Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

The Future of Ads in the Age of AI: What Business Owners Need to Know

AI is everywhere — including your ad account.
And while that sounds futuristic and exciting, lately it’s been more… chaotic than clever.

If you’ve noticed Meta’s Advantage+ campaigns behaving like they’ve had one too many espressos — launching the wrong creative, pushing phantom offers, or deciding your skincare ad should feature an entirely different product — you’re not imagining it.

This isn’t strategy. It’s automation gone rogue.

1. AI Is Changing Advertising — But Not Always for the Better

Meta and Google are racing to make ads “smarter” through AI automation. Advantage+, Performance Max, and AI-generated creative tools promise better targeting, faster learning, and more efficient spend.

But here’s what they don’t tell you: AI doesn’t understand your brand. It just understands patterns.

So when it sees that “discount” ads perform well, it might start showing fake offers. When it notices a product with strong engagement, it might feature it in every campaign — even if it’s irrelevant to your audience.

That’s how you end up with an Advantage+ campaign showing an outdated promo or a completely wrong product. And it happens a lot.

2. What I’m Seeing in the Real World

Lately, I’ve had to keep an extra eye on clients’ campaigns because of what Meta’s quietly rolling out:

  • Advantage+ launching ads with the wrong creative (sometimes wrong product, sometimes wrong offer).

  • AI-generated copy using phrases or promises we never approved — like “50% off!” when there’s no sale running.

  • New AI tools being switched on by default, without warning.

  • Automations overriding audience exclusions and retargeting logic.

Each new “feature” rolls out automatically, and Meta never gives you the option to decline before it’s active. So I’ve found myself manually checking every campaign every few days just to make sure AI hasn’t gotten creative in all the wrong ways.

3. Why This Matters for Business Owners

If you’re running your own ads, this stuff can quietly wreck your results — and your brand reputation — before you even notice.

Because here’s what happens when AI runs wild:

  • Your spend gets scattered across irrelevant audiences.

  • Conversions tank because your messaging is inconsistent.

  • Customer trust takes a hit when an ad promotes something you don’t actually offer.

Meta’s automation is powerful, but it’s not a replacement for human judgment. Think of it like a self-driving car — you still need your hands near the wheel.

4. The Smart Way to Use AI in Advertising

AI is brilliant for supporting your campaigns — not running them. Here’s how to make it work for you instead of against you:

a. Turn Off What You Don’t Trust

Regularly check campaign settings for new toggles or “Advantage” features that weren’t there last week. Meta rolls out updates constantly, and many are switched ON by default.

b. Keep Human Oversight

Never assume AI-generated creative or targeting is brand-safe. Review every ad variation, headline, and image before it goes live — even when Meta says “automatically approved.”

c. Use AI for Ideation, Not Execution

Tools like ChatGPT can help brainstorm ad angles, emotional hooks, and audience insights — but you decide what actually runs.

d. Prioritise Manual Campaigns for Control

Use manual campaigns for remarketing, high-value offers, and lead-gen. Keep Advantage+ only for broad awareness testing (and monitor it closely).

e. Watch Your Metrics Like a Hawk

If CTR or cost-per-result suddenly changes, don’t assume it’s a seasonal dip. Check that an AI setting hasn’t quietly flipped on.

5. What to Expect Next from Meta

Meta isn’t slowing down — they’ve made it clear that automation and AI-driven campaigns are the future of their platform. Expect more “smart” features, more default activations, and less transparency about what’s switched on.

But that also means marketers who stay proactive will win. If you’re the one actually reading your ad reports, checking your creative, and adjusting strategy, you’ll outperform 90% of advertisers who assume Meta knows best.

6. Final Thought

AI in advertising isn’t bad — it’s just immature. Right now, it needs adult supervision.

If you set it and forget it, AI will happily spend your money on the wrong products, fake offers, and audiences who will never convert. But if you treat AI as a creative assistant rather than a campaign manager, you can harness its speed without losing control.

So yes, the future of ads is powered by AI — but only if there’s a human watching the dashboard.

Seeing strange behaviour in your Meta campaigns? Let’s do a quick audit before AI takes the wheel (and your budget).

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

5 Ad Copy Formulas That Stop the Scroll (and Convert Like Crazy)

Let’s be honest… writing ad copy is hard. You have about two seconds to grab someone’s attention before their thumb flicks you into oblivion.

So if your ads aren’t getting clicks, it’s not that your offer’s bad… it’s that your message isn’t cutting through the noise.

The good news? You don’t need to be a copywriter to write scroll-stopping ads. You just need the right formulas — the kind that make people stop, feel something, and take action.

Here are five proven ad copy formulas that actually work (and a few insider tricks to make them even stronger).

1. The “Problem → Agitate → Solve” Formula

This one’s classic because it works every time.

You highlight the problem your audience is facing, twist the knife just a little (so they feel the frustration), and then offer your product or service as the solution.

Example:
“Still boosting posts and hoping for sales? You’re not alone — most small businesses waste thousands before realising Meta Ads can do so much more. Let’s fix that.”

Why it works: It taps straight into your reader’s pain point and positions you as the fix.
Where to use it: Google Ads headlines, Meta Ads primary text, LinkedIn posts.

2. The “What If” Hook

Perfect for curiosity-driven audiences. You start with a “what if…” question that makes them stop and imagine a better result.

Example:
“What if your ads actually brought in leads instead of likes?”

Then you back it up with proof or a strong offer:
“With the right campaign structure, you can double your leads without spending a dollar more.”

Why it works: It triggers curiosity and possibility — people want to click to find out how.
Where to use it: Short-form video ads, carousel captions, top-of-funnel content.

3. The “You’re Doing It Wrong” Reality Check

This is your tough-love formula — ideal when you want to stand out as the straight-talking expert.

Example:
“Still letting Meta decide who sees your ads? That’s like handing your car keys to a toddler. Time to take back control.”

Why it works: It disrupts people’s pattern. It’s bold, unexpected, and instantly positions you as confident and knowledgeable.
Where to use it: Google headlines, bold intro lines in video scripts, and retargeting copy.

4. The “Social Proof Sandwich”

You lead with proof, slide in your offer, and finish with confidence.

Example:
“Our clients saw a 3x increase in qualified leads after we rebuilt their campaigns from scratch. Want the same? Let’s make it happen.”

Why it works: It builds instant credibility and trust.
Where to use it: Retargeting campaigns, case study ads, or testimonials with a call to action.

5. The “Feel-Good Future” Formula

Paint the picture of what life looks like after someone works with you or buys your product.

Example:
“Imagine opening your laptop to new leads every morning — no boosting, no guessing, just consistent results.”

Why it works: It helps people see themselves succeeding, which builds motivation to click.
Where to use it: Instagram Reels voiceovers, long-form primary text, landing page headlines.

Bonus Tip: Let ChatGPT Help (But Don’t Let It Write for You)

AI tools like ChatGPT can help brainstorm variations, find emotional angles, or suggest new hooks — but they can’t replace your brand voice or intuition.

Try this:
Ask ChatGPT to give you 10 ad headlines for your offer, then rewrite them in your tone.
It’s like having a creative intern — useful, but only when you guide it.

How to Make Any Formula Work Harder

Once you’ve chosen a copy formula, strengthen it with these tips:

  • Lead with emotion, close with logic. People buy emotionally, then justify rationally.

  • Use numbers where possible. “3x more leads” hits harder than “more leads.”

  • Keep one clear call-to-action. “Book a call” or “Shop now” — not both.

  • Refresh your creative often. What stops the scroll today might flop next month.

Final Thought

Good ad copy doesn’t sound like an ad — it sounds like a conversation that makes someone go, “Yep, that’s me.”

When you get your message right, everything else clicks into place: your cost per lead drops, your ROI climbs, and your brand finally feels like it’s being seen by the right people.

Stop boosting. Start connecting. That’s how you win in 2025.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Stop Boosting Posts: Here’s What to Do Instead on Meta Ads

If you’ve ever hit that bright blue “Boost” button on Facebook or Instagram and thought, “There, that’ll get me some leads!” — I get it. It feels easy, instant, and like a small, smart move for your business.

Except… it’s not.

Boosting posts might get you a handful of likes and the illusion of reach, but it’s basically digital confetti — looks fun, disappears fast, and doesn’t build momentum.

Let’s talk about why boosting posts actually hurts your long-term performance and what to do instead if you want ads that deliver real leads, not vanity metrics.

1. Why Boosting Posts Feels Good — But Gets You Nowhere

Boosting is Facebook’s way of saying, “You don’t need strategy, just give us $20 and we’ll take care of it.”

And sure, it’s tempting. But boosted posts:

  • Don’t target effectively — they show up to whoever the algorithm thinks might like it, not who’s actually ready to buy.

  • Don’t build data — there’s no proper campaign structure, so Meta doesn’t learn who your best audience is.

  • Don’t convert — likes don’t pay invoices.

Boosts might get you more engagement on a post, but not necessarily from people who’d ever purchase from you.

