Let me guess, you have a few business goals identified for the year, but you’re wondering if your current brand will cut it. Maybe your goal is to increase brand recognition against competitors. A great goal, but is your brand memorable enough to consumers? It’s a tough question to consider. You don’t have to worry though, we’ve got your back! Our solution: to amplify your company with a refresh of your brand. We’re certain the start of the new year is the perfect time for a rebrand so you can exceed your business goals. Here’s why:

A Fresh Start

What better way to invest in your business than giving it a fresh start for the new year. A brand conveys the overall feel of your business to everyone involved in your company, from potential investors to potential customers. A “look” or logo doesn’t have the power to convey this feeling. Branding is much more involved and comprehensive. With a strategic rebrand, you can celebrate success this new year.

Don’t Miss a Beat

If your business has grown over the last few years, it’s critical to evaluate your messaging. A rebrand helps you reevaluate existing verbiage when entering new markets and convey what makes your business unique today to new customers. Customers love rebrands! It conveys to them that you are a credible company that keeps up with the times and doesn’t miss a beat. I know what you might be thinking, if I say yes to a rebrand, I’m saying goodbye to what my business has always been recognized as. A rebrand doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your old brand. Instead, a rebrand simply builds off of your brand’s foundation and grows into a clearer and more consistent brand that aligns with your business as it stands today.

Return on Investment

Why do companies make these huge investments of time and resources to refresh their brand? The answer: A brand differentiates your business from competitors. It establishes a tone for consistent communication. It’s the pumping heart of your business. When you invest in the one thing that makes your business stand out from the crowd, you receive a great return on investment.

The Key Components of Rebranding

Ready to refresh your brand but want to take it slow? The good news is, multiple components go into a rebrand depending on your business’ needs. A partial rebrand might be your first step to achieving your business goals. The key components of rebranding include:

The Values

Values are the beating heart of your business. As you continue to grow as a company, it’s important to renew and establish those rock-solid values that make customers love you.

The Logo

A logo represents your brand, reflects who you are and is the key piece people remember about your company. If you feel like your logo doesn’t fully reflect your business, redesigning your logo can give your business the new look it’s been craving.

The Website

Websites are the best outward-facing marketing channel for businesses. Your website must be up-to-date, easy to find and navigate and be mobile friendly. If you feel your website doesn’t quite represent all your business has to offer clearly and simply, it might be time for a redesign.

Whichever component you choose to rebrand, we know it will be worth it.

Ok, now what?

If you want to meet and exceed your business goals this year, invest in a rebrand. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service branding and marketing agency ready to help you create a new brand for your business! We will go through our initial research process (known around here as “discovery”) to understand what differentiates your company from its competitors. From there, we’ll create a brand that conveys that message, and sparks a connection with your desired customers. Learn more about branding with Liquid Creative.

We’ve outlined the newest TikTok and Twitter features on track to launch in 2021 so you know exactly how to prepare your marketing efforts for the new year. With a clear picture of what’s coming next, you won’t miss a beat.

New Shoppable Live-stream Experience: TikTok 

TikTok takes its next step in its eCommerce Push. For the first time, TikTok is testing the option for users to shop inside the app during live-streams. Walmart and TikTok will be partnering on the first pilot test of the new shoppable product experience. During a Walmart live-stream, users will be able to purchase fashion items without leaving the app. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? As this new shoppable product experience prepares to launch, you can be one of the first businesses to give users the ability to purchase your products easily. If you aren’t already using TikTok to market your business, take a look at the Small Business Resource Center that was recently created just for you. It provides you with practices and resources on how to connect with your audience and drive results.

Twitter Launches Spaces

Twitter’s newest feature gives consumers another way to join the conversation and connect with what makes your business pop — your brand voice. The new Spaces feature allows people to connect directly in an intimate, conversational Space. Along with the live testing that’s happening with Spaces, Twitter is also testing other features such as reactions similar to hand gestures, a very early version of live transcriptions and sharing Tweets in Spaces. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? As Twitter prepares to launch Spaces to the public, let your business be the first to be heard. Through Spaces, you can add a layer of connectivity between your business and its followers. Don’t miss out on this new opportunity to connect with your audience in a way unlike ever before.

