When I first started my exciting "big girl" internship at The Squad, I really had no idea what to expect. The only things I knew were that the team was on the smaller side, they dealt with inbound marketing clients, and that I had written articles to be published for said clients for the past year. I had never had a chance to truly dive into the company, since I worked as a freelance writer from my university in New Albany.
Coming in the first day, I was amazed that the entire Squad fit into one room to discuss the daily tasks to be completed. As I looked around, I noticed a few things that made me immediately feel like this was somewhere I could belong. The first thing that stood out to me was the integrity of a faith-based business---scripture was used in lieu of inspirational posters, everyone was genuinely polite and respectful toward each other, and I never once felt uncomfortable with any topics that were discussed. I also noticed a Kramer poster from Seinfeld perched elegantly on the wall, and I knew that the Squad had their priorities straight.
Bryce was the one who brought me in to intern, and under the combined efforts of him, Brooke, and Jessie, I was delegated tasks and taught the ins-and-outs of social content, publishing, and editing for SEO. I will always appreciate this opportunity and the things I have learned from my time here. From Spotify music sessions with Josh to discussing potato salad recipes with Wesley, I have grown to enjoy the little moments I've had with each member of this dedicated team. The countless picnics, walks, and, of course, funny graphics, have gotten me accustomed to working with a close-knit group of individuals who consistently build each other up and bring laughter to their work. Needless to say, it will be hard to adjust to whatever comes next for me after the shameless nerdy moments with Kristina and feeling called to embrace my passions after listening to Ellie speak about her love for salsa dancing.
Working here, I felt respected and valued as a team member, not just a silly intern whose input meant nothing. I've learned so much about the process of marketing that I can't wait to use in the future, and I appreciate everyone being patient with me as I learned how to operate WordPress, HubSpot, and all of the other tools The Squad uses on a daily basis. It means a lot to be surrounded by people who are willing to build you up and teach you the things you need to know to be successful, without getting frustrated during the learning stages. As my internship at The Squad comes to an end, I will take away a lot of lessons from the team who made my time here not only a learning experience, but an enjoyable one.
"Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"
This old quote from Lost in Space immediately plays in my head when I see some websites. Like any other normal person, I use the internet to search for information. This could be the latest movie times, replacing my dad's trailer hitch, or even researching where I want to go on vacation next. With that said, I'm devastated and frustrated when I search for your specific company or even just a general search term like "Louisville scuba shops" and get a site that I can't even navigate. I'm pretty website savvy, so when even I have trouble, then "Danger! Danger!" with sirens and flashing lights should be going off in your head.
So, anyone can say that your website is bad, but how can you tell? I'll help you out and create a checklist. If you can even check off a few, then your website needs an upgrade.
Alright, so it's a little ironic that I'm talking about things being out-of-date when I started the blog with a quote from the 90's. However, unlike movies, websites cannot be everlasting classics (not that I'm calling Lost in Space an everlasting classic), but websites are never a done deal. They have to change with the times and get an upgrade every once in a while. Think about your wardrobe. Is it the same as the 90's? I hope not. An out-dated website makes you look like you're not up with the times, as well as says that your online customer is not on the top of your priority list.
Thus, leading into our list...
1. Autoplaying. If you have music playing or someone walking out on your website and talking --- stop now. This instantly dates your website. It's annoying and is now considered a joke.
2. Not Mobile-Responsive. I'm sure you've heard this before, but it's essential. I'll admit, I'm a millennial, but I'm not the only one using a tablet or cell phone to search--- so are my dad, my little cousin, and my grandmother. We will all leave if your website isn't responsive to our various devices. So, not having a mobile-responsive website is not just annoying to consumers, it's detrimental to your business.
3. Identity Crisis. This could go two ways.
A. Your website makes no sense. If you're a modern technology company, but your website looks like you're selling country real estate, then you have a problem. You want your website to align with what you do. When someone comes to your website, they should instantly identify who you are and what you do.
B. Crazy clutter. If you have more ads than an actual website flashing on the screen, then you might as well turn off the site. No one will stay and fight to figure out your message versus your ads.
4. Wrong or Missing Info. Does your website have "check out our 2012 offerings," talk about discontinued products, or even give wrong or missing contact info? Do you often come across a 404 Error? All of these are a turn-off. You are not only missing an opportunity, but you're also losing potential prospects. No one can make an informed decision if you don't even give them the proper info. You need to fix your website copy and add in some links ASAP.
5. Low-Res Images. Everyone and their grandma has high-definition cameras, even on their phones. So there's no excuse if all of your images are so grainy that I have to squint to see them.
6. Not Personal. In today's market, there are so many businesses similar to you that I could go to five others instead of yours. So, make sure that your website creates a connection with your potential customers. This could be with personable copy or even photos of your real employees and building. If I come to your site and have no idea who you are and what makes you special, why should I even bother?
7. Bad Content. Duplicate copy, poorly written sentences, or even keyword stuffing --- you need some help.
8. No Call-to-Action or Forms. Why am I there? If I want more info, but I don't have a clear line of what to do next, then there's a severe break in your funnel.