2. Here’s the Harsh Truth About Organic Reach

Here’s something most business owners don’t realise: once you publish a new post, your organic performance actually drops — often by as much as three times lower than normal.

I see it constantly with clients. The moment you post something new, your previous content gets buried by Meta’s algorithm, prioritising recency over quality. So while you’re celebrating a “great post,” your reach across everything else takes a dive.

If you’re relying on organic reach to drive sales, that drop can be brutal — especially when your competitors are running well-structured ads that appear in front of your exact audience, every single day.

3. What You Should Do Instead: Run Strategic Meta Campaigns

Forget boosting. Instead, build real campaigns inside Meta Ads Manager.

Here’s what to focus on:

a. Set Clear Objectives

Don’t just promote for “reach” — decide what you actually want.

  • Leads? Choose “Lead Generation” or “Conversions.”

  • Awareness? Go for “Video Views” or “Traffic.”

  • Engagement? Sure, but with a remarketing goal in mind.

b. Use Campaign Budget Optimisation (CBO)

Instead of spending randomly, let Meta distribute your budget to the best-performing ad sets. This makes your budget work smarter, not harder.

c. Test Multiple Creatives

Run 3–4 versions of your ad creative (image, headline, copy) to see what performs best.
Don’t guess — let the data tell you what resonates.

d. Retarget, Retarget, Retarget

This is where most businesses miss out. Retarget people who engaged with your content, visited your site, or added to cart. These are the warm leads who already know you exist — they just need the right nudge.

e. Refresh Regularly

Ad fatigue is real. Refresh your creative every 3–4 weeks to keep performance consistent.

4. The Paid-Plus-Organic Balance That Actually Works

Now, this doesn’t mean you should abandon organic altogether — it’s still valuable for brand storytelling, social proof, and community.

But here’s the trick:

Use organic for connection, and paid for conversion.

Let your organic content build trust and personality — and use paid campaigns to make sure the right people actually see it.

That way, you’re not relying on luck (or the mercy of the algorithm) to bring in sales.

5. How ChatGPT Fits Into This

AI tools like ChatGPT can be incredible for brainstorming ad copy, hook ideas, or creative variations — but they’re not a substitute for strategy.

You can use it to:

  • Generate 10 headline ideas for your next campaign.

  • Refine tone for different audiences.

  • Find pain points your customers actually search for.

Just remember: AI helps you think faster, not market better. The magic happens when you know how to use it within a smart, structured campaign.

6. Final Takeaway

Boosting posts is the marketing equivalent of throwing glitter at a wall — it’s fun, but it doesn’t stick.

If you want consistency, scalability, and real results, it’s time to move beyond the Boost button. Build campaigns with purpose, use your budget intelligently, and lean into automation with strategy behind it.

And if your leads have slowed down lately, don’t panic — it’s probably not your product. It’s just your approach.

A proper Meta Ads setup can turn that drop around faster than you think.

Want your ads to stop burning budget and start bringing in leads?
Let’s rebuild your Meta strategy — no boosted posts, no fluff, just results.

Contact Me
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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Meta’s AI Is Launching Itself — Here’s Why You Need to Keep an Eye on Your Ads

Meta’s AI tools are switching on by default — changing ads, offers, and creative without approval. Here’s how to stop automation chaos in your campaigns.

If you’ve opened Ads Manager lately and thought, “Wait, I didn’t switch that on…” — you’re not imagining it.

Meta has quietly started enabling new AI-powered ad features by default, without asking for your explicit approval. The goal, according to them, is to “increase automation and efficiency.” But in reality, it means your campaigns can start using tools you never turned on, with settings you didn’t choose.

And when you’re spending real money every day on ads, that’s a problem.

1. What’s Actually Happening

Over the past few months, Meta’s rolled out a wave of AI-driven features that sound helpful in theory — but in practice, they’re often switched ON automatically in Ads Manager.

Here’s some examples of what I have seen activated behind the scenes:

  • Advantage+ Creative Enhancements: Automatically adjusts your images, colours, and text — sometimes even changing the background or cropping product shots.

  • AI-generated background and text suggestions: Meta’s new “creative help” tools can write or redesign your ad visuals on the fly.

  • Ad variation testing: Some campaigns are automatically split-tested with AI-generated copy or layouts, even if you didn’t create them yourself.

  • Personalisation using chat data: Meta’s systems can analyse user chat interactions to improve ad targeting — whether you opted in or not.

These tools are meant to make advertising easier. But when they’re turned on without your input, it’s easy for things to go sideways.

2. The Problem With Auto-Enabled AI

Automation is brilliant when you control it. The issue is that many of these new features are buried deep in settings — or worse, the toggles keep moving.

Recently, I’ve seen Advantage+ campaigns:

  • Launch ads with the wrong product.

  • Use discount messaging that didn’t exist.

  • Swap out creative mid-campaign without notifying me or my client.

For agencies and business owners who value brand consistency (and basic accuracy), that’s a nightmare.

When AI starts inventing offers or pulling the wrong creative, it’s not “optimising” — it’s off-brand automation, and it can damage trust faster than a bad review.

3. Why Meta’s Doing It

From Meta’s point of view, it’s about data and scale. By switching AI tools on by default, they:

  • Collect more behavioural data faster.

  • Improve their machine learning accuracy.

  • Make advertising feel “plug and play” for small business owners who don’t want to manage complex campaigns.

But that convenience comes at a cost — control. And if you don’t know what’s been turned on, you can’t manage the risks or the results.

4. How to Protect Your Brand (and Budget)

Here’s how to keep AI in check:

🔍 Check Your Campaign Settings Weekly

Meta’s constantly updating Ads Manager. Every few weeks, new AI tools appear — sometimes hidden under “Advantage+” or “Performance Enhancements.” Open every section of your campaigns and ad sets and see what’s been toggled on.

🧠 Turn Off Automatic Enhancements

If you see settings like “Automatically improve your ad performance” or “Allow Meta to enhance creative,” turn them off unless you’ve tested them.

💬 Review Your Copy and Visuals Often

Even if you haven’t changed anything, AI tools can quietly adjust visuals and text. Check your live ads weekly to ensure they’re still aligned with your brand and offer.

📊 Track Performance Spikes

If your CTR or CPA suddenly changes, don’t assume it’s a good sign — it might be an AI experiment gone wrong. Dig into the “Inspect” tab to see what Meta’s been testing.

🚫 Monitor New Rollouts

Follow Meta’s Business Help Centre and changelog updates (buried, but important). They occasionally list new features or changes that went live.

5. AI Isn’t the Enemy — It Just Needs Supervision

Look, AI isn’t evil. It’s incredibly powerful when used intentionally — it can speed up testing, personalise creative, and find new audiences you wouldn’t have considered.

But right now, Meta’s version of “helpful automation” is more like a toddler with a paintbrush — enthusiastic, unpredictable, and capable of making a very expensive mess if you’re not watching.

So treat your ad account like an ongoing experiment. Use AI for support, but keep a human on the wheel.

6. Final Thought

Meta’s automation will only get more aggressive from here. It’s not about whether AI will run your ads — it’s about how much control you’re willing to give it.

Check your settings regularly. Audit your campaigns often. And if something suddenly performs “too well” or looks off-brand, don’t ignore it — inspect it.

Because in 2025, marketing with AI isn’t about trust — it’s about supervision.

Want someone to keep an eye on Meta’s updates so you don’t have to?
Let’s make sure your ads are performing because of AI, not in spite of it.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Freelancer vs Agency: Which One’s Better for Your Business in 2026?

No lock-ins. No juniors. No fluff. Just real strategy, real reports, and better results. Here’s why Melbourne businesses are switching to freelancers.

If you’ve ever felt burned by a marketing agency or overwhelmed trying to do it all yourself, you’re not alone.

Choosing between a freelancer and an agency can feel like a coin toss — one promises “scale”, the other promises “personalised service”. But in reality, what most business owners want is simple: results, transparency, and a partner who actually gives a sh*t.

So, let’s break down what really matters when choosing who to trust with your marketing — and why, in 2026, the freelancer model is quietly (and deservedly) taking over.

1. Let’s Start with the Obvious: Agencies Have OverheadS

There’s nothing wrong with agencies; some do great work. But the model itself comes with baggage. Big teams, fancy offices, layers of account managers, and yes… the occasional lunch date with a ping-pong table.

All that overhead doesn’t make your ads perform better; it just makes them more expensive.

When you hire a freelancer, you’re paying for expertise, not office rent. My pricing stays competitive because you’re not funding “team culture days” or “Friday arvo drinks.” Every dollar you spend goes into actual campaign performance.

2. No Lock-In Contracts — Because the Work Should Speak for Itself

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from new clients is that they felt trapped in long-term agency contracts, even when results weren’t there.

Here’s my approach: if I’m doing my job well, you’ll want to keep working with me. Simple as that.

