Mitigate Risk with a Website Redesign Process

Ahh the good ol' website redesign. You've seen the lists of reasons why, ultimate guides on how to, and snarky blogs welcoming you to the 21st century (...okay that might have been us too, but we'll tone it back for this one). Yet, we've thumbed through the lists, checked out the blog posts, and investigated the resources out there for redesigning your website and, honestly, we weren't very impressed.

Now hear us out, it's not because we have some magical website redesign process or we think our website redesign checklist holds the secrets to the internet. We weren't impressed by the website redesign results we found because we felt like all of the "here's why" and technical jargon doesn't get down to the heart of matter.

Here's the heart of the matter: You know you need a website redesign, that's why you are searching in the first place. And at the end of the day, a website redesign is (usually) not as complicated as it's made out to be.

Sure, there's a right way to do it and wrong way to do it. We aren't necessarily suggesting you redesign your website yourself - but hey, maybe that's your goal and maybe you know a thing or two about code. Nevertheless, a website redesign faux pas can be committed by a number of parties involved in the process - the DIY-er (that could mean you), the basement freelancer, or even the agency you hire to do the redesign (not us though, and we'll tell you why, but first...)

2 Big Risks You Take When You Don't Follow a Website Redesign Process

In our 10 years of business, we've helped more businesses than we can count redesign their websites. We've even journey with some businesses for 2 or 3 renditions of their website over the years as the digital world has advanced and mobile has taken the stage.

As we've met business owners, marketing directors, and sales teams, their concerns about redesigning their website highlight some fears rooted in bad past experience or horror stories from others.

And they're not wrong, there are some risks to redesigning your website without an established process. Website redesigns turn into nightmares when "we've done this hundreds of times before" and "keeping it agile" replace defined tasks, with set milestones throughout the project, and someone managing the process. When that happens, these are just two of the big risks you take:

Risk #1: Going Over Budget or Over Time

When we talk to clients who have been burned in the past, one of the most frequent woes is website projects that drug out months longer than originally established and for hundred or thousands of dollars more than they bargained for.

Going over budget or over time is possibly the biggest risk you take when you don't follow a website redesign process. Sure you set a goal launch date, but without a defined process guiding you, your website redesign will be inefficient and possibly full of missed steps that have to be made up. As the saying goes, time is money. Not only does an inefficient website redesign cost you more money to finish, it also costs you potential sales that you could be making off of your new and improved website.

Risk #2: Losing Your Credibility

Like a fine bourbon, websites mature with age... or at least they should if you've been doing digital marketing right. Overtime the content on your site should build SEO, letting search engines know what topics you have established authority on. This authority and your SEO rankings should carry over to your redesigned website. Unfortunately, one misstep and it could all be compromised with hit of the "launch" button on your new site.

Steps like completing 301 redirects and updating your metadata is crucial in the website redesign process - not difficult, but costly if forgotten.

Thankfully, those risks can be avoided when a tried and true process is followed throughout the entire website redesign project. Which gets us back to the heart of the matter, website redesigns don't have to overly complicated.

We mentioned above that here at The Squad we don't commit website redesign faux pas. Truthfully, we've made mistakes, but we also quickly learned from them. We can confidently say that those mistakes were directly related to not following a process. Something as simple as forgetting to reactivate a plugin led to days of spam comments on a blog. Detrimental? No. But it was annoying and it cost time, even if a small amount, to troubleshoot and fix.

Nowadays we consider ourselves a maturing agency. Out of our adolescent years we developed a website redesign process that has been tested and refined, and then ingrained in our operations.

Recently, we brought Billy Ward onto our team as Chief Operating Officer and Project Manager. These were roles we had filled in the past, but as the business has grown and the number of websites we are designing and developing in a month has skyrocketed, we knew we need someone with Billy's experience and strengths to lead our team, ensuring that we stick to our process every time, on every website we do.

All of this to say, we've learned that risks are mitigated when you follow a process.

Step 1 to a success website redesign process is have a plan. Step 2 is to stick to the plan, every time. Maybe in the future we'll write about the rest of the steps to redesigning your website - for us that includes a comprehensive discovery process before we even send a proposal. But for now, you can download our website redesign checklist. This checklist outlines the key steps you need to complete when redesigning your website.

Remember, if you know you need to refresh you website, then do it. Skip the fear and reduce risk by following an established process. And if things start to go sideways, you know who to talk to - ahem, us.

