Tag Archive for: Social Media

, , , ,

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!

/by
, ,

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​.

–

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. 

/by
Hand holding a yellow hashtag in front of a pink background

Are Instagram Hashtags Dead in 2023?

In the dynamic landscape of Instagram marketing in 2023, the age-old question persists: “Are Instagram hashtags dead?” While the debate continues, one thing is clear – Instagram hashtags are far from obsolete. However, the game has evolved, and in the current era, keywords reign supreme, reshaping how we approach content on this ever-popular social media platform.

The Evolution of Instagram Strategies


Keywords Take Center Stage

In 2023, the Instagram landscape has shifted towards a more nuanced approach. While hashtags continue to play a vital role, keywords have emerged as the kings of content optimization. The entire caption box and even the bio, including the ‘name’ field, are now SEO battlegrounds where the strategic use of keywords can significantly impact visibility.

 

Rethinking the 3-5 Hashtag Myth

The once-prescribed “3-5 hashtags” rule has become a point of contention. In 2023, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t necessarily apply. Influencers and marketers are experimenting, some finding success with a more restricted number of hashtags, while others swear by the full 30. The key lies in understanding your audience, monitoring performance metrics, and adapting your strategy accordingly.

 

Phone showcasing an Instagram profile in front of a plate of burgers

The Power of Keywords in Captions and Bios

As Instagram becomes increasingly SEO-centric, optimizing captions and bios with relevant keywords becomes non-negotiable. Crafting compelling and keyword-rich captions enhances discoverability, making your content more accessible to a wider audience. The ‘name’ field, once a mere identifier, is now a valuable space for strategic keyword placement.


Example in Action:

Before: “Enjoying coffee on a Sunday. #CoffeeLover #SundayVibes”

After: “Savoring a relaxing Sunday with my favorite brew. ☕ #WeekendCoffee #SundayChill”

 

The Renaissance of Niche-Specific Instagram Hashtags

In the quest for optimal engagement, niche-specific hashtags are experiencing a renaissance in 2023. Instagram’s refined algorithms favor content specificity, making targeted hashtags essential. Collaborating with micro-influencers within a niche and utilizing their branded hashtags has proven effective, fostering authenticity and deeper connections with the audience.


Example in Action:

Before: “Fitness journey! #Workout #FitnessGoals”

After: “Elevating my fitness game with targeted routines. 🏋️‍♂️ #HIITChallenge #FitLifeJourney”

 

Girl with space buns pointing to a sign of 341 likes

Micro-Influencers and Their Instagram Hashtag Magic

Micro-influencers, once overshadowed by their larger counterparts, are now wielding significant influence in the hashtag game. Collaborations with micro-influencers within specific niches contribute not only to increased engagement but also to the creation of a genuine community around a brand.


Example in Action:

Before: “New skincare routine! #Skincare #GlowingSkin”

After: “Trying out @MicroInfluencer’s recommended products for radiant skin. ✨ #MicroInfluencerTips #SkincareRoutine”

 

Brand-Generated Hashtags: The Community Catalyst

Brand-generated hashtags are more than trends; they are community catalysts. In 2023, brands are leveraging custom hashtags to encourage user-generated content, turning customers into brand ambassadors. This approach not only strengthens brand loyalty but also adds a human touch to the brand-consumer relationship.


Example in Action:

Before: “Our customers are the best! #CustomerAppreciation”

After: “Join the community! Share your moments with #BrandCommunityLove. 🤝❤️”

Striking the Right Balance


Keywords, Hashtags, and Balance

The sweet spot in 2023 lies in finding the perfect balance between keywords and hashtags. Rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive, successful Instagram marketers intertwine both elements seamlessly. A carefully curated combination of relevant keywords in captions and bios, along with a strategic selection of hashtags, can elevate your content above the digital noise.


