If you’re wondering how to set up a Google Analytics Account and how it can help with your marketing – here are some simple tips.

Setting up a Google Analytics account is important if you want to analyze what’s going on behind the scenes at your website. To make it easy, here's a step-by-step guide:

* Create an account: Go to the Google Analytics website and sign up for a free account by providing your website details.
* Add the tracking code: After creating an account, you’ll be provided with a tracking code. Add this code to your website's HTML code, typically just before the closing </head> tag.
* Set up goals: Define what you want to track on your website, like form submissions, pageviews, etc. These will be your "goals."
* Track events: Set up event tracking to track specific user interactions on your website, like clicks on buttons or links.
* Configure your dashboard: Customize your analytics dashboard to display the metrics that matter most to you.
* Analyze and share your data: Once you have data coming in, start exploring your analytics reports to understand your website traffic, user behavior, and performance.

Hey, I’m not a super techie and never want to be. But even I can follow these guidelines.

Are you new or not that familiar with using ChatGPT? Here are some marketing tips to help you get started.

ChatGPT is an AI tool that’s revolutionizing writing, marketing, and research. Here are some ways to make it easier to use for your marketing project.

* Define how you’ll use it. Determine what you want to use ChatGPT for. Is it content creation or customer service? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, it will be easier to get the most out of the tool.
* Train the model: This is AI. You need to train the model on your specific language and tone. So that means taking the time to do it. The more data you provide, the more queries you give it, the more accurate your responses will be.
* Keep it simple: Don't overcomplicate things. ChatGPT is a tool designed to make your life easier, so start by asking simple questions and gradually increase the complexity.
* Monitor and evaluate: Regularly monitor and evaluate your results. Keep refining your approach and take time to train the AI model so that it improves over time! It really may make your life easier.

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Retail clients ask this question a lot. Which platform should I use in my marketing? NextDoor or Alignable?  Here are some thoughts.

NextDoor and Alignable are both local social networks designed for businesses, but they differ in their target audience and features.

NextDoor is a neighborhood-based social network

Residents can connect with one another, and local businesses can reach out to potential customers in their area. It's a great platform for businesses that serve a specific neighborhood.

Alignable is a professional networking site

It’s geared specifically towards small business owners. It allows businesses to connect with each other, network, and share recommendations, referrals, and advice. Alignable also offers a directory of local businesses and a search function, so it's easier for customers to find businesses they're interested in.

So, is NextDoor or Alignable better for your business?

That depends on your goals and target audience. If you're a small business owner who wants to network with other small business owners and connect with potential customers, Alignable is a good choice. If you're looking to reach out to a specific neighborhood or community, NextDoor may be a better answer.

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Want more customers? Ask for more testimonials – they’re social proof. Want some marketing tips? Reviews are so important to build your business.

Here are 5 marketing tips to get more reviews

* Timing is key - Wait until you’ve given excellent service or received a positive experience from your customer. Don’t ask in the middle of a problem.
* Personalize your request – Ask your customer or client to mention specific details about the service they received to make the request feel more personal.
* Be sincere - Be genuine in your request and let them know how much you value their feedback. If it’s good, that’s awesome. If it’s bad, say thank you for letting me know. That’s an area for improvement.
* Make it easy – Create a simple and straightforward process for leaving a testimonial, whether it's through an online form or email. You can even have an iPad at the counter or have someone follow up the next day. The point is to remember to ask.
* Be polite and patient - Give customers time to leave a testimonial and never pressure them. They’ll write a bad review instead!

Most importantly, remember to ask for the testimonial, just like you ask for the sale.

Looking to generate more leads on LinkedIn? Join the Club. Well, listen in. I’ve got some ideas for you.

Don’t overcomplicate getting leads or increasing visibility on LinkedIn. Here are some marketing tips to help you.

* Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Sounds like a no brainer. Just make sure your profile accurately represents you and your brand. Use keywords that describe your skills and services, and showcase your best work in the portfolio section.
* Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups: Find groups related to your industry and join them. Engage in discussions, share relevant content, and connect with other members to expand your network.
* Leverage LinkedIn Publishing: One of my favorites. Share thought-leadership articles on LinkedIn to establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can drive traffic to your profile. That’s the point, right?
* Connect with Your Target Audience: Use LinkedIn's advanced search features to find and connect with potential customers who fit your target demographic. Be sure to personalize your connection requests to increase your chances of being accepted.


