Looking for tips and advice on digital marketing, web development, branding or pretty much anything that helps your business to grow? Then check out the Cloud9 Marketing blog!

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How Whistler Businesses Prepare for Winter Guests

As the first snowfall approaches, Whistler’s tourism industry kicks into high gear, and behind the scenes, businesses are busy fine-tuning their marketing strategies to get ready for the bustling winter season. While many visitors are daydreaming about powder-filled runs and cozy lodge stays, local businesses are focused on making sure they’ll be top of mind when those dreams turn into bookings.

So, what does it really take to prepare a Whistler business for winter guests from a marketing perspective? Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look.

Refreshing Marketing Materials

Switch out the summer colours for the crisp coolness of winter.

Winter tourism is big business in Whistler. To attract new and returning guests, companies refresh their marketing strategies and materials. From booking ski lessons to promoting cozy winter accommodations, the right digital strategy can make or break a season.

From stunning shots of freshly groomed trails to festive vibes in the village, winter marketing is all about showcasing Whistler’s magic in a way that resonates with potential visitors. But this process isn’t just about slapping on some snowflakes—it’s about telling a story that compels people to choose Whistler as their ultimate winter destination.

Whether it’s updating their website with seasonal imagery, launching a winter-themed social media campaign, or tweaking ad creatives to capture the snowy excitement, marketing teams work around the clock to refresh their visuals and messaging. 

Enhancing your Digital Presence

Use marketing language that inspires urgency and excitement.

Businesses take this time to push early-bird deals, set up seasonal campaigns, and optimize SEO for winter vacation keywords. Ensuring high visibility during this peak season is crucial, as competition is fierce.

With the bulk of travelers planning their trips online, having a strong digital presence is crucial. Businesses in Whistler often take this time to perform an audit of their website and social channels, ensuring they’re optimized for search engines and ready to convert browsers into bookers. From boosting SEO with winter-specific keywords to ensuring seamless mobile navigation, these businesses are making sure their digital storefront is just as polished as their real one.

At Cloud9 Marketing, we help businesses revamp their websites, social media campaigns, and PPC ads to highlight winter-specific services and offers.

Social Media Strategy Overhaul

Find opportunities everywhere to engage with your audience.

Winter in Whistler brings endless opportunities for content creation, and businesses are eager to harness the power of social media to engage their audience. Whether it’s planning out an Instagram feed full of snowy landscapes or curating user-generated content that showcases real guests’ winter adventures, every detail of the social media strategy is thoughtfully planned.

Influencer partnerships, live videos, and interactive content like polls or countdowns keep potential guests excited and engaged in the lead-up to their visit. This is where the magic happens—businesses work hard to craft stories that connect with their audience and get them dreaming about their winter getaway.

Collaborations & Partnerships

Create a sense of community and convenience for your guests.

Winter in Whistler isn’t just about individual businesses; it’s about the community coming together to provide a complete experience. Many tourism companies collaborate with local businesses to create unique winter packages, combining accommodation, ski rentals, and dining experiences.

Cloud9 Marketing often steps in to help facilitate these partnerships, ensuring businesses have the marketing support they need to cross-promote services and maximize their visibility.

Precautions for the Unexpected 

The base of Whistler Mountain with thin snow

Be prepared to shift attention towards other aspects of the winter holidays.

If there’s one thing Whistler businesses know, it’s that winter can be unpredictable. A late winter resulting in no new snow, a lack of reservations due to uncertain weather, or sudden surges in bookings due to a surprise snowstorm are just a few of the potential challenges. That’s why businesses should always have a Plan B (and C).

Whistler businesses rely heavily on the snow during winter to attract guests, but sometimes Jack Frost doesn’t deliver on time. That’s where a flexible marketing strategy comes into play. Activity companies like Canadian Wilderness Adventures prepare for changing conditions by constantly monitoring weather and trail conditions to adjust their offerings accordingly. By monitoring weather patterns closely, businesses can adapt their messaging to focus on alternative winter activities or promote early-bird deals for when the snow finally arrives.

At Cloud9 Marketing, we help our clients pivot quickly, shifting campaigns to highlight off-slope experiences like cozy dining, spa getaways, or scenic winter hikes, ensuring guest interest stays high, even when the snow is running a little late. Adaptability is key, and we make sure your marketing doesn’t miss a beat, no matter the weather.

Impactful Internal Marketing

Emphasize care and commitment to your staff and seek those who value memorable guest experiences.