Example in Action:

Before: “Exploring nature’s beauty. #Nature #Adventure”

After: “Immersing myself in the tranquility of nature. 🌿 #NatureEscape #OutdoorAdventures”

 

Macbook and iMac on a desk with a white bookshelf and potplant

 

In the ever-evolving world of Instagram marketing, the question isn’t whether hashtags are dead, but how they coexist with the new ruler of the realm – keywords. The advice of limiting hashtags to 3-5 may not be a universal truth in 2023. Instead, influencers and marketers must embrace experimentation, monitor results, and strike a delicate balance between the power of keywords and the enduring relevance of hashtags. As Instagram’s SEO landscape continues to mature, those who adapt and master this delicate dance will undoubtedly rise above the competition, carving a distinct space in the hearts and feeds of their followers.

Ready to elevate your Instagram game and boost your brand’s presence? Cloud9 Marketing is your trusted partner in navigating the ever-changing world of social media. Our team of experts are here to craft a personalised strategy for your business. Book a consultation today!

/by
,

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.

/by

The Importance of Social Media Marketing

If you own a business or are building a brand, you may be questioning the importance of social media marketing. You may be asking yourself: Does your business need to be on social media? Does social media marketing really work? The simple answer is, ABSOLUTELY!

As of May 2019, there are almost 3.5 billion active social media users worldwide with Facebook leading the pack at just over 2.3 billion users. The average person spends over 2 hours a day on social media.

Today’s consumers are influenced significantly by what they see on social media. In a 2017 survey, 78% of consumers said that companies’ social media posts impacted their purchases.

If you’re not using social media for your brand or business, that’s a lot of missed opportunity!

Here are just a few of the many reasons why social media marketing is important for any brand:

Brand awareness

Social media platforms offer a great opportunity to build awareness for brands. From targeted advertising, hashtags, geo-tags and more, the opportunity to reach new audiences and gain exposure is vast.

Building brand awareness doesn’t always have to come from the brand’s side either — when customers feel loyalty to a brand, they are often compelled to share their love in posts and photos, spreading the awareness even further.

Authenticity

Social media allows brands to show their human side and be authentic. Authenticity resonates well with customers and allows them to feel a personal connection.

Engagement

Whether through comments on posts or direct messages, social media provides a great way to connect directly with customers. Engagement on social media can also improve customer service experience in the event of an issue as customers are able to communicate with a brand instantly.

Traffic Increase

Social media is a great way to drive traffic to a website. There are numerous opportunities to direct people from social platforms to a website such as links in posts, posting blog posts to social media, using product tags on Instagram, and many more. Social media advertising allows even greater opportunity to drive traffic to a website.

Customer Insights

Most social media platforms and social media scheduling platforms offer great analytics tools which can be used to dig into information about customers and followers. This analytical data provides brands with access to real-time data which can be used to improve marketing strategies and increase effectiveness.

 

Looking to boost your brand’s social media presence but are not sure where to start, check out our social media management services here.

With Cloud9 Marketing managing your social media, we boost your brand awareness, improve online credibility, and increase sales and/or customer acquisition.

/by
computer

Staying Social During a Time of Crisis

As we learn to navigate these uncharted waters, confusion and uncertainty are at an all-time high. Not only is this situation putting pressure on everyday life, but business owners are also feeling the pressure and impact of these troubling times. 

With people around the world being told to stay home, one of the heaviest hit industries has been the tourism sector. And here in Whistler, we have certainly felt the impacts of this. Many local businesses have temporarily shut down operations including tour operators, hotels, restaurants and more, causing a trickle-down effect to our mountain town.

If your business has been forced to close or limit its services, you may have questions as to what the best practices for marketing during a time like this are. A lot of businesses have chosen to “go dark” and have completely put a hold on all marketing efforts including social media.

But is going dark on social media the right move? In our opinion, no. 

The term “social distancing” has become a staple in our everyday vocabulary as of late. However, we believe the term we should be using is “physical distancing.” This is a time more than ever that we need to maintain connections with people and be social, digitally that is. 

(If you’re more of the listener than a reader, hear more about this topic on our very first podcast, Social Media Marketing During a Time of Crisis. Listen now at: https://bit.ly/2y79Ue2.)