Twitter Adds Topics 

Twitter is testing a new feature to spark more positive engagement and discussion within the app. Topics highlight things users have in common when replying to someone they don’t follow or engage with. In return, Twitter hopes to remind people of what connects them at a starting point to encourage more meaningful conversations. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? Your business can use Topics to see what type of interests appear among your audience. It can also help your brand community to foster better connections and grow.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

Last week we shared how you can amplify your brand in a saturated digital environment. Now, we’ve outlined exactly what you need to know to make buying easier and selling faster with WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook’s newest tools.

Carts: A New WhatsApp Feature

WhatsApp’s newest shopping feature makes buying easier and selling faster. With carts, customers can browse a catalog, select multiple products and send in one message their full order to the business. Businesses can better keep track of orders, manage requests from customers and close sales. Carts are now live around the world, just in time for the holiday season. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? If you haven’t used WhatsApp as a selling option for your business, now is the time to start! Your target customers are shopping more and more through chats, and the new carts feature allows your business to streamline its buying and selling process. 

Instagram Adds Timers to Stories

Instagram’s new timer feature will change how users tap through and engage with Stories forever. The app is testing new timer listings beneath Stories bubbles so users can see how much longer a Story will last until it disappears. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? This new countdown feature could boost engagement for all businesses who use Stories. The timer could prompt more people to see what they might miss before the timer runs out. If you’ve never tapped into using Instagram Stories for your business page, start now. 

Kustomer to Join Facebook

A new partnership between Facebook and a top-rated CRM will give businesses access to the best-in-class tools that deliver excellent service and support. Kustomer is an omnichannel CRM platform that allows businesses to see customer conversations from various channels in one single-screen view. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? Businesses can now integrate Facebook messaging services such as Messenger and WhatsApp with the CRM service, Kustomer, to maximize the time and quality of interactions with customers and minimize repetitive tasks. 

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

There are two types of people in the world: the ones who love ads and the ones who roll their eyes at them. To no surprise, our team happens to lean toward love. We’ve outlined our favorite advertisements from this past quarter and what they accomplish. We promise, you’ll enjoy them. 

Hulu ‘Live Sports’

On September 10, Hulu released the “Hulu Has Live Sports” commercial to announce Hulu indeed, has live sports. Given the circumstances of the pandemic, Hulu used the challenge of being socially-distant and turned it into a creative opportunity. Famous athletes Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley and Joel Embiid couldn’t be with them physically to shoot a commercial, so they placed their faces on actors bodies to make for a unique ad. The commercial says “Hulu has live sports” throughout the whole video, it’s even on the players’ jerseys. The repetitiveness of the phrase is what made the video funny, effective and overall memorable. 

A Coca-Cola Christmas 

On November 9, Coca-Cola released their 2020 Christmas commercial with the slogan, “This Christmas, give something only you can give.” The ad had beautiful videography, a compelling storyline and has an emotional touch to it. Our team let out a few tears after watching this one.

CAUSEBOX

2020 has been a year of subscription boxes. CAUSEBOX, a beauty subscription box service, released their Fall Welcome Box with a goal to bring in new leads. They are committed to supporting small scale makers and protecting the planet, right on point for this holiday season! Their Facebook ads were visually appealing and included numbers within the graphics to grab the attention of consumers. On top of its rad design, the ad provides all the information you need to know about the brand in 10 seconds. 

MasterClass

MasterClass released a “New Look” video announcing their new brand identity on October 1. The energy of the music and the direct visuals of their new design made for a strong rebrand release. They have captured a wide variety of world-known influencers that are sure to grab their audience and gain attendance for their sessions.

Ok, now what?