With winter bringing an influx of tourists, businesses need to scale up their workforce. Hiring seasonal staff is essential for the busy months ahead, and training these new hires takes careful planning. Local restaurants, hotels, and activity companies onboard temporary workers, giving them thorough training in guest service, safety protocols, and winter activity operations.

Internal marketing plays a huge role in getting the whole team aligned and ready for the season ahead. Staff need to be just as informed and excited about the winter campaigns as the customers they’ll be serving. Businesses hold internal briefings, share brand updates, and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to delivering the perfect guest experience.

For some, it means team-building exercises or sneak previews of upcoming promotions. For others, it’s in-depth training on new digital tools or platforms that will help streamline marketing efforts and boost guest satisfaction.

At Cloud9 Marketing, we’ve noticed many businesses using social media to promote job openings, leveraging targeted ads to attract talent from across the region, even internationally. Ensuring a smooth hiring process now translates to a better guest experience once winter hits.

Preparing for Guest Feedback

Be open-minded and willing to evolve.

In a competitive market like Whistler’s, the guest experience can be the deciding factor for repeat business. Companies take time to ensure every touchpoint—from booking to check-out—is seamless and personalized. Special touches, like holiday-themed welcome packages, hot chocolate stations, or ski concierge services, go a long way in creating memorable winter experiences.

While many people think marketing stops at the point of sale, that’s far from true. Smart businesses understand that feedback from guests is gold when it comes to future marketing efforts. Leading into the winter season, Whistler businesses gear up their online review strategies, ensuring they’re ready to respond to feedback quickly and authentically. It’s about staying agile and being proactive, so they can turn positive experiences into glowing reviews that will help drive future bookings.

At Cloud9 Marketing, we work with businesses to refine their customer journey through digital channels, ensuring that their online presence mirrors the level of service they provide in person.

As winter approaches, Whistler businesses are busy behind the scenes, perfecting every aspect of their marketing strategies. They’re refreshing seasonal content, aligning internal teams, boosting their digital presence, and preparing for engaging social media takeovers—all to create an experience that captivates and converts. With a focus on impactful marketing and attention to guest feedback, they’re set to welcome the winter crowds when the snow arrives. If you’re aiming to elevate your winter marketing, Cloud9 Marketing is here to help your business stand out. From crafting a dynamic social media strategy to optimizing your website for winter traffic and building impactful internal campaigns, our expertise ensures your business is ready for the season. Let’s work together to make sure your business tops everyone’s winter getaway list!

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5 Common Branding Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Branding is one of the most critical elements of a successful business. It’s more than just a logo or a colour scheme; it’s how your audience perceives your company. However, many businesses, both large and small, make avoidable mistakes that can dilute their brand identity and impact their growth. At Cloud9 Marketing, we believe that understanding these pitfalls is the first step in building a robust brand. Here are the top five branding mistakes businesses often make and how to steer clear of them.

 

1. Inconsistent Branding

One of the most common branding mistakes is inconsistency. Your brand should be recognizable across all platforms and touchpoints, from your website to social media and even in your internal communications. Inconsistent branding can confuse customers, weaken your brand’s message, and ultimately erode trust.

How to Avoid It: Establish clear brand guidelines that detail your visual elements, tone of voice, and messaging. Ensure that everyone in your organization understands and follows these guidelines to maintain a cohesive brand identity across all materials.

 

2. Ignoring Your Target Audience

Branding is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Failing to understand your target audience can lead to a brand that doesn’t resonate with potential customers. This can result in a disconnect between your brand and the people you’re trying to reach, reducing the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

How to Avoid It: Conducting thorough market research is a necessity for identifying your ideal customers. Develop buyer personas that reflect demographics, preferences, and pain points of your target audience. Tailor your branding efforts to meet their needs and desires​.

 

3. Branding around a trend

While it’s important to stay current, rushing to every trend can dilute your brand’s identity. Trends come and go, and what’s popular today might be outdated in a few months. This leaves little room to maintain a lasting identity for your business. If your brand is too closely tied to a fleeting trend, you might find your brand becoming lost along with it.

How to Avoid It: Instead of chasing trends, focus on building a timeless brand. Keep your core brand identity grounded in your unique values and mission, and instead, update imagery and marketing graphics to embrace upcoming trends.​ 

 

4. Poor Brand Experience

Brand experience is the foundation of your business; it’s a reflection of how your customers see you and how they interact with your business, from customer interaction to your website’s user interface. Ignoring the brand experience or allowing it to become poor can lead to negative perceptions, loss in capital and high turnover.

