Real Estate Storytelling For Agents

Posted on June 24, 2024June 27, 2024 by Julia Genoves

The Importance of Real Estate Storytelling and Marketing

The real estate market is a crowded place. With so many agents vying for attention, how do you make yourself stand out? The answer might surprise you: it’s not about flashy ads or aggressive sales tactics. It’s about the power of real estate storytelling.

On this recent episode of the Midwest Mindset podcast, serial entrepreneur and real estate expert Jay Miralles shared his insights on how storytelling can revolutionize your real estate marketing.

The Importance of Real Estate Storytelling and Marketing

Meet Jay Miralles: Passion for Real Estate and Helping Others

Our guest on this episode of Midwest Mindset is not your average real estate agent. Jay Miralles is a serial entrepreneur, a military veteran, and a community leader who’s passionate about helping others achieve their dreams.

With his hands in multiple businesses and organizations, including a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans, Jay understands the challenges and opportunities that come with building a successful brand and marketing it effectively.

Jay Expertise

As a real estate pro, Jay has a wealth of experience helping clients navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape.

He understands the struggles that agents face in today’s market, from the pressure to stand out in a crowded field to the confusion of choosing the right marketing strategies.

Jay’s approach to real estate marketing is rooted in authenticity, expertise, and a genuine desire to help others.

He believes that by sharing his knowledge and experience, he can empower real estate agents to build successful businesses and make a real difference in their communities.

The Challenge: Standing Out in a Crowded Market

The real estate industry is saturated with agents all competing for the same clients. Traditional marketing tactics, like billboards and direct mail, often get lost in the shuffle, leaving potential clients feeling overwhelmed and confused.

So, how do you cut through the noise and make a lasting impression?

It’s quite simple: by being yourself and highlighting your unique strengths and expertise.

In a world of cookie-cutter marketing approaches, authenticity is what sets you apart. By embracing your personality and values, you can establish a personal connection with potential clients and stand out in their minds.

Authenticity

Miralles believes that authenticity is the secret ingredient to any effective marketing strategy. As he puts it, “The key in any marketing strategy or messaging is conveying knowledge and expertise…with authenticity.”

In essence, being authentic means being genuine to yourself. It’s about sharing your unique experiences and perspectives in a way that resonates with your audience.

When you’re real, people will feel it, and they’ll be more likely to trust you and want to work with you.

True Real Estate Marketing

Consumers are increasingly savvy and can spot a fake from a mile away. That’s why businesses need to be authentic in their marketing.

When you’re real, people will feel it, and they’ll be more likely to trust you and want to work with you. When you’re real, you’ll be able to build stronger relationships with your customers and create a lasting connection.

The Importance Of Storytelling In Marketing

Storytelling is a time-tested method for building trust and rapport with potential clients. By sharing your personal experiences – your challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned – you become more than just a real estate agent. You become a human being with a story that others can relate to.

Miralles encourages agents to embrace their unique stories and use them to connect with clients.

Whether it’s a tale of overcoming adversity, a passion for helping first-time homebuyers, or a humorous anecdote from your career, your story can help you differentiate yourself and create lasting connections

The Message: Helping Your Marketing for Real Estate

Miralles’ approach to real estate marketing is deeply rooted in the “Midwest Mindset” – a philosophy of helping others without expecting anything in return.

This genuine desire to serve others creates an undeniable positive energy that attracts clients and fosters lasting success.

When you prioritize providing value and building relationships, the business will naturally follow. As Matt Tompkins, the host of the Midwest Mindset podcast, wisely states,

“I think the key in any marketing strategy or messaging is conveying knowledge and expertise…with authenticity.”

Delivering the Message

The need for alignment between a business’s marketing message and its true identity and values.

Rejecting artificial or inauthentic marketing tactics in favor of genuine connection.

Emphasizing the power of personal stories and experiences in building trust and rapport with clients.

Avoiding Predatory Marketing Tactics

These are the things to avoid as a real estate agent who wants to do effective, true marketing that connects with people.

Making false or misleading statements about properties.
Using deceptive advertising techniques, such as bait-and-switch tactics or failing to disclose important information about properties.
Exaggerating the potential value or benefits of a property.
Promising guaranteed returns on investment.
Engaging in unethical or illegal practices, such as bribery or collusion with other agents.
Failing to respect the privacy of clients or sharing their personal information without their consent.
Engaging in deceptive or misleading advertising practices, such as using fake reviews or testimonials.
Failing to disclose material facts about properties, such as known defects or environmental hazards.
Making promises that cannot be kept, such as guaranteeing a certain sale price or closing date.

The Power of Simplicity and Consistency

In marketing, it’s often better to keep things simple and focus on a few key tactics rather than spreading resources too thin.

By choosing a few channels and tactics that align with business goals and target audiences, real estate agents can achieve better results.

Consistency is key: Regularly creating and publishing high-quality content, engaging with customers on social media, and staying in touch with leads through email marketing is crucial for building brand awareness and trust.

The Value of Investing in Expertise

Encouraging real estate agents to seek guidance from marketing experts is paramount in the ever-changing world of the industry.

In a time when information is readily available, it can be tempting to rely on outdated advice or generic strategies. However, partnering with marketing experts offers a multitude of benefits.

The Power of Mentorship and Community

Beyond formal mentorship programs and organizations, entrepreneurs need to cultivate a supportive network of peers, advisors, and industry experts.

Building relationships with individuals who are knowledgeable in different areas of business can provide valuable perspectives, fresh ideas, and potential collaborations.

This interconnected community serves as a source of inspiration, motivation, and accountability, enabling entrepreneurs to push boundaries and achieve their goals.

Continuous learning and growth are fundamental to personal and professional success. In the rapidly evolving business landscape, entrepreneurs must stay ahead of industry trends, embrace new technologies, and adapt to changing market conditions.

Real estate marketing is about more than just listing properties and posting on social media. It’s about telling a story – your story – and connecting with clients on a deeper level.

So, What’s Your Story?

Ready to harness the power of storytelling in your real estate marketing? Our team at Two Brothers Creative can help.

We’ll work with you to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your ideal clients and sets you apart from the competition.

On a budget? Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Marketing to Men: Strategy For a Male Audience

Posted on June 17, 2024June 18, 2024 by Julia Genoves

Marketing to Men: What Really Works For a Male Audience

Ever feel like your marketing messages are falling flat with the guys? You’re not alone! Many businesses today struggle with marketing to man, and for good reason.

We explored the unique challenges and untapped opportunities that come with reaching this often misunderstood audience, especially in the healthcare industry.

Is Marketing a Male-Dominated Field?

On the latest episode of the Midwest Mindset podcast, our guest, Jess Goldoni, Marketing director of Limitless Male, dove headfirst into the fascinating world of marketing to men.

Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t marketing a male-dominated field?” Think Don Draper, slicked-back hair, and three-martini lunches. Well, it’s time to shatter that myth. While the “Mad Men” era may have painted a picture of a testosterone-fueled industry, today’s marketing landscape is far more diverse.

But even with this shift, understanding the male perspective remains crucial for any business looking to connect with modern guys. So, let’s ditch the stereotypes and dive into what really works when it comes to marketing to men.

Marketing to Men: It’s Not Just About Beer and Sports

Forget the clichés. Marketing to men isn’t just about slapping a football player on a billboard or cracking a beer joke.

Men are not a monolithic group with a single set of interests and motivations. We’re talking about a diverse bunch with varying ages, backgrounds, and preferences.

Some guys are fitness fanatics, while others are passionate about cooking or gaming. Some are family men, while others are focused on their careers. The key is to understand these different segments and tailor your messages accordingly.

Think about it: would you use the same marketing approach to reach a 25-year-old gamer as you would a 50-year-old father of three? Probably not.

Myth vs. Reality: Dispelling the stereotype of the “Mad Men” era.

