BrandLyft | Small Business Marketing

Category: Social Media

  • Using TikTok Ads For Your Business – Is It Worth It?

    Using TikTok Ads For Your Business – Is It Worth It?

    Using TikTok Ads For Your Business – Is It Worth It?

    If you’re looking for the short answer: YES.

    TikTok is a popular social media platform that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Yes, it is definitely worthwhile to invest in TikTok Advertising for your business. We think it’s a channel that will become increasingly more important over the years for advertisers and businesses. Right now, TikTok reminds us of the early years of Facebook Advertising. The golden days of cheap impressions, clicks, and conversions. Should you replace your Facebook or Instagram ads with it? Of course not, but adding the TikTok channel to your arsenal of advertising placements can only help your efforts of staying top of mind and adding new customer acquisition channels for your business. TikTok is expected to be the dominant social media channel for years to come.

    If you’re unfamiliar with TikTok, then here’s a quick overview on what’s possible with the platform. TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. It has become extremely popular, especially among younger users, and has attracted a significant number of advertisers. If you are considering using TikTok advertising for your business, here are a few things you should know:

    • TikTok offers several types of ads, including in-feed ads, brand takeovers, and branded hashtags. You can choose the type of ad that best fits your business goals and target audience.
    • TikTok has a self-serve ad platform called the TikTok Ads Manager, which allows you to create, manage, and track your ads. It offers a variety of targeting options, such as location, age, and interests, to help you reach the right audience.
    • TikTok ads can be effective at driving brand awareness, engagement, and sales. However, it is important to create ads that are relevant, engaging, and creative to stand out on the platform.
    • TikTok has a unique creative culture, with users creating and sharing short, catchy videos set to music. To create successful TikTok ads, it is important to understand this culture and create content that fits within it.
    • TikTok is still a relatively new platform, and it is constantly evolving. It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest features and best practices to ensure that your TikTok advertising efforts are effective.

    Okay, you’re convinced and you want to run ads on TikTok, but where do you even start? You’ll need a gameplan. We recommend strategizing and brainstorming a campaign and collaborating with an agency or influencer that knows the ins and outs of the platform and what’s “trending”, Millennial or Gen Z speak for what’s popular!

    Let’s see for example you’re a fitness business. Here’s some examples of how you can leverage TikTok as an advertising platform along with some influencer marketing, organic marketing, and gamification tactics.

    TikTok is a popular social media platform that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. It is a great platform for businesses to advertise their products and services, especially in the fitness industry. Here are some tips for using TikTok advertising for your gym:

    • Create engaging content: TikTok is all about short, catchy videos that are easy to watch and share. Make sure your content is visually appealing, entertaining, and informative. Use music, special effects, and hashtags to make your videos stand out.
    • Use relevant hashtags: Hashtags are essential for getting your videos noticed on TikTok. Use relevant hashtags like #fitness, #workout, #gymlife, and #healthy to attract your target audience.
    • Collaborate with influencers: TikTok is full of influencers who have a large following and are passionate about fitness. Consider collaborating with these influencers to create content that promotes your gym and its services.
    • Run a contest or challenge: TikTok is perfect for running fun and engaging contests or challenges. For example, you could run a #30daychallenge where users have to follow a workout plan and share their progress on TikTok.
    • Use TikTok ads: TikTok offers various ad formats, including sponsored hashtags, in-feed video ads, and branded effects. Use these ad formats to target your desired audience and get your gym noticed on the platform.

    By following this gameplan, you can effectively use TikTok advertising to promote your gym and attract new customers. Sounds good? You can start by creating a TikTok ad account for your business (or you can just hire us!).

    Overall, TikTok advertising can be a powerful way to reach a large, engaged audience and drive results for your business. It is important to carefully plan and execute your TikTok advertising strategy to make the most of this opportunity.

     

  • Tiktok vs. Facebook Ads for Small Businesses

    Tiktok vs. Facebook Ads for Small Businesses

    TikTok and Facebook are two of the most popular social media platforms today, and they have both proven to be effective in reaching and engaging with audiences. At BrandLyft Marketing, we manage hundreds of thousands of dollars of ad spend each year on each platform. We often get asked by digital marketing directors and business owners, if advertising on both platforms can compliment their existing digital strategy. Each has their own unique features and capabilities that make them suitable for different types of businesses and marketing campaigns. In this article, we will compare TikTok and Facebook ads for small businesses to help you determine which platform is best for your marketing efforts.