Why You Should Be Posting

With most of our time now being spent at home and away from public situations, people are turning to social media for entertainment more than ever. For some, social media may even be the only social connection they have. Before this pandemic, the average adult spent two hours a day on social media, imagine where these numbers must be at now…

Social media enables businesses to connect with people all over the world. Maintaining a presence during these times will allow businesses to expand their community and maintain the one they have worked so hard to build. Now is the time to establish who your brand really is and invest in relationships rather than transactions.

And with so many businesses choosing to go dark, this could, in fact, be the least cluttered time ever on social media for tourism businesses. Use this time to stand out from your competitors enabling you to be top of mind for when things return to ‘normal’. 

What You Should Be Posting 

As these are unprecedented times, it can be a challenge to determine what posts are appropriate. With so much anxiety and heaviness surrounding the situation, businesses should be focusing on content that is light-hearted and inspirational. 

This is also the time to present the human side of your business. People are looking for a connection more than ever. Tell stories, show personality, find a way to connect with your audience. Be sure to also monitor and reply to any comments — this is a great way to make things personal.

Some examples of what to post:

  • Repost user-generated content
  • Create video tutorials
  • Share stories of favourite past memories
  • Introduce your staff
  • Support any local initiatives or emergency communications

Other Marketing Efforts

So we’ve established that maintaining social media presence during this time is important, but what about other marketing efforts? 

We recommend refocusing any efforts towards achieving conversion goals to efforts that help build community and engagement. This includes turning off any paid advertising across all platforms.

Planning For the Future

Although we hope this will all be over soon, we cannot predict exactly when everything will return to business as usual. We can, however, use this time to start planning for the future and ensure we have a strategy set for when the time comes. Because when it comes, it’s going to come suddenly and those that are not prepared will be left behind.

Create a plan starting at the beginning of the end of all of this. If possible, begin to create quality content to use in order to avoid scrambling at the last minute — Draft posts, create videos, write blog posts, etc. 

We also believe that focusing efforts on regional markets will be more successful at first. It will take some time for economies to recover and travel bans to lift, which may create barriers for international visitors. 

For more on this topic, be sure to listen to our very first podcast, Social Media Marketing During a Time of Crisis where Cloud9 Marketing team members Virginia-Rae Choquette and Hailey Elise discuss how to navigate social media during this current time of crisis. Listen now at: https://bit.ly/2y79Ue2

/by
christmas tree - social media marketing tips for holiday

Social Media Marketing Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy, festive fun and family time! But it’s also considered one of the busiest times for both online and offline sales as shoppers scramble to find the perfect gifts for their family and friends. 

When it comes to marketing, businesses are doing everything they can to inspire shoppers with amazing deals and catchy campaigns. Standing out on social media during the holidays can feel a lot like being the needle in a haystack, or a single snowflake in a snowball to be more seasonally relevant. So, how do you stand out in such a crowded environment? We share some social media marketing tips for the holiday season to help your brand get noticed during this busy time of year.

Holiday Spirit

Show that your brand has holiday spirit by posting holiday-themed images and posts. Use festive colours, imagery and symbols to evoke emotion from your followers. Be sure to include festive captions with your posts including holiday quotes, festive song lyrics and more. 

Storytelling

The holiday season is all about the warm fuzzy feelings and a good story is a great way to trigger those emotions. Storytelling is a great way to show personality and connect with your audience. It’s also a great way to create content that can be repurposed for multiple platforms. Read more about storytelling and what it’s something you should consider adding to your marketing strategy not just during the holidays but all year, here. 

Social Media Holidays

For social media marketing, Christmas and New Years aren’t the only holidays that you need to post about. There are many “social media holidays” such as #NationalHotCocoaDay or #InternationalMountainDay which are great ways to boost your social media marketing during the holiday season. Now, these holidays may seem a little cheesy, but they are a great way to take advantage of trending hashtags and increase engagement on your posts. Check a full list of social media holidays here.

Engagement

Engaging with your social media followers is important at any time of year, but putting an emphasis on it during the holidays can help your brand stand out amongst the competition. As businesses put a focus on promotions and sales, social media users can start to feel less like an appreciated fan and more like a business transaction. Maintaining engagement with your followers will help build personal connections between your customers and your brand. 