* Think about LinkedIn Ads: LinkedIn Ads are a great way to reach your target market. Target your ads based on job title, industry, company size, and more. Test slowly and track your results.
* Host Virtual Events: Host webinars, online workshops, or Q&A sessions to connect with potential customers. And, don’t forget to promote your event on LinkedIn to reach a wider audience.

Of course, you want to engage regularly and post content as an expert. But make room for these ideas in your marketing plan, too.

Wondering what a mobile marketing tour is all about and how it can promote your brand? Listen in.

A mobile marketing tour is a great way to bring your brand directly to your target audience. It's also a unique way to interact with customers, build brand awareness and create a personal connection. Should you add a mobile tour to your marketing plan?

Here are 5 steps to launch your mobile marketing tour

* Identify your target audience: Determine who your target audience is and where they’re located. This will help you plan your tour route effectively.
* Define your goals: What you do hope to achieve from your tour? Are you looking to increase sales, build brand awareness, or generate leads?
* Choose your vehicle: Here’s the fun part. Decide what type of vehicle you want to use for your tour. It should be eye-catching and representative of your brand. Remember the Oscar Weiner hotdog mobile?
* Plan your route: Now that you know your audience, goals, and have a vehicle, map out a route that allows you to reach your target audience. Market with intention!
* Promote your tour: No one will know about your mobile marketing tour if you don’t promote it. Use social media, email marketing, and other promotional channels to create excitement about your tour.

What’s so great about mobile marketing tours?

Mobile marketing tours allow brands to connect with customers in a personal and memorable way. They can help build brand awareness, generate leads, and provide a fun and unique experience for customers.

What’s not to like about that?

Looking for video marketing ideas on Instagram?  Well, here are 7 ideas to start with.

7 Types of Marketing Videos that Perform Well on Instagram

* Influencer videos: Collaborate with influencers to create videos. It’s a great way to reach a new audience and increase engagement. Find an influencer that shares your audience, values, and mission.
* Behind-the-scenes videos: You’ve seen a million of them. Behind-the-scenes videos give you a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of a brand or company. They humanize your brand.
* Tutorials and How-to videos: A How-to video doesn’t need to be a major production. You can produce these on your iPhone. They provide value to your followers by teaching them something new.
* Time-lapse videos: Time-lapse videos are great for showing the process of making something, plus they're visually engaging. Experiment on your phone and see what you come up with.
* Product demos: Showcase how a product works. Product demos can help increase conversions and drive sales. Look at Amazon for inspiration.
* User-generated content: UGC or user-generated content is more believable than what you post. Reposting videos from your followers helps build community, increase engagement, and gives your audience social proof.
* Humorous or entertaining videos: Laughter levels the playing field. It’s a universal language and a great way to connect with your audience.

If you’re wondering what’s the difference between digital marketing, digital PR and social PR, stay tuned.

Ok let’s get some marketing and public relations definitions straight here.

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing refers to the promotion of products and services through digital channels, like search engines, websites, social media, email, and mobile apps. These are the channels you’re probably using every day to market your business.

Digital PR

Digital PR is the use of digital media to manage and build your online reputation and image of your brand or personal brand. It’s about creating and sharing content, engaging your community and influencers, and managing online crisis communication. Oooh, better be prepared for that. Don’t give your social media keys to just anyone!

Social PR

Think of it as a subset of digital PR. Social PR focuses on leveraging social media platforms to build your brand reputation and engagement. It involves creating and sharing content, enhancing engagement, and again – the necessary management of online crisis communication -- specifically on social media channels.

There’ll be no quiz here, but I just want to make sure you understand the differences between digital marketing, digital PR, and Social PR.

 

Want to optimize your search engine ranking? Look at keyword research to improve your marketing strategy.

Write a Topical List

Begin with a keyword list that describes your business. Say you’re a dentist. Start with services you provide like “Cosmetic Dentistry,” “Dental Checkup,” “or “Dental Cleaning.” Search engines consider the searcher’s location when they display websites, so if someone nearby is typing these keywords, you have a higher chance of showing up.

Use Tools of the Trade

Keyword tools like SEMrush can show you how often people search for specific keywords, giving you an idea of which ones are worth including on your website. If there’s high volume on certain keywords, it means there’s lots of competition.

