BLOG.
Here you’ll find an extensive library of free digital marketing and social media resources that cover a wide variety of topics to keep you updated on what’s happening online and in your feed.
Does your business have a brand video?
In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, businesses need to find innovative ways to stand out and build meaningful connections with their audience. While traditional marketing methods still have their place, video content has emerged as one of the most effective ways to capture attention and convey a message. Among the various types of video content available, a brand video is particularly powerful. But why exactly does YOUR business need one? Here you go…
Are your website images web-ready?
Images are a crucial element of any website: without them, your website simply wouldn’t be able to do its job effectively.
And yet as crucial as they are, it’s unfortunately not just a case of choosing an image and loading it onto your site: there’s a bit of work that needs to be done in the backend of the process to ensure the imagery you use is web-ready. Unoptimised images can harm your site’s performance, leading to slower load times and frustrated users…
Yes or no to Black Friday sales?
Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and for many businesses, it’s a prime opportunity to boost sales, attract new customers, and clear out inventory. However, before jumping in headfirst and slashing prices, it's important to carefully consider whether a Black Friday promotion is right for your business this year. Here are some key factors to help you decide.
What audio should I be using on my Reels?
So you’ve got your Reel edited and ready to go, now all you need to do is find the perfect audio for it. There are literally millions of options on TikTok and Insta, so how do you know what to use? Audio plays a crucial role in capturing attention and conveying your message effectively and yet more effort is put into getting the visuals right. Here’s a guide to choosing the right audio that not only fits your content and brand, but also engages your audience.
Make your next post a carousel
Gone are the days of posting a single image to Instagram and getting a heap of engagement and likes. Carousels (i.e. Instagram posts with more than 1 image in the stack) have overtaken single image posts as a far more effective content type. While single image posts have their place, carousel posts offer a range of benefits that can enhance storytelling, engagement, and overall reach. It’s for this very reason that we suggest making carousels a permanent part of your social media strategy.
What’s coming: Instagram Edition
Instagram has long been synonymous with the square image format, a style that defined its early years and contributed to its rapid rise as a visual-centric social media platform. However, in a move that reflects changing user preferences and the evolution of visual storytelling, Instagram has shifted its primary feed format from the traditional square (1:1) to a taller 4:5 aspect ratio. This change marks a significant departure from its roots and presents both opportunities and challenges for users and brands alike.
The Meta Pixel 101
Now - more than ever - understanding your audience is crucial for crafting effective campaigns. One powerful tool to help you achieve this is the Meta Pixel.
If, like many others, you get anxious at the thought of having to manage the pixel on top of everything else in the Metaverse, then keep reading. We’re going to share with you what the pixel is, why should you incorporate it into your marketing strategy and how you can effectively use it once installed, making the pixel one less thing to be confused about as you build your brand online.
Website Fundamentals
Creating a new website (or updating an existing one) can be an exciting (albeit daunting) task. And to celebrate the refresh of Shout + Co.’s own website, we thought we’d share with you the technical fundamentals that need to be in place in order for your website to be as effective and responsive as possible.
Is Halloween content right for your brand?
For brands, Halloween presents a tantalising opportunity to engage with consumers through themed content. But the big question remains for many: is it worth diving head first into generating spooky content, or should brands steer clear?
We’re about to make that decision-making process a bit easier for you:
Visual Consistency
When it comes to marketing your brand and amplifying its offer, the visuals (images, video, graphics, branding etc) are one of your business’s most important assets.
For them to work, the visuals have to be deliberate and coherent. A random assortment of ill-fitting images and visual cues do nothing to help audiences recognise and understand your brand. Visuals that are consistent however, do.
Local SEO
If you want your business to be visible online, then get comfortable with the concept of SEO…
For location-based businesses—such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers—local SEO is a game-changer. It ensures that when potential customers search for services or products near them, your business is prominently displayed. What makes local SEO so crucial? We’re so glad you asked…
How to make a standout Reel
Reels are undoubtedly the golden child of the social media world. With platforms like Instagram and TikTok pushing short-form video content to the forefront, mastering the art of creating effective reels can significantly boost your online presence. But what makes a reel truly stand out? Here’s a guide to help you create engaging and impactful reels that resonate with your audience.
How to increase traffic to your website
Picture this: you enlist the help of a web designer to create a beautiful new website for your business. You then hire a copywriter to make it sound great, followed closely by a product photographer to make it look great. And then you launch it out into the world to the unrelenting sound of crickets. So you’ve spent all that time and money for a sum total of 2 people to see (one of which is probably your mom and the other is your best friend).
Content Hierarchy
Between Reels, feed posts and stories, there’s a lot to be done when it comes to creating social media content for your business.
If you don’t have a lot of time but need to get some content out, what should you be focusing on that will get you the most runs on the board? Is your time better spent creating a reel or posting to stories?
Here’s your cheat sheet:
Did you know? Content Marketing edition
DID YOU KNOW?
Content marketing produces 3X more leads than paid search?
That means that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on paid search ads to get noticed by your target market - you just need to have a well thought-out content marketing strategy in place so that it does the hard work for you.
Breathe New Life into your Instagram Profile
Let’s be honest: getting your brand to stand out on Instagram can be a challenge…
Not only are there millions of accounts and profiles on the platform all vying for an audience, but reach and engagement are at a frustrating low, making it feel like you’re ploughing time and effort into content creation with little return on all that investment.
What makes for a good website?
In today's digital age, a well-designed website is a non-negotiable for businesses.
A good website not only attracts visitors, but ideally converts them into loyal customers.
Here are just some of the key success factors for an effective online presence…
Reel Ideas: for product and service-based businesses
We all love watching Reels, but it’s a different story when it comes to actually creating them…
But for many of us, the hard part isn’t so much putting them together (that’s the fun bit!), but actually coming up with an engaging concept that your audience will love (and hopefully help you go viral).
Keep reading…
Mother's Day Preps
If Mother’s Day is a key date in your business calendar, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you get your digital assets in order.
Mastering Marketing
A couple of years ago, Shout + Co. became the design partner for The Marketing Collective headed up by Marijke Timmers.
The Marketing Collective is a team of 5 marketing specialists who work alongside business owners to get their businesses humming. We offer design (hello!), copywriting, strategy, paid ads and social media support.
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to develop a marketing programme that you can do online and at your own pace - and it’s just launched THIS MONTH. It’s called: Mastering Marketing.