You didn’t roll your eyes and you agree advertisements are a compelling way to stop users from scrolling and keep them engaged.  So how do you ensure your business’s advertisement is a favorite? It’s time to invest in a team that specializes in developing creative advertisements that excel your expectations. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service branding and marketing agency ready to help businesses make meaningful connections through their digital presence. 

Last week we shared how consumers can find you faster, without even following you. Now, we’ve outlined exactly what you need to know to amplify your brand, foster brand awareness and boost customer satisfaction with Instagram’s newest features.

New Branded Content Capabilities: Instagram

Instagram’s new content capabilities will help businesses create, share and amplify their branded content faster than ever before.

A Branded Content tag is now available for use in Reels and will be available in Live in the coming weeks. Creators can now use Reels for their branded content deals and provide full transparency to viewers with the Branded Content tag. Along with the new tag, advertisers can now create Branded Content ads without the need for creators to post organically to Instagram first. Advertisers can send requests for Ad Creation access, and creators can approve the ad within seconds inside the app. Branded Content ads in Stories can now include tappable elements, such as @mentions, location and hashtags to create a more native and authentic Stories experience. Product tags are also able to be promoted within ads now.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? If you haven’t started using Instagram’s new capabilities to amplify your brand, now is the time to start.

New FAQ Features: Instagram

Instagram’s newest feature now gives businesses the capability to provide immediate customer service. When customers look to submit a message query, the new FAQ feature is displayed on a business’s Direct feed with quick, tappable Q and A options. As of now, businesses can set up four questions that will display on a customer’s initial message interaction.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? While you’re sending customers through your business’s marketing funnel on Instagram, you can use the new FAQ feature to answer buyer questions. By using this new feature, you can provide a quick and effective customer service experience.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

 

Last week we touched on how consumer behavior changes will impact how businesses market in 2021. Now, we’ll dive into how Instagram, Twitter and Google’s new features can help consumers find exactly who they’re looking for, you.

Expanding Instagram Guides

Instagram has expanded its Guides feature so consumers can find you faster, without even following you. Guides are used by creators and businesses on Instagram to share recommendations, tips and other content with consumers. You can view a Guide by visiting the profile of participating creators or by visiting the Explore tab. Now, you can use Guides to share themed content on your profile, share on Stories and in DMs and use Product Guides to be featured in Instagram Shop, the new shopping destination inside the app.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? If you haven’t dabbled with Instagram Guides, now is the time to release a Guide and showcase your products. With these additional features, brands are opened up to new opportunities in presenting and sharing their products.

Introducing Twitter Fleets

Twitter hopped on the Stories bandwagon and rolled out Fleets, a new way to share “fleeting thoughts”, to all users this past Tuesday. Similar to Instagram Stories, Fleets are located at the top of the screen inside the app. Users can write text, share a tweet and post a photo or video that will disappear in 24 hours.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? While you’re marketing your business on Twitter, use Fleets to join the conversation and provide another way for users to engage with your content and see how your community starts to grow.

New Metrics for Google Search

Google announced new metrics to improve users’ results in keyword searches coming May 2021. These new metrics, called “page experience signals,” can be found in your business’s Google Search Console, labeled as Core Web Vitals. The metrics include loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability. They will also be included with the following search signals Google uses: mobile-friendliness, safe-browsing, HTTPS-security and intrusive interstitial guidelines.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses? If you’re looking to improve your search engine rankings, you may want to look beyond keyword optimization. Having a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website is a growing trend in the SEO and web development community to improve user experience. Make sure you have your business’s website set up in Google Search Console and use this helpful guide to determine if your website has high or low performing page experience signals.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

With 2021 right around the corner, Gainesville businesses need to know how consumer behavior is changing. Facebook, TikTok and Instagram have provided new features to maximize user interest and boost customer satisfaction. Here are some new trends to try out so you can celebrate success in the new year here:

Facebook Adds Motion Effects to Still Images

Facebook has introduced a new eye-catching and engaging tool to pull consumers in and get them to stop scrolling and engage with your posts . A motion ‘effects’ feature is now available when creating a post. This adds movement to still images with either a slide, flash or highlight option to choose from. With users gravitating more toward moving content, such as video, as opposed to still images, Facebook has given businesses a tool to maximize user interest.