Today, women hold leadership positions in major marketing firms and agencies, and they’re creating innovative campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. The industry is becoming more inclusive, with professionals from all backgrounds bringing their unique perspectives to the table.

But here’s the thing: regardless of who’s creating the marketing messages, understanding the male perspective is still essential.

Men and women often have different communication styles, preferences, and motivations. To truly connect with men, marketers need to speak their language and address their specific needs

Meeting Men Where They Hang Out Online

Reaching men means meeting them where they hang out online. And no, it’s not just about sports forums and Reddit threads.

Men are active on a variety of platforms, from Facebook and Instagram to YouTube and LinkedIn. They’re consuming content, engaging with brands, and even making purchasing decisions online. The key is to create content that speaks to their interests and values.

In a world where technology has transformed the way we interact and form connections, the internet has become a vast digital landscape for men seeking companionship and like-minded individuals.

So, where are men hanging out, and what are their online habits?

Social Media

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are prime spots to engage men. While Facebook and Instagram are great for visual content and personal connection, LinkedIn caters to professional interests.

Tailor your content and approach to the specific platform and audience.

Online Forums and Communities

Reddit, niche forums (think gaming, tech, or hobbies), and even Facebook groups can be goldmines for reaching men with shared interests. Participate in discussions, offer valuable insights, and build relationships with the community to establish your brand.

Video Platforms

YouTube and Twitch are popular among men for entertainment and education. Consider creating video content that aligns with your brand and resonates with male viewers.

Crafting Digital Content That Clicks with Guys

Once you know where to find your male audience, it’s time to create content that grabs their attention.

Visuals are essential: Men are often drawn to strong visuals. Use high-quality images, infographics, and videos to convey your message quickly and effectively.

Keep It Short and Sweet: Attention spans can be fleeting. Craft concise messages that get to the point without unnecessary fluff.

Humor is Your Friend: A touch of humor can make your brand more approachable and memorable. Just be sure it aligns with your overall tone and doesn’t alienate any potential customers.

Speak Their Language: Use relatable language and avoid excessive jargon. Talk to men like you would a friend, not a textbook.

Remember, the key to connecting with men online is understanding their interests, preferences, and communication styles

Male Audience in Healthcare Marketing

When it comes to healthcare, marketing to men presents its own unique set of challenges. Let’s face it, guys aren’t exactly known for their eagerness to visit the doctor.

We tend to be reluctant to seek help, even when we know something’s wrong. Plus, we’re often skeptical of traditional advertising, especially when it comes to health issues.

So, how do you overcome these challenges and connect with men on a deeper level? Here are a few strategies that have proven to be effective

Prevention and wellness

Focus on the benefits of staying healthy rather than just treating illness. By focusing on maintaining good health, we can reduce the likelihood of developing illnesses in the first place.

Social Proof

Leverage testimonials from other men to build trust and credibility. Hearing from real people who have had positive experiences can help overcome skepticism and encourage men to take action.

Why Women Play a Key Role in Men’s Health Decisions

While men are the end-users of many healthcare services, their partners often play a pivotal role in their decision-making process.

Women are frequently the ones researching options, scheduling appointments, and encouraging their partners to prioritize their well-being.

This dynamic presents a unique opportunity for healthcare marketers. By recognizing and addressing the influence of women in men’s health decisions, you can significantly increase your reach and impact.

Women and Men’s Health

Information Gatekeepers: Women often act as the primary information gatherers for their families. They research healthcare providers, treatments, and preventative measures, filtering options before presenting them to their partners.

Health Advocates: Women are more likely to encourage their partners to seek medical attention, schedule checkups, and follow through with treatment plans.

Shared Decision-Makers: Couples often make healthcare decisions together. Women’s opinions and concerns carry significant weight in these discussions.

To effectively market to both men and women, consider craft marketing campaigns that address both men’s specific concerns and women’s desire to see their partners healthy and well.

Develop content that resonates with women’s role as caregivers and health advocates. This could include blog posts, social media campaigns, or targeted ads.

By understanding the dynamics of men’s health decision-making, you can create marketing campaigns that speak to both men and the women who care about them, ultimately driving better health outcomes for everyone.

Men’s Audience Challenges in Healthcare Marketing

It is important to understand the specific challenges men face when it comes to seeking healthcare.

Men are less likely to seek preventive care, often neglecting their health until issues become severe. This can lead to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes. Healthcare marketers need to address these challenges to effectively target male audiences.

Cultural and Societal Factors:

Gender norms and stereotypes discourage men from seeking help for health concerns, as it may be perceived as a sign of weakness.

Traditional masculine ideals emphasize stoicism and independence, leading men to prioritize work and family over their health.

There is also a lack of awareness about health risks and services tailored to men.To effectively address these challenges, healthcare marketers can implement strategies such as:

Developing targeted marketing campaigns that address men’s specific health concerns and needs.
Creating gender-sensitive healthcare content and resources that use accessible language and visuals.

Partnering with male influencers or healthcare professionals to deliver credible and relatable health information.

Advocating for more male-friendly healthcare policies and initiatives.

Providing flexible appointment times and convenient locations to accommodate men’s busy schedules.

Offering financial assistance or insurance coverage options to reduce cost barriers.

By understanding and addressing the unique challenges men face in seeking healthcare, healthcare marketers can create more effective and inclusive marketing strategies that lead to improved health outcomes for men.

A Marketing to Men Approach

Marketing to men isn’t rocket science, but it does require a thoughtful and strategic approach. By understanding their unique needs, preferences, and motivations, you can create campaigns that truly resonate and drive results.

Take Your Market to The Next Level

Ready to take your marketing to the next level? The experts at Two Brothers Creative are here to help.

On a budget? Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Why Do You Need Video SEO Services for Your Business?

Posted on February 9, 2024February 21, 2024 by Julia Genoves

Video SEO services: Why Are They Important

What is the benefit of hiring video SEO services in 2024?

We all know that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is still a must for businesses looking for online visibility and reputation.

However, with the rise in popularity of video-based platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, online marketing needs and SEO strategies are changing.

We are entering a peak of video content, where most of the media we consume is predominantly in video format.

So, now, more than ever, these video platforms are one more search tool for users as much as Google is.

Why Do You Need Video SEO Services for Your Business (2)

The New Video Era

Think about the last time you looked up something on the internet; it was probably on Google, right? How many of those times did those queries show a video as a result? Yup… almost all of them do.

Now, consider how the younger generations conduct their online searches. For many, Google isn’t their go-to page.

Depending on what they’re looking for, platforms like Instagram or TikTok may be their first port of call. When did all of this happen?

The landscape of 2023 surely brought its challenges and shifts in marketing strategies, with the surge of video content emerging as a game-changer.

HubSpot research reveals that 66% of consumers prefer watching videos to learn about a brand or product over reading about them.

Additionally, last year, “how-to” search queries on YouTube increased by 70%, making this platform a popular search engine.

This trajectory suggests that platforms dedicated to video will only gain momentum in 2024 as more people turn to these mediums for information.

In this video-centric world, the question is: How can we adapt and maintain a competitive edge in our SEO efforts?

What Is SEO

Before fully jumping into Video SEO, we might first need to go over what SEO truly means for your business and what the benefits are.

We won’t fully go into details about it, but Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of tailoring both the on-page and off-page elements of a website to improve its ranking in search engine results.

This practice is essential for enhancing online visibility because it makes it easier for potential customers to find a business when they conduct online searches related to that business’s products or services.

Good SEO involves optimizing content with relevant keywords, improving site loading speeds, ensuring mobile friendliness, and acquiring quality backlinks, among other tactics and funny words.

If you are new to the SEO game, we really encourage you to take a beginner’s course and learn more about the ins and outs of this practice.

But the bottom line is that by appearing higher in search engine rankings, businesses can attract more website traffic, increase brand awareness, and gain credibility with targeted audiences.