How to Avoid It: Pay attention to every touchpoint where customers interact with your brand, from your website’s usability to customer service interactions, ensure that every aspect of the brand experience is easy, thorough and consistent​. Have an open mind to criticism and leave room to grow as a company, customers and investors appreciate honesty and genuine interest in their concerns.

 

5. Lack of Differentiation

In a crowded marketplace, failing to differentiate your brand from competitors can make it appear generic, forgettable and run the risk of legal issues. Your brand needs to stand out and highlight what makes you unique. What is your personal drive for this company, what are your dreams and desires, clients favour brands that can connect with them on a more personal level.

How to Avoid It: “Wear your heart on your sleeve” so the saying goes. Focus on your unique selling points (USPs) and communicate them clearly in your branding; whether it’s superior customer service, innovative products, or a commitment to sustainability, make sure your brand reflects what sets you apart from the competition​.

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At Cloud9 Marketing, we care about the success of your brand. With over 15+ years of experience, we specialize in counselling businesses on the best web and design practices, offering a comfortable and involved experience. Contact us today for a free consultation. 

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Choosing the Right Fonts

Selecting the right font is more than just a design choice—it’s a crucial element that impacts readability, aesthetics, and the overall effectiveness of your project. At Cloud9 Marketing, we understand the importance of typography in creating compelling designs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect font for your next project.

Key Factors in Font Selection

When choosing a font, consider the following factors to ensure it aligns with your project’s goals and audience:

  1. Readability:
    • Importance: The primary purpose of any text is to be read. Ensure your font is legible in various sizes and on different devices.
    • Tip: Test your font in different sizes and formats to see how it performs.
  2. Tone and Style:
    • Importance: Fonts convey emotions and set the tone for your content.
    • Tip: Match your font style with the message you want to convey. For instance, a formal report may require a serif font, while a tech blog might benefit from a sleek sans-serif font.
  3. Versatility:
    • Importance: Your font should work well in various contexts, whether it’s in a headline or body text.
    • Tip: Choose a font family with multiple weights and styles for flexibility.
  4. Compatibility:
    • Importance: Ensure your font works well with other design elements.
    • Tip: Pair fonts carefully. For example, combine a serif font with a sans-serif for a balanced look.

 

A close up of an arrange of letters and marks in different fonts, colours, and coloured backgrounds

Understanding Font Categories

Fonts are broadly categorized into several types, each with its unique characteristics and appropriate usage scenarios:

  1. Serif Fonts:
    • Description: Serif fonts have small lines or strokes regularly attached to the end of a larger stroke in a letter or symbol.
    • Common Uses: Print media, formal documents, traditional websites.
    • Examples: Times New Roman, Georgia.

  1. Sans-Serif Fonts:
    • Description: Sans-serif fonts lack the small projecting features called “serifs” at the end of strokes.
    • Common Uses: Digital media, modern websites, minimalist designs.
    • Examples: Arial, Helvetica.

  1. Script Fonts:
    • Description: Script fonts mimic handwritten or calligraphic styles.
    • Common Uses: Invitations, greeting cards, elegant or playful designs.
    • Examples: Brush Script, Pacifico.

  1. Display Fonts:
    • Description: Display fonts are designed to attract attention and are best used in headlines or short text blocks.
    • Common Uses: Posters, advertisements, banners.
    • Examples: Impact, Horizon.

Two people discussing different font styles and colours for their brand

Practical Tips for Choosing Fonts

  1. Limit Your Choices:
    • Avoid using too many fonts in one project. Stick to two or three complementary fonts to maintain a clean and cohesive look.
  2. Consider Hierarchy:
    • Use different fonts to establish a visual hierarchy. Headlines, subheadings, and body text should each have distinct styles to guide the reader’s eye.
  3. Test in Context:
    • Before finalizing, test your fonts in real-world scenarios. Create mockups to see how your text looks in its intended environment.
  4. Check Licensing:
    • Ensure the fonts you choose are licensed for your intended use, especially for commercial projects.

Summary

Choosing the right font can significantly impact the effectiveness of your project. By understanding different font categories and considering factors like readability, tone, and compatibility, you can select fonts that enhance your design and communicate your message effectively.

At Cloud9 Marketing, we specialize in helping businesses create visually stunning and effective designs. If you need assistance with your next project, contact us today.