That’s why I don’t do lock-ins. You stay because the work works, not because you’re legally bound to ride it out.

3. You Get Real Reports — Not Auto-Generated PDFs

We’ve all seen them. The 30-page monthly report full of colourful graphs and industry jargon that somehow says nothing.

I don’t do that.

You get real reports with real insights — clear metrics, what they mean, and what we’re doing next. I explain what’s working, what’s not, and where your money’s actually going.

It’s transparency without the fluff.

4. When You Work With Me, You Get Me

No juniors. No middle managers.

When you hire me, I’m the one building your campaigns, analysing your data, and optimising your ads. Every strategy, headline, and budget decision comes directly from me.

That means faster communication, better consistency, and someone who actually knows your brand inside out.

5. Why Freelancers Win on Performance (and Accountability)

When you work directly with a freelancer, you’re partnering with someone whose name is literally attached to the results. There’s no hiding behind a logo or a vague “we’ll get back to you.”

I’m accountable for every click, lead, and conversion, and I like it that way.

Agencies can juggle 20+ accounts with different teams and workflows. I focus on fewer clients so I can go deeper, not wider. You’re never just another invoice; you’re part of a small, hands-on group of businesses I personally help grow.

6. But Don’t Freelancers Get Overwhelmed?

A fair question, and the answer is yes, some do. But I’ve built my systems around efficiency and strategy, not volume. I’ve also been doing this for over 15 years. I’ve learnt some things.

I’d rather manage ten brands exceptionally than fifty “sort of okay.” That’s how you get consistent performance and long-term ROI. Not by spreading yourself thin, but by truly understanding each client’s data, message, and goals.

7. The Sweet Spot: Agility + Experience

Working with a freelancer doesn’t mean compromising on skill. I’ve worked with a wide range of businesses and budgets, across both Google Ads and Meta Ads, and I bring that experience into every campaign.

You get the agility of a freelancer with the strategic depth of an agency — minus the inflated pricing and ego.

8. Final Thought: The Industry’s Changing, and So Are Expectations

In 2026, businesses are done with being over-serviced and under-delivered. They want honesty, responsiveness, and results that make sense.

That’s what I offer:

  • No lock-ins.

  • No fluff.

  • No juniors.

  • Just clear strategy, honest communication, and performance you can see.

Because the truth is, marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be done properly, by someone who cares about your results as much as you do.

Tired of paying for ping-pong tables instead of performance? Let’s chat about how I can make your marketing budget actually work for you.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Why Your Business’s Leads Are Dipping (and How to Fix It With Google & ChatGPT-Friendly SEO)

Not getting as many leads? Learn why your traffic’s dipping and how to boost it fast with Google and ChatGPT-friendly SEO strategies that actually work.

If your leads have slowed down lately, you’re not imagining it. Search behaviour is changing - fast. Between Google algorithm updates, website performance hiccups, and the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s getting harder to stay visible online.

But here’s the good news: once you understand why your leads dropped and what to do about it, you can bounce back stronger than ever.

1. The Silent Killers Behind a Lead Drop

When your website traffic dips, it’s rarely just one cause. Usually, it’s a mix of technical and behavioural shifts happening all at once.

Here are the biggest culprits I see with my clients:

  • Website downtime or slow load times – If your site was down (even briefly), search engines may have reduced how often they crawl it.

  • Google algorithm updates – Core updates often reshuffle rankings, especially for small-to-medium service-based businesses.

  • Neglected content – Outdated blogs, missing keywords, and stale copy can quietly push you down the rankings.

  • User experience – If your site’s hard to navigate or slow on mobile, visitors leave faster and search engines notice.

  • AI disruption – Tools like ChatGPT and Bing Copilot are changing how people search. Many users now skip Google altogether and ask AI directly.

2. Why ChatGPT Is the New SEO Frontier

When someone asks ChatGPT, “Who are the best marketing agencies in Australia?” or “How can I grow leads for my business?”, the answers don’t just appear out of thin air. ChatGPT pulls from high-authority, well-structured, clearly written websites.

If your content answers exactly those questions in a simple, conversational tone, there’s a good chance ChatGPT will reference your site or use your phrasing in its generated response.

Think of it like this:

Google rewards search-optimised content.
ChatGPT rewards helpful, structured, human-sounding content.

The sweet spot? Do both.

3. How to Fix the Problem (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to start turning things around:

Step 1: Check Your Website Health

Run a full site audit — make sure your site is online, fast, secure (HTTPS), and error-free. If your domain went down recently, re-submit your sitemap to Google Search Console so it starts crawling again.

Step 2: Refresh High-Value Pages

Look at your top service or lead-generating pages. Update them with:

  • current keywords (use a free keyword tool or Google’s own suggestions)

  • clear calls-to-action

  • conversational tone that matches how people talk to AI tools

  • internal links to other relevant pages

Step 3: Create Content That Answers Questions

This is huge for both SEO and ChatGPT. Create blog posts that start with questions people actually ask — like “How do I get more clients from ChatGPT?” or “Is SEO still worth it in 2025?”

Format them with clear headings (H2/H3), bullet points, and quick answers.

Step 4: Optimise for Authority

Get a few fresh backlinks (guest posts, local directories, partnerships).
Mention your business name consistently across the web — this helps with brand “entity recognition,” something AI models like ChatGPT use when determining trustworthy sources.

Step 5: Keep It Active

Post new content regularly. Even one quality blog per week signals to both Google and AI crawlers that your site is alive, helpful, and relevant.

4. Real Talk: What You Can Expect

If your website was offline for a while, it might take a few weeks to fully recover in search rankings — but you will recover if you stay consistent.
Clients of mine who follow a similar plan typically see their organic leads start improving again within 4-6 weeks.

5. Quick FAQ (For Google and ChatGPT Crawlers)

What is ChatGPT SEO?
It’s the practice of structuring your website and content so AI assistants like ChatGPT can easily find, understand, and use your content in responses.

Is ChatGPT replacing Google search?
Not yet — but it’s complementing it. Businesses that show up in both places will dominate visibility.

Can I rank in ChatGPT?
Not exactly “rank,” but you can be referenced or sourced when ChatGPT answers questions in your niche. The clearer, more authoritative, and useful your content, the better your chances.

6. Your Action Plan

✅ Re-submit your sitemap and fix any site errors

✅ Update your top 5 pages with fresh copy and calls-to-action

✅ Publish 2–3 new blog posts answering real customer questions

✅ Start using structured data and internal linking

✅ Promote your new posts on social to build authority

Final Thought

Search is evolving, but your strategy just needs to evolve with it. If you create content that helps real people and makes life easy for Google and ChatGPT to read, your leads will come back stronger than ever.

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Google Ads, Business Tips Annie Moon-Arkell Google Ads, Business Tips Annie Moon-Arkell

From Clicks to Conversions: How Professional Google Ads Management Maximizes ROI

Explore the changing digital marketing landscape, stressing the need to adapt strategies for reaching audiences. Focuses on Google and Meta, outlining best practices for creating engaging ads. The importance of strong branding and content creation is highlighted, showcasing how cohesive visuals and storytelling enhance brand success. Additionally, it offers practical tips for effective email direct marketing (EDM) campaigns and information on workshops to empower businesses in a competitive market.

Welcome, welcome. Today I am taking you through the magical world of Google Ads management, uncovering the secrets of transforming clicks into conversions and maximising your Return on Investment (ROI). Hold on tight as I unveil the power of professional Google Ads management in achieving unparalleled success for your brand!

The Quest for Conversions: Where Clicks Meet Profits

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, clicks are just the beginning of an epic adventure. It's conversions that lead to the treasure trove of profits! Enter professional Google Ads management – the secret weapon that turns your clicks into gold. Like expert treasure hunters, our team knows the precise strategies to navigate the complex digital terrain, ensuring every click drives your audience towards the ultimate destination – a successful conversion.

Mastering the Art of Persuasion: Crafting Irresistible Ad Copy

In the quest for conversions, the art of persuasion is your most potent weapon. Our team of seasoned wordsmiths is skilled in crafting ad copy that captures hearts, minds, and wallets. We know the magic words that compel your audience to take action, transforming them from passive browsers into enthusiastic buyers. With professional Google Ads management, you'll witness the enchanting dance of words that generates high-quality leads and drives revenue growth.

Targeting the Right Audience: Precision at Its Finest

In the digital kingdom, precision targeting reigns supreme. No more casting nets into vast oceans; our professional Google Ads management hones in on your ideal audience. Armed with advanced audience segmentation and data-driven insights, we ensure your ads reach the right people at the right time – like a bulls-eye hit at the archery range! This precision targeting maximizes your ROI, as every dollar invested reaches the audience that matters most.

Unravelling the Metrics: Your Digital Compass to Success

In the maze of digital marketing, data is your compass to success. Professional Google Ads management interprets the metrics, decoding the language of clicks, impressions, and conversions. Like skilled cartographers, we navigate through the data to optimize your campaigns for peak performance. The result? A clear path to achieving maximum ROI and unlocking the full potential of your digital marketing efforts.

