post email, or even behavior-driven email. The best way to reach an audience through email marketing is to have them subscribe to your newsletter.

As you can see, there are several ways that content marketing agencies can accomplish their purpose—it’s all about finding the right one. If you’re looking to develop a strategy to help your brand reach new heights, contact us here at Fusion 360. We’re good at what we do and we’re ready to help you establish your brand.

Sep 05
0

The Difference Between Digital and Traditional Marketing

By | advertising, Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, Mobile marketing | No Comments

When it comes to marketing, there are various methods out there for a digital marketing agency to consider. From radio campaigns, to online video ads and even traditional newspaper or magazine ads, there’s no one way to advertise; however, some of these methods are more effective than others, and in today’s technologically advanced world, it comes as no surprise that traditional marketing is beginning to fall behind in some of its methods.

At this point, you may consider digital marketing as the new “traditional” marketing, especially since most people today send their time online. But, does the rise of digital marketing really mean that traditional marketing has met its end? Here is how these two forms of advertising differ from one another.

 

Traditional Marketing at Work

 Traditional marketing has been successful, even to this day, because internet connection isn’t required to reach the audience. This form of marketing was huge before the internet became popular, because it had a strong presence in the world, whether that was through television ads, radio ads, or newspaper campaigns, the consumer was given the content right there and then. Traditional marketing definitely has its benefits, as you can easily reach your audience through physical materials like flyers and magazines.

Not only this, but the materials can be kept by the consumer, and when someone has a physical copy of something like a magazine or book, they’ll often find themselves flipping through it over and over again. Often times, traditional marketing material is easier to understand as well, simply because people are used to this marketing strategy. Traditional marketing allows the targeting of those who aren’t tech savvy or those who don’t have access to internet connection.

But, with its benefits, traditional marketing also has its downside. Physical print such as flyers and magazines can start to get costly, and ad placement is often static and unchangeable. The audience may also feel as if the content is being forced on them, and it’s hard to measure the success of the campaign without analytics. You might also have a harder time reaching your target audience than you would with the help of a digital marketing agency.

 

Digital Marketing: Advertising Reimagined

 With the decline of one method comes the uprising of another, and traditional marketing may soon have to pass the torch to the mighty digital marketing method. The beauty of digital marketing is that it adapts with the advancement of technologies and social platforms. A digital marketing agency has the power to reach an international audience, which can lead to more results when it comes to ad campaigns. Traditional marketing can be limiting, but with the help of a digital marketing agency, you’re opening up options to both you and your consumers. For example, most people can’t stand seeing flyers in their mailbox or on their car windshield, so digital marketing lets your audience choose how they receive ads. Making your audience feel like they have a say is the best way to improve conversion.

Digital marketing also allows for audience interaction. When you send out a flyer, you’re putting all of your trust in that piece of paper. After it reaches the consumer, all you can do is hope that it has enough information and appeal to it to make that person really consider its message. With digital marketing, you can point consumers to your website, where they can review your product or service, see what others think and even get in touch with your staff if they have any questions.

A digital marketing agency will also give you real time results, and you can track how well your campaign is doing through analytics tools. This will allow you to see what is and what isn’t working so you can tweak things accordingly. However, the best part about digital marketing is that it’s cost effective and easy. If you’re looking to run an ad campaign, you won’t have to worry about printing, radio, or tv costs. A digital marketing agency will just give you a flat rate, and they will take care of all of the advertising for you.

There are so many benefits to digital marketing, and while traditional marketing may not be as efficient as it used to be, it set up the basis of advertising and has helped us improve upon advertising methods to better engage with audiences across the globe.

 

Sources:

https://www.digitaldoughnut.com/articles/2016/july/digital-marketing-vs-traditional-marketing

https://houndstoothmediagroup.com/marketing/the-differences-between-traditional-and-digital-marketing/

 

Jun 29
0

Marketing Companies Vs. Advertising Agencies: What is the Difference?

By | advertising, Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, marketing agencies, Mobile marketing | No Comments

Whether the closest you get to the business world is about as close as an athlete is to a paintbrush or you have been a part of a business team for over a decade, it is still difficult for people to explain the difference between marketing companies and advertising agencies.

In a way, they both work towards the same goal: help their client grow.

This goal is common for a lot of businesses, but the reason marketing and advertising is so intertwined are because there is quite a lot of overlap. You cannot take a marketing 101 class at college without going over advertising, and that is what creates all the confusion—advertising falls under the wing of marketing. The reason advertising is not always under the management of marketing companies is because advertising has too much depth and importance to simply ask marketing companies to include it within their other services; this is why many colleges have advertising tracks separate from marketing degrees.