What is Video SEO

So, while traditional SEO efforts are fully directed at Google Search Engine Result Pages (SERP), Video SEO is focused on video-based platforms and uses video content to be noticed by the Google algorithm.

Video SEO focuses on fine-tuning various elements such as video titles, descriptions, tags, transcripts, and file names to improve rankings on SERPs.

This can look like embedded videos on websites, video tutorials on your product or service, specific hashtags, shorts, reels, TikToks, and video sitemaps.

Why Video SEO Is Essential for Businesses in 2024

Video content boasts higher engagement rates compared to text because it strikes an immediate connection with viewers through storytelling and visual appeal.

This makes video a powerful tool for brand messaging and customer retention.

Search engines like Google prioritize video content by often placing it above standard text-based pages in search results. This can significantly increase your content’s visibility.

Mobile Usage Surge

With the frequent use of mobile devices, consumers are more likely to engage with video content on the go. Optimizing videos for mobile accessibility and fast load times is crucial.

Social Media Integration

Video content seamlessly integrates into social media, where platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube influence purchasing decisions.

A strong video SEO strategy ensures that your content surfaces where your audience spends their time.

Competitive Advantage

As more businesses invest in video marketing, the competition for viewer attention intensifies. Video SEO helps you to stand out, ensuring that your content is not just made, but seen and appreciated.

Crafting a Video SEO strategy

So, where do you even start to create a compelling Video SEO strategy? There are a few aspects you will need to know first.

Let’s delve into how you can create a truly compelling Video SEO blueprint.

Know Your Audience

Sure, knowing your audience is what everybody talks about, and with good reason, but truly understanding their online behavior is essential.

For Video SEO, you will need to dive deep into the intricacies of your audience’s online behavior to grasp their preferences thoroughly.

Investigate the platforms they frequent—are they scrolling through TikTok, or are they binge-watching longer YouTube tutorials? This could range from short-form, snappy videos ideal for social media stories to in-depth, educational content.

Monitor the viewing patterns and engagement levels to identify what type of video content resonates most effectively with them.

Get your Hashtags Right

Undertaking thorough SEO keyword research is instrumental in aligning your content with the queries and interests of your target audience.

Utilize these keywords judiciously within your video titles, meta descriptions, and video descriptions to enhance discoverability.

Furthermore, integrate hashtags strategically to boost your content’s reach on social platforms. These hashtags should not only be popular but also relevant and specific to the content you’re producing, thereby ensuring that your videos surface in the right search results and social feeds.

Plan Your Content Ahead

While embracing emerging trends and viral content can show results, a sustainable Video SEO strategy requires a structure.

Establish a media calendar that outlines when and what you will post. Differentiate between informational, educational, and entertaining content, as each serves a distinct purpose and will be optimized differently. Always consider its core objective:

Informational Content

Focus on providing value through tutorials, how-to guides, and explainer videos. Optimize for keywords related to questions and learning opportunities within your industry.

Promotional Content

Highlight your products or services with persuasive narratives and appealing visuals, ensuring each piece has a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA).

Educational Content

A prime opportunity to demonstrate expertise within your field. Make sure to provide actual helpful content that your audience enjoys.

Remember, each piece of content should have a well-defined goal—whether to educate, entertain, or convert.

Repurposing your Content

Once you get a clear strategy, do proper research, and are ready to start creating video content, make sure to get its full potential.

Unleashing the full potential of your content involves creative repurposing to ensure it resonates across various formats and platforms.

A lengthy, informative YouTube video can be an excellent piece of media, but there’s a whole spectrum of content that you can derive from, like YouTube shorts, TikToks, blogs, Instagram pictures, and more.

The Power of Podcast

That’s why we at Two Brothers Creative believe in the power of podcasting to create an all-in-one strategy that puts video content as the main marketing focus.

By creating a podcast that focuses on helping the user, you can also drive results on the rest of your social media and improve your Video SEO efforts.

Video Podcast

Nowadays, people are used to watching their favorite podcasts instead of just listening to them, so this will be our primary media content, the most lengthy one.

This can be broadcast on YouTube and other social media that permit longer-form videos.

Traditional Podcast

From the podcast video, we extract and utilize the pure audio format, appealing to the ever-growing podcast audience who favor audio consumption on the go.

Youtube Shorts, Reels, and TikToks

We produce shorter pieces of content suitable for sharing quick insights and attracting viewers with shorter attention spans. This will pique their interest and cause them to go looking for more.

We do this by taking interesting parts of the podcast and leveraging them into shorter-form content.

Make sure to take understandable, interesting, or valuable bits of your podcast, use viral audio or effect to give it more visibility.

SEO Blog Posts

Blog posts optimized for SEO will help you improve your website site and create content for that part of your audience that prefers to read content.

Transcript

Transcribing your podcast content does more than make your material accessible; it boosts traditional SEO efforts by providing search engines with additional text to index.

Think of it as extra copy that you can use to get keywords and make it available for those who would rather read than listen to a podcast.

This results in a richer source of keywords and topics that improve your website’s search relevancy.

Quotes

Quotable moments from your content can become powerful social media assets.

They can be creatively repurposed into visually appealing graphics suitable for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Strategically sharing this variety of content ensures that each piece complements the others, creating a symphony of media that caters to different preferences and platforms.

Video Elements: How to Do Video SEO

So, before you go and post all your videos and star-making blogs and quotes, make sure you are posting them the right way to optimize your content.

Craft Compelling Titles

The title of your video is the first impression viewers have, so make it count and make it SEO effective.

Use Keywords Wisely: Incorporate your main keywords towards the beginning of your title for better SEO impact while maintaining a natural flow.

Be Clear and Concise: Aim for titles that are straightforward and give viewers a clear idea of what to expect—usually under 60 characters to ensure it displays well on most platforms.

Evoke Curiosity

Create intrigue without resorting to clickbait. Titles that pose a question or hint at a story tend to perform well.

Implement Strategic Hashtags

Hashtags can increase the visibility of your video content; they are also good for categorizing your content.

Research Trending Hashtags

Use tools to find popular and trending hashtags relevant to your video’s topic.

Relevance is Key

However, just use those hashtags that work for your content and accurately reflect the subject matter of your video to reach the right audience.

Don’t Overdo It

While platforms differ in the optimal number of hashtags, Instagram, for example, recommends using between 3 to 5 relevant hashtags per post for maximum engagement.

Write Engaging Copy

The copy that accompanies your video be it the description on YouTube or the caption on social media, should:

Include a Call to Action (CTA): Encourage viewers to like, subscribe, comment, or follow a link. Make it clear what you want them to do next.

Optimize with Keywords: Just like your title, incorporate relevant keywords to improve searchability.
Provide Context: Give an overview of the video’s content, which can be a teaser or a summary, to entice viewers to watch.

Craft Effective Subtitles

Subtitles can significantly boost engagement and accessibility; they help viewers understand the content better, especially if they speak different languages or have hearing difficulties.

As part of the video metadata, subtitles can be crawled by search engines, improving discoverability.

Tools like Rev or VEED can generate accurate subtitles, saving you time and ensuring quality.

Optimize Thumbnail Images

A thumbnail is a visual representation of your content’s value proposition, so make sure to always use high-resolution images to create a professional look.

Add a brief, bold text overlay on the thumbnail to provide context or highlight the core message.

Make something that people really want to click on.

End Screens and Annotations

End screens and annotations can direct viewers to other content:

Promote Related Videos: Suggest additional content at the end of your video to keep viewers engaged with your channel.
Incorporate Subscribe Buttons: Remind viewers to subscribe to your channel with a visual cue during the end screen.

Quality Matters For Video SEO

It’s pivotal to remember that at the core of any successful video SEO strategy lies a non-negotiable element: quality.