The Quest for Ad Dominance: Standing Tall Among Competitors

In the competitive realm of Google Ads, it's survival of the fittest. With professional Google Ads management, your brand emerges as the formidable champion. Our team unleashes the power of strategic bid adjustments, ad extensions, and ad scheduling to ensure your ads stand tall above competitors. Like an eagle soaring above the crowd, your brand captures the attention of potential customers, securing a prime position in the digital skies.

Adapting to the Ever-Changing Landscape: Staying Ahead of the Game

The digital landscape is ever-changing, like a dynamic symphony of algorithms and trends. With professional Google Ads management by your side, you adapt, evolve, and stay ahead of the game. Our team continuously monitors the digital horizon, optimizing your campaigns to align with the latest industry trends. With every algorithm update, we adjust our strategies, ensuring your brand remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, dear marketing visionaries – the mesmerizing journey from clicks to conversions with professional Google Ads management! Like skilled navigators, we steer your brand towards the destination of unparalleled success. With persuasive ad copy, precision targeting, data-driven insights, and strategic dominance, your brand's ROI will soar to new heights.

So, let our team be your digital guide, and witness the enchantment of turning clicks into conversions like never before. Take the leap into the realm of professional Google Ads management, and discover the treasure trove of profits that awaits your brand!

Now, embark on your epic adventure towards digital greatness, and let the magic of professional Google Ads management maximize your ROI to levels beyond imagination. Happy marketing, trailblazers! 🚀💼

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Unleashing the Power of Google Ads: Why E-commerce Brands Can't Get Enough in 2024!

The year 2024 has unveiled the most phenomenal ally for your brand's success – Google Ads! With precision targeting, hyper-personalization, AI-powered insights, immersive ad formats, shoppable video ads, and multi-channel reach, Google Ads has become the ultimate secret weapon for e-commerce brands.

In 2024, the digital landscape has evolved, and the undisputed champion of online advertising is none other than Google Ads. Join me as I explore why Google Ads has become the ultimate weapon for e-commerce brands, propelling them to unprecedented success!


Precision Targeting: Hit the Bullseye Every Time!

Imagine having a targeting tool so precise that it hits the bullseye with every shot! In 2024, Google Ads has fine-tuned its targeting capabilities, allowing e-commerce brands to reach the exact audience that craves their products. With advanced audience segmentation, keyword targeting, and location-based ads, it's like having a heat-seeking missile for potential customers. You'll be engaging the right audience at the right time, taking your e-commerce game to a whole new level!


Hyper-Personalization: The Magic of Individual Experiences

In the age of personalization, Google Ads has cracked the code for e-commerce brands. With dynamic ads tailored to individual user preferences, it's like having a virtual shopping assistant for each customer. Picture this – a potential buyer searches for "stylish sneakers," and your ad showcases a variety of trendy kicks, matching their unique taste. The result? An irresistible shopping experience that converts casual browsers into loyal customers!


AI-Powered Insights: Predicting Success Like a Crystal Ball

Step aside, fortune tellers, because Google Ads has harnessed the power of AI to predict success like a crystal ball! In 2024, smart bidding strategies and AI-powered insights are guiding e-commerce brands toward advertising greatness. Bid adjustments, real-time data analysis, and predictive modelling optimize your campaigns with unmatched accuracy.


Immersive Ad Formats: Interactive Experiences That WOW!

In the dynamic world of 2024, Google Ads has evolved beyond static banners into immersive ad formats that WOW your audience! Picture this – interactive product showcases, 3D product visualizations, and AR-enabled try-ons that bring your products to life like never before. It's like stepping into a virtual showroom, where potential buyers can touch, feel, and fall in love with your products, all from the comfort of their screens.


Shoppable Video Ads: Lights, Camera, Action – and Sales!

E-commerce brands have found their silver screen moment with shoppable video ads! In 2024, Google Ads has unleashed the magic of video marketing like never before. Your captivating video content can now include clickable product tags, making it easy for viewers to shop while being entertained. It's like merging Hollywood glamour with the convenience of a digital storefront, resulting in a blockbuster success for your e-commerce brand!


Multi-Channel Reach: Meeting Customers Where They Are

In the omnichannel era of 2024, Google Ads offers e-commerce brands the ability to meet customers wherever they roam. From search ads that dominate Google's results pages to display ads that dazzle across a vast network of websites and apps, you'll be casting a wide net to reel in potential buyers. It's like having a global stage for your products, attracting customers from all corners of the digital universe.


Conclusion:


Ladies and gentlemen of the e-commerce world, the year 2024 has unveiled the most phenomenal ally for your brand's success – Google Ads! With precision targeting, hyper-personalization, AI-powered insights, immersive ad formats, shoppable video ads, and multi-channel reach, Google Ads has become the ultimate secret weapon for e-commerce brands.


As the digital landscape evolves, embrace the magic of Google Ads and witness your e-commerce brand soaring to new heights of profitability and success. Welcome to the future of digital marketing, where the possibilities are endless, and your e-commerce dreams come true with every click!


Now, fasten your seatbelts, and let's embark on a thrilling ride to the top of the e-commerce realm with Google Ads as your trusty co-pilot! Happy marketing in 2024 and beyond! 🚀🛍️

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Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Safely Grant Access To An Agency On Facebook Business Manager

In today's digital landscape, a robust online presence is essential for small businesses. As consumers turn to the internet for information and services, neglecting digital marketing can lead to missed opportunities and lost revenue.

A structured digital marketing strategy, including SEO, content creation, and targeted ads, enhances visibility and engagement. Utilizing platforms like Google and Meta, small businesses can effectively reach their audience, driving conversions. High-quality content fosters trust and authority in the market.

Over the years, Facebook has evolved from a school-based social networking site to a website filled with nearly endless possibilities. Now, it can even support companies and agencies through the Facebook Business Manager.

“Facebook Business Manager is an amazing tool for businesses of any size because it allows them to manage and secure their Facebook assets, accounts, and advertisements. With a few clicks, FB Business Manager can also give them the ability to work with agencies and other companies.” says social media manager and SEO strategist Christian Green of Writefuel

Working with agencies makes things easier for you because you can give them tasks like advertising while focusing on the essential parts of your business. Of course, this doesn't mean that you should do something risky, like giving away your business’s password. There is a safer, easier way of giving your partners or agencies access to your accounts without exposing yourself to security threats.

Step 1: Check Your Business Admin Status

Before giving an agency access to your Facebook Business Manager account, the first thing you should do is make sure that you have business admin status and that your agency has a Facebook Business Manager and business ID. If they do not have a Business Manager, it would be best to ask them to make one.

Step 2: Configure The New Settings

When the business admin status and ID are ready, giving your agency access is a piece of cake. All you would have to do is go to Business settings, click on “Partners,” then  “Add.” 

 Step 3: Grant Partner Access

After selecting “Add,” mouseover and choose “Give a partner access to your assets.” You can then enter your partner’s business ID and click next, which will take you to another screen.

Step 4: Manage And Control Assets

On the pop-up screen, you can manage and control the assets you want your agency to access. You can also assign them various roles that you want them to fulfil. Once you’re done, simply click “Save Changes.”

Step 5: Work With The Right People

Online scammers can pretend to be official agencies and request access to your business. To keep you and your business safe, ensure that you know and recognise the person or agency you are giving access to.

Remember that Facebook officials and employees will never ask for your password or access to your account. However, if you receive a suspicious request, you can report it, and Facebook will take care of it.

Want Your Facebook Business Manager Account in Safe Hands?—Work With Mo Creative Marketing 

Delegating some of your work to agencies and consultants is essential in keeping you productive, scalable, profitable, and balanced. However, you don’t want your Facebook Manager Business Account in the wrong hands, right?

Mo Creative Marketing is your reliable Facebook marketing partner. Influencers and businesses partner with us to develop their brand, market their products or services, engage their audience, generate and convert leads. Reach out and schedule a consultancy call if you want to grow your business online, increase your reach, and boost your sales through marketing.


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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

2021 Digital Marketing Trends

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken a toll on organisations worldwide. Consequently, people's shopping habits have changed, and online shopping is an impulse. People are successfully buying online, and many businesses have taken the chance online to keep in touch with their clients.


To compete effectively in 2021, businesses and marketers must examine innovative and tried-and-true online marketing tactics to thrive in this era of directionless market shifts. To help you do that, here's a look at digital marketing trends for 2021.

Pinterest Lens

Pinterest, predictably, has gotten on the image search frenzy. They released Lens, an image search engine that enables users to snap a picture of an item and find out where to shop it online. Shoppers can also browse for comparable goods and see pinboards of related products by capturing their image. Pinterest is doing well, and Mo. Creative Marketing can help boost your business with both organic and paid Pinterest ads.

Content Is Still King In 2021

Many top companies will keep spending extensively on content creation as Google rewards well-researched, constantly updated content.