Website Redesign Checklist

"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell

Prior to participating in our Leadership Challenge Workshop, the truth behind John Maxwell's quote was easy to miss. Plenty of times leading up to the workshop I heard other team members question their abilities, positions, and freedoms to lead because we were misguided by titles, roles, and structures.

At the heart of The Marketing Squad are 8 core values. Our leadership team created them a few years ago to act as guides for everything we do as a company and as a team. Overtime they have been ingrained in our day-to-day life. Some are easier than others to integrate into our actions and reflect in our words - strategic doers, passionate storytellers, creative problem solvers, trusted allies.

Being servant leaders, on the other hand, can raise hesitations. For our team, the "servant" part comes fairly natural, we are committed to serving our clients above and beyond, and we are committed to being for each other as teammates. It's often the "leadership" aspect of being servant leaders that feels foreign. Practically, we have a relatively flat structure, and some people may not feel like they are positioned to "lead" in their daily work. Beyond that, some people simply don't consider themselves someone with leadership experience or ability.

Leadership Challenge Workshop Louisville Kentucky

Thankfully, disciplined learners is also one of our core values, and we are always looking for opportunities to improve what we do and who we are.

Bryce, foundering partner and Chief Storyteller, had actually begun his own personal leadership journey last year, which led him to a relationship with Leadership Reality. Through his partnership with Leadership Reality, Bryce has been working on his own leadership philosophy and ability. He even wrote a recent blog about 10 leadership philosophies he's developed over time.

As a part of their mission, Leadership Reality doesn't stop with personal development, but instead believes in integrated leadership between individuals, corporations, and teams. And that is what led our team to participate in a Leadership Challenge Workshop. The workshop is based on the book The Leadership Challenge, written by James Kouzes and Barry Posner who conducted over 30 years of research.

A few weeks before the workshop, our team began preparing by filling out Leadership Practices Inventory self-assessments and assessments for other team members. It was difficult at times, yet stirring, to evaluate the way we and others lived out leadership behaviors. And the results we got back a few days before the actual workshop were both humbling and encouraging. During the workshop, these results guided our conversations and pointed to places where we could improve.

The Leadership Challenge began bright and early at an off-site location. The day kicked off with an introduction of the 5 pillars of leadership outlined by James Kouzes and Barry Posner in their research:

  • Model the Way
  • Inspire a Shared Vision
  • Challenge the Process
  • Enable Others to Act
  • Encourage the Heart

Throughout the day we went through each pillar in more detail, reflected on our strengths and weaknesses, and discussed tangible ways we could become stronger, well-rounded leaders. I'll spare you the nitty-gritty details of the day - not because I couldn't write paragraphs more about how impactful each activity was, but because there is nothing like experiencing the challenge yourself.

Personally, I felt extremely compelled to grow as a leader. The workshop even debunked some of my own assumptions about my leadership skills. The workshop helped me see that I needed to develop my own leadership philosophy and establish my own vision for the future. It also showed me that I had to be better at encouraging and praising others for their hard work.

I could go on at length about the impact of the day and the tangible goals I left with, but instead of starting my monologue, I asked other team members for their key takeaways from the day.

Our team's takeaways from the Leadership Challenge Workshop

"I think the biggest benefit to our team participating in the Leadership Challenge Workshop was that we acquired a common framework for measuring our individual leadership effectiveness. Now that we have a standard set we can hold each other accountable to develop as leaders and influencers. Personally, for me, going through the exercise of determining our individual core values was energizing. Putting words and definitions to what drives me will help to clarify my personal mission and hopefully help me be a better husband, father and team member." - Kevin, Director of Partner Marketing/Creative Director

"I had several takeaway items that have stuck out in my attempt to always grow, as a Leader. However, one item that has struck me was to step back and let others have a voice in a process.  Sometimes the best ideas are from the quietest voice, and they can be simple solutions." - Billy, Chief Operating Officer

"My biggest takeaway from the Leadership Challenge was realizing that everyone, including myself, is a leader in our organization. It was an empowering experience to hear such encouraging feedback from my coworkers on how they would like to see me grow in my role as a leader." - Michalah, Content Manager

"The way they structured the training encouraged all of us to share and listen to one another as well as verbally encourage each other. That always lifts me up. I also felt like I left with specific personal challenges and the steps to work towards them." - Alea, Director of Partner Marketing