While SEO efforts play a significant role in video marketing, The ultimate goal of SEO is to drive traffic, but once the viewers have arrived, it’s the quality of content that determines the level of engagement, sharing, and the value they derive from it.

High-quality, valuable content is what compels viewers to stay, interact, and convert into loyal followers or customers.

Users are seeking more than just entertainment; they are looking for substance. Videos that provide educational insights, real-world applications, and genuine storytelling resonate far deeper with audiences than those made purely for SEO purposes.

Furthermore, the quality of your video, audio, and edition also plays a big part; make sure to invest in the right equipment, software, and team; here is our free guide to starting to make quality content.

Hire Professional Video SEO Services

With all this being said we know that running a business is time-consuming; Entrepreneurs and business owners often find themselves stretched thin, managing multiple aspects of their operations, and getting into the nitty gritty of an SEO strategy can seem impossible.

With the complexity and ever-changing nature of SEO strategies, it becomes necessary to stay on top of the latest trends and algorithm updates.

This is where professional Video SEO services come into play, offering expertise and time-saving benefits.

But what should you look for when hiring these services?

Expertise: These services bring on board specialized knowledge and experience in optimizing video content.

This includes understanding the technical aspects like metadata, keywords, and search algorithms, as well as the creative elements that increase engagement and viewer retention.

Time Efficiency: Delegating the intricate work of Video SEO to professionals should free up valuable time for business owners, not taking more time out of your day. Make sure that you hire an expert who can take all the responsibility.

Understanding of Your Niche: The agency should have a good grasp of your industry and target audience.

Tailored strategies that resonate with your market segment are more likely to yield successful results.

Transparency and Reporting: Effective communication is key. Ensure that the service you choose offers transparent reporting on their activities and the subsequent results.

Regular reports and analysis will help you understand the ROI of your investment.

Cost: While budget considerations are important, be wary of services priced well below market rates.

Remember, effective SEO is an investment, and you often get what you pay for.

Opting for professional Video SEO services isn’t just about achieving better search rankings; it’s about creating a sustainable and scalable content strategy that drives true value and growth for your business.

Contact Two Brothers Today

Ready to start making quality content and increasing your online visibility? Ready to elevate your marketing game?

At Two Brothers Creative, we’re not just passionate about what we do; we like to share our knowledge with others and help their business grow.

Unlock the full potential of marketing for your business growth.

Is Nebraska’s Local Advertising Really Effective?

Posted on December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 by Julia Genoves

Effective Local Advertising 101

Interested in boosting your business through successful local advertising? It’s important to learn what strategies work and what to avoid.

Join us in this installment of the Midwest Mindset Podcast where hosts Matt and Austin welcome Chad Dodd, collaborator on the Two Brothers Creative team and owner of Klar Inc.

In this discussion, we dive into crafting a local advertising approach that delivers results. We’ll explore effective strategies, common pitfalls, and also touch upon the Nebraska Tourism Department’s advertising efforts.

What’s with the Nebraska Tourism Marketing?

If you live in the State of Nebraska, chances are you’ve seen the ads: “Visit Nebraska, Visit Nice” or “Nebraska. Honestly It’s Not For Everyone.”

Nebraska’s tourism marketing seems to be trying to be clever and unique, yet somehow really misses the mark.

Instead of exploiting the authentic charm and natural beauty that is Nebraska, they divert their focus, something that happens more often than we think with many brands and companies.

Read Full Transcript

How do you avoid this from happening? How can you effectively convey your message to potential customers in your local area who might not be even aware of your existence?

This is precisely the challenge that Nebraska’s tourism department is trying to do: invite hundreds of passers-by to pause their journey, stay for a few hours or days, and enjoy what Nebraska has to offer.

Don’t worry if this is happening to you; there’s effective ways to communicate and resonate with an audience that’s yet to discover you, and we will tell you how.

Effective Local Advertising is About Clarity

Being clear and straightforward is the core of effective local advertising; Say it like it is, and don’t overcomplicate things. A lot of the time, meaning gets lost or buried in a phony or unrelated marketing strategy.

Instead, let your message resonate with simplicity and directness.

Creativity with Structure for Effective Local Advertising

While creativity and innovation are valuable assets in marketing, they shouldn’t overshadow the essence of your message.

Without a solid plan or strategy, even the most creative ideas might fall flat. There’s a reason certain strategies work.

They’ve been tried, tested, and proven successful. So, when it comes to your local advertising, it’s wise to follow a winning formula.

Now, how exactly do you create and follow a formula?

The Formula for Effective Local Advertising

There are a lot of marketing formulas for local advertising out there, and while we encourage you to try and test to find what’s good for your business, we also recommend that your strategy always include the following winning points.

Identifying Your Buyer Persona

The first step in any effective marketing strategy is understanding who your customer is. To do this, you need to create a comprehensive buyer persona.

This persona should include at least the following:

Demographic information
Interests
Buying behaviors
Pain points
Online behaviors.

By identifying this persona, you can tailor your messaging to resonate with them more effectively.

A Resonant Message

Once you’ve identified your target audience, the next step is to craft a message that speaks directly to them.

This message needs to address those needs, wants, and pain points.

It should evoke emotion and action. A message that is relatable and compelling, making your audience feel understood and valued.

Simplicity and Clarity

In an age of information overload, simplicity and clarity are essential! People don’t want to read overcomplicated messages that don’t go straight to the point.

Your message should be easy to understand and remember. Avoid complex language. Instead, focus on conveying a clear core message that won’t get lost in other meanings.

Authenticity

Marketing today is all about being authentic and caring for your audience, especially since the pandemic.

Consumers today are savvy and quickly sense when a brand is being disingenuous or trying too hard.

Be true to your values. Don’t attempt to be something you’re not or adopt trends that don’t align with your identity.

Embrace Your Identity

Of course, to be true to your identity, you need to know what your identity is and what you stand for.

Each business has a unique identity that sets it apart. Embrace this identity in your local advertising. Whether it’s your origin story, your commitment to sustainable practices, or your exceptional customer service, highlight what makes you unique.

Understanding Your ‘Why’

Finally, it’s crucial to understand and communicate your “why” and “what.”

Why does your business exist? What problem are you trying to solve? What value do you bring to your customers?

Understanding your ‘why’ and ‘what’ gives purpose to your work and helps you connect with customers on a deeper level.

Start Effective Local Advertising

By following these points and creating an effective marketing strategy for local results, you will not be compared with the Nebraska Tourism department.

Need some help? We are here to help you craft the perfect strategy for business visibility and success.

Download our free 6-step Marketing Plan pdf.

The Easy Box

On a budget? Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Legacy vs. Likes: A Conversation with Mike Smith

Posted on December 11, 2023December 11, 2023 by Julia Genoves

Legacy vs. Likes: Mike Smith’s Guide to Honesty in Social Media

Legacy vs. likes, what’s more important? For business, this can be a tough question to answer because, sure, we all want to leave a legacy and make the world a better place, but likes and recognition are also super important to have a successful enterprise, right?

What if we told you that likes are not a direct reflection of your business’s visibility or success? And that legacy can be achieved while still having a compelling but honest marketing strategy?

In this Mindwest Mindset podcast episode, Matt and Ben are joined by Mike Smith, storyteller, community builder, guide, and author of “Legacy vs. Likes,” to discuss the world of social media and the possible harm of validation through likes.

Legacy vs. Likes_ A Conversation with Mike Smith

The Story of Legacy vs. Likes

So, how did Mike’s book come about? “Legacy vs. Likes” explores the social media vortex, highlighting the issues that come along with it, especially for younger people.

Mike has spotted a worrying trend – the way we’re getting sucked into social media and how it’s altering our behavior.

And with more adults hopping onto the social media train than ever before, the desire to become influencers isn’t just a childish idea; it’s an adult’s dream as well.

Read the full transcript.