"Instead of chasing the newest SEO trends, it is far more necessary to assure that your website has fast loading speeds, relevant backlinks, and well-written content," says link building strategist Craig Skinner of Twixxer.


Essentially, B2B marketing professionals believe that producing content helps their audiences see their company as a reliable and trustworthy resource.

Interactive Content

Interactive content is a strategy that has been here for quite some time but has only just been acknowledged as a recommended practice. Not only can interactive content increase engagement, but it also enhances the user's satisfaction.


Polls, open-ended questions, quizzes, competitions, freebies, surveys, calculator widgets, and other interactive content can work wonders for your business. At the very least, they prolong users' interactions with your business, which improves your ranking in algorithm-based search and streams. People, furthermore, like to be entertained; thus, interactive content practically enhances client involvement.

Inclusivity And Sustainability: Standing Tall

In 2021, people care deeply for those who are less fortunate and the planet. A large part of their interest is to ensure those who receive their money also care about others and the earth—as much as they do.


The industry is witnessing a popularity increase for inclusion, sustainability and eco-friendly businesses, particularly among younger customers, with 81% of shoppers firmly believing companies should better the world we live in. This cause extends beyond the LGBTQ communities, PWDs and green goods market—every business can profit from publicising their inclusive and sustainable activities. The key is to communicate your inclusivity and sustainability throughout your content and brand.

Graphic Designs Trends 

  

The first impression is the last in all forms of communication. Thus graphic and visual design trends may influence the growth of your brand. Anyone can consciously or unconsciously point out an outdated web design.


Stories on web technologies frequently focus on a web designer or business site pushing the limits with new design technology. Although these methods may influence brands and business sites, they seldom do. To determine if your site is up to date, you must look into graphic trends among the major websites that your audience is acquainted with.


These web-graphic design trends, according to Venngage, are expected to persist until 2021:


1. Color palettes with muted tones

2. Gradients of colour

3. Illustrations that are abstract and dreamy

4. Fonts with a lot of weight

5. Curves and Flowing Lines

6. Stock Photos That Are Genuine & Authentic

7. Landing Pages with a Simplistic Design

8. More Personalised Animations


If you're time-crunched, allow Mo. Creative Marketing to help you design or redesign your first impression. 

What Can You Do to Stay Ahead of These Digital Marketing Trends?

Digital marketing is very dynamic; new trends emerge routinely, altering how branding is conducted. Every year, as the tempo of technology accelerates, you will see new and exciting developments impacting how you, as marketing professionals convey your products.


Following these trends allows digital marketers to remain current in the industry and provide the most significant value to their customers. 


Mo. Creative Marketing can provide you with current industry-relevant information and services to achieve that end. I provide Facebook and Instagram marketing, graphic design, branding, social ads, web development and design, consultancy, blog development and more!


Contact me today, and let's set your business rolling from 2021 and beyond!

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

SEO Explained: Tips for Small Business

Before understanding how to optimize for search engines, it’s important to understand what SEO is and how it works. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the main tactic that marketers use to make their web pages visible to search engines like Google and Bing. Pages with stronger SEO will appear higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Search engines are constantly making updates to their ranking and SEO algorithms in an attempt to provide the user with the most useful content first. In 2018, there were at least 15 suspected algorithm changes. Some of these changes are minor, but others can have a major impact on keyword ranking and traffic.

For instance, a Google Core Update in March 2019 caused a big drop in organic traffic for many reputable media and publishing outlets like The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times.

Why website rankings matter for small business marketing

To be successful with organic traffic, small businesses really need to try to rank on the first page of a SERP (Search Engine Results Page). There’s a saying popular with SEOs that the best place to hide a dead body is on page two of Google. It basically goes to show that most people will only look at the results on page one and either click on one of those links or search for something else.

In fact, the click-through rate on Google SERPs decreases exponentially with positioning. Links that appear in the first position have a 30% click rate. The number drops to 10% for links in the third position and falls closer to 2% towards the bottom of the first page.

Source: Smart Insights 

Some larger brands will likely pay for Google ads to offset any shortcomings with their SEO strategy. For organic traffic, however, Google doesn’t pay attention to budget or resources in its rankings. The best way small businesses can beat the bigger fish in organic traffic is to have better SEO.

4 steps to improve your SEO marketing for small businesses with a limited budget.

Fortunately for small business owners, you don’t need to have a major budget or large team to be successful with SEO. You just need to understand a few basic best practices and put them to action.

Here are four simple steps you can take today to improve the SEO of your small business.

1. Go beyond keywords.

Back in the early days of SEO, marketers would stuff their content with dozens of keywords in hopes that Google would see the frequency and boost the page ranking. The result was often disjointed text that was difficult to read and not beneficial for the user.

Today, Google will penalize content that includes too many keywords. Ideally, your content should have been 2 and 5% keyword density, which means you’re mentioning it no more than five times for every 100 words you publish.

However, you need to understand more about why people are searching for specific keywords. Search engines are focusing more on user intent and will return websites that they feel best match what a person wants to do when they search for a specific topic. For instance, if you search for the term “best restaurants in Seattle,” you will get results for specific restaurants, as well as articles that rank local restaurants by various criteria.

The bottom line: You need to focus on creating quality content that answers questions and provides relevant and useful information the people who land on your page expect to see.

2. Create a Google My Business profile.

The number of online searches using the term “near me” have jumped by as much as 900% over the past two years. If you’re using your online presence to drive people to your physical business location, it’s imperative that you set up a Google My Business profile.

The process is free and it only takes a few minutes, but it adds authority to your business and provides more information that’s helpful to users. At the very least, you should include your name, address, and phone number. Take a look at all of the information made available by Me on my Google My Business profile.

The best thing about creating a Google My Business profile is that you don’t need to be an expert SEO to do it. You just need to know your company’s information and follow Google’s instructions, and you’ll have your profile set up in no time.

3. Encourage customers to leave reviews.

You’re probably already aware of the power of positive reviews for your small business. After all, 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses before becoming customers. You might not have realized that these reviews also impact your SEO performance.

According to Moz, Google considers customer reviews as one of its main factors in determining search ranking positions.

It’s important to remember that, while you want all of your reviews to be positive, a negative review here or there won’t hurt your SEO as long as you reply to it in a timely manner.

4. Create backlinks from other sites.

Link building is a major factor of off-site SEO that big brands might spend a large portion of their digital marketing budget to master. While having those extra funds to hire agencies and vendors helps, you can do some of the same things on your own.

It might take a little bit of time, but you can start an outreach program to contact relevant organizations to develop reputable backlinks to your page. The higher the domain authority of the page linking to you, the better the backlink in the eyes of Google. For instance, if your business is a Cajun restaurant, you could reach out to a local newspaper or media outlet about including your business in an article about the best places to spend Mardi Gras.

You can also drive some traffic back to your site by creating listings for your business on other directory sites like Yelp and YP.com.

Don’t forget about combining email marketing with your SEO.

Emails won’t help improve your Google SERP position. However, the engagement from those emails could send positive indicators to search engines that will in the long run.

The most immediate impact will be additional traffic to your site, which shows search engines that your pages are active and popular. If people spend time there without immediately leaving, it’ll also improve your bounce rates. Finally, the more people click around on your site, the more it shows Google that users are trusting your pages to learn more information about specific topics.

Remember, the goal of SEO marketing is to get people to discover your website and take actions when they’re there. It’s the same goal as your email marketing.

Wrap up

Small businesses are sometimes backed into a corner when competing against bigger brands. They often don’t have the money and resources for advanced digital marketing campaigns and paid methods. The best way for small businesses to even the playing field is with a strong SEO strategy. To best optimize websites for search engines, small businesses need to focus on best practices, including:

  • Creating great content that provides value for the user and gives them what they expect and hope to receive.

  • Updating a Google My Business profile with basic information like business name, address, and phone number.

  • Encouraging users to leave reviews or ratings about your business on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other online sources.

  • Building an email campaign aimed at improving engagement to your website.

You can track your SEO results in Google Analytics, which integrates with your Campaign Monitor dashboard. It can take several months to notice an impact from your tactics, but, if you follow these steps, you’ll begin to see an increase in your overall traffic and revenue.


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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Essential Tips For Branding Your Small Business

So you've successfully launched a small business! 

Congrats! 

Most people only dream of launching their own business, but you've gone the whole mile, drafted a corporate business plan, registered your business name, and found your first client! 

However, while launching your business is a huge accomplishment, there's still a lot of work ahead of you.

It would be best if you got proactive with branding your business and marketing it to the world.

Below, I've compiled a quick guide on branding your small business so that you can help yourself stand out from the competition and stick in the minds of the consumers you interact with.

Do Your Market Research

If you've already launched your business, you're already aware of the importance of performing market research

Essentially, market research allows you to find out if there's a demand for your products or services, in turn, helping you assess the viability of your business. 

However, when it comes to branding, market research is just as, if not more important. 