Collaborations

The holidays are a great way to collaborate with relevant and/or other local businesses. As the saying goes “two heads are better than one” and this is true when it comes to social media marketing — working with other brands helps expand your audience and reach a lot more users. 

One strategy for the holiday season could be a group of local businesses working together to raise money, toys, food, etc. for a local charity. It could be a friendly “competition” between businesses or just a nice way to give back to the community. Another great way to collaborate could be a prize giveaway featuring prizes for a group of businesses. 

The festive season is a magical time of year, but it’s also a busy one when it comes to marketing. Be sure to follow our social media marketing tips for the holiday season to make this festive time for your brand merry and bright! 

/by
Facebook logo - latest updates to Facebook

Latest Updates to Facebook

Facebook has been under a lot of scrutiny lately. While most of their time has been dedicated to dealing with issues in regards to privacy, transparency and security, its developers have managed to put out a few new updates.

Although the platform is constantly changing and adapting, we highlight a few of the latest updates to Facebook that we think are the most important for Facebook advertisers.

Facebook Considering Hiding Like Count

You may have noticed a change to your Instagram feed a few months ago — In an effort to improve user well-being, Instagram removed the like count in 7 countries across the world. The thought process behind this was to bring the platform back to its early days of being more about the content and less about popularity. Now it seems that the developers are achieving the results they hoped for and are looking to expand this change to Facebook as well.

This change poses an interesting question for social media advertisers on whether the amount of likes on a post influences users’ decisions and buying habits. Facebook has confirmed they are considering this change, however, no official trial start date has been determined.

Highlighting Stories From Pages

Although the Stories feature on Facebook hasn’t taken off as developers had originally hoped, it is starting to pick up in popularity and is now at 500 million users daily.

Recently, developers began testing a feature that places stories from pages, including business pages, in a new in-feed panel. The Stories panel is already located at the top of a user’s feed, and this added Page Stories panel will highlight branded stories even more, offering a great opportunity for promotion.

New Business Tools for Messenger

Messenger interactions have become increasingly more important for brands as people take their queries and comments from phone calls and in-person to messaging platforms. Messaging platforms offer ease of use and even sometimes, instantaneous answers with the use of bots. Bot technology has improved exponentially over the last few years and will only continue to grow.

Facebook has announced the following updates to its business tools for messenger:

Lead Generation Flows

As explained by Facebook,
“This new template within Facebook Ads Manager enables businesses to create automated experiences to help qualify leads within Messenger. Businesses can continue the conversation with prospects directly in Messenger and integrate with existing CRM tools to seamlessly track leads.”

Appointment Booking

This update will allow businesses to integrate calendar booking software directly into their messenger bot response flow.

“With this feature, businesses can convert Messenger conversations into in-store traffic, online and phone appointments, and more.”

 

As mentioned earlier, the platform is constantly changing and these are just a few of the latest updates to Facebook.

Are you having a hard time keeping up with changes to Facebook? Or not even sure where to start when it comes to social media marketing? Cloud9 Marketing can create and manage your social media campaigns with effective strategies that drive quality engagement. Learn more about our Social Media Marketing services here.

/by
iphone showing social media

Our New Whistler Curated Social Media Content Package

Struggling to find the time to manage your social media platforms on top of your business demands? We have the perfect solution with our Whistler Curated Social Media Content Package!

Did you know that poorly managed social media can actually be more damaging to your brand then having no social media presence at all? Social networks are one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. With a projected 25% annual growth in the next 5 years, proper management of your social media channels is essential.

Stimulating Content

Social media algorithms mirror that of Google. This means that content that is stimulating and gets lots of engagement will show up higher on a News Feed. We want to help you to reach your customers by producing high quality, Whistler relevant content that stands out and looks professional.

Timing is everything

Social Media gives you the opportunity to engage with customers on a new level. We understand that you may not have the time to post regular updates to reach customers at the right moments.

