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.

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 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.

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. 

In the upcoming weeks, Google and Facebook will be implementing changes that will affect millions of businesses. Their new changes include: 

Google Policy Change

Starting on Monday, advertisers on Google who promote housing, employment, and credit products and services will no longer be able to target people based on personal attributes, including gender, age, parental status, marital status, and ZIP code. Google is implementing this policy in an effort to create more equal opportunities for everyone regardless of your background. 

What does this mean for Gainesville businesses?

If you are selling real estate, promoting employment opportunities or credit lending, your Google ad targeting will be very limited. You’ll be able to target a location generally, for example, the entire city of Gainesville, but you will not be able to target a specific zip code within Gainesville.

Google Bans Election-Themed Ads 

Google announced on Friday that they will ban ads on all their platforms, including YouTube, that relate to any concept regarding the federal and state elections after November 3. This is to prevent any false advertising after the election, which Google predicts will have a delay in results. 

What does this mean for Gainesville businesses?

With local elections, campaigns in the area should keep this new policy in mind and make sure to stop all campaign ads on Google by November 3. Google is expecting a 48 hour delay in reviewing ad creative once the ban is implemented, so it’s important to ensure all new creative is implemented prior to the election.

Facebook and Instagram Say Goodbye to WordPress Embeds

Starting on October 24, unauthenticated Facebook and Youtube embeds on WordPress sites will break due to an upcoming API update. 

What does this mean for Gainesville businesses?

If you have embedded content from Facebook and Instagram on your WordPress site, you are affected by this change. Your embedded content will soon be broken. To solve this issue, you must meet Facebook’s new requirements to be a publisher with a Facebook developer account, have a registered Facebook app in Live Mode, an Access Token and have the Embed Product added to the app.

Shopping Inside Youtube

Millions of creators on Youtube provide links to the products featured in their videos. However, viewers have never been able to buy a featured product without being redirected to another site. To make shopping easier, Google confirmed its plan to add new Youtube shopping features. Every product seen on Youtube could be for sale soon on the network itself with a simple “Buy now” button next to all unboxing and review videos. The new feature is currently under testing with select Youtube channels. Viewers are directly purchasing tagged products through Canadian Shopify inside Youtube.

What does this mean for Gainesville businesses?

Youtube Shopping will soon be another way customers can easily find your products. If you have been contemplating starting a channel for your business or have considered partnering with Youtube creators, now is the time to do it! Youtube will be the next big shopping destination, are you ready for it?

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! We are a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.

Instagram celebrated its 10-year anniversary on October 6! To give thanks to the millions of users around the world, Instagram announced new features to improve the user experience and the consumer buying process. Their new features include: 

Messenger Meets Instagram

Over a billion people use the Facebook Messenger app to have conversations, share content and virtually hangout with friends and family. Businesses use Messenger often to provide customer service by answering questions and scheduling appointments. Users can now have the same Messenger experience within the Instagram app without ever needing to exit the app. Users, buyers and business owners can now stay connected in an easier, more efficient way. 

Tabs for Reels and Simple Shopping

On IGTV and Reels, users can now find and purchase products they love in video content immediately. When viewing a video, any of the products linked by the creator can be added to their shopping bag and purchased with the click of a button. 

Anti-Bullying Commenting

To kick off Bullying Prevention Month, Instagram wanted to reduce the occurrence of negative interactions through comments. Businesses can now see the additional measures taken by the app to hide potentially offensive comments and delete comments that violate their Community Guidelines. 

What does this mean for Gainesville Businesses?

As a business, it’s important to stay connected with your audience in every way possible. By updating your Instagram account and using the new built-in Messenger feature, you can provide the ultimate customer service experience. 

Instagram has a new way for Gainesville creators and small businesses to sell products easier. Begin publishing video content to your business’s IGTV and Reels so you can add another option for customers to easily find your products. 

Businesses can now use the anti-bullying feature to prevent negative and offensive comments from appearing on their feed. Businesses can continue to provide a safe community that promotes engagement between their followers and prevents bullying.

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. We can help! We are a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential.

Have you been waiting to find a digital space filled with professionals, creatives and eager students looking to learn and invest in their next career step? LinkedIn is one of the largest social networks today with over 660 million users across the globe. It connects professionals through networking and career development. Although LinkedIn is often put on the back burner when it comes to social media marketing for businesses, it is an extremely powerful tool when put to its fullest potential. 

Using Linkedin for your business can help you build a community, extend your brand’s reach, connect with prospective clients, boost leads and provide a space to network with industry leaders. Here are the top three reasons why LinkedIn is the tool to take your business to the next level. 

Improves Brand Awareness

Awareness drives demand for your business’ products and services. When people are aware of your business, you become a familiar face to prospective clients and industry professionals, even without them clicking on a link or commenting on your most recent post. People know who you are, what you stand for and what you are best at. You can foster business relationships by sharing your brand story in a compelling way, providing meaningful content and showing your company values in action. 

Provides a Platform for Education

People are wired for connection. Any business can provide a specific set of products and services, but what makes your business stand out from the crowd? LinkedIn provides you with a platform to educate your audience and establish credibility. When you create content that backs up the services you provide, you are nurturing people’s trust in your brand. You have the power to establish credibility, keep up with industry trends and be part of the conversation.

Boost Leads and Conversions 

When using LinkedIn’s marketing tools, you can market and attract quality leads that add greater value to your business. When running LinkedIn campaigns, you can target your ideal clients through the website retargeting feature in LinkedIn Matched Audiences. Have you ever been interested in a product but didn’t have the patience to fill out an information form? Well, LinkedIn’s got your back. The LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms provide interested prospects with simple pre-filled forms within the app, leaving you with a higher number of better quality leads. 

Ok, now what?

Now that you know the value behind using LinkedIn for your professional business, it’s time to invest in building a seamless marketing strategy designed for your business. We can help! Our strategy team is ready to help you generate the top-notch leads you’ve been dreaming of.