A lot of the adults online right now have grown with the influence of social media, so it’s no surprise that current young adults and new parents want to be influencers and are, in some way or another, influencers of social media.

The Internet has changed the game of how we see each other and everything around us. It paints a picture of what’s cool, what’s acceptable, and what’s beautiful. However, this is a very distorted, unreal image.

The New Generation

With the internet and social media being an integral part of their daily lives, Gen Z has a unique way of interacting and connecting with the world.

They see these platforms not merely as a medium to showcase their lives but as a tool to engage, learn, and express themselves.

This doesn’t exclude them from the toxic behavior of social media and “likes” driven interaction.

They are also more aware of brands’ values and the legacy they intend to leave in the world, making it harder for businesses to stay relevant across different generations.

So, how can we make sure to stay relevant across all generations while still making an impact?

First, we need to understand something: Like are not that important

Legacy vs. Likes

In today’s landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game. The number of likes, shares, and followers can seem like an equivalent of success.

And while they might look impressive on the surface, they don’t necessarily translate into real-world results or long-term success.

A legacy is about making a lasting impact that goes beyond our lifetimes. It’s about building authenticity, consistency, and true values and making our content reflect that.

That’s how we leave a legacy.

Entertainment vs. Quality

We live in an age where social media platforms are evolving into entertainment powerhouses; much like TV channels or Netflix, brands are looking for ways to stay relevant.

This shift has driven brands to pump out high volumes of content to keep their audiences hooked. However, this rush for relevance often sacrifices quality for quantity, and on many occasions, users won’t stick to receiving poor-quality content.

While entertaining content might capture attention, it’s the quality that keeps audiences coming back for more.

Legacy vs. Likes: How to Build a Legacy

Now comes the million-dollar question: Can we build a legacy online? In a space full of fake influencers and photoshopped pictures, how do we carve out a lasting presence?

To build a lasting legacy, brands must focus on targeting the right people with quality content and maintaining consistency, But how can we achieve it?

More Legacy and Less Likes

Here are some key steps to building a true and honest social media presence that will keep your audience hooked.

Self-awareness

Knowing who you are and what you stand for is the first step; have a clear vision of what you offer and how you help others.

Are you selling a product or service? Are you reaching out to people who genuinely benefit from what you offer?

These questions can help you align your social media strategy with your purpose.

Core Values

Identify your brand’s core values and ensure they are reflected in every aspect of your social media presence.

These values act as your guiding principles and will help you stay true to your brand.

At Two Brothers Creative, for example, we believe that everyone deserves affordable and efficient marketing.

Know Your Audience

Who are you trying to help or engage with?

Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective communication. Are your posts reaching them? If not, it might be time to revisit your content strategy or explore different platforms.

Website Quality

Think of your website as your digital storefront. If someone stumbles upon it, what will their impression be?

Is it easy to navigate? Does it provide useful information?

A quality website not only reflects positively on your brand but also helps in lead generation and conversions.

Content Quality

In the rush to stay relevant, quality often takes a backseat.

But remember, content is everything. High-quality content that resonates with your audience can drive engagement, foster loyalty, and elevate your brand above the competition.

The True Power of Authenticity on “Legacy vs. Likes”

Mike emphasizes the need for authenticity and staying true to one’s values, even in the face of fleeting trends and the constant pursuit of likes.

Remember, it’s impossible to please everyone. Instead, focus on resonating with the right people – those who align with your values and appreciate your authenticity and honesty, those who actually find your content valuable and useful.

While likes and shares provide instant gratification, they are fleeting and don’t necessarily translate into a lasting impact.

Turning Failures into Legacy

Now, let’s talk about failure; it happens to the best of us. But here’s the thing – failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s an important part of the journey.

Mistakes will happen, it’s what you do after you’ve stumbled that really counts. So, dust yourself off, learn from it, and get back in the game.

The way you react to setbacks will talk about who you are as a business. After all, it’s not about how many times you fall but how many times you get back up.

Legacy vs. Likes: The Two Brothers Case

For us, what defines us is a real wish to help companies; we believe marketing should be affordable and easy to understand.

We don’t believe in marketing companies that overcharge to present results that most people won’t understand.

Our dream? To build a company that’s in the business of helping other businesses. We’re not just here to make a quick buck. We want to help your business flourish through awesome content that makes a real impact.

Our legacy and quality content? From our podcast, free PDFs, blogs, and everything we do, we do it to inform and make a better environment for entrepreneurs looking to expand their marketing.

The Easy Box

Looking for ways to grow your business? Don’t spend unnecessary time on marketing; focus on becoming a better leader and entrepreneur; leave the rest to us!

With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Authenticity in Marketing: What is the Benefit?

Posted on November 29, 2023November 30, 2023 by Julia Genoves

How to Achieve Authenticity in Marketing

You have probably heard about authenticity in marketing, and it’s importance, especially if you are running your own business and are looking for ways to increase your revenue.

But what on earth do people mean when they talk about marketing “Authenticity?” Isn’t that just being honest about your product?

Well, yes and no. In the wild jungle of today’s marketing landscape (which is getting wilder but the minute), authenticity isn’t just nice to have; it’s an absolute must.

We live in the era of savvy and perceptive consumers, users who want to create real connections and who can smell a phony sales pitch from a mile away.

Authenticity is the golden thing that separates the brands that are just ‘meh’ from the brands that make customers spend their money!

If you are struggling to find the right strategy to create authentic and engaging content for your marketing, we have the answers you have been looking for.

Buckle up; because we are about to take you for a ride into the fascinating world of authenticity content marketing.

How long should a podcast be_ Grow Your Business

The Importance of Authenticity in Marketing Now

Some marketing experts talk and do authenticity like an artificial thing, like an “authenticity” metric to give to your audience to keep them happy. This is NOT the way you want to approach it.

Sure, authentic content marketing is a strategy, but it’s also about truly engaging deeply with audiences, building connections that feel personal, and making customers feel heard.

This must be one of your main concerns when building your marketing strategy. If you are being true to who you are as a brand and making sure your messaging aligns with the reality of your products and values, you have almost figured it out.

The Pandemic Effects: Reaching 2024

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the world came to an unprecedented halt. You already know this story: In-person events were canceled, and our usual ways of communication were abruptly taken away from us.

As a result, people started seeking new ways to connect and make meaning in the middle of a new and unknown reality – so we turned to the internet.

Brands that were authentic (that showed their real selves and built meaningful connections) had a higher chance of thriving in this new normal.

These brands had what the audience was now looking for personal connection.

Consumers were no longer just looking for functional products or services; they were looking for brands that they could relate to, brands that offered more than just a transactional relationship.

Even now, after a few years, with the end of lockdown, authenticity is still one of the most important factors for customers; we still want their favorite brand to feel like trusted friends.

Let’s see some examples of brands that thrive even during the pandemic, thanks to their authentic nature.

Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is all about embracing and celebrating what makes you unique. They emphasize airy, breathable formulas that are easy to apply, blend, and build, which encourages users to enhance their natural beauty rather than hide it.

The authenticity of Rare Beauty goes beyond their products. A significant part of their mission is to support mental health, with 1% of all sales going towards this cause.

Patagonia

This outdoor clothing company has always been about more than just selling clothes. They’re passionate about the environment and aren’t afraid to show it.

Their marketing campaigns often focus on environmental issues, aligning with their brand values and resonating deeply with their environmentally conscious customer base.

The Benefits of Authenticity in Marketing: A Closer Look

We have established by now that one thing is for sure: Authenticity should be a central part of your marketing strategy.

Having authentic content marketing will not only make you connect better with your audience, but in a world where we are constantly bombarded with advertisements every day, authenticity can be the key differentiator that sets us apart.

What are the tangible benefits of authenticity in marketing? Let’s dive deeper into it.

Enhanced Trust and Loyalty

Authenticity earns trust. When brands are honest and transparent in their communication, customers feel more comfortable engaging with them.