Here at Cloud9, we not only produce high-quality content but also feature events, and weather updates, engaging with a community who ‘wants to know.’ We post as things are happening- keeping your feed relevant so you don’t have to!

Your Competition Is Already Doing It

Today’s generation expects companies to be involved in social media. From ‘Checking In’ on Facebook to Geo Tags on Instagram, you need to show your customers that you are on top of your social media game. If your brand is not appearing in the feed of your customers on a regular basis you’re really missing a massive branding opportunity.

Posting sporadically or seemingly random content can disengage users and even cause them to believe your business has been shut down!

Don’t Have The Time To Manage This Yourself?

We know that devising an effective social media strategy may not be at the forefront of your mind. That’s why our Whistler Curated Social Media package offers you an affordable solution, ensuring your channels appear well managed, professional and timely. Curating content is the process of sharing interesting and relevant content, created by other people. It is a great time saver and really helps to diversify your content.

What It Involves:

We share Whistler photography, engaging videos, professionally designed graphics, event coverage, real time weather updates and more. This allows you to continue to post to your channel brand specific content occasionally without having to worry about it being inconsistent or irregular.

All our content is Whistler focused, sharing a joint goal of promoting all that Whistler has to offer. It is not brand specific, enabling development costs to be split between clients. You will receive the same high quality, professional content as a client who was paying several times this – but for a fraction of the cost!

Anything Else?

But that’s not all.. you also receive a monthly newsletter with photos and blogs that you can post to your website!

What’s Included:

-Regular High-Quality Whistler Content

-Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

-Blog Content & Photos

-Automated Monthly Report

What’s Not Included:

-Brand Specific Content

-Social Media Advertising

-Message or Comment Monitoring

-Strategy or Results Meetings

*Additional Services are always available for a fee.

$250 p/m + GST

Contact us today at: [email protected] or call: 604-398-4016

/by

Instagram for Businesses: Why Bother With Insta Stories?

The Instagram Story feature lets you share photos and videos with your followers for 24 hours. Although stories, filters, effects and tags may feel trivial and just another thing for you to remember in your marketing strategy, Instagram stories create easy and fast content with many benefits. Allowing you to show off your business’ personality and drive authentic customer engagements, here’s why the Insta story is an integral tool in your marketing strategy.

Tell a great story

Instagram stories are like your own personal TV channel. They’re designed for mobile users to quickly flick through, making them great for businesses who want to spark engaging, casual conversations with their customers. Your business can combine stories and live videos to open up to your followers and reveal what goes on behind the scenes.

Create easy content

What’s great about stories is that there is no set rule for how often you should post. Similar to Snapchat stories, Instagram stories are designed for continuous watching, meaning the more content you put out, the better! Plus, unlike regular Instagram posts, Insta stories are all about being in the now. Instead of curating the perfect picture and caption, you can use your story to humanize your brand and give it some personality.

Take creative risks

The temporary nature of stories makes them perfect for creative risks. You can be spontaneous and test out new content, safe in the knowledge that users are much more forgiving when it comes to stories. By testing and experimenting with new ideas, you can learn what your audience responds best to, and adapt successful stories into permanent posts.

Drive traffic and engagement

Instagram stories make it easy for you to connect with your audience. Not only can they respond to your stories with direct messages, but the poll feature allows you to hear the collective voice of your customers. You can also link to other Instagram profiles and add links to each story through the swipe up feature. This allows you to direct your audience’s attention towards specific blog posts, products, or news articles.

Boost organic reach

Due to the change in algorithm, Instagram sorts your feed by what it thinks you will like the most. Usually accounts with active stories tend to show up higher in the search results. To boost your organic reach and increase your visibility, you’ll need to post regularly to make sure that you’re staying in current feeds. You can also add hashtags and locations that will increase your reach and enable your account to pop up in different search related results.

Like any social media platform, it can take a bit of finessing to master Instagram and use it most efficiently. But don’t let that put you off! With the help of Cloud9 Marketing, we can manage your social media to boost your brand awareness, improve online credibility, and increase sales and/or customer acquisition. Please get in contact to put us to the test!

/by