How to Make a Competitors’ SEO Strategy Your Own

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Search engine optimization, informally known as SEO, is a complex and multi-faceted field that requires expertise in several different areas in order to be successful. It doesn’t matter if you’re attempting to rank your site among search results in Utah or those on the East Coast — the playing field shows no preference when it comes to quadrants such as keyword competitiveness, inbound site traffic and user-friendly content.

So with SEO being such a competitive field (In Utah and in surrounding areas) how can you successfully (and legally) navigate the task at hand? To be frank, try taking a cue from your competitors. As much as you might view competitors as business rivals, competitors can be your best friends when it comes to search engine optimization.

Re-Spin Your Competitors’ Content

Although the phrase “content is king” still reigns in the digital kingdom of SEO, the phrase itself could benefit from a bit of a facelift. Although content certainly is one of the integral components of search engine optimization (whether you’re ranking for Utah-centric search terms or otherwise), the playing field has added a new referee: ideas. To take search engine optimization seriously means you absolutely must be aware of the content ideas your competitors are spinning, and then execute them with more precision and appeal.

Track Competitor Traffic with Link Mirroring

The advent of easy access to search engine research tools such as Moz’s Open Site Explorer have made it easy to not only track your competitors’ inbound links, but to mirror them. Although you should refrain from completely mimicking the strategy of your competitors, it’s vital that you become privy to where your competitors are getting their information. To beat a competitor, you must first get inside the mind of a competitor. Tracking and analyzing competitor links is the first step in accessing the thought processes of serious, major-league competition.

Mobile Internet Use Around the World

By | digital marketing, marketing, Mobile marketing, web development | No Comments

In an increasingly global marketplace, marketing companies and digital advertising agencies around the world are devising methods to reach diverse audiences from the flat landscapes of Utah to the mountains of the Himalayas. With landlines and reliable access to electricity available sparsely in many locations, more and more people are turning to mobile as their primary method of Internet access — as are those in more developed nations.

As mobile grows in global popularity, marketers need to increase their mobile presence accordingly — or risk missing out on potentially lucrative opportunities. Take a look at these mobile Internet statistics and demographics and get a leg up on the mobile marketing game.
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Content Marketing: Fact Vs. Fiction

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

Content marketing is easy, right? All you have to do is write a couple of blog posts, choose a few stock photos and call it a day, right? Wrong. From Utah through the Midwest, there are a plethora of myths surrounding how content marketing works. Some of the key attributes of this niche marketing genre require client to consumer trust, strategic brand investment and a healthy relationship with social media outlets.

Whether you’re believe old wives’ tales about re-spinning content or buying into the idea that marketing and advertising are one and the same, here’s the real scoop on fact, fiction and theory when it comes to content marketing.

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Inside the Beautiful Mind of a Content Marketer

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The occupation of content marketing is uniquely different from other marketing occupations. Throughout Utah to the Midwest, the creative job description of a professional content marketer requires the mind of an artist coupled with the writing style of a reporter. By perpetually trying to think outside of the box, the content marketer must not only possess a keen sense of wit, but he or she must simultaneously be mentally organized and innovative.

As artists who are as passionate about AP Style as they are about the Oxford Comma (or lack thereof), finding a great content writer requires a unique simulation of particularly-curated character qualities. Here’s the breakdown on what makes or breaks a good content marketer.

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A Guide to Guest Blogging

By | advertising, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, Uncategorized | No Comments

Although the term “guest blogging” might seem like an axiomatic statement, in reality, there’s quite a bit to it. Before you attempt to reach out to a blog with the hopes of guest blogging, it’s essential that you find out how guest blogging can benefit your content marketing campaign, whether you’re in Utah or the Midwest. Spend some time getting to know the blog and the blog’s content — this will give you the most accurate feel for audience and tone.

After you’ve successfully determined the tone of your target audience, you’re ready to craft a post. Here’s the rundown on everything you need to know about creating a stellar guest blog post.

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Landing Page Essentials

By | advertising, content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, web development | No Comments

The landing page of your website is so much more than just a place where end users go to learn more about your products and services — it’s also where they make a first impression of your company or business. There’s a specific science behind what makes a successful landing page and what might cause people to bounce from your site faster than a fifth-grade game of dodgeball. If you’re attempting to pursue any type of content marketing campaign — whether you’re in Utah or the Midwest — there are a few key components you should know about landing page content and layout.

From an attention-grabbing headline to straightforward design basics, here are a few tricks and tips to help you achieve a landing page that simultaneously attracts positive attention while decreasing your bounce rate.