Photo Source

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

While you are marketing your business on Facebook, try using motion ‘effects’ and see how the engagement from your consumers amplifies. 

Supporting Nonprofits on TikTok

Social responsibility will shape how brands position themselves on social media in 2021. According to more than 70 marketing experts and influencers surveyed by the social media analysis firm Talkwalker and software company Hubspot, audiences are more socially conscious and are paying more attention to which companies support global issues. To stay socially aware, TikTok has added a feature for users to display a nonprofit organization they wish to support publicly on their profile. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

You can now openly share which nonprofit organizations you support and stay on track with one of 2021’s top industry trends of being socially conscious. If your business isn’t openly discussing how it’s supporting the global issues happening today, now is the time to use your voice and make an impact.

New Reels and Shopping Tabs: Instagram

To keep up with the explosion of video content and online shopping following the pandemic, Instagram has added the Reels tab and Shop tab to make it easier for buyers to discover brands all around the world. The Reels tab makes discovering short, fun videos more accessible, while the Shops tab provides a better way for users to find products they love.

 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

Instagram Reels is another avenue to sell your product and drive sales.  The trend to shop online is only going to increase, so in 2021, users will continue to shop online and be drawn to engaging video content.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

With the holidays upon us, Gainesville businesses need to grab a hold of these new features on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter to win this holiday season. We’ve outlined exactly what you need to know and how to implement it: 

New Tools for Brands on Pinterest

After conducting extensive research, Pinterest has introduced a new suite of tools that make selling faster and shopping easier. These tools include a new digital storefront profile, faster Catalogs feed ingestion, collections as a shopping ad format, video for collections, automatic bidding, conversion insights and analysis and an improved product tagging test. Pinterest uncovered what it was that retailers and shoppers loved most about shopping in brick and mortar and then onboarded those features online to improve the selling and shopping experience for everyone.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

If you are a Pinterest merchant, you can use the app as a powerful tool to streamline the shopping experience for your buyers, improve your selling process and track your conversions. If you’re not on Pinterest, it might be time to level up your game and become the newest Pinterest merchant.

Twitter: Marketing Efforts Shift this Holiday Season

This year, consumer behavior and attitudes have shifted tremendously. Businesses will need to implement different marketing strategies to reach consumers. On November 2, Twitter shared insights into what this holiday season will look like including marketing tactics focusing on relevant messaging, shifting sales offers to be earlier and promoting buying local.

What does this mean for Gainesville businesses?

In-store shopping will start early for people who want to avoid crowds. Twitter cautions businesses to think sooner rather than later for their special offers and be prepared for early customers. Consumers are also shifting to supporting small, independent, and local businesses. Share on social media why local love is a way to give this season. Additionally, businesses must incorporate messaging that speaks to what people are feeling right now. Holidays might be different this year, some are away from their families for the first time or are spending Christmas alone so it’s important to consider the situations of your public in your marketing efforts. 

Instagram Live Updates

In a time where people are seeking connection, the popularity of live video is on the rise. To provide a space for creators to connect with their audience, Instagram announced three new Live updates. Users can now go Live for up to four hours, save their Lives for 30 days before they delete and a “Live Now” section can now be found in the IGTV app and on Explore so viewers can discover more Lives. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

Instagram is providing opportunities for everyone to follow their interests, reach audiences, engage with communities and build businesses. Being vulnerable and going Live allows you to connect and put a face and voice to your brand. Using Live as a marketing tool for businesses can help you expand your reach and establish meaningful connections with your community.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

In a time where social media is overflowing with content, how can your business stand out from the crowd? Video is a powerful way to communicate your brand story and build relationships with your audience. Meaningful and inspired videos convey your message and propel your brand to connect with your desired audience. Here are the top three reasons why video content should be used in your social media strategy:

1. Improves Brand Awareness

Video unlocks the ability to build brand personality, establish trust and tell your story. Video helps to put a face and personality to your brand and in return, your audience begins to build trust. Once consumers trust your brand, they are more likely to purchase your products or use your services more than once. When your consumers feel connected to your brand and understand your values, you have achieved what is known as brand association. In 2020, video ads were the #1 way consumers discovered a brand and made a purchase. With video content that clearly reflects your brand, brand association increases.