Before you move on with creating brand guides, designing your marketing materials and promoting your brand, you need to get a firm understanding of who your target audience is. 

The best way to do this is to create "buyer personas," which are semi-fictional representations of the people who are most likely to interact with your brand. 

Buyer personas should contain as much information about your ideal customers as possible, including their average age, gender, geographic locations, hobbies, interests, and more.

For example, if your small business sells athletic apparel and footwear, one of your buyer personas might look something like this: 

  • Name: Jim Galafakis

  • Gender and Age: Male, age 27

  • Location: San Francisco, California

  • Interests: sports, outdoor recreation, hiking 

Ideally, this fictional character will be someone who is most interested in buying from your brand. 

So by using this buyer persona, you'll have a much better idea of how to create brand guides and marketing materials that appeal to this type of person. 

Create A Brand Style Guide

A brand guide or branded style guide is essentially a rulebook containing all pertinent information related to your brand's look, feel, and voice. 

Brand style guides contain the specifications relating to your branded colours, brand logos, image specs and dimensions, typography, and tone of voice. 

These are used as a general guide to ensure that your marketing materials will be consistent at all times, regardless of who is creating them. 

Design Marketing Materials

Marketing materials, such as business graphics, logos, brochures, pamphlets, business cards, and social media accounts, are essential when promoting your brand to your target market. 

BusinessCards is a free tool anyone can use to create and print 100% custom business cards to help with their branding. 

Again, your brand's style guide will help ensure that all these materials align with your brand's overall goals and approach to business. 

Marketing materials can be created in-house, or for those who need help with this, there are plenty of freelance workplaces, such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, where you can find skilled people to help. 

Regularly Review, Revise, And Improve

When you first launch your business, you should have a general idea of how you want to be branded. 

However, as your progress in the lifecycle of your business, it's essential to regularly revise your brand to ensure that it's still in line with your target demographic and your own businesses' overall goals and objectives. 

We recommend that, once a year, you and your team sit down together to re-evaluate how your small business branding has and is resonating with your audience. 


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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How to Launch a New Business on a $100 Budget!

We’ve all heard stories of Entrepreneurs starting out in their parents’ basement, or building a global company from a garden shed.  Even huge companies like Amazon, famously have humble beginnings.  But just how humble a beginning can we manage these days?

 

How about a budget of just $100 to build from the ground up and launch your new venture?  If you are very careful and methodical, it absolutely can be done.

 

Of course, the small budget comes with many constrictions.  For example, you can’t invest in a large bulk of stock up front.  Nor can you pay for a big ads campaign. 

 

For the purpose of this post, we will assume that any stock or materials are already in your possession, or that you are launching a service-based business with no material overheads. What we are focussed here is on the launch process, which can be done surprisingly cheaply when you know where to focus.

 

Despite what you may have heard, organic social media can still be leveraged with some time and effort, and it’s amazing what you can achieve with a good plan in place. You don’t actually need an ads budget to launch. 

 

So let’s look at how to launch a new business on a $100 budget.

 

 

The start

 

Your website and brand can be created for a truly low price.  Check out Wix, Squarespace, or an ecommerce solution like Shoppify for a tiny monthly subscription cost.

 

You can create your branding using free online tools. Use a free Canva account to brand all your graphics; which you will then use on your website, your social media and your email marketing. Check out LogoCreator for free logo design, using their templates or designing your own with their elements. Now you are ready to start showing your brand to the world.

 

When it comes to launching, there is power in consistency. So be bold, and show up as regularly as you can manage. The more consumers see you, the more they will begin to see you as a trustworthy business. This is simply about repetition and familiarity breeding trust.

 

With this in mind, be aware that your first few social media posts or email blasts won’t move the needle. You are building trust first. So don’t expect those sales too quickly, as don’t be discouraged. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

The strategies

 

There are two key strategies for launching a business that don’t come with a hefty price tag. One is organic social media, and the other is email marketing.  You can use your organic social media to fill your email marketing funnel too, so your efforts on Facebook and Instagram will go further in the long run.

 

How? Try a social media launch week to build up your followers and create some interest; using promotions, storytelling and discounts.  This is an ideal time to tempt people onto your email list with an email-only exclusive discount.  Competitions can work well for this too.

 

Now that you are growing your email list, which by the way has the best return on investment, you can begin building a relationship with your new subscribers.

 

Send them awesome content, showcase your products and services, and keep going with those launch celebration offers.  It does take a little time to build trust, so remember to add valuable content to your emails and not just sales copy.

 

But after a short period of building trust, those sales are going to start happening.

 

Next steps

 

Now that you have your key low budget marketing strategies in place, as revenue comes in you can reinvest some budget into scaling up. You might now want to upgrade your products, your website, or your marketing software.

 

There is a lot to choose from, including tools like Missinglettr which take some of the social media and SEO work off your hands, freeing up more of your time.

 

You could also try a few paid advertising campaigns now that revenue is coming in.

 

Let’s summarise

 

If you are very strategic about where to spend and what free tools to take advantage of, then it is possible to get through your launch period with a tiny budget. Yes, even one under $100.

 

Getting through that launch period successfully, and sticking out that tough initial period can bring you the revue to re-invest in your business, scale and grow.

 

Organic social media is still a relevant strategy. It just takes time and effort to pay off.  Email marketing still has the best return on investment, and can be used in conjunction with organic social media to get you through a low-budget launch.

 

Remember that the beginning of any new venture is always the hardest. If you can survive the launch and start making a return on your investment, then there is no limit to what you can achieve in the long run.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

Why You SHOULD Be Running Facebook Ads Right Now

The reality is, right now, we cannot do it all. We must choose which channels to put our heart and soul into, because if we give a fraction of effort on each platform then the chances of seeing a successful return become slim.

The world is scary right now. As modern-day marketers, we don’t really know what the future holds. It is so easy to get caught in the panic and pull our spend. I’m here to tell you, take a breath. 

The reality is, right now, we cannot do it all. We must choose which channels to put our heart and soul into, because if we give a fraction of effort on each platform then the chances of seeing a successful return become slim.

In the current climate, there is one channel that is still making cut-through: social media. With millions instructed to stay home, we are all experiencing our daily usage of our social platforms climb. Your customers are the same. 

#1: Your Audience Is On Facebook

There is no denying that your audience has made their way to Facebook. Facebook’s user base is actually larger than the entire population of China (think 1.49 billion members worldwide, and 22 billion ad clicks per year). We haven’t seen the same advertising opportunity as Facebook, since the golden days of search. So yes, your audience is on there somewhere – it’s just a matter of finding them (which I’ll get into in reason #3). 

#2: Facebook Ads Are Cheap

Seriously, they’re practically free! Well, not quite. In fact, the reason you need to advertise is because getting traction from organic activity on your business page won’t yield results. 

Traditionally, Facebook ads cost much less than their competitive channels. I’ve seen businesses completely transform their business with as little as $5 a day. 

If you’re strapped for cash, just ensure that you set reasonable daily Facebook budgets so you don’t exceed what you’re able to spend. 

#3: The Targeting Capabilities of Facebook Are Unmatched

The level of granularity you can get with Facebook targeting is virtually unmatched in the online space. Part creepy, part exciting, the levels of targeting would shock some. Did you know you can target Obama? Not kidding. 

With everything from behaviors, interests, demographics, connections, age ranges, languages, or locations, you can find your dream audience and ensure conversions stay high. Layer targeting and throw in some retargeting and you’re net is perfectly aimed. 

#4: Facebook Is Effective to Push Undecided Leads Down the Funnel

Still nervous? Try out remarketing on Facebook through custom audiences. 

This strategy works wonders for marketers because remarketing works by targeting an audience that has already visited your site and therefore is more likely to be interested in your products or offerings on some level. 

#5: Facebook Allows You to Find New (And Great) Leads Easily

Once you’ve found an audience that converts like crazy, you can clone them. Not. Even. Kidding. The Facebook geniuses call this feature “lookalike audiences” where you can take a custom audience and Facebook will reach NEW people who are similar to that audience and therefore likely to be interested in your business.

Lookalike audiences can also be built with conversion pixels (for instance, the conversion pixels from your paid search ads!), install data from mobile apps, or simply from fans of your Facebook page. You can also further define the size and targeting options to ensure your lookalike audience is an accurate reflection of your target buyers.

If you want to keep up and beat your competitors, follow my advice and hop on the Zuckerberg bandwagon – can recommend. 

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Instagram, Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell Instagram, Social Media Annie Moon-Arkell

The Inside Word On Instagram's Algorithm

Not too long ago, Facebook themselves hosted an event called ‘Machine Learning @ Scale’ event. The event brought together some of the most technologically advanced brains in the machine-learning and artificial-intelligence industry to discuss their latest discoveries and innovations.

Not too long ago, Facebook themselves hosted an event called ‘Machine Learning @ Scale’ event. The event brought together some of the most technologically advanced brains in the machine-learning and artificial-intelligence industry to discuss their latest discoveries and innovations. 