"It was a good place and time to facilitate conversation that may not have otherwise happened." - Taylor, Media Designer

"The Leadership Challenge workshop was fantastic for me, personally and professionally. I felt very encouraged by my team and empowered to be a better leader.  In just one day, our team was greatly strengthened and we all walked away with a fresh awareness of where we need to grow in our area of leadership." - Courtney, Director of Partner Marketing

"Leadership is about looking ahead to what the future holds and inspiring others to be at their best. It requires us to make the choice to model the way by continuing to improve ourselves, encouraging others to stretch and grow, and recognizing the accomplishments of others in our organization." - Sarah, Office Administrator

"The biggest win for me in the Leadership Challenge workshop was the chance to creatively recognize team members throughout the day from the table of trinkets. I established a clear traction plan for an area where my perception didn't align with my assessments from team members. Most areas were in alignment but recognition of others was in fact one of the areas where I need to grow." - Bryce, founding partner and Chief Storyteller

"My biggest takeaway from the Leadership Challenge Workshop was the benefit of vulnerability. It brought a sense of community when we were encouraged to share in front of the group. I had the realization of the growth that is possible when you step out of your box and lead." - Spencer, Marketing Coordinator

Inbound Marketing Louisville Kentucky

Ahhh, marketing. Every company does it - whether it be through an entire department, a small team wearing multiple hats, a single person operating out of the supply closet, or an agency. And you, as a consumer, encounter marketing everyday. Marketing tactics range from old school mailers and yellow page ads to digital Inbound Marketing tailored to the buyer.

Here at The Marketing Squad, we consider ourselves an agency of the latter - an Inbound Marketing agency - with 10 years of experience. To this day, we are still surprised that people either don't know what Inbound Marketing is, or worse, they don't believe it has any value for their company.

Inbound Marketing is a more effective alternative to traditional marketing strategies, and we would shout it from the mountain tops if we weren't located in the valley that is Louisville, Kentucky. So instead, we thought we'd share with you the definition of Inbound Marketing, how you can implement Inbound in your own marketing strategies, and why you should.

I implore you to read on, not because I will know that you did, but because marketing in any form is complex and critical to your business and worth more than just a few whimsical paragraphs.

What is Inbound Marketing?

It's no secret that technology has changed the way we interact with the world, especially as consumers. In their lifetime, the average person will spend 5 years and 4 months on social media alone. That's 1 year and 10 months more time than we will spend eating and drinking! And that doesn't even take into account the amount of time we will spend reading blogs, searching Google, interacting on forums, or browsing websites.

Needless to say, our lives have become very digital, therefore, it makes sense that marketing should as well. But if you take traditional marketing strategies and simply apply them to digital media, the outcome is clutter and noise in a space where consumers want clean design and control.

Inbound Marketing is strategic marketing for the digital world. It is rooted in attracting buyers, as opposed to invading their space. Traditional mailers, billboards, and print ads are all examples of marketing tactics that are forced into your environment. Social media, blogs, and subscription-based emails, on the other hand, are examples of opt-in marketing.

The goal of Inbound Marketing is to create content that people want to see. Then, you place that content in the appropriate form (landing pages, social posts, blogs, email blasts, etc.) and share it with your audience. If your audience finds your content engaging, compelling, or just downright useful, then they will share it with their networks and you will begin to see your reach grow.

This might sound a little daunting and probably harder than traditional marketing, but Inbound Marketing can be broken down into a few steps.

Steps to creating an Inbound Marketing Strategy

  1. Set goals - What does a win look like for you?
  2. Research your buyer - What are their pain points when buying? Where do they hangout digitally?
  3. Create your content - Keep your buyers' preferences in mind!
  4. Share and promote your content - If a tree falls in the woods, but no one is around to hear it, did it make a sound? When it comes to marketing if you aren't sharing your content, then the internet is the woods and the tree is your content.
  5. Analyze, refine, and repeat - Did you receive your desired outcome? Determine how it could be made better and use that information to create your next campaign.

If you haven't noticed by now, content is key to Inbound Marketing, so you might be asking yourself, "Where do I find the content in the first place?"

Good question! Content for Inbound Marketing should be based on what your buyers and potential buyers find interesting and/or useful. At the same time, it can't be fabricated. In the digital world, secrets don't keep and lies are quickly - and publicly - uncovered.