Longer Keywords Go a Long Way

Websites like 1800 Dentist will probably have a higher keyword ranking than your local dentist. To rank higher, use longer-string keywords like “Dallas Cosmetic Dentistry” or “Oral Surgery in Dallas” so your website appears in more relevant searches.

What’s Your Intent?

Knowing how your customers think is half the battle when you’re crafting SEO strategy. If it’s back to school time and summer is over, more people may schedule a dentist appointment. Use the intent of your customers to your advantage by providing content that will target their predicted keywords

Want to know how to build a better marketing plan and win more customers? Look at the marketing framework to see if you’re on target. Here are some tips to help you get there.

Let’s talk about what it takes to improve your marketing plan framework.

* Market research is more important than ever
Research counts whether you do it yourself or outsource the task. Without it, you’re throwing darts at a wall. Think of it as a deep dive on your brand and your competition. It gives you insights that may be surprising.
* Study the competition
Invest time to research the competition from every viewpoint. What do you like about their messaging or style? What weaknesses seem obvious – and what might yours be? Write a detailed overview of your brand’s five top competitors, including apps, too.
* Identify your target audience
It sounds like a no-brainer, but basically, you’re on a discovery mission. What can you find out about your target audience’s behaviors and attitudes? Where do they hang out, what do they read, and what groups do they belong to? Don’t waste money or time on ineffective targeting.
* Develop a marketing plan timeframe
Timing is always a challenge and execution of your marketing and PR strategy requires careful scheduling and delegation of task assignments, and attention to details to hit key deadlines.
* Follow your mission statement
A mission statement crystalizes the purpose, motive, and vision for what your brand or company stands for. Ultimately, it gives customers an opportunity to understand who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.

Smart marketers understand that marketing and PR should be like best friends or sisters. How can you better align your marketing plan with PR?  Listen in.
PR Complements a Marketing Plan
If you’ve invested the time to create a marketing plan, then PR should be part of it. It’s an important part of outreach with the ultimate goal to create a buzz around your business. PR is a complementary marketing strategy because it helps meet the same business goals, only with different tactics.
Getting Earned Mention Helps Meet Marketing Goals
Your marketing team is probably busy looking at the results of different campaigns and how to get better results. PR can help those efforts with social PR or getting mention from influencers, or by influencing industry journalists to cover what’s new. Marketing and PR each have their own goals, but you have to learn how to evaluate your marketing plan and your PR plan, too to see that you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck.
Marketing Directs Digital PR Tactics 
Digital PR or social PR tactics can range from media releases, video, social media campaigns, targeted media drips, or answering HARO requests, or getting published on LinkedIn, to name a few. Both marketing and PR let your top prospects, clients, email subscribers and fans – and the media -- know what you’re up to. That ultimately separates you from your competitors and makes you more press worthy.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing consultant in Boston. If you’re wondering what a marketing plan and PR plan, plus training can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

With over two million podcasts, leveraging audio content is one of the fastest-growing new PR strategies. How do you start? Listen in.

So how much content do you have? Why not repurpose some of your blogs, articles, and videos and leverage that content to promote your brand. Here are some marketing shortcuts.

1) Edit audio and podcasts on Audacity

Even if you’re a total beginner, recording and editing a podcast on Audacity is simple. You can record, edit and publish all in one place. It’s actually the free audio tool that I use to record the #FastMarketingMinute.

2) Create and share podcasts on Anchor.fm

Anchor is another podcast platform, owned by Spotify. Anchor FM is a free tool that lets you create and distribute your podcast to any listening app. Another feature is that you can create video content to go with your podcast. So then, you can distribute to even more channels.

3) Maximize cross-channel promotion

Why not turn one video into ten or more pieces of different content? That lets you take your ideas as far as they can go and saves you time in the process. One of the tools that I use is Repurpose.io. Reinventing the wheel for social media can be exhausting. Don’t let it be!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and PR plans to help you increase sales and visibility. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

What if I told you social media marketing could be done in less time and be twice as fast? Interested? Here are a few tools.

Want to save time on your social media marketing and digital PR campaigns? Here are some tools to test-drive. Make sure they’re included in your marketing and PR plan.