    Let’s start by taking a look at the demographics of these platforms. The popularity of TikTok, a relatively new social media network, has surged among younger users, notably members of Generation Z. Indeed, TikTok was the most downloaded app worldwide in 2020, per data from Sensor Tower. The age range of Facebook users, however, is substantially larger, ranging from teenagers to seniors. Furthermore, a wider range of individuals, businesses, and organizations make use of it.

    TikTok Demographics

    The majority of TikTok users are teenagers and young adults, with a large portion being Gen Z (born 1997-2012). According to a survey conducted by Cowen and Company in 2020, 47% of TikTok users are between the ages of 16 and 24, and 71% are under the age of 34. There is also a significant presence of older users on the platform, with 29% being between the ages of 35 and 44 and 10% being over the age of 45. In terms of gender, TikTok users are fairly evenly split, with 52% being female and 48% being male. The platform also has a diverse user base, with users from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

    Facebook Demographics

    Facebook and Instagram both have a wide range of demographics.

    On Facebook, the largest age group is 25-34 years old, followed by 18-24 years old. The gender distribution is roughly equal, with slightly more male users. Facebook users tend to be more educated and have higher income levels compared to the general population.

    On Instagram, the largest age group is 18-24 years old, followed by 25-34 years old. The gender distribution is slightly skewed towards female users. Instagram users tend to be more educated and have higher income levels compared to the general population.

    Overall, both Facebook & Instagram attract a diverse group of users from various age, gender, education, and income levels. Facebook’s advertising platform offers this advantage over TikTok, combining both user bases into one advertising campaign. You’ll have the ability to run ads on either platform or both at the same time. This type of flexibility is unique vs TikTok’s single platform.

    Advertising Details

    When it comes to advertising, TikTok and Facebook offer different opportunities for businesses. TikTok allows businesses to create short, creative videos that are designed to go viral. These videos can range from funny, informative, or educational, and they are meant to be shared and re-shared by users. TikTok ads can be targeted to specific audiences based on their location, interests, and behaviors.

    On the other hand, Facebook provides a variety of ad forms, such as video, picture, and carousel advertisements. Age, gender, location, interests, and behaviors are just a few of the variables that can be used to personalize these ads to particular audiences. Retargeting, one of the targeting options available on Facebook, allows businesses to display ads to users who have already visited their website or interacted with their brand online.

    TikTok’s creative potential is one of its main benefits. Users are urged by the platform to create and distribute brief, catchy videos that are intended to go viral. This makes it the perfect medium for businesses seeking to stand out from the crowd with engaging, memorable content. TikTok also offers a variety of artistic elements and tools, like filters, music, and effects, that can assist businesses in producing unique and appealing content to all audiences alike.

    Facebook, on the other hand, is more suited for businesses that want to reach a wider audience with more traditional ads. The platform offers a range of ad formats and targeting options that allow businesses to reach specific audiences with specific messages. Facebook also has a large and active user base, which means that businesses can reach a large number of people with their ads.

    Another important factor to consider when comparing TikTok and Facebook ads is the cost. TikTok has a reputation for being a relatively affordable platform for businesses, especially when compared to other social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. According to data from AdEspresso, the average cost-per-click (CPC) for TikTok ads is around $0.10, while the average CPC for Facebook ads is around $1.72. This means that businesses can reach a large number of people on TikTok for a fraction of the cost of Facebook.

    However, it’s important to note that the cost of TikTok and Facebook ads can vary widely depending on the specific campaign and targeting options. For example, if you are targeting a highly specific and niche audience, the cost of your TikTok or Facebook ad may be higher. It’s also important to consider the lifetime value (LTV) of your customers when evaluating the cost of these platforms. If your business is able to generate a high LTV from your customers, then the higher cost of Facebook ads may be worth it in the long run.