2. Fosters Connection 

Video content is the best way to give consumers exactly what they’re searching for: connection. Content that is short, helpful and engaging allows your brand to be personal, not polished. Businesses often focus on turning unconnected customers into highly satisfied ones but turning already highly satisfied customers into fully connected customers can have three times the return in revenue and market share. Implementing video in your social media strategy humanizes your brand and produces fully connected customers.

3. Boosts Engagement

Strong social media engagement helps you measure the impact of your brand’s communication efforts. Let’s be honest, it’s much easier to continue scrolling through photos on your feed than to stop and read an entire caption. However, when sound comes into play and a video starts rolling, you’re more likely to stop, listen and watch. Recent studies show 59% of executives would rather watch a video than read text. In 2020, video is the #1 form of media used in content strategy to increase audience engagement. 

Ok, now what?

You agree video is important, so how do you get the cameras rolling? It’s time to invest in a team that specializes in creating compelling video content. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency that assists in video production, coordination, scriptwriting and art direction to create videos that will truly capture the essence of your brand and connect with your audience.

Youtube, TikTok and WhatsApp have announced new features to help businesses make greater connections, drive sales and improve customer satisfaction in the coming months. Their new features include: 

Short Clips on Youtube 

Shortly following the September 14th TikTok country wide ban in India, Youtube launched “Shorts”.  It’s a new short-form video experience that will be coming soon to all regions. The feature allows creators and artists to shoot and immediately upload a 15-second or less video using their mobile phones. Clips will be discoverable on the front page of the Youtube app through a side-scrolling display of clips called “Shorts Shelf.” A shortcut button will also be added to the app for easy access viewing. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

While we’re waiting for the day Youtube Shorts will be available to all users in America, it’s important to be informed so your business can be prepared with it goes live. Youtube’s Creator Insider channel encourages brands to add #Shorts to the title of your clips to increase your chances of appearing on the Shorts shelf. They caution creators to remember that not all viewers will be subscribers, so creators should keep their videos, as the title implies, short, clear and highly visual. All clips will also be available as standard Youtube videos so it will be pertinent to think about what content will fit into your broader content channel and what type of content should stay solely on Shorts. 

TikTok Partners with Shopify

TikTok isn’t just for the influencers and teens. Businesses of all sizes use TikTok to create content and make real connections with people. On October 27, TikTok announced a new eCommerce option to help businesses make direct income from their work. Shopify merchants can run promotions on TikTok so users can discover new products through advertisements posted in the app.

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

TikTok has provided a new way to help merchants on Shopify connect with their TikTok community. More than 1 million businesses can now be discovered, unlock their creativity, and optimize their marketing campaigns. If you are a Spotify merchant, you can use TikTok as a powerful tool to expand your reach and drive sales. 

The Future of Business Messaging

WhatsApp Business accounts are messaged by more than 175 million people every day. The app has helped businesses provide customer service in a simple and convenient way. On October 22, Facebook announced its new efforts to improve WhatsApp to make messaging the best way for consumers and businesses to connect. In the coming months, WhatsApp users will be able to see available products and make purchases directly from the chat without ever leaving the app. Businesses will also be able to manage their WhatsApp messages through Facebook’s hosting services. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

Businesses should be aware of when each feature will be available on WhatsApp in the next few months. By using the new WhatsApp features, you can sell products, manage inventory and quickly respond to customer inquiries for ultimate customer satisfaction.

Ok, now what?

Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.