This trust, in turn, cultivates loyalty. A loyal customer base is invaluable; this can guarantee consistent revenue.

Also, local customers can easily become brand ambassadors, spreading positive word-of-mouth about the brand and helping your local results.

Increased Customer Engagement

Authenticity encourages dialogue. Brands that communicate authentically often see higher levels of customer engagement.

Whether it’s through social media comments, blog post responses, or product reviews, engaged customers are more likely to interact with the brand and participate in its community.

Improved Brand Reputation and Relevancy

How do you stay relevant in an era of rapid change where news goes as fast as it comes? The answer is simple: reputation and relevancy.

Maintaining a good reputation is crucial for any brand. Companies that are known for being authentic are viewed more favorably by consumers.

They are seen as reliable and responsible, thus enhancing their image in the market and staying as a referent for authenticity, being on top of people’s minds for that exact quality.

Higher Conversion Rates and Sales

Authenticity can also boost conversions. Consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand they perceive as authentic.

By aligning marketing messages with the actual consumer experience, brands can increase conversion rates and drive sales without spending extra money since they are already a step closer to their true and reliable nature.

The Essence of Authenticity in Marketing: True Valuable Content

We know what you might be thinking: are all those benefits really possible to achieve just by being authentic?

It might be hard to believe that one little change can improve your overall marketing strategy, but it’s true! We swear; however, true doesn’t always mean easy.

Having authentic marketing takes time, research, and a thought-out strategy. So, how do you start? What is it that you need to do to create authentic marketing?

Ok, it all boils down to your content marketing and the way you present it.

Tips for Creating Authentic and Untapped Content

Understanding Your Audience: Explain the importance of knowing your audience’s needs, preferences, and behaviors in creating authentic content.

Storytelling: Discuss how sharing real stories about your brand or customer experiences can create authentic content.

Transparency: Talk about the benefits of being open and honest in your content, including admitting mistakes or discussing challenges.

Consistency: Highlight the need for consistency in messaging across all platforms to maintain authenticity.

User-Generated Content: Encouraging user-generated content can lead to producing more authentic material.

Authentic Content

Authentic content isn’t just a one-off tactic; it’s an ongoing strategy that should permeate every aspect of your business. From your social media presence to customer service, from the products you offer to the way you interact with your customers.

At its heart, a content strategy should be designed with the customer in mind. Ask yourself: How are you making their lives better? How is your content helping them? What unique value do you bring to the table?

Your content should not merely be about promoting your products or services. Instead, it should solve real problems and answer genuine questions that your customers have.

Whether it’s through a video, blog post, podcast, or downloadable PDF, your content needs to provide tangible benefits to the customer.

Tips for Marketing Authenticity

With all this knowledge, we are sure you are more than ready to start creating some valuable, authentic, and helpful content for your audience, but before you start, take these tips into consideration.

Video and Audio Content

Videos are the most real way to show your audience who you are and what you offer, to listen to your brand’s real voice.

Also, with today’s fast-paced lifestyle, consumers appreciate content that’s easy to consume. Videos and podcasts are engaging mediums that allow you to convey a message that will come across as genuine.

By leveraging these formats, you can enhance the user experience and make your content more accessible.

The Power of Storytelling

Is there anything more real than a true-life story?

Real stories have the power to connect with people on an emotional level. Sharing genuine stories about your brand or customer experiences can create authentic content that resonates with your audience and makes them feel identified with what you have gone through.

Whether it’s an inspiring success story, a behind-the-scenes look at your operations, or a candid discussion about challenges you’ve faced, storytelling can add a layer of authenticity to your content.

Be Transparent

Never lie to your customers, don’t hide things, and try to be as true as you can. Sure, they don’t need to know everything, but transparency is crucial in building trust.

Being open and honest in your content, including admitting mistakes or discussing challenges, can go a long way in establishing credibility.

It shows your audience that you value honesty and are not afraid to show your human side.

Maintain Consistency

Consistency will help to reinforce your brand image and make your brand more recognizable, basically letting your audience remember you.

Consistent content also ensures that your audience receives the same core message of your values and what you bring to the table.

Engage with Your Audience

One of the best ways to create authentic content is to address the actual questions and concerns of your followers. Engaging with your audience and responding to their queries not only provides value but also shows that you care about their opinions and needs.

This two-way interaction can foster a deeper connection between your brand and its audience.

Case Study of Authenticity in Marketing

Two Brothers started as a small idea. Over time, we evolved into a full-fledged content marketing powerhouse in Nebraska. Our secret? Creating authentic content that resonates with the audience.

We have made a name for ourselves by being original, creative, funny, and a very beautiful group of supermodels (well, maybe the last one is a reach.)

We have developed a simple content marketing system that leverages a podcast and video to deliver affordable, effective, and authentic marketing solutions.

With this system, we have helped many other businesses achieve their marketing goals. Are you ready to be part of the authenticity revolution?

If you want to elevate your brand, connect with your audience, and drive conversions with authentic content, then it’s time to get in touch with Two Brothers Creative.

The Easy Box

Don’t have the time for long recording hours and meetings. Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about ungenuine marketing companies and fake plastic content; this is marketing made easy.

How to Market Yourself on LinkedIn: Don’t Miss Out

Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by Julia Genoves

How to Market Yourself on LinkedIn the Right Way

How can you market yourself on LinkedIn, and what are the benefits of doing so effectively?

If you are a business owner, you probably already have an Instagram, Facebook, or even TikTok profile for your company, so why would you bother to have a LinkedIn as well? Aren’t most people in more mainstream social media?

Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re a business-to-business (B2B) company without a LinkedIn profile, you are missing out on a huge opportunity!

On this Midwest Mindset episode, Matt, Benn, and Austin discuss the potential that LinkedIn holds for your company and how to start effectively.

How to Market Yourself on LinkedIn_ Don’t Miss Out on this Opportunity

Why LinkedIn for B2B?

LinkedIn is known as the go-to platform for seeking jobs, posting jobs, networking, and showing off your professional headshot.

Sure, sounds like a great platform for any business, the same way Instagram or Pinterest are; it’s good to be there, but how can we make it great?

Read the full transcript.

For businesses doing business with other businesses (yes, we did just say “business” three times in one sentence), LinkedIn is the place to be, but we also need to be strategic in the way we do content to make our online presence effective.

Market Yourself on LinkedIn: The Magic of Good Marketing

So, to create a good Linkedin marketing strategy, we first need to understand why it works so well for B2B.

Connect With Your Audience

First off, LinkedIn is less saturated than other social media platforms. This means that the engagement rate isn’t so high, but this focused environment makes it easier for you to find your audience and connect with them in a meaningful way.

Remember: while engagement is important, we want to connect with people who are actually interested in our brand, service, and product.

Visibility

Also, on LinkedIn, your content isn’t playing hide and seek with your followers, unlike other platforms where your posts might get lost in the algorithm maze or, worse, get shadowbanned.

LinkedIn ensures that your content is visible to all your followers in their feeds, making your content more effective.

Also, according to LinkedIn, their platform generates a higher return on ad spend than other social media platforms.

Market Yourself on LinkedIn the Right Way

So, with all this new knowledge that you have, how do you market yourself on linkedin the right way and make sure to make the best content and generate a profit?

Here are our must-do to create an effective LinkedIn marketing campaign.

Market Yourself on linkedin With Storytelling

In the digital age, every platform is essentially a video platform. LinkedIn is no exception.

However, compared to other platforms, video storytelling on LinkedIn is still an untapped strategy that has tons of potential.

This presents a unique opportunity for you to stand out. Share your brand’s story, showcase product features, or share customer testimonials.

Storytelling can evoke emotions and build a stronger connection with your audience.

Pro Tip: Use widescreen videos instead of vertical videos.