    Pros & Cons of advertising on TikTok

    Pros:

    • Reach a large audience: Facebook has over 2.7 billion monthly active users, making it an ideal platform for advertisers to reach a wide audience.
    • Targeted advertising: Facebook allows advertisers to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, which can increase the effectiveness of their ads.
    • Low cost: Facebook advertising is relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of advertising, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
    • Easy to track and measure: Facebook provides detailed analytics and metrics on the performance of ads, allowing advertisers to easily track their return on investment and make adjustments as needed.
    • Integrated with other marketing efforts: Facebook allows advertisers to connect their ads to other marketing efforts, such as email campaigns or website retargeting, which can further increase their reach and impact.

    Cons:

    • Competition for attention: With so many ads and content on Facebook, it can be difficult for an advertiser’s message to stand out and be noticed.
    • Changes in algorithms: Facebook frequently updates its algorithms, which can impact the visibility and effectiveness of ads.
    • Ad fatigue: If an ad is shown too frequently, it may become annoying or irrelevant to the target audience, leading to decreased effectiveness.
    • Privacy concerns: Some users may be hesitant to engage with ads or provide personal information due to concerns about privacy and data collection.
    • Limited control over placements: Facebook determines where ads are shown, which may not always be in the most desirable locations for an advertiser.

    Pros & Cons of advertising on TikTok

    Pros:

    • Wide reach: TikTok has over 2 billion downloads worldwide and a highly engaged user base, making it an excellent platform for reaching a large and diverse audience.
    • Targeting options: TikTok allows advertisers to target users based on their interests, locations, and language preferences, enabling businesses to reach their ideal customers more effectively.
    • Engaging content: TikTok is known for its creative and entertaining content, making it a great platform for businesses to showcase their products or services in an engaging and visually appealing way.
    • Cost-effective: TikTok advertising is generally more affordable compared to other social media platforms, making it an attractive option for small businesses or startups with limited advertising budgets.

    Cons:

    • Limited ad formats: TikTok currently only offers in-feed ads, which can limit the ways businesses can showcase their products or services.
    • Short ad duration: TikTok ads are limited to 15 seconds, which may not be enough time for businesses to fully communicate their message or value proposition.
    • Unpredictable algorithm: TikTok’s algorithm is still relatively new and can be unpredictable, making it challenging for businesses to consistently reach their target audience.
    • Brand safety concerns: TikTok has faced criticism and controversy over its handling of user data and potential ties to the Chinese government, which may make some businesses hesitant to advertise on the platform.

    In general, Facebook is a stronger option for small businesses that are looking to target a more diverse, broad audience and want to use more traditional marketing tactics like sponsored posts and display advertising. TikTok is a good option for small businesses looking to target younger audiences or looking to create viral content.

    Here are some things to consider when deciding between TikTok and Facebook Ads for your small business and overall digital strategy:

    • Target audience: TikTok is popular with younger users, so if your target audience is under the age of 35, TikTok may be a good option. Facebook, on the other hand, has a more diverse user base and is used by people of all ages.
    • Type of content: TikTok is all about short, catchy videos, so if you have the resources to create engaging video content, it could be a good platform for your business. Facebook is more flexible and allows for a wider range of content types, including text, images, and video.
    • Advertising options: TikTok offers a limited set of advertising options, such as sponsored hashtag challenges and branded effects. Facebook has a wider range of options, including sponsored posts, display ads, and carousel ads.
    • Cost: Both TikTok and Facebook Ads can be effective for small businesses on a budget. However, Facebook Ads tends to be more expensive, as it has a larger, more diverse user base and a wider range of advertising options.

    Ultimately, the best platform for your business will depend on your specific goals, target audience, and budget. It may be helpful to try both platforms and see which one works best for your business. Book a free discovery call today to review your marketing goals and see if we’re a good fit for handling your marketing projects!

     

  • The Digital Marketing Checklist

    The Digital Marketing Checklist

     

    The world of digital marketing is vast and complex, with so much to take into consideration. But how do you know what’s right for your business?

    There are six crucial steps every company should follow in order reach its full potential–and these don’t come without their own set challenges! For example:  1) Identify Your Audience Strategy 2). skeletonize content 3), measure success 4)) optimize critical paths 5.) Expand Into Social media like Facebook & Instagram 6.(Don’t forget about email!).