1) Sort your social posts with SocialBee

When you simplify your social media posting with SocialBee, it lets you organize your posts into categories and schedule them when you want. Another benefit is that you can tweak each post to fit the platform, and keep posts on the same topic linked together.

2) Post new ideas with MeetEdgar

MeetEdgar was created just for small businesses who are incredibly busy. It pulls your evergreen content from your website, converts it to social media posts and keeps pumping out fresh social media content. Setting it up does take time, but it saves a ton of time.

3) Post articles, photos through Crowdfire

It’s always a good idea to mix up your content. If you found an article interesting that your target audience might like, your followers will probably like it too. Use Crowdfire to find articles that align with your brand or industry and automatically share them with your social channels.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and PR plans to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

Perfecting copy for social media is challenging. You need to be concise in your messaging but you’re so restricted by space. Want some tips to make your social copy better? Stay tuned.

Want to make your social media pop? Here are 4 ways to improve your social content.

1) Find the right emojis

Emojis will make your posts pop and be more eye-catching. They’ll also express emotion in ways that text can’t. Plus, Emojipedia makes it easy and lets you add emojis to your social copy from your laptop, not just your phone.

2) Set up a Linktree

Does it drive you crazy that you can’t include links in Instagram posts? There’s a simple fix. Drive traffic right to your website through a Linktree page and unlock the ways your small business can increase sales. Just be sure to test your CTAs to make sure you’re getting results.

3) Shorten your URLs

A long URL could easily eat up all the characters in your Tweet, or make your post look less appealing. Why not shorten your URL with Bitly or TinyUrl? A shortened URL condenses your link into one line, and even better, can track how many people click your specific links. 

4) Get inspiration from Copy.ai

Copy.ai is a cool tool that generates social media copy. Enter your keywords and subject matter and press enter. You may need to tweak a bit, but it can deliver inspiration and switch up your writing style.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and PR plans to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

Are you on the fence about creating a podcast? Here are three reasons why it can help with your marketing.

Open Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other podcast hosting app and you’ll find content on just about any topic. And many are produced by brands that sponsor their own content filling hundreds of hours of listening time.

Why couldn’t that be you? Should a podcast be part of your marketing plan?

3 Ways Podcasts Improve Your Marketing 

1. Podcasts are cost-effective

Creating a podcast doesn’t break the bank. Sure, it takes time and effort like developing any marketing channel, but you can produce content with little to no funds and there are lots of no-cost tools to help you. There’s Audacity for recording, Anchor.fm for posting podcasts, and Calendly for scheduling interviews.

2. Podcasts give your brand a voice

With a podcast you can share your views on social issues or whatever’s on your mind. Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of taking a stand on racial justice and produce a number of podcasts that center on racism, a cause they’re passionate about.  Remember, podcasts are your own media channel, and a low-cost way to promote your expertise.

3. People can learn from you

A podcast also helps you stand out as a thought leader. Think about podcasts as a way to share your message and engage with your target market. Connect with listeners that want to know more about what you do.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and

write marketing and PR plans to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what

marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

If you’re an avid Netflix watcher – and who isn’t? – some big changes might be coming soon. What could this mean for marketing? Let’s explore Netflix with ads.

There’s talk that Netflix might add a subscription tier that includes ads. This could mean a major shift in the marketing industry. It’s still a bit early to tell.

What do Netflix ads mean for marketing?
Including ads on the Netflix platform will be a major undertaking. The company needs to hire a sales team and build the technology to make it happen. Hulu has already been doing it for its free plans for years. Disney+ and HBO Max have also added tiers with advertising.

For customers, Netflix could be available for free or at a much lower price when the platform includes ads. For the company, it’s added revenue. For the consumer, it’s something they may have to put up with to pay for all the subscriptions they want.

Why is Netflix turning to ads?
Ads raise revenue. According to recent reports, Netflix has lost 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022. Ads will open a new stream of revenue for Netflix, but it also opens some concerns like data privacy for customers who uploaded their information before Netflix advertising discussions.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and create marketing planning solutions to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

Hosting an event is still an important part of a company’s small business PR strategy. But how do you simplify the event marketing process with so many variables.

The Reader’s Digest Version of Marketing Your Event 

1. List your event
Eventbrite, Facebook, Meetup. These are just a few places to list your event to reach the highest number of people in your target audience. Make sure to include tags, a detailed description of the event and links to your website and social channels. This allows you the opportunity to connect with guests before they arrive.