Happy designing!

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Snowy mountain valley at dusk with pine trees covered in snow and beautiful purple coloured clouds
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Snow-Proof Your Business: 5 Strategies for Whistler’s Winter Season

Winter is upon us, and for businesses in Whistler, it’s a season of both excitement and challenges. As the snow blankets this picturesque region, adventure seekers and travellers flock to the mountains, seeking thrills and unforgettable experiences. But how can your business stand out in this winter wonderland? How can you navigate the snow-covered path to success? In this article, we’ll explore 5 strategies to snow-proof your business and make this winter in Whistler truly remarkable.

 

1. Elevate Your Digital Presence for Winter

Whistler transforms into a winter wonderland during this time of year, and your online presence should reflect that. Picture your website as a cozy cabin inviting visitors to experience the magic of the season. Update your website with winter-centric imagery, highlight your seasonal offerings, and ensure a seamless mobile experience. Let’s make sure your online welcome mat is ready for the winter rush!

Desktop computer on a desk with a chair and a coffee cup and a desk palnt

2. Navigate the Snowy Path with Local SEO

Much like preparing for an exciting mountain expedition, gear up your website with strategically chosen keywords and robust local SEO tactics. Just as a well-marked trail leads adventurers, optimize your online presence to guide your target audience directly to your establishment. When winter enthusiasts seek services in Whistler, ensure your business shines on the virtual map, standing out like pristine powder after a snowfall. Let local SEO be your compass, directing eager customers to your doorstep!

 

3. Craft Tempting Winter Promotions

As the winter wonderland embraces Whistler, entice your audience with promotions designed to encapsulate the magic of the season. Develop irresistible winter-themed experiences, such as après-ski gatherings, guided winter adventure tours, or seasonal tasting events. Showcase these experiences as the focal point of your winter promotions. Complement this with a loyalty program that rewards repeat visits, enhancing customer retention during the season. Additionally, optimize your approach with targeted seasonal email campaigns, tailoring content to resonate with your audience’s winter aspirations and preferences. Let the allure of winter guide your marketing strategies, ensuring your offerings captivate and resonate with both local and visiting patrons.

 

4. Spin Tales of Winter Magic with Engaging Content

Every winter season has its own unique story, and your business plays a vital role in Whistler’s winter tale. Weave this narrative through diverse and engaging content that resonates with your audience. Picture your content as a warm mug of cocoa by the fireside—inviting and comforting. Share thrilling blog posts about winter adventures, host cozy fireside chats with industry experts, run a winter photo contest to showcase community moments, and spotlight your seasonal menu offerings. Invite your audience to immerse themselves in the beauty and excitement of winter, establishing a strong emotional connection with your brand during these frosty months.

 

Vintage camper outdoors in the snow with people sitting around a fire

Four Season Whistler

5. Form Snowball Partnerships for Collective Success

In the spirit of unity within our community, forming meaningful partnerships can make this winter season truly exceptional. Imagine collaborating with a local ski rental shop, offering joint discounts for adventure seekers, or partnering with a nearby spa for après-ski relaxation packages. Additionally, teaming up with a neighboring café to provide exclusive coffee and dessert pairings can enhance the winter experience for your patrons. Let’s explore these collaborative opportunities, creating a snowball effect of success that benefits us all in Whistler’s close-knit business community.

 

A group of people smiling and collaborating over coffee and technology

 

As we gear up for a winter full of adventure, delight, and growth, let Cloud9 Marketing be your trusted companion on this exhilarating journey. Our team is here to ensure your business soars high and embraces the magic of the season. Let’s make this winter in Whistler one for the books!

 

Reach out to us at [email protected] or book a consultation to get started on your winter marketing adventure.

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whistler-village-stroll-fall-colored-leaves-red-orange-yellow-autumn

Whistler’s Shoulder Season Success: 10 Tips for Local Businesses

Whistler, British Columbia, is a breathtaking destination renowned for its vibrant summer activities. However, as the leaves change and the temperatures cool, businesses in this picturesque resort town often face the challenge of the shoulder season. But worry not, because at Cloud9 Marketing, we have compiled a list of 10 tips to help your business not only weather the shoulder season but thrive during it.

1. Diversify Your Offerings for Autumn Appeal

By offering a variety of fall-specific activities, you tap into a new market of visitors who come to Whistler seeking autumn adventures. This diversification ensures that your business remains relevant and attractive during the shoulder season.