     

    How often should you be communicating with your carrier? Once per month is the answer. They need this information in order to bill their customers properly and ensure that they are receiving payment for services rendered as well as from whom those funds originated (i.e., vendor). If I don’t have my sales report then it’s literally throwing money away because there will never be any transparency about how much revenue was generated by which product or service offerings on our end!

     

    Here is a checklist of the benchmarks a digital marketer should be doing: 

    Do you do digital marketing consistently all year round?

    Do you have multiple streams of online traffic?

    Do you have a numbers oriented person managing it?

    Do you treat your digital marketing like an investor would?

    Does your website perform like a mini salesman using words?

    Does your website have a low friction offer to capture emails?

    Has your website been built to convert traffic into customers?

    What’s your cost per website visitor?

    What’s your cost per email enquiry?

    What’s your cost per phone enquiry?

    What’s your cost to acquire a customer?

    What’s your average revenue per sale?

    What’s your return on investment?

    Is your return on investment over 100% ($2 back on $1)?

     

    You can’t afford to take your marketing investment lightly.

    The power of digital advertising is immense, and it should be handled with care from start-to finish like any other major project or investmnet in business success–which includes researching potential clients before deciding on their target market; selecting platforms that will provide you with highest return on investment (eMarketer reports 40% ROI); following up regularly by sending out targeted ads during ad breaks/blocks when appropriate so as not alienate anyone who might have skipped ahead because they weren’t interested enough yet but are now curious about what all this fuss has been going around lately

     

    Digital marketers are in a unique position to drive revenue and apply critical insights across all areas of the business. Yet, many don’t have them or refuse give their full potentials because they either do not know what is expected from them; there could also be an issue with transparency on how campaigns were run which leads us into question: “How can we measure success? Digital strategy alone does not suffice – you need both marketing automation tools alongside it! We help small mom-and pop shops as well global brands like Fortune 1000 companies accelerate sales through our combined efforts.”

     

    Book a demo with us today to learn how to get ahead in your digital marketing efforts. 

  • Clutch Commends BrandLyft as One of the Top Social Media Marketing Companies in Georgia 2021

    Clutch Commends BrandLyft as One of the Top Social Media Marketing Companies in Georgia 2021

    BrandLyft is a boutique marketing agency based in Cartersville, Georgia and was established in 2014. We help businesses navigate the world of digital marketing. We’re more than an agency, we’re your marketing partner.

     

    We are an all-star team of designers, marketing managers, digital strategists, business consultants, and adorable office dogs. We cater to businesses of all sizes, industries, and revenue models offering services including advertising, social media marketing, SEO, PPC, branding, web design & development and more.

     

    Today, we are proud to announce that BrandLyft has been highlighted on Clutch among Georgia’s top social media marketing companies. Clutch is an established B2B reviews platform that helps firms across the globe connect with the solution providers that they need in order to improve effectiveness and increase productivity.

     

    “We love our clients and sometimes awards are the icing on the cake, knowing we are being recognized for going the extra mile.” – CEO, BrandLyft

    It is sometimes not bad to brag about our accomplishments, we worked hard to get them and we know we deserve them. So, if you visit our Clutch profile, you can only see that we have an average of perfect 5-star rating out of 16 reviews from satisfied clients we have served and some are still ongoing.

     

    “Their accessibility, professionalism, and flexibility were great.” – CEO, OWN Realty

     

    We truly care about our clients and great pride in high client retention. Book a discovery call so we can find out a little bit about your business and marketing goals, so we can put together a custom proposal for your needs.

     

  • Why branding is so much more than just a logo

    Why branding is so much more than just a logo

    Branding is so much more than just a logo. We understand that most people see a logo as the element which makes a brand recognizable but a logo is only the cherry on top.

    Coca-Cola is more than a soda. Starbucks is more than a coffee. Apple is more than a smartphone. These brands offer more than a recognizable logo, they offer an experience that makes their logo memorable.