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You Know You Work at an Ad Agency When…

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

The workplace is full of stereotypes; however, nothing quite defines typical marketing agencies like the quirky copywriter, music-geek art director or the frantic accountant. Walking into an ad agency is a bit like playing Russian roulette — depending on the day, you might either be met with a cranky, coffee-deprived crew or you might be applauded by a group of interns playing a competitive game of ping pong. One thing is for certain — you can never be sure of what happens behind the creative doors of a marketing agency. Depending on the type of day the team has had, you might be walking into Rivendell or you might be strolling into Mordor.

From the Justice League-certified programmer to the moleskin-clad copywriter, here are a few of the stereotypical people you might meet at your local ad agency.

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Why People Shop on Their Phones—And What Marketing Companies Can Do to Capitalize on It

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It’s 2016, and the mobile shopping shows no signs of slowing down.

Digital marketing firms have known for a while that the mobile revolution was coming, and now it’s finally here—a large quantity of shoppers are already using mobile to make purchases, and they’d like to see more of it.

According to a new Facebook study of 2,400 adults, more than 60 percent of multichannel shoppers plan to increase their mobile purchasing habits in 2016. Currently, shoppers say mobile plays a part in 45 percent of all purchases, whether it’s research, price matching or actually making a purchase. 57 percent of millennials report using their phones at some point during the shopping process.

The fact that consumers are using their phones at some point during the shopping process is not new. However, the Facebook study also polled respondents on their reasons for using mobile over desktop. Fifty-five percent of respondents pointed to the convenience of using their phones, while 56 percent said they chose mobile because they were on their device already.

While mobile shopping is becoming more prevalent every year, it’s not king of online shopping just yet. The study pointed out a few notable shortcomings of mobile shopping: 70 percent of mobile shoppers found app and website experiences had room for improvement, 71 percent found the transaction experience itself needed some work and 54 percent responded they’d be more willing to shop on a device if they could do so across multiple devices.

Digital marketing firms are well aware of mobile’s current shortcomings—in 2016, 59 percent of marketers have deemed capitalizing on mobile their top priority.

Mobile shopping is steadily becoming more popular among consumers of all age groups; however, if digital marketing firms and brands want to take full advantage of the mobile revolution, they will need to focus on improving the user experience first.

Savvy Shoppers Relying More on Mobile

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Up to 86 percent of shoppers now utilize mobile while shopping in stores, according to a report from InReality, one of retail’s largest digital marketing firms. It’s easy to see why—when shoppers have questions about a product or want to compare prices, their smartphones are much more readily available (and knowledgable) than the average sales associate.

Want to check out the specs on a new consumer electronic, find the best deals on groceries or finally figure out which department store carries MAC cosmetics? A quick Google search can help you out. Rather than asking an in-store sales associate, third party reviews tend to hold more weight in consumers’ eyes. And rather than going to a particular store’s website or using an app, 82 percent of shoppers prefer search engines.

If a store is out of a product or a specific size, shoppers may turn to their smartphones to make purchases. In fact, 25 percent of shoppers will make a purchase on their phones while in-store.

Mobile phones are a great resource for consumers. But what about retailers? The switch to mobile isn’t all bad for brick-and-mortar retailers—in-store shoppers who use their phones spend an average of 25 to 50 percent more than those who do not use their phones.

Digital marketing firms recommend that retailers make their websites more mobile-friendly and make product information and customer reviews more readily available. It’s a chance for stores to utilize digital marketing firms and up their SEO strategies for mobile—and turn more in-store purchases into online ones. Stores can also offer price-matching to keep customers from going over to the competition.

Brick-and-mortar shopping malls haven’t gone the way of the dinosaur just yet, but retailers need to step up their mobile game if they want to keep up with demand. If retailers can manage to seamlessly integrate the in-store and online shopping space, a better consumer experience and increased brand loyalty will surely follow.

Why Visual Marketing is More Vital Than Ever

By | content marketing, digital marketing | No Comments

With so much information online, it’s vital to know what will make your content marketing stand out in the constant stream of social media feeds. So what are some tips and tricks to step up your game and cut through the clutter?

When it comes down to human biology, a picture really is worth a thousand words. According to various studies, audiences on social media are far more likely to engage with visual content than text alone. And for marketing, visual content can include videos, infographics, photos and more.

Next time you’re writing a social post, don’t forget this lesson in visual biology. Learn more in the infographic below.

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