9. Not Helpful. I'm at your website, but I'm not learning anything. I can't find info on how to use your product, about your story, or even an ebook on your industry. Help a girl out and give me what I'm looking for.
10. No social. If you don't have consistent social media posts and if you don't have social media links on your site, I wonder how much you're really up with the times. Not only that, but if you are keeping up with social but aren't linked to them on your site, then you're wasting a possible resource.
11. Pop Ups. The bane of a website users' existence. Everyone hates them. So, don't have them all over your site.
12. Throwbacks. Some color schemes and graphics might have been popular decades ago, but they aren't now. You don't need a black background with multi-colored text and glitchy animation.
13. Too Many Pages. No one wants to sift through 50 pages on one website. That's too much.
14. Bad Flow. If I come to your website and can't understand where to look or where to go, then something is wrong. I say that if you ever have to explain something to someone to find or understand anything on your site, then it wasn't done right. I shouldn't need a guide to your website.
15. Bad Spacing. If you have too much space to the point that I can park a smart car, then tighten it up. If you have no breathing room between the massive amount of text, pictures, and blocks of colors, then give it some space.
16. Broken Links. If I get a 404 on a regular basis on your website, then that means I can't get to those essential pages.
17. Copy Heavy. If I go to a page and feel like I'm reading a novel, then there's too much copy.
18. Flash. Why should I download a program simply to look at your site?
19. Copy Cat. If you're copying a competitor in any way, that looks unoriginal and petty. Can you really not separate yourself from the competition?
20. No Way to Contact. If I want to buy a product or ask a question, I want to be able to contact you. If I can't---you just lost a sale. And not just from me, but from all of my friends, too.
Your website is often the first impression I have of your business. Make sure it's a good one. If your website checks off any or a lot of these warning signs, then you should be alarmed---danger, danger!
Check out how we approach website design on our website or contact us to get the process started. If you decide to work with us or not, either way, for the sake of your customers and business, please update your site...soon.
Every company has a culture that determines the vibe of the workplace. Some companies are very formal, where you show up to work in a suit and tie. Others are more casual and laid back. A company's culture determines how free you feel to speak up when there is a problem or whether or not your boss is open to hear your opinion. Considering that you spend 40 hours every week of your life at work, you should pay attention to company culture when you are looking for a new job. Since we are a growing company and plan to hire new team members in the upcoming months and years, we wanted to write a little bit about our culture for those of you who might be interested in becoming a part of The Squad in the future.
One of our team members, Greg Ladden, who was with us for five years, brought the culture of honor to our company. It was something that he learned from his time with Bethel Church, based on a book by Danny Lee Silk. Having a culture of honor is all about creating an environment of freedom, respect, empowerment, and healthy discipline. It is about those in leadership positions empowering the workers under them. We have embraced the principles that Greg brought to The Squad and believe that they make us stand out as a company.
Too often companies use intimidation and shame to motivate employees. We have realized that this method crushes freedom and creativity, which is essential for success in the marketing world. At The Squad, we encourage transparency, which means that when there is a problem, we are not passive-aggressive. Instead we take the initiative to approach the other person in a non-threatening way. We strive to be encouraging, empowering, and motivating when it comes to interacting with other team members. By working with these principles, we are better able to get the job done - delivering excellence and professionalism to our clients.
If you haven't noticed from our Instagram and Facebook pages, at The Squad we have fun! Though we no longer have a ping pong table due to limited space with our growing company, it is not unusual to hear an outburst of laughter in the Squad lair when Joel and another teammate do a face-swap on Snapchat or when Judson creates another of his hysterical Adam memes.
Lastly and most importantly, we have a culture of getting stuff done! While we love to have fun around The Squad and stress the importance of the culture of honor, our goal is to communicate and amplify our clients' stories, messages, and values to retain and grow their business, audience, and influence in this information-driven economy. And we do just that! We have a team of people that love to see our clients succeed.
If you are passionate about helping businesses succeed using digital marketing and have skills in the field that would contribute to what we do, we encourage you to reach out to us. We are not actively hiring, but we will make room for the right people! If you are a business that offers an awesome product or service and needs some help in the area of digital marketing, you can contact us here. We have what you are looking for!
Video technology has increased dramatically in the past handful of years and the demand has risen to match. Here at The Squad, we are positioned to shoot and produce short commercial videos to promote your business and culture. Here are some lessons we have learned (sometimes the hard way).
The biggest mistake you can make in creating a great video is not spending enough time planning on the front-end and wasting valuable time and effort in post-production. Know the duration, the tone, and the massaging of your final cut before you shoot a single frame of footage!
Modern internet-savvy consumers are constantly viewing well-produced media. No matter how well-executed your piece happens to be, you’ll need to keep it as short and efficient as possible. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to duration, but remember that your audience’s time must be honored in this unique format.
This will include a specific list of locations, people, and products that need to make it into the final cut of the video. Showing up on ‘game-day’ without this list will be a huge efficiency killer and may even result in a dreaded re-shoot.
Most small business owners are far from comfortable with being in front of a camera. Whether you are working with a verbatim script reading or a more causal interview style, it is vital to prepare your subject(s) with as many details as possible before the shoot. This could include clothing choices, examples of similar video pieces, or even doing a practice run-through to uncover any red flags before the shoot.