Have a Clear Intention

Every piece of content you create should have a clear intention. Whether it’s a post, an article, or a video, make sure it serves a specific purpose.

It could be to educate your audience, promote a new product or service, or simply to engage with your community.

A well-defined intention will guide your content creation process and ensure consistency in your messaging.

Repurpose Your Content

Don’t let your valuable content go to waste after just one use. Instead, repurpose it into different formats.

For instance, key points from your videos can be turned into engaging blog posts, inspiring quotes, or colorful infographics.

This strategy not only maximizes your content’s reach but also caters to different audience preferences.

Market Yourself on LinkedIn by Promoting Your Website

LinkedIn is a great platform to drive traffic to your website. You can do this by sharing special offers, deals, or free lead generators.

But remember, your promotions should offer value and align with your audience’s needs; this way, they have a real intention to go to your website.

Use Your Personal LinkedIn

While a company page is important, your personal LinkedIn profile can often be more relatable and authentic.

People connect with people. So, use your personal profile to share insights, engage in discussions, and build meaningful relationships.

This human aspect can greatly enhance your brand’s credibility and trustworthiness.

Trust Two Brothers Creative with Your Marketing

We’re here to help you. Our goal is to help you create the best unique and original content for LinkedIn and social media that delivers actual results.

If you want to learn more about how to grow and build your marketing strategy, download our free 6-step Marketing Plan pdf.

The Easy Box

On a budget? Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Business Procedures: The Key to Marketing Success

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Julia Genoves

The Importance of Business Procedures for Your Marketing

Should you worry about business procedures and operations when you have a great marketing strategy in place?

Most business owners think not.

Well, those entrepreneurs are, most likely, on their way to business failure. Even with the right marketing strategy and the people to implement it, there is a key factor that we often tend to neglect: business procedures.

In this Midwest Mindset episode, the Two Brothers Creative team is joined by Tracy Winkler, owner and founder of Elevate 2 Grow, to discuss why excellent marketing can still fail without the proper business procedures.

Tracy Winkler’s Journey to Business Coaching Success

Tracy is one of our favorite professionals to collaborate with; she has helped us tremendously by improving our processes and procedures, and she sure knows what she’s doing.

She spent 20 years working in her family business, learning a ton along the way, and after those formative years, Tracy thought it was a good time for her to try something new as well.

This led her to co-own six different companies, getting to know a bunch of different industries and learning about what makes a company succeed in operations and marketing.

Read the full transcript.

But through all of this, Tracy found out that what she really loved wasn’t just running and owning businesses but helping others make their businesses better.

She found a real love for coaching, helping companies get through tough times and improving their success rate.

What Are Business Procedures and Operations?

So, Tracy talked about an essential truth of business: (get your pen and paper and write this down) Marketing can’t succeed without a business’s proper functioning.

And what makes a business function? That’s right: processes, procedures, and operations.

Operations are the backbone of any business, ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of all departments.

This includes everything from manufacturing, financial management, human resources, and customer service; no matter how big or small your company is, YOU NEED procedures to ensure effective results.

Marketing Needs, Business Procedures and Operations

So, why does marketing have to do with all business operations? Marketing is supposed to be all about fun, right?

Well, here’s a reality check. While marketing does involve a lot of creativity and innovation, it’s also deeply rooted in solid business procedures and operations.

For your marketing efforts to be both enjoyable and successful, they need to be anchored in a sound business structure. This way, customers find a predictable solution in your products or services that meets their needs effectively every time.

In essence, without proper operations, your ability to leverage the benefits of your marketing campaigns is significantly reduced.

It’s like having a sports car but no fuel to power it; it might look great, but it won’t get you anywhere.

The Basic of Business Procedures and Operations

So, how do you ensure good business operations?

Metrics

First things first, break down your main goal into bite-sized objectives. Establishing measurable metrics will help you monitor your progress toward achieving your overall aim.

Without a solid operational foundation, reaching these goals can seem like an uphill battle.

Prototype

Next, create a prototype of your product or service. Understand the costs and resources required to produce them.

Who’s going to manage the storage, sales, and every step of the selling process? These are crucial questions to answer as they directly impact your operations.

Be Slow and Methodical

Things can spiral out of control quickly in the business world, taking baby steps is a smart approach.

Start by building your business with small, achievable goals. Promote your prototype and gauge who’s genuinely interested.

This will give you valuable insights and help shape your marketing strategy down the line.

Adapt

Running a business is a never-ending journey. There’s always room for improvement, always a process that can be tweaked for more efficiency.

As your company grows and evolves, so too should your operations. It’s not just about working harder; it’s about working smarter.

Business Operations Needs Marketing

Just as your business requires effective operations to run smoothly, it also needs a marketing strategy to attract customers and drive growth.

Simply leading your customers to your business is not enough; you need to provide compelling reasons for them to engage with your products or services. It’s not merely about actions; it’s about creating meaningful connections that inspire customer loyalty.

The Basics of Marketing

Your business operation will make people stay and trust your business, but how do you get them to know you in the first place?

The power of marketing lies in its ability to guide customers toward beneficial actions.

But remember, it’s not just about telling your customers what to do; it’s about highlighting how they stand to gain from doing business with you.

In this narrative, your customer is the hero. So, make sure to offer clear benefits for them instead of making it all about you and your company.

Two Brothers Creative: Content in a Box

Say goodbye to confusion, wasted time, and financial underperformance with Two Brothers Creative.

Together, we’ll identify actionable steps you need to take, from selecting channels that best capture your audience’s attention to creating memorable storylines that keep them engaged.

Download the 6-step Marketing Plan pdf to get your strategy started. Don’t make the same mistakes other businesses make, and thrive for years to come.

Succeed in Marketing with The Easy Box

Don’t know where to start with your marketing strategy? With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content.

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.

Paid Online Advertising: How to Do it Right

Posted on August 21, 2023August 28, 2023 by Julia Genoves

The Secrets to Paid Digital Ads: How to Do it Right

Is paid online advertising giving you a headache? Businesses struggling with paid ads are more common than you think; we know that when we started, this was one of our biggest struggles as well, but we found a way to do it more effectively!

In this Midwest Mindset episode (or the Omaha Podcast,) AnnMarie Fereday and Matt Falcon from Refine Digital Marketing join us to discuss how to do paid advertising right without wasting your money on the process.

What Is Paid Online Advertising?

Paid online advertising is a marketing strategy that involves paying for ads to be displayed on various online platforms and in front of different people while they are surfing the internet, like the short video clips you see before your youtube video starts.

Paid ads allow you to reach a wider audience and engage with people who may have never heard of your product or service before.

The magic of online advertising is that you have the opportunity to showcase your offerings to users who are actively searching for something that you have to offer.

These ads can appear in search engine results, social media feeds, or on relevant websites, grabbing the attention of potential customers.

Read the full transcript

The Customer Journey

The first step to doing paid advertising right is to understand your customer’s journey. This refers to the steps a customer takes from the moment they become aware of your brand to the point of making a purchase or taking any desired action.

Imagine a customer journey where a person is searching for a new smartphone. They start by seeing an ad on social media, sparking their interest.

They then conduct online research, comparing different models and reading reviews. After narrowing down their options, they visit a retailer’s website and explore the product features in detail. Finally, they make a purchase online.

By mapping out the customer journey, you can identify the key touchpoints where you want to engage and influence your potential customers. Paid media can be vital in guiding customers through this journey and ultimately closing the sale.

Paid Online Advertising is All About Behavior

Next, you need to know your target audience’s behavior patterns. These will indicate a readiness to buy from you.

By understanding and aligning with the behavior your target audience needs, you can position your ads on the platforms where they are most likely to convert into customers.

By analyzing data and insights, you can identify your target audience’s preferences, interests, and online behaviors. Let’s say you want to promote your new sports water bottle.