Doesn't sound like your cup of tea? Luckily, I sat through the entire list of presentations so that you don't have to. Below I am going to give you a brief rundown of my learnings in a (hopefully) more upbeat manner (you can watch the videos of each presentation here if you really like).

The thing I really found most interesting was from Thomas Dimson of Instagram, who explained the process of designing and implementing Instagram’s feed algorithm.

Essentially, Dimson’s presentation is about the challenges they faced when rolling out the new algorithm at scale, but as part of that, Dimson also notes all the crucial metrics of how Instagram defines relevance, the measures which dictate how content is ordered in the feed.

The key measures they use (or considered using) to determine relevance and decide which posts show up higher in your Instagram feed are:

  • People who’s content you like

  • People you direct message

  • People you search for

  • People you know in real life

Now, how exactly each of these elements might be weighted is hard to say, but these are the measures Instagram initially considered in their testing, which means they’re also very likely the same measures they use now.

Dimson does note that they haven’t necessarily weighted any of these elements at all, but they’ve instead focused on engagement, and using any engagement as an indicator. But, it’s interesting to note the various ways in which that engagement can be measured, which could then result in certain posts by certain people appearing higher in your Instagram feed.

Essentially, the content from users you engage with will rank higher, and Instagram takes all of these forms of interaction into account.

Dimson also provides a fairly clarified explanation for how social-platform algorithms work, and why they’re required, noting that algorithms help networks deal with ‘a problem of success’ – being that they become too popular, and there’s too much activity happening for users to find all the most relevant content on their own.

Dimson says that in their research, they found that Instagram users weren’t seeing around 70% of the content matched to them in the chronological feed. The solution to this, according to Dimson, is to either get people to follow fewer users, ensuring they always see the content most relevant to them, or to implement an algorithm to highlight the content they’re most likely to engage with, based on the aforementioned factors.

The first option isn't feasible, so Instagram tested the second, and they saw significant increases in all key metrics when the new system was rolled out to a small percentage of users.

Dimson notes that the only metric that went down was the amount of searches users were conducting, which they actually saw as a good thing as it showed people were finding more of what they wanted for without having to seek it out themselves.

Also interesting, Dimson says that they went from prototype to roll out very fast with the Instagram algorithm.

Those efforts have obviously paid off – the platform added 100 million extra new users in the second half of 2016, taking them to 600 million monthly actives, 400 million of whom now log in daily. The introduction of Instagram Stories also played a part, no doubt, but it’s important to recognize the significance of the algorithm also in this context.

It’s an interesting insight into the workings of Instagram’s system – it doesn’t provide all the answers, and the onus is still on you to create compelling content to inspire engagement and rank higher in people’s feeds. But it does give you some idea of the various elements potentially at play.

So, how do you create engaging content? Stick around, that blog post is next on my list! For now, check out my 'How to Hack the Instagram Algorithm.'

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To ID and Fix Duplicate Meta Tags

Duplicate meta tags may seem like a snooze fest, but they can seriously damage you in the ol’ Google popularity contest. Find out how to locate and eliminate those pesky duplicates, so you can stroll your way to the top of the SERP.

Duplicate meta tags can cause serious harm to your search engine rankings and affect the flow of organic traffic to different pages. If multiple pages on your website have the same meta tags, the search engine won’t know which page provides the needed information and should appear on the SERP.

 

If you want to get maximum traffic and utility from your pages, it is important to ensure the metadata is unique in all pages. Here’s a brief guide on how to identify and fix duplicate meta tags.

 

Google Search Console

 

The easiest way to identify duplicate meta description tags is to use the Google Search Console. You need to make sure your website is registered with Google Search Console if you want to utilize this tool, which is easy to do if you already have Google Analytics. Here’s what you need to do:

 

·      Go to Search Appearance on your Dashboard.

·      Click on the HTML Improvements menu.

·      You will find options Duplicate Meta Descriptions and Duplicate Title Tags.

·      Explore these pages to find the duplicates.

 

Google Search Console is a little limited and won’t show all types of duplicates. However, this tool is an effective starting point and will help you create a preliminary list.

 

Desktop Crawler Software

 

These programs are specifically designed to crawl a website and find duplicates. Their function is similar to regular search engine bots, which means they’re very thorough. These bots can detect all kinds of SEO issues, including these duplicates so they’re useful tools to have in your arsenal. The software will provide a list of pages with duplicate descriptions once the website is scanned thoroughly.

 

There are several desktop crawling software programs available online. You just need to choose an option that works well for you. A combination of Google Search Console and Crawler programs should be sufficient.

 

You can also conduct a manual search if your website is small. If you have only three to five pages, it is easy to browse through all of the descriptions and see if they are duplicates or unsuitable.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How To Optimise Your LinkedIn Business Page

So you want to look like a big-dog on Linkedin? Don’t we all! Learn how to make your Linkedin profile as impressive as Mums Christmas roast with these easy steps.

LinkedIn is a unique social media platform that is specifically designed for professionals. It has more than 225 million users and over 3 million business or company profiles. This platform is used most often by professionals seeking to build connections and expand their network. It is also used by B2B enterprises as an effective marketing platform because it allows users to reach out to key influencers in the industry.

 

The tough competition on this platform will make it challenging to gain recognition, which is why it is necessary to make sure your LinkedIn business page is optimised. Here’s a look at how you can achieve that:

 

1. Make Sure All Information Is Consistent

 

Your LinkedIn profile should have a strong brand presence and provide in-depth information regarding the company to everyone on the platform. Make sure you are describing your brand accurately and have the same style, tone, and feel in your profile as your website.

 

It is also important to make sure all the information on your profile is accurate and up-to-date. The last thing you want is for the profile to have the links to your old website or for it to have an old business address. Inaccurate or outdated data can impact your credibility and your LinkedIn connections will believe you to be unprofessional.

 

2. Use Keywords in Your Profile

 

LinkedIn professionals are a part of the industry so they know how to use the best keywords to get the results they want. That’s why it is important to incorporate the most successful and relevant keywords into your profile. These keywords will help you stand out in web search and bring organic traffic to your website.

 

LinkedIn has its own search engine and most people using it are professionals. They might use more technical and precise search terms. You need to keep in mind that the target audience knows more and are more aware of the industry than most. Research keywords that might work especially well on LinkedIn and use them in your profile.

 

3. Set Up the Profile Page

 

Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn provides a lot of space in their user profiles. This means you can have a more comprehensive profile that describes your brand in detail. Use this opportunity to create an impactful About Us page on the platform. It is a good idea to focus on Products and Services as well as the Careers section in particular.

 

They often attract the most attention. Make sure the content is well-written and represents the brand’s voice well. You can hire a professional content writer to do this job for you if needed.

 

4. Targeted Pages

 

You can design multiple products and services pages for different audiences if needed. For example, the page can vary based on the company size, industry, geography, and other such factors.

 

Targeted pages will reach the right audience and bring in more attention to your profile. As they’re uniquely designed for the target audience, they provide much better results than generic pages.

 

These are some of the many ways in which you can optimise your LinkedIn profile page. Other options include adding a video, making sure the banners are hyperlinked, and other such strategies.

 

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How to Optimise your Google My Business Listing

Consider your Google My Business listing as your first impression online. Everything from the images you use, to the ratings you have as huge indicators of whether or not you can be trusted. One of the best ways to get online visibility is to claim your business on Google My Business and optimise it.

Consider your Google My Business listing as your first impression online. Everything from the images you use, to the ratings you have as huge indicators of whether or not you can be trusted. One of the best ways to get online visibility is to claim your business on Google My Business and optimise it.

 

This ensures your prospective customers can find you easily and receive the most accurate information. Here are some tips on how to optimise your Google My Business Listing:

 

1. Create And Verify Your Google My Business Listing

 

The first step is to create a listing in My Business. There are two ways to go about this; you can claim an existing listing or create a new one before going through the verification process. Here’s what you can do:

 

·      Log onto your Google account associated with your business.

·      Get to Google My Business and Click the Get on Google Button.

·      Search your business name or address.

·      If you find your business name at the same address where it is located, claim that business.

·      If you don’t find a listing, claim that address and add your business name.

·      There are many verification options available, including mail, email, phone, Google Search Console, and instant verification.

 

Once the business is verified, it will show up on Google Maps as a claimed business. It is difficult to change the information after it is set so make sure it is accurate.

 

2. Ensure Your NAP (Name, Address And Phone Number) Is Consistent Across All Platforms

 

Google doesn’t just rely on the users for information, it also relies on sources available online. So if there’s a conflict in details like phone numbers, addresses, names, etc., on other platforms, the data on your Google listing might become corrupted. For example, if several business list websites and social media profiles have one phone number and your Google listing might have another, Google will correct the listing’s data.

 

That’s why it is important to ensure your NAP information is accurate on all platforms. Conduct a thorough search and look at where your company name with NAP information. Make sure all of the information mentioned is accurate and consistent.