Between cameras, lenses, microphones, memory cards, etc... It is incredibly easy to forget an item and show up without a vital piece of equipment. It’s a good idea to have a standard gear list and to make adjustments according to each individual shoot.
Quality camera gear can be incredibly expensive. Depending on the amount of shoots you do in a given year, it may be more cost-effective to rent some of the larger ticket items. Online rental shops are usually a better value for your dollar, but if you are looking for a personal touch, your local camera shop will rent many of the basics you will need for a successful shoot. When renting, make sure you allow a few hours to test any gear that may be unfamiliar to you.
When pressure is high during shooting, it can be easy to rush the process. Whether the client is pressed for time, or your talent is struggling with a scene, it is important to slow down. Making time for an extra take you are unsure of, or taking a water break during a stressful moment can make a huge difference in the final cut. Record more dialogue than you anticipate needing! It’s always better to have a couple options in the final editing process.
Your clients, teammates, and talent can sense if you are feeling stressed or unsure of yourself. It’s up to you to set the tone for the entire process. Take time to connect with your talent, so that they trust you behind the lens. Smile and command the room when you are directing a scene. Your confidence and leadership can make a huge difference.
Happy shooting! -J
Interested in hiring The Squad to shoot your next video? Visit our video page to find out more!
I recently attended a Google event that I found very informative. And while the primary Google representative could not share a lot of Google’s algorithm secrets, he did share some great insights. The good news, from my perspective, is that Google is continuing on their path towards rewarding relevant, timely, and sharable content. Of course, it also needs to be well-optimized.
At this same event, I was able to network with some folks that need help with their website and navigating the confusing waters of SEO and digital marketing. Two out of the four people that I was able to have a meaningful dialogue with had been burned by an SEO company that over-promised and under-delivered. After asking a few questions, it was easy to see why they would be on the defense when talking with someone about their website and getting it found by people that matter to their business.
You may have noticed that the title of this post is inconsistent. Because SEO "snake oil" type of services do not coincide with trust or transparency. Quite the opposite. In fact, if someone is discussing how they can help you with SEO in very vague non-transparent terms, then please beware. If you are being promised a page one listing on Google’s organic results, then definitely beware.
On the other hand, if you’re being consulted or advised by someone that is open, transparent, and realistic about what they can or cannot do, then they’re probably worth a listen. The next step would be determining how well they know their stuff by doing a little research on them and what they’re recommending. After that, find out who they’ve helped and built trust with in the past.
Here at The Squad we are an "open book" when it comes to serving our clients. Mainly because we want to create a win – win scenario that leads to long lasting relationships. Our approach is to start with your business development sales objectives and then formulate a realistic plan based on those primary objectives. Interested in our methods? Feel free to contact us.
LinkedIn is a great prospecting and lead generating tool when used effectively. Over the past few years, I have developed a system that helps me build my network and generate leads with LinkedIn. Read more to learn how to use these 5 strategies to generate leads with LinkedIn.
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card and interactive resume. It is often the first place new business connects will go to research a new business contact.
Be sure that your profile has the following critical elements:
By the way, please take a moment to view my profile and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Once a person has skimmed your profile to learn more about you, in most cases they will dig a little deeper and peruse your most recent updates or posts.
There are three basic types of content distribution channels on LinkedIn: updates, images, and posts.
It is important that you think strategically about the type of content you share on LinkedIn. It should be a solid mix of organic content and curated content that is relevant to your target audience.
Over the past few months, there has been growing concern about LinkedIn becoming to much like Facebook. I encourage you not to post silly pictures, off the wall content, or anything else that will detract from your professional image.
The amount of content you publish and when to share it are also important considerations. As a general rule, post one time per day Monday through Friday.
LinkedIn is a social network. It is important to be socialable and connect with other people and work to expand your network.
There are five primary methods for being sociable:
Be genuine in your communication. Whatever you do, don’t use the default LinkedIn text. Be thoughtful and sincere. Trust me, people can tell when you are hurriedly trying to connect or communicate using default LinkedIn content.
Like many applications, there are free versions that give you basic access and premium tools that give you the "good stuff." LinkedIn has done a masterful job with this business model.
If you are serious about using LinkedIn as a business development tool, Sales Navigator is a must. This feature rich level of access equips you with a myriad of tools that helps you find, following, and connect with key prospects.
During our next webinar, I will be covering in detail how to leverage LinkedIn Sales Navigator and InMails to generate leads.
One of the biggest mistakes I see business development and sales professionals make with LinkedIn is a lack of strategy. Most common issues are tendencies to helicopter in and out, publishing poor content on an inconsistent basis, using standard LinkedIn text, and unrealistic expectations.
LinkedIn is just a tool. Your ability to wield it will directly impact the results you get from it.
There is no secret sauce or shortcut to LinkedIn lead generation. Like most things, it takes time, effort, and energy.
I would love to share more about you can leverage LinkedIn to generate leads. Join me on Wednesday, August 24th at 12 NOON for my free webinar.
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