2. Write a description that makes you want to attend
As you write your event description, think about the purpose of the event. If it’s about small business marketing, appeal to people who think it’s critical to get a leg up on the competition. Be clear in your copy who should be interested. Write to your target audience. Know what they want, why they want to come, and what they’ll get out of it.

3. Be strategic with your email list
If you have an email list? Awesome. If you have a segmented email list? That’s even better. Email marketing strategy for small business should never be underestimated. And it’s powerful for event marketing. Even if you don’t have a list, start one with people who sign up, and plan to stay in touch with them. You’re building like, know, trust and believability.

4. Create the perfect hashtag
Hashtags build anticipation and help the event get discovered online. Encourage anyone who plans to attend or post on social media to use your particular hashtag.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and publicity plans. If you’re wondering what

What should be included in a marketing plan? Stay tuned.

A marketing plan is a blueprint to connect your ideal target audience with your products or services, and turn potential prospects into buyers. What should be in your marketing plan?

5 Key Elements of a Marketing Plan

1. Market Research
Market research sets the stage for what’s going on and what’s possible. What does it look like for your company and your competitors?  How big is the market and what messaging do they respond to?

2. Competition
What do you admire about your competition? Do they have a leg up on you, or are you top in your industry? When you weigh up the competition you can establish realistic marketing goals.

3. Identify your target audience
Zero in on your target audience. And don’t just answer the question of “who” your target audience is. What do they do? How do they feel? What do they like? Your own research and industry research will tell you.

4. Form a timeline
Create key deadlines for your marketing campaigns, and pace yourself. Timing is critical as well, which makes it one of the most important elements in your marketing plan framework. Anticipate key dates and prepare everything you need in advance of those dates. ABR - Always be ready.

5. Create a mission statement
A mission statement articulates what your brand is all about and talks about the why. It also gives you an outline for the rest of your marketing plan, and an easy-to-remember motto that your team can stand by.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and specialize in small business strategies to increase sales. Wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business? Visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call.

Your reputation is everything in marketing. Building it takes time and care, so it’s best to be proactive. How do you do that? Stay tuned.

If you're looking to preserve your brand’s reputation and boost sales, here are 3 small business marketing tips you’ll want to know.

How to Boost Your Online Reputation and Sales 

1. Reviews matter
One of the best PR tactics is to pay attention to public opinion through reviews. 93 percent of consumers say that online reviews influence their purchase decisions. A positive or negative review establishes your reputation and 5-star reviews tells potential customers they can trust you.

2. Be responsive
Whether you’re replying to reviews on social media or answering an email, stay in control of your message and respond to questions, concerns or issues – even bad reviews or comments. At the same time, if there are positive comments, respond gracefully and show appreciation. Why not make someone’s day?

3. Collaborate
Could your brand benefit from working with an influencer? If that’s a yes, find one that fits your company’s style and personality. Working with influencers can increase your brand’s credibility and following. Just be sure that they represent you the way you want to be perceived and that together, you’re building goodwill.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and brainstorm creative ways to get your business noticed. If you’re wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

How can you create better content? Here are some marketing tips to win at LinkedIn’s Creator Accelerator Program. Listen in.

If you’re wondering how to create a buzz for your business and write a lot of content, here’s one way to do that.

4 Marketing Tips to Ace LinkedIn’s Creator Program

1. Consume as much content as you create
Read just as much content as you write, watch as many videos as you create or read as many marketing case studies as you can. That knowledge and inspiration will help you create better content.

2. Test and learn, then test again
Trial and error helps you constantly improve. Evaluate what you learned after every marketing campaign. LinkedIn helps by giving you analytics and insights that better define your metrics.

3. Focus on impact, not perfection
No one can market their brand perfectly, but you can make an impact on others. Show enthusiasm and emotion, not just your expertise. Give people an opportunity to connect more meaningfully with you and your work.

4. Don’t be afraid to try video
Videos don’t have to be long or complicated to be effective. Learn how to use your smartphone for videos. Remember perfection is a myth. Also check out apps like Canva or Splice. See what they have to offer.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and write marketing plans to help you increase sales and visibility. Wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business? Visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!