Example: If you’re an adventure tour operator, consider adding themed fall tours that showcase the stunning fall foliage and local wildlife.

2. Flexible Hours for Extended Enjoyment

Adapting your business hours to accommodate changing daylight patterns shows that you care about your customers’ convenience. Hosting evening events extends the time customers spend at your establishment, boosting sales and creating memorable experiences.

Example: If you’re an accommodation provider, extend your business hours to allow guests to enjoy your services well into the evening.

3. Attract Customers with Shoulder Season Discounts

Discounts and loyalty programs attract cost-conscious visitors, encouraging them to choose your business over competitors. This strategy not only increases foot traffic but also fosters customer loyalty that can extend beyond the shoulder season.

Example: If you’re a local food & beverage provider, offer a “Shoulder Season Special” menu with discounted prices to entice diners.

4. Power of Partnerships

Collaborating with other local businesses creates a synergy that draws larger crowds. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, as you share marketing efforts and broaden your reach, ultimately increasing sales and brand exposure.

Example: If you’re an adventure tour operator, partner with neighboring businesses to offer bundled packages and cross-promote each other.

5. Boost Your Local Presence

A strong local online presence through social media and digital marketing establishes your business as a beloved local gem. Engaging with your audience and showcasing user-generated content builds a loyal customer base that consistently supports your business.

Example: If you’re an accommodation provider, share user-generated photos and reviews of guests enjoying their experiences at your establishment on social media platforms.

6. Optimize Your Online Presence

An updated and user-friendly website enhances the customer experience. It makes it easy for potential customers to find your business, explore your fall offerings, and make bookings. This optimization directly impacts your online visibility and revenue.

Example: If you’re a local food & beverage provider, ensure your website is easy to navigate and allows for online reservations.

7. Sustainability as a Selling Point

Promoting eco-friendly practices aligns with Whistler’s values and attracts environmentally conscious travelers. Highlighting your sustainability efforts not only differentiates your business but also resonates with a growing market segment seeking responsible choices.

Example: If you’re a local food & beverage provider, emphasize the use of locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in your offerings.

8. Elevate Service Quality

Exceptional service not only encourages repeat business but also leads to positive word-of-mouth referrals. Satisfied customers are more likely to become brand advocates, spreading the word about your business and driving new customers through your doors.

Example: If you’re an adventure tour operator, train your guides to provide exceptional service and engage with customers to create memorable experiences.

9. Smart Budgeting for Stability

Strategic financial planning during the busy season ensures that your business remains financially stable during the shoulder season. You can confidently cover operating costs and continue delivering quality services, preventing any dips in customer satisfaction.

Example: If you’re an accommodation provider, allocate a portion of your summer season revenue to create a buffer that can cover operational expenses during the shoulder season.

10. Plan Ahead for Ongoing Success

Planning for the future ensures that your business stays competitive and relevant year after year. Market research and innovative strategies keep you one step ahead, ready to seize new opportunities and overcome challenges in Whistler’s ever-evolving landscape.

Example: If you’re a local food & beverage provider, conduct customer surveys during the shoulder season to gather feedback and insights, which you can use to enhance your offerings for the following year.

To sum it up, Whistler’s shoulder season is not a challenge to be feared, but an opportunity waiting to be seized. With these 10 invaluable tips, your business can not only weather the seasonal shift but also flourish during this distinct period. At Cloud9 Marketing, we stand ready to be your partner on this journey to success.

So, are you prepared to conquer the shoulder season? Reach out to Cloud9 Marketing today, and together, let’s make this upcoming fall season in Whistler the best one yet for your local business. Your success is our mission.

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Manage Social Media Like a Boss with Only 3 Tools (and all for Under $50/month)

As a boutique marketing agency owner, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to stay organized, efficient, and within budget. That’s why I’ve tried and tested countless online tools to find the most cost-effective options that deliver exceptional results. In this post, I’m sharing my top three affordable online tools that arguably could be your only toolset for complete social media or content management – and all for under $50 a month!

Canva – The Ultimate Design Tool

Canva isn’t exactly unknown – in fact by now, your mom has probably heard of Canva. But the hype is warranted. If you’re looking for an online design tool that delivers professional-grade graphics without needing a design degree, Canva is your answer. This incredible tool is packed with features that allow you to create visually stunning designs, even if you have no design experience. From social media graphics to email headers, Canva’s templates, and drag-and-drop interface make it easy to create beautiful designs that will captivate your audience.