Your content should stem from your business and what you do. If you've got something that makes you unique, like actually unique not just a tagline that says you're different, then that should be the heart of what you share. Having a story to tell makes creating compelling content easier.

Concurrently, you should create content your buyers want and need. Buyers no longer head directly to the store where a sales person helps them determine what solution fits their needs. No, instead they go straight to their Facebook friends or Google search, and by the time they get to the store, they already know what they want to buy. This is the new buyer's journey.

Buyer's Journey in the digital world

  • Awareness - the buyer realizes they have a problem
  • Consideration - the buyer defines their problem and researches solutions
  • Decision - the buyer chooses a solution

The majority of your content should appeal to the Awareness and Consideration stage of the buyer's journey. When people go searching for answers, you want your content to be helpful in providing them answers. It gets your company front of mind, without immediately parading your own services - remember, the buyer wants to be in control, not sold to.

So what does this look like in the real world? Well, let's talk about tangible ways to implement Inbound Marketing for your business. Consider this blog post moving from the Awareness stage into the Consideration stage - you know you have a problem, here are some solutions.

Websites designed for Inbound Marketing

Inbound Marketing starts with your website as a foundation. Your website holds all of your content and is the place where people go to learn more about you. If you are practicing Inbound Marketing, your website is also where people will find answers to their questions, and become one step closer to being a buyer.

Unfortunately, not only do people judge a book by its cover, but they can and will judge your company by your website. In the digital world, a website is often the first encounter a potential buyer has with your company or product, and you want to make a good impression.

Design is crucial to any website. It goes without saying, your website's design should be visually pleasing. Current website design trendsinclude bold typography, eye-catching images, and minimalism. Additionally, you want important elements of your website to grab users' attention, whether it be through popping color, geometric structure, or cinemagraphs. Most importantly, though, you don't want to clutter your website. Unnecessary images, menu bars, and text can overwhelm the user, while overly flashy animations, sounds, or functionality can distract from the information you are trying to convey. Your overall goal should be to design a balanced website that highlights your story, your product, and your end user.

Beyond first impressions, as the consumer is traversing your site, you want them to build trust in your products, your brand, and your team. Just because you have a well-designed website, doesn't mean you have a credible website. Websites built with Inbound Marketing in mind are built to build trust by:

  • Putting your story, what makes you unique, front and center
  • Highlighting your team and your processes
  • Answering questions that your buyer personas are asking
  • Leading users down a path of conversion, i.e. providing them with information that takes them from visitor to buyer

When we build a website here at The Marketing Squad, we start with the end user in mind. A wireframe is always created to map out how your content will be displayed to the users on the buyers' journey. If you're curious about the end product of this kind of design thinking, check out some of our work.

Once you've got a base, it's time to start marketing your content. Now, you can create a website with static content that takes into account the buyers' journey and Inbound methodologies. But true Inbound Marketing is on-going and evolving.

Long-term Inbound Marketing

If it isn't clear by now, Inbound Marketing centers around content. Directed by your buyers' needs and wants, your content should provide information about industry problems, solutions to those problems, and your products that offer those solutions.

A good Inbound Marketing campaign starts by defining a problem your buyer personas have. For example, if you are a mechanic one of the questions your potential customers might ask is, "How do I know when to get my oil changed?" To answer their question, and attract them to your website and company, you should create a variety of resources, including, but not limited to:

  • A blog titled "Four Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change"
  • A downloadable checklist for regular car maintenance
  • A landing page where someone can schedule an oil change

Other Inbound Marketing content includes:

  • Social media posts
  • E-books
  • Whitepapers
  • Guides
  • Blog series
  • Email newsletters
  • Email blasts
  • Strategic digital ads
  • And Call-to-Actions to tie it all together

Blog content is a core piece of Inbound strategies because it is often the source that draws potential buyers in. Blogging is an education tool in the Awareness stage of the buyers' journey. E-books and guides take the user further into the buyers' journey. The user realized while reading a blog, that they had a problem, and now they are looking for solutions - solutions they will hopefully find in another piece of content you offer.

Once you've got people engaging with your content, the next step is to keep them engaged. This can be done through connections on social media, email blasts, and strategic digital ads.

Ultimately, your Inbound Marketing strategies should lead them to buy your product or service.