    From the language, they use in their commercials to the colors and typography they run in their Ads. Companies who create strong brands are in it for the long run and these types of businesses thrive once their mission and BRAND become recognizable to the public. It takes that initial push until it can just snowball down the Hill. It may take many hills before making it to the level of giant companies that’s why it’s important to maintain momentum.

    What Is A Brand?

    Let’s first ask ourselves, what is a brand, and what are the elements they consist of?

    A brand is a feature or set of features that distinguish one organization from another. At least that’s the proper definition of a brand but as I stated earlier, a brand is an experience and that experience is what distinguishes one company and its logo from any other company and its logo.

    A brand gives your business identity, makes it memorable, builds trust, encourages others to buy from you, supports your marketing campaigns, and brings your employees pride.

    Brand Elements & Branding

    Branding is the process of researching, developing, and applying brand elements to your company so that consumers can begin to associate your brand with your products or services.

    A brand is compromised of a name, tagline, logo, brand voice, mission, color palette, typography, and much more. We will go deeper into how to combine these elements and create a brand that goes to work for you.

    Creating A Brand

    1. Finding Your Customer Persona

    The first step in creating a brand is to first determine your target audience. Take a good look at your product or service and see the type of people whether they be in your personal business or in your industry, and make them into a demographic.

    1. What kind of people are they?
    2. What are their favorite activities?
    3. What is the age range of your customers?
    4. What gender is most likely to buy from you?
    5. Where do they live?
    6. What other brands are they wearing?

    All of these are important questions on figuring out who your target audience is, once you’ve figured out who you are selling too then it will be easy for you to target directly to them.

    2. Establishing Your Mission statement

    The second most important element in starting a brand is your mission.  So ask yourself why you created the company in the first place, some other reason besides just getting money.

    Before you can build a brand that your audience recognizes, values, and trusts, you need to be able to express your own passion and purpose that the business provides. Then, every element of your brand (logo, photos, tagline) will reflect the mission. Your brand needs a personality in order to thrive.

    Your mission is the constitution which encompasses why your organization exists and why people should care about your brand.

    3. Create Your Brand Guidelines

    Your brand guidelines include color palette, fonts, phrases, and visual assets.

    It takes a Graphic Designer or someone who has a good eye for design to pick out brand colors and fonts. The general rule for color theory and how to go about picking a color for yourself is:

    1. First, find out what color represents your brand personality the best. Each color has a unique personality.
    2. Once you picked out a color that goes with your brand personality you must pick a complementary color
    3. Once you have your main color and its complementary find the analogous color schemes of each and you have your full-color pallet

    Typography is more simple, you simply pick two fonts that work well together and stick with those two fonts for your brand.

    You’re going to want to build up a photo library of all photos related to your brand. These photos will help you understand your brand visually and will make it easier for others to understand it as well.

     

    Put Your Brand To Work

    Now that you have a better understanding of your brand and its elements it’s time to put your brand to work. Make sure that you are omnipresent and display your brand anywhere and any chance you get to. These are channels where you can apply your brand across your business and into the real world.

    1. Website

    A website is your shop online where thousands of people walk into it every day. Wouldn’t you want your personality and mission to be reflected on your online shop?

    Spread your brand across your website, don’t use anything else other than your brand guidelines. Your website is a major part of your company identity, if it doesn’t reflect your brand then it will only confuse your customers.

    2. Social Media

    If your website is your store online then think about social media as the hallways and walkways in the mall where everybody gathers around for social conversations.

    Everything that you are putting out there needs to have your brand on it. Regular posts, carousel, slideshows, videos, stories, infographics, everything has to be presented so that it is easier for customers to recognize your business.

    3. Marketing

    Marketing is Primarily used to:

    1. Get Attention
    2. Keep Attention
    3. Multiply Attention
    4. Convert Attention

    It’s critical that you run campaigns that establish brand awareness and introduce yourself to brand new audiences. To take it up another level, You want to convert your customers so that they become your brand ambassadors and keep buying from you. Brand ambassadors also tell others about your brand by commenting and sharing your brand. With your brand guidelines all in order, you already know how your ads should appear and what type of caption to write.

    Here is an example of a brand guide that we made for one of our clients Discoverhorizons.