 

3. Choose A Precise Category And Location

 

The category of your business will inform search users of what kind of business you own. It is important to make sure you choose the right category and be as accurate as possible. For example, if you’re primarily a café, choose café as your category. If you’re primarily a restaurant, opt for restaurant as your category.

 

Choose a general category if you can’t decide on a specific category or if the list doesn’t have anything specific. For example, if there’s no category that describes your store, choose a retail store to list the business.

 

4. Add As Much Information As Possible – And Keep It Up To Date

 

Google offers you a lot of prime real estate to provide as much information as possible. You can list things like business times, open days, description, etc. More information will add legitimacy to your business and ensure you stand apart from the crowd.

 

It is also important to make sure all of the information provided is always current and reliable. If you change the location of your business or get a new phone number, make sure the information is mentioned in your GMB listing is accurate as well.

 

5. Add Quality Images (And A Virtual Tour)

 

Images always make a listing more appealing and can encourage people to click on your website link. Adding good-quality images to your listing can help draw more people and establish your brand.

 

Make sure these images showcase your business premises and products in the best light possible. Adding a virtual tour of the business can also help gain audience trust because  it will provide a glimpse of what your business looks like.

 

6. Keep Your GMB Listing Active With Google Posts

 

Active listings can help your listings become more prominent in search. This doesn’t require a lot of effort and doesn’t really have a big impact on SEO, but activity can show Google that the information is current.

 

This can help improve your reputation with the search giant and show that you are reliable. Posts are also a great way to provide more information to prospective customers, which is always a great advantage.

 

7. Push Past Clients To Give Google Reviews

 

One of the first things prospective clients notice when they search a particular business online is its ratings. They look at how many stars the business has and take the time to read as many reviews as they can.

 

That’s why it is important to push clients to provide as many reviews as possible. Provide easy access to reviews by adding review buttons, providing links, and then remind them to share their experience with others.

8. Respond To Google Reviews

 

Every business gets some negative or less-than-stellar ratings. No business has a clear-cut and unblemished reputation. The best way to address this situation is to respond to all negative and positive feedback promptly. If the review is negative, make the effort to resolve it as quickly and efficiently as you can. This shows you value customer experience and will do everything in your power to ensure they’re satisfied.

 

9. Add GMB Attributes

 

Attributes show what the business has to offer outside of what is mentioned in the description. These attributes come with eye-catching pictures, which gives customers an idea of what to expect. GMB attributes include tags like ‘Woman Led.’ ‘Outdoor Seating.’ ‘Wi-Fi,’ etc.

 

Setting attributes is easy. You just need to log onto your account, click on the location of your business, click on Info on the Menu, find Attributes and click Edit. You can choose attributes applicable to your business from the provided options and then click Apply.

 

These tips should help you get the most out of your Google My Business listing. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the listing to ensure it is accurate and track the reviews. If you manage this listing well, it can help you establish your brand well.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How to Optimise Your Facebook Page Pt. 2

It is easy to set your Facebook page up and get going, but have you considered whether or not you could be doing more?

There are simple but highly effective ways to take your Facebook from zero to hero. Let me list a few below.

It is easy to set your Facebook page up and get going, but have you considered whether or not you could be doing more?

There are simple but highly effective ways to take your Facebook from zero to hero.

  1. Create and Organise Page Tabs

    Tabs exist under your Facebook cover photo and can be expanded by clicking on the 'More' drop-down arrow on the right. They're something like the website navigation for your Facebook Page, allowing visitors to browse all that your page has to offer. 

    To rearrange your tabs, go to your Page and click Settings. Click Templates and Tabs in the left column. Then drag and drop your tabs in the order you want them to appear.

  2. Add Messenger for Business

    Giving your clients every possible option to get in contact with you, in the way they prefer, is vital. To turn on Messenger for your page, go to Messages under General Settings and then click Edit. Select the option to allow messages to your page, and click Save Changes.

  3. Add accurate business hours

    Adding accurate business hours to your Facebook page is they key to ensuring your customers are educated about when and where they can contact you.

    To edit your business hours click About below your Page's cover photo, then Page Info in the left column, edit the Hours section and Save Changes.

  4. Push past clients to give Facebook reviews

    Having great reviews on Facebook will instantly increase your chances of getting new customers because online reviews build trust. Did you know that 84% of people trust online reviews just as much as a personal recommendation? That is HUGE!

    7 out of 10 customers will leave a review if they are asked to. The best way to bring in the reviews is to shoot your clients an email. Use these email templates to ask for reviews. Also, feel free to create automated follow-ups or pop a reminder in your calendar for the clients that lag behind. You can also add a call-to-action to your website or ask people to check-in on Facebook; it will send them a reminder to write a review 1-2 days later. Other ideas are to offer a coupon or voucher if people check-in, require people to check-in if they want to use your WiFi or give a free upgrade if people check-in.

  5. Claim Unofficial Pages

    Bad data is a primary source of confusion for customers throughout the discovery stage, particularly when searching for local businesses. Verify your official Facebook business page with a phone call or by uploading official business documents. This can take up to 24 hours to process, but typically much shorter.

    To claim an unofficial page, navigate to your unofficial duplicate page on Facebook. Select "Is this your business?" from the drop down menu. Chose the first option: "Merge into a verified page you manage". Select your page from the drop down selector and submit. Facebook will decide whether or not your page matches the location of the unofficial page and merge the pages accordingly. Any likes, comments, reviews, and check-ins should be preserved in most cases. 

  6. Pin Important Posts to the Top of Your Page

    Pinning, highlighting and milestones are three timeline features that can dramatically change the number of people who interact with your content. You'll need to be an admin or editor to pin Page posts. To pin a post to the top of your Page's timeline go to the post on your Page's timeline, click  in the top right of the post, select Pin to Top of Page.

  7. Create a Company Milestone Timeline on Your Page

    Milestones are a great way to tell the story of your business through words and images. They can appear anywhere on your Timeline, depending on the date you designate. Always include an engaging image in your milestone. This will ensure your milestone will stand out and capture attention.

    Also make sure to include a call to action with a link to more information in your milestone. You don’t just want to tell people about your milestone—you want them to take action and learn more.

    By adding a link in your milestone, and encouraging your fans to find out more, you can build a stronger relationship with your fans and potentially sell more programs, products and services. That’s just what I did in my milestone below.

    To create a milestone, click on the “Event, Milestones +” option in the status update bar.

So that is that! Follow the above steps, consistently optimise and update and your Facebook will be ready to convert on its own.

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Annie Moon-Arkell Annie Moon-Arkell

How Do I Claim My Facebook Custom URL and Why?

So, your website URL doesn’t have a whole lot of numbers in it, so why would your Facebook URL? Claiming your vanity URL is seriously a no-brainer.

A custom URL gives your page an easy-to-find & easy-to-share URL that looks professional & branded.

So, your website URL doesn’t have a whole lot of numbers in it, so why would your Facebook URL? Claiming your vanity URL is seriously a no-brainer.

A custom URL gives your page an easy-to-find & easy-to-share URL that looks professional & branded.

For example, which of these URLs would you rather share with potential customers:

This one:

  • www.facebook.com/pages/mocreativemarketing/5478569871236

Or this one:

  • www.facebook.com/Mo.CreativeMarketing

Which do you think is easier to share in print, ads, videos, etc.? Which do you think is easier for potential customers to remember?

Don't worry. You don't need to actually answer me.

What you DO need to do is go claim your page's URL... right now!

Here's how:

How to Claim a Vanity URL on Facebook

Step 1: Go to Facebook's Username Page

Just head to: www.facebook.com/username

Once there you should see this:

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Page

Click the dropdown next to "Page Name" and choose the page you'd like to claim the vanity URL for.

Step 3: Enter Desired Page Name

Once you've chosen a page, type in your desired username.

Remember -- the username will be the part of the URL that follows "facebook.com/" -- so don't use spaces, symbols, etc.

I recommend using something short, branded & memorable. Your brandname or domain name is ideal.

In this example, I'm working on the "Mo Creative Test" page, so I'll just use "Mo Creative Test":

Step 4: Click "Check Availability"

Here Facebook tells you whether they'll accept your username or not.

If no other page has already claimed it, then you should get a message telling you the username is available.

If you choose a username that's already been taken, you'll get a different message.

Step 5: Try a Different Name or Click Confirm

If the username you chose is taken, then try a different username and click "Check Availability" to see if you can use it.

If the username you chose is available, then just click "Confirm".

Facebook will then show you a "Success" pop-up.

You're all done!

Now your page has an easy to find & easy to remember URL!

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

  • You can change the username of your page only once after first setting it

  • You can't transfer the ownership of a username to another party

  • You can't violate anyone else's trademark rights

  • If you're acquiring a username to sell it in the future (squatting), you will lose it

  • Usernames may be reclaimed for other unauthorised usages

You should also know that Facebook usually requires a page to have 25 Likes before claiming a vanity URL.

Now go stake your claim!

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