When you've finally converted a lead to a customer, it can be tempting to say, "There, I've done it - I've mastered Inbound Marketing." That is not the case, though. Inbound Marketing is an always evolving process of creating, sharing, and refining content.

The best results come from building upon your content and continually engaging with customers and potential customers in order to grow your reach.

At this point, you might be questioning the amount of time and energy it takes to execute Inbound Marketing. And I won't lie to you, it does take time, our base monthly program starts at about 20 hours per month.

But that doesn't mean it's not worth it, especially if your business is growing or trying to grow.

Benefits of Inbound Marketing

One of the biggest benefits of Inbound Marketing is the tangible results. Have you ever received exact data on the amount of people who actually opened and read the flier you sent through the mail? Not likely. What about the number of people who heard your radio commercial? Inconclusive.

Inbound Marketing, on the other hand, provides actual data about your marketing efforts, which can be tied directly to ROI. From Google Analytics to social media analytics to email analytics, there are legitimate numbers to detail the amount of people who saw your content, opened your email, liked your message, or clicked your link.

Not only will you be able to see the return on your time, but you'll also be able to gauge what is working and what is not with solid evidence. This is super beneficial as you try to refine your efforts and become more efficient.

Another benefit of Inbound Marketing is its ability to aid your sales team and help them excel. Content helps get your message out to the masses, so your sales team isn't going in cold. Inbound Marketing also shortens your sales cycle by indicating Sales Qualified Leads who have gone through the funnel of your content - from Awareness to Decision. By using content marketing to prime your sales team, you create a shorter and more efficient sales process.

These are just two of the benefits of Inbound Marketing, and for each individual business there are a variety of other benefits to implementing Inbound Marketing, based on your current processes and ultimate goals.

As you can tell, we are pretty passionate about Inbound Marketing and how it can help grow your business. And we'd love to talk to you more in-depth about the way it can impact your business. If you've got quick questions, feel free to post a comment below or reach out to us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. If you're serious about growing your business and want to see real results, let's start a conversation.

Ahhhh... 2017 is here. And like every year before it, the start of January inspires new resolutions.

How are your resolutions going?

If you're like most people, then chances are your resolutions succumbed to the same fate as the donuts in the break room on January 3rd.

Now isn't the time to get discouraged, though. Don't hit snooze on new year resolutions, vowing (unfaithfully) to try again in 2018. Instead, take on a resolution -- or a few -- that will help you start off 2017 right, from the minute you start your day.

Whether it's first waking up in the morning or getting in the groove at work, here are some small, yet significant resolutions you can embrace for 2017.

Don't hit the snooze button in the mornings!

Simple in principle, but difficult in practice, letting go of the snooze button can be one of the hardest habits to embrace. If you're like me, you cherish every sweet second of sleep. But you are actually doing more harm than good when you try to squeeze in more zzzz's.

Need help quitting the snooze button? Here are few tips:

  • Set your alarm across the room, so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
  • Plan your most exciting/engaging activities for first thing in the morning to give you an incentive to wake up.
  • If you're an extreme snoozer, you can take more drastic measures, such as investing in an alarm clock that prevents you from just hitting snooze.

Spice up your morning commute.

One of the best ways to be prepared for your day is to actually make it to work on time. Easier said than done, right? I mean who's hard-pressed to rush out the door only to sit in traffic? But being on time relieves stress and sets you up to start your workday right.

Create incentive to leave the house a little earlier, or at least on time, by making your commute interesting.

If you're driving to work, skip the boring playlist and opt for more enlightening/engaging entertainment. Podcasts are a great way to catch up on practically any topic, from current events and politics to science and audio dramas.

Those who aren't driving have a plethora of options to expand their morning commute. Take advantage of the time by taking an online class or learning a skill such as basic coding. If you don't have internet access, then take the opportunity to catch up on local news and current events in your industry.

Take a rain check on emails.

Okay so maybe you can't put off emails for forever, but by giving yourself 30 minutes to an hour at work before you check email creates time to plan your day without distractions.

Emails are full of requests and interruptions. Typically, you already know what your key tasks are for the day, so organize those first. Once you plan out your day, then address your emails. The gaps in your day can be used for any reactive requests. Your response to requests will be more realistic and you'll be less likely to push off important tasks.

The new year is the perfect time to implement any of these changes into your day, but don't feel discouraged if you're three weeks in and you don't feel prepared to win in 2017. Now is better than never!