Ultimately, the difference between advertising agencies and marketing companies comes from the different purposes and roles that each firm seeks to fulfill. 

Marketing Companies

To put it simply, marketing companies aim to enhance sales and profits for their respective clientele. In order to do this, they will create in-depth strategies that entail product sales, retail distribution, pricing discounts, and more. Instead of simply creating content for their client to use, a large portion of their work comes from consulting. In order to fulfill these services, marketing companies have communication managers, product managers, research analysts, and marketing directors on their team.

Advertising Agencies

A lot of the same work is done at advertising agencies (such as research, consulting, and etc.), but the overall focus is ever so slightly geared differently. Instead of profits and sales, ad agencies focus on branding and the company’s reputation. Advertising agencies work towards this improved image for companies through creative content and written and visual media. In an advertising agency, you are likely to find video producers, photographers, writers, graphic designers, and web designers working together for the client.

The contrast between purpose and position is enough to distinguish a marketing company and an advertising agency even if there are some overlaying goals and roles. In this article, we have not mentioned social media managers, but you may find them at both types of firms. Not all agencies are the same and their specialties alter what service they perform, and this only adds more confusion. However, if you can recognize the difference between marketing companies and advertising agencies purpose and positions, then you will likely be able to tell the difference.

Whether you are looking for a marketing company or advertising agency, if all you want is to promote your brand or product, look no further than Fusion 360. We have talented teams that will fulfill your needs and take your company to the next level.

May 30
0

The Different Roles Within an Ad Agency

By | advertising, Brand marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing agencies | No Comments

Marketing companies and advertising agencies aim to do the same thing: fulfill the goals of their clientele through creative channels. However, advertising agencies and marketing companies are filled with different roles and responsibilities that differentiate between the two firms. This blog will explain the specific roles within advertising agencies and how it is different from marketing companies.

Depending on the focus of the firm, there will be different positions within an advertising agency, however, you are likely to find video producers, photographers, writers (blog, copy, script, etc.), graphic designers, and web designers working together at a firm. Even though social media managing is an in between when it comes to marketing and advertising, there are firms with social media managers that will post the content for the client. These positions are the key to the actual creation but, like every business, beyond all this work there are executive positions, HR personnel, and financial departments (but we will only focus on the positions that create the work rather the positions that keep the company organized).

Each position constructs a different role within a firm, but they all unite to promote their clientele’ brand and product. In most firms, these positions will make up different teams—the most common teams are Content, Creative and Social Teams.

Content Team

Writers –  The Content Team is frequently filled with all kinds of writers. As briefly mentioned before, these writers might focus on blog/articles, the copy found on billboards or websites, and scripts in videos. Blog writing is used to help raise the online presence of clients by using keywords and writing pieces that are anywhere from 400-1200 words. This helps optimize the client’s relativity on Google or other search engines—in other terms, a blog writer at an advertising agency or marketing company is an SEO writer. Copywriters’ work is more concise; copy is typically around seven words in length but hammers home an impactful message. Depending on the video, scripts can be short or long but tend to fall right in between.

The writers of a firm make up the content and provide research, statistics and material that the other teams can then work off of.

Creative Team

Video Producers, Graphic Designers, and Photographers – Once content is found and created, the positions under a creative team take the written work and condense it into visual masterpieces. It is these positions that a lot of visual creativity is constructed through shooting and editing videos, photos and graphics. These graphics can be made for infographics or billboards, and the videos can be used for websites, commercials or YouTube channels. Once this work is finished, all that needs to be done is posting it to the correct media source.

Social Team

Social Media Managers – While social media managing is found within many marketing companies, advertising agencies find no problem with posting the work for the client. Social Media Managers receive the combined written and creative work and will add captions and schedule the posts on certain days at specific times.

These three separate teams definitely have their own roles, but the combined work constructs a finished product that promotes the client. Every aspect of advertising is to help the client stand out so creativity is critical for all teams. While marketing companies create in-depth strategies that entail product sales, retail distribution, and pricing discounts, the positions within advertising agencies are geared to specifically promote a company’s brand and product. It is ultimately these unique roles that create enough difference between marketing companies and advertising agencies to split entirely.

If you are looking for an advertising agency to promote your brand or product, look no further than Fusion 360. We have the talented teams that you need to take your company to the next level.