With Canva, you can customize your designs with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos, making it an essential tool for maintaining brand consistency across all your marketing materials.

Why I love it:

I am a trained Graphic Designer and know all industry-leading software like the back of my hand. But sometimes less is more, and when trying to get content out the door, Canva is the “work smarter, not harder” option for me. I love that you can pre-enter multiple brand guides and easily switch between them. I love how easy it is to access stock photography, design, elements, etc. Plus, the pricing for this tool starts at FREE. Though if you can afford it, the paid plans (starting at $16.99 CAD) offer so many additional features it’s definitely worth it.

Plann That – The Social Media Scheduling Tool

If you’re still manually scheduling your social media posts, you’re wasting valuable time that could be better spent on other tasks. That’s where Plann That comes in. This incredible social media scheduling tool allows you to plan and schedule your posts in advance, saving you time and helping you stay on top of your social media game. Plann That even integrates directly with Canva from within the platform.

Plann That offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to drag and drop your posts, add captions, and hashtags, and even plan your Instagram feed visually. Plus, with Plann That, you’ll never miss a post or forget to engage with your followers again.

Why I love it:

I really like the aesthetic of Plann That. Sure, there are loads of other scheduling software that do the same thing. But as a designer working in Plann That is a delight on the eyes. It’s also not bloated with a bunch of functionality you probably don’t need. But the features that it does offer are super helpful. I love the Strategy feature where you can add your Client’s themes and develop a content strategy. I love how you can visually see how your feeds will look so you can plan aesthetically (this is important to me). And finally, I love the hashtag feature – where you can search for or create hashtag sets that can easily be added to your posts. Plann That starts at $15/month – so if you are just starting out, this is a great cost-effective option.

Dashthis – The Reporting Tool You Need

As a marketing agency, you must be able to provide your clients with detailed and accurate reports demonstrating your services’ value. This is where Dashthis comes in. This online reporting tool allows you to create custom reports that integrate all your marketing data into one place. With Dashthis, you can easily create reports highlighting your successes and showing your clients how their investment is paying off.

Dashthis integrates with all the major marketing platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and more, making it easy to gather all your data in one place. Plus, with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can create custom reports in minutes, saving you time and helping you deliver exceptional value to your clients.

Why I love it:

I think Dashthis flies under the radar for most marketers, but it’s a super powerful tool. One of the features I really like about Dashthis is the ability to make year-over-year comparisons. As many of our clients are located in Whistler, it is more important to compare this December to last December rather than month-over-month comparisons, which are the standard (and limitation) for most reporting software. Also, it offers the ability to create custom client dashboards that you can link directly to, making it easy to share with Clients. It’s not as robust as some analytic and reporting software out there – but for the average client, it will be more than enough. Starting at $33/month, Dashthis is a great low-risk option for newbies.

In Conclusion

Canva, Plann That, and Dashthis combined offer a pretty solid and complete toolset for those looking to manage social media or content in general – and are perfect for small business owners, solopreneurs, social media managers, or consultants who are just starting out or don’t have much capital to invest in fancy-pants software. These tools will help you stay organized and efficient and deliver exceptional results to your clients without breaking the bank. Your monthly investment could be as low as $50 per month at the starting prices for each. So, do you need to spend hundreds of dollars monthly on social media management tools to do a great job? No, absolutely not. Of course, those fancy tools do have some serious perks – but unless you are managing several higher-profile clients, the bloat probably isn’t worth the buck.

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5 strategies to grow organically on social media

Organic growth on social media is essential for any brand or business looking to build a solid online presence. To increase your followers and engage with your target audience, it’s essential to have a clear strategy and effective tactics. Here are five strategies you can use to grow organically on social media.

1. Develop a consistent content strategy: Creating quality content that resonates with your target audience and actively engaging with them is the key to organic growth on social media. Developing a content strategy and schedule that allows you to post engaging content regularly will help you build a loyal following.

2. Utilize user-generated content: Incorporating user-generated content into your social media strategy is a great way to build trust and engagement. Encourage your followers to share their content featuring your product or brand, and thank them for their efforts.

3. Leverage influencers: Partnering with influencers in your industry can significantly increase your reach and boost your organic growth on social media. Find influencers who align with your brand values and mission, and ask them to promote your product or service.

4. Focus on relationship building: Social media is all about relationships. Take the time to build relationships with your followers by engaging with them and responding to their comments and messages. This will help you establish a loyal following and grow organically.