Have you embraced any of these day-conquering resolutions? Let us know how it is going in the comments! Or share your current New Year's resolution, we love to see how people are challenging themselves to live better, more productive lives.

We've all seen them, the kids sitting on Santa's lap at the mall with fear in their eyes and lips quivering on the edge of screams. Why do parents inflict this terror on their kids? Because as soon as Halloween is over, kids begin begging to go see Santa to ask for the latest toys and gadgets, but a white beard and a red coat doesn't make you Santa Claus. And kids can sense a phony the second they see his big, round beer belly.

The same way kids judge Santa at the mall, consumers judge the credibility of websites within seconds of being on the page.

Ever heard of bounce rate? If not, learn-up because bounce rate is a good indication of how credible your websites seems. Like kids run away screaming, so do consumers when they see a site that they don't believe is credible, and that sends your bounce rate soaring. A high bounce rate is not good, and Google rewards sites that users want to explore, aka low bounce rates.

Want to make sure your website isn't the equivalent of having a greasy, red sweater, and a beard tied loosely around your neck?

Here are 5 ways to make sure your website looks -- and is -- credible:

Good website design matters.

A user's first impression of your website will be based on how it looks. Cluttered pages, outdated templates, and missing files all devalue the look and feel of your website. No matter how informative the content may be, if your site looks messy or dated then users are less likely to trust your content. For further design tips, check out these four things to consider when designing a website. Need an example? Here are some of our favorite websites.

Use real images to display your credibility.

Quality images are a huge part of good website design. Not only are images ascetically pleasing, they can also provide the user with important insights into your company. We've all seen it, the suit-clad men shaking hands in a stock image. That image tells us nothing about the company and does not add any credibility. Anyone can find and use a stock image.

So, how do you make sure your website reflects your business? Use real images and videos of your company and products. People want to connect with real people. By displaying real images on your website, people will feel more connected to you, but don't comprise quality images by simply capturing iPhone photos at your next office luncheon. Spending the time and money on real images for your website will payoff as more consumers become personally connected to your business.

Always have contact info easily accessible on your website.

Just like your customers want to see real people, they also want to be able to contact a real person. A well-converting contact page will not only have a form where users can submit inquiries (and you can build your email list), but it will also have basic contact information such as phone number, email, and address, if applicable. In addition to a contact page, it's good practice to have your contact info in the header and footer, because every user has a different way of traversing a website.

And don't forget social media links! Social media has become a big influencer in consumers' perceptions of a company. Not only are they checking your social sites to see what your company is all about, some would even rather send you a Facebook message or tweet at you than contact you through traditional means.

Poor grammar, incorrect spelling, and irrelevant content harm your credibility.

Your website content should not only be relevant to your business, but it should also be carefully reviewed for proper grammar and spelling. Nothing is more confusing than misspelled or misplaced words. And users may question your intelligence if you use the wrong "there," "they're," and "their."

Website copy should not only be thoroughly reviewed for grammar and spelling, it should also be reviewed for readability. Using overly technical terms and complex language will turn customers away.

External links, testimonies, and case studies demonstrate external credibility.

An external link to a site that mentions your company is a good source of credibility. It shows consumers what other people have been saying about you - hopefully all good things. Testimonials also demonstrate credibility. Ask a few of your past customers to give a short testimonial about their experience working with you, so that potential customers know what others think about your product or service. Additionally, case studies can give users an idea of what it's like to work with you as well as your capabilities while illustrating which companies you've worked with.

Bonus tip for E-Commerce sites:

With Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and hundreds of large retailers all selling products online, there is a lot of competition in E-Commerce. Having a unique or highly-sought product won't guarantee customers will be stuffing their online shopping carts on your site. In addition to the credibility tips above, there are a few extra that E-commerce businesses should use to increase the credibility of their website.

1. Prices - Consumers today spend a lot of time research products before buying. If you don't list the prices on your site, they are less likely to trust what you are selling and will instead head over to Amazon or another retailer where they can get all of the information upfront.

2. Customer service contact info - By having your customer service contact info easily accessible, it tells customers that you care about their satisfaction, while also letting them know that your company has real people ready to help.

3. Customer reviews - Increase the credibility of your product by including customer reviews. Buying online often means customers can't see or test the product before hand. By including past reviews, potential customers are more likely to trust your product and want to buy.