After analyzing customer behavior data, you discover that your audience tends to search for workout accessories in the early morning; with this information, you can now strategically place paid ads on social media platforms and search engines during these peak times.

Different platforms offer different opportunities to connect with your target audience. For example, if your audience is more likely to buy or become leads through Facebook or Instagram, it makes sense to focus your paid advertising efforts on these platforms.

Be Consistent to Reach Best Paid Online Advertising Results

Consistency is key when it comes to paid advertising. Instead of relying on just one ad, re-target your audience with consistent content across multiple platforms.

By keeping your brand in front of your target audience consistently, you increase brand recognition and engagement.

Utilize various channels such as social media, email marketing, and personalized connections to ensure that your message resonates with your audience and reinforces the value you offer.

This way, when they are ready to purchase, you will be at the front and center of their minds and their computers.

Hire a Paid Online Advertising Expert

Nebraska can be a competitive place to grow your business; believe us, we have been there. So, to navigate the complexities of paid advertising, consider hiring a professional in your area.

With their expertise, they can help you define and reach your specific target audience, optimizing your campaigns for better results.

Defining an audience and doing paid ads can take a lot of time that most of us don’t have, so a professional can also help with that.

Remember: there are a lot of companies that will try to just get money out of you. Look for a transparent company that can demonstrate a clear return on investment and provide analytics-backed results.

A reliable professional will not only be able to explain the outcomes but also have a well-thought-out strategy to guide your advertising efforts.

How much should you spend on paid ads?

When starting out, it’s wise, to begin with a smaller budget, such as $50 to $100, to test and evaluate what works best for your brand.

This allows you to determine which strategies and platforms are more effective and give you the best ROI results.

Before investing more in paid ads, consider the lifetime cost of your clients: how much does retaining a client for life cost?

If you cater to big B2B clients who invest millions in your services, maybe you want to have a higher budget.

Organic Content And Paid Online Advertising

Lastly, It’s important to note that paid ads are much more effective when you have a solid website and a good organic content marketing strategy.

Your paid ads should always complement your organic marketing efforts rather than replace them entirely.

While paid media helps introduce your brand to new users, organic media fosters credibility and maintains engagement with your existing followers.

Both approaches are valuable and should work hand in hand to maximize your marketing impact. Once you see the results of combining these strategies, you will be as impressed as we were.

Start Your Paid Online Advertising

We know that building an effective marketing strategy in Omaha can be hard. Whether you want to start paying for online ads or need help building a solid and strong content marketing strategy, we can help you!

Together, we’ll identify actionable steps you need to take, from selecting channels that best capture your audience’s attention to creating memorable storylines that keep them engaged.

Say goodbye to confusion, wasted time, and financial underperformance with Two Brothers Creative.

Avoid Business Failure: Don’t Kill Your Company

Posted on August 14, 2023October 20, 2023 by Julia Genoves

How to Kill Your Business: Avoid Failure

Ready to avoid business failure? The hard reality is that a significant number of businesses don’t make it past their initial five years. If you don’t want to become part of this statistic, keep reading.

By understanding the reasons behind business failures, you can avoid making the same mistakes in your company and create a strategy to build a successful business. In this Midwest Mindset Episode (or the Omaha Podcast), we go through all the things you need to do and don’t do.

Marketing to Avoid Business Failure

The number one mistake businesses make is… you guessed it: marketing. Businesses will usually take a bad marketing approach or won’t focus on marketing at all.

A lack of a marketing strategy can prove to be a costly mistake. Marketing isn’t just about having a logo and an active Instagram account. It’s about finding your potential customers, engaging with them, understanding their needs, and showcasing how your product or service can solve their problems or enhance their lives.

Read the fu ll transcript.

Not Having a Target Audience

Most entrepreneurs that fail at marketing do because they don’t really know who they are marketing for. Take the time to investigate your market and find the niche that you want to target with your strategy.

Then, think of your marketing strategy as your company’s master game plan, designed to attract those specific prospective consumers and convert them into loyal customers.

Remember, marketing is not a one-time event but a long-term investment. A well-crafted and executed marketing strategy can be your most powerful tool for business growth in the long run.

Imitating Others

It’s easier for small companies starting out to look up to other big brands for inspiration and even do what their competitors are doing; however, when it comes to running your business, this is not a good idea. Here’s why.

Larger corporations operate on an entirely different scale and with vastly different agendas than small businesses. They have big budgets, extensive resources, and a broad customer base, which allows them to experiment with various strategies, things that are simply not feasible for smaller companies.

Trying to emulate these giants is like trying to fit a square shape into a round hole – it just doesn’t work. The business landscape isn’t one-size-fits-all; what works for a multinational conglomerate may not work for a local pop shop or an online startup.

So, instead of mimicking what the big players are doing, focus on carving out your own unique path. Understand your business’s strengths, harness them, and build strategies tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Being On Every Social Media

In the constantly changing and evolving world of social media, it might seem like a necessity to be on each platform and have a constant stream of content; that’s why a lot of companies starting out do so. However, this it’s not the way to do social media.

Each social media platform has a distinct demographic and vibe. Instead of spreading yourself thin across all platforms, find out where your target audience hangs out the most.

Once you’ve identified your niche, focus your energy on creating engaging content for that platform. This approach is more sustainable and effective in building a strong online presence and fostering a loyal community around your brand.

Remember, in business, It’s not always about doing more but about doing what’s strategic for business growth.

Avoid Business Failure: Seek Professional Help

Now, managing a business’s social media presence, online image, and e-commerce store can feel overwhelming. And it’s perfectly okay to seek help. A lot of small businesses won’t ask for help because they are afraid of the cost or think the results of a social media strategy are not worth it.

However, having a bad social media strategy can be more costly. There are professionals out there who eat, sleep, and breathe digital marketing. They can help you strategize, create compelling content, engage with your audience, and manage your online store, delivering successful results.

Metrics

One of the most critical elements of a successful company is its ability to measure and understand its performance. That’s where metrics come into play!

Think of metrics as your business’s vital signs. Just like a doctor checks your heartbeat and blood pressure to assess your health, metrics provide a snapshot of your company’s well-being. They help you keep an eye on your business’s pulse, signaling when things are going well and alerting you when there’s trouble brewing.

Becoming a metrics-driven business means making decisions based on data, not hunches or guesswork. It’s about using numbers to guide your strategy, set clear goals, and track progress. Whether it’s measuring sales growth, customer satisfaction, or product usage, metrics offer invaluable insights that can drive your business forward.

Not Having a Sales Conversion and Nurturing Strategy

Your customers are the stars of the show. Without them, there wouldn’t be a show at all! That’s why creating a dynamic sales conversion and nurturing strategy is so important; it’s your ticket to building trust, standing out from the crowd, and, most importantly, showing your customers how much they matter.

A lot of businesses skip this step because they don’t even know that a conversion strategy is possible. A sales conversion and nurturing strategy isn’t just a fancy business term; it’s your game plan for winning over potential customers and keeping them returning for more. It’s about showing your customers that they aren’t just another number but the heart and soul of your business.

Here’s where the magic happens. Instead of simply selling a product or service, focus on selling solutions. Show your customers how your offerings can solve their problems or make their lives easier. Remember, it’s not about you. It’s all about them.

Once a customer is on board, it’s time to nurture that relationship. Show them they’re valued, listen to their feedback, and strive to meet their evolving needs. This not only fosters loyalty but also turns your customers into brand ambassadors who will spread the word about your business.

Start Your Marketing Strategy and Avoid Business Failure

Download the 6-step Marketing Plan pdf to get your strategy started. Don’t make the same mistakes other businesses make, and thrive for years to come.

Together we’ll identify actionable steps you need to take, from selecting channels that best capture your audience’s attention to creating memorable storylines that keep them engaged. Say goodbye to confusion, wasted time, and financial underperformance with Two Brothers Creative.