5. Analyze and adjust: Analyzing the performance of your posts and campaigns is essential to understand what’s working and what’s not. Use data to track your performance and adjust your strategy to maximize your organic growth.

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5 Ways to Increase Web Traffic In Searches

Why is everyone soo excited about SEO? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial because it makes your website more visible, and that means more traffic and more opportunities to convert prospects into customers.  If you’re concerned about the way your business’s website is performing, try these 5 tips to improve your position on the search engine results page (SERP).

Here are five things you can do now to improve your website’s SEO rankings:

1. Publish Quality Content

Having high-quality content on your website is one of the best ways to increase traffic and improve your search rank.  Authoritative content is the number one driver of your search engine rankings and there is no substitute for great content.  Fine-tune your web writing skills and present yourself as an authority on the topic you are writing about.  Make sure your content is mistake-free, keyword-rich, mobile-optimized, and includes valuable links to additional internal and external content.

 

2. Optimize Keywords

Identify and target a specific keyword phrase for each page on your website. For the best results, front load the keywords in the Tile of the page. This guide to Keyword Research for Social Media  is a good resource for determining which keywords your audience is using. Try to think about how your target reader might search for that specific page and what kind of search terms and phrases they would use:

  • How to create a customer persona?
  • What is user experience design?
  • How to increase my website’s SEO ranking?

 

2. Update Content With A Blog

Try writing a blog, and make new entries as much as you possibly can. Regularly updated content  is viewed as one of the best indicators of a site’s relevancy, so be sure to keep it fresh.  Make sure your content is mistake-free, keyword-rich, mobile-optimized, and includes valuable links to additional internal and external content.

 

3. Don’t Use Click Here for Links

Improve your site’s credibility and ranking by adding relevant links within the text. Instead of having “click here” links, try writing out the name of the destination. “Click here” to for more on Cloud 9’s blog has no search engine value beyond the attached URL, whereas  read our blog post on How To Create A Customer Persona is rich with keywords and will improve your search engine rankings.

 

4. Check Your Site Speed

Load time is one of the key measurements in Google’s ranking system. If your site is slow, you have little chance of a high search position. To increase the load times of your site, check to see if images are optimized and have descriptive filenames and include alt text.  Squoosh.app is a great way to optimize web images for all different applications.  

 

5. Use Header Tags

 

Not only do header tags (H1, H2, H3…) break up content and provide better visual hierarchy and readability, they are one of the most important ranking factors in SEO.  Over the years, SEO has become much more about usability and accessibility and offering people a good user experience, rather than just hitting all of the right technical requirements. Read this article on how to properly use header tags to learn more.  Unlike an HTML Title tag, an H1 tag doesn’t tell search engines what to display. However, it does affect user experience, which is important for SEO.

 

Good SEO involves many different techniques.  We at Cloud 9 hope this list has helped shine some light on the ways you can improve your website’s SEO.  For help with services like digital marketing, SEO, and content creation, contact us for a free one-hour consultation today.

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Productivity Apps To Get Things Done

Productivity is personal. Whether you’re looking for a way to take better notes or track your hours at work, it’s time to take advantage of technology to do more in less time. You don’t have to look any further than your computer or smartphone to make simple and easy improvements for both in the office and at home.

Here are five apps that increase productivity in your everyday life:

1. Hive

How we use it: Project management

Why we love it: Hive’s productivity platform is one of the best project management tools on the market. Team members can check their to-do lists, communicate with one another in real-time, collaborate on schedules, share files, and check up on the latest project progress. When synced with Hive’s desktop and web applications, the mobile app provides yet another way to improve work ethic and productivity throughout the day.

Cost: Free to download. Hive Teams begins at $12/month per user.
Hive Solo is free forever for up to 2 users.

Download For: iOs, Android / Desktop

 

2. Todoist

How we use it: A time-management app that’s a great choice for small teams

Why we love it: Todoist is a simple task manager app that allows you to record and group tasks together based on projects. Todoist provides functionality in time management and to-do lists, with an element of project management. Despite its multiple features and uses, the tool remains easy to use. This makes collaborating with teams over multiple projects a breeze, and for us, visual learners; shows deliverables at a glance.