If you've seen the movie Elf, or if you've ever been the parent of one of these kids, then you know the consequences of a phony Santa. Don't let the same situation unfold on your website. Utilize the tips and tricks above to increase the credibility of your site and to decrease the bounce rate.

You know that sigh of relief you get after an event you planned is over? You've seen all of your hard work come to fruition, and all that's left to do is tie up loose ends.

I had one of those moments recently. After months of planning a Non-Profit Fair, with the purpose of connecting students at the University of Louisville to local nonprofits, over 50 nonprofits were represented and over 300 students attended. Like most events, the fair's success was based on attendance - and we'd call it a huge success.

Attendance is a great way to measure the impact of your event. It can also be the most nail-biting aspect. And if your event is open to the public or a large group, then you may be left asking, "Will people show up?"

If your event isn't "invitation only" then there is only one good way to ensure your event has high attendance - good marketing.

3 Tips and Tricks For Marketing Your Event

1. Use event management platforms

At The Squad, we are big fans of Eventbrite, which helps you organize and promote your event. Eventbrite allows you to create an event listing page that shares the details of your event and even lets attendees RSVP or buy tickets.

It is a great tool to use for public events because anyone can find it and RSVP. Listings on Eventbrite are normally categorized by industry or purpose of the event, so people who find your event in a search are more likely to be interested in it. Holding a private / invitation-only event? Eventbrite is great for that too because it has the option to make the event page private, and only people who you share the link with can view it.

Utilize Eventbrite for:

  • Luncheons
  • Seminars
  • Galas
  • Performances
  • Conferences
  • Parties
  • Festivals

2. Create a social media campaign

Almost everyone uses social media these days, even grandparents stay active on social posting cute pictures of their grandkids. The large amount of users makes social media a great place to promote your event, but one or two posts leading up to the big day won't cut it. Good social media marketing is dependent on frequency and consistency.

Luckily, you don't have to spend hours every day to get your event out there. Tools such as Facebook's scheduler and TweetDeck can help you create a social media campaign that doesn't require actually going on the platform every day to post.

Facebook Scheduler (not available on personal pages) is a simple way to schedule many updates at once. Start by creating your post like you normally would, then instead of clicking "post" select the arrow next to it which will give you a drop-down that lets you select "schedule." In the scheduler, you will be able to choose the date and time that you want your post to be sent out.

TweetDeck works in a very similar way but is a tool outside of your normal Twitter interface. Log in to TweetDeck the same way you would log on to your Twitter. The platform will automatically set-up different streams for you to monitor your Twitter activity, but what you're really concerned with is the blue "New Tweet" button on the left sidebar. When you click "New Tweet," you can create your tweet like you normally would, then hit "Schedule Tweet" to choose the date and time.

Using these tools you can schedule multiple social media updates to promote your event. So take an afternoon and schedule away! Then you'll be set on social posts for the entire time leading up to your event.

Just remember, it is important to use a variety of engaging content, including images, text, and videos. And don't overdo it. Promotional posts should be mixed in with an array of other content not related to your event. Avoid promotion overload by following these guidelines:

  • Schedule 2-3 promotional posts per week on Facebook, then as the event gets closer you can increase the frequency of posts. In the few days leading up to the event, it becomes more acceptable to post almost daily about the event, just make sure to vary your content.
  • Twitter posts can be more frequent and you can begin by posting 5-7 per week about the event, then in the days just before the event, you can increase the frequency to 1-2 times daily.

3. Send out emails

Email can be a great way to reach people who have already signed up to receive content from you and who might be interested in your event. Tools like MailChimp let you send emails to lists of up to 2,000 subscribers for free.

Email is perfect for promoting professional events such as:

  • Luncheons
  • Galas
  • Open Houses
  • Seminars
  • Fairs

Email marketing should remain professional, and shouldn't be an information overload. By keeping your email short and sweet people are more likely to read it all the way through. Keep it short by linking to your event listing from sites like Eventbrite or including social media links where people can follow you to get more updates.

Of course, all event promotion can be supplemented by posters, flyers, and yard signs, but in professional settings, there is not always an efficient way to display this traditional material to the public. You can save time and money and reach more people by utilizing digital marketing tools.

If marketing your event seems overwhelming, or you're in the business of hosting frequent events, explore The Squad's social media marketing and email marketing capabilities. We can streamline your event promotion and help you increase the amount of people who hear about your event to ensure attendance equals a success.

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