Cost: Free for the basic version (limited projects)
Premium version is $3.99 monthly or $35.99 annually

Download For: iOS, Android, Mac / Windows Desktop

 

3. Google Docs

How we use it: Collaborating on documents

Why we love it: Google Docs is one of the best tools for sharing documents and collaborating in real-time. This online word processor eliminates the need to save and send files back and forth when writing and editing a document. Depending on your settings, projects can be shared inside and outside of your organization. Google Sheets has similar benefits, such as the ability to import CSV into Google Sheets, which lets you keep all of your documents in one online hub.

Cost: Free

Download For: iOS / Android

 

4. Sprout Social

How we use it: Social Scheduling

Why we love it: Sprout Social is a comprehensive tool that lets companies schedule posts and campaigns across all of their social channels. View all the planned posts in a single comprehensive calendar, which is extremely helpful for aligning your campaigns, organizing your social media channels, and seeing the bigger picture. This format allows for easy communication between channels in the inbox, as well as access to post analytics.

Cost: Free 30 day trial.
The professional plan starts at $89 per month for 5 accounts managed by one login. Prices go up from there.

Download For: iOS / Android

 

5. Last Pass

Now it’s time to give your customer a name and a face. This might be strange, but it will help crystalize the idea of the ‘human’ you will later create content and other marketing materials for. Browse through stock images and see if you can find a picture to associate with him. Do not use images of actual people, find AI-generated images of faces for privacy purposes. Try browsing https://generated.photos/ for ideas.

How we use it: Storing and managing passwords

Why we love it: How much time do you waste every day manually signing into various accounts and searching for forgotten passwords? Last Pass is a password management app that stores all of your digital passwords in one place, making it easy to log into all of your various accounts while also keeping your digital information secure. Last Pass uses a browser extension to keep information secure on your computer, and their mobile app is a life-saver for people who are constantly on the move.

Cost: Last Pass has a free plan, but it does not include syncing across all devices.
Premium plans start at $3/month for personal use and $4/month for business teams.

Download for: Browser extension / iOS / Android

 

If productivity and marketing strategies have left you scratching your head, contact us for a free one-hour consultation. We are even more productive in person! Let Cloud 9 take your project to the next level!

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How customer personas help define your target audience

If you can understand your top customers, you will be able to pinpoint their business pains, understand how they communicate and get on the right platforms to attract their attention.
It’s impossible to find out everything about every customer or prospect individually, but you can create a customer persona to represent your customer base.

A customer persona is a detailed description of someone who represents your target audience. This persona represents one fictional customer, not a group of people.

How To Build A Customer Persona

Have a look at who is already buying from you, following you, and interacting with your posts. When painting this picture of your target audience, note the following data points (with examples):

Age: Millennial / 38
Marital Status: Long Term Partner
Gender: Female
Education: BCIT E-Commerce
Children: None
Income: $90,000.00
Occupation: Project Manager
Personality: Ambivert
Home Ownership: Townhouse Owner

 

Start With Demographics

Basic demographics will help create a starting point for your persona. Try and provide as much detail as possible based on your market research.
Where in the world does your social media audience live? This helps you understand which geographic areas to target. Does your target audience include college students? New parents? Parents of teens? Retirees?

 

Psychographics Add Personal Detail

Next, psychographic data, such as interests and hobbies add more personal details to help form a better understanding of your customer prospects.
What does your target audience like to do? What TV shows do they watch? What other businesses do they interact with? What are the personal and business challenges they face in a day?

 

Understand Spending Behaviors

Finally, defining the users spending power and patterns allows us to understand purchasing behavior and estimated retail spending.
How much money does your target audience have to spend? How do they approach purchases in your price category? Do they have specific financial concerns or preferences you need to address? Do they purchase on the spot or take time to research before a purchase?

Put A Face To The Name

Now it’s time to give your customer a name and a face. This might be strange, but it will help crystalize the idea of the ‘human’ you will later create content and other marketing materials for. Browse through stock images and see if you can find a picture to associate with him. Do not use images of actual people, find AI-generated images of faces for privacy purposes. Try browsing https://generated.photos/ for ideas.

 

 

Paint A Picture With All The Parts

It’s time to gather all the data in one place and breath some life into this person. Create a short bio or “life story” for your customer persona. Explain how they have come to need your help. Many businesses have more than one customer segment they want to reach. Create a different customer persona for each of these segments.

The better you understand your target market, the more you’ll be able to focus ads and reach people who are most likely to convert into customers. This customer research will help you create resonating content, messaging, and ads. The next time you need to ask the question, “What does my customer want?”, ask your persona. Going through this process will give you valuable insights into how to create content that resonates with your target audience.

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