4/24/24

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Welcome to the MRKT - Hey Rhody Marketing Roundup Newsletter, brought to you by Hey Rhody Media Co.! This newsletter is your go-to for small business insight, including the latest trends, resources, and success stories in marketing and the small business community, hitting your inbox every other week.


We're looking forward to helping your business grow!

In Today’s Email:

  1. What to Know:

    • New contributor announcement

    • 2024 Social Media Trends: gains and losses

    • Google is testing Short Videos in the search menu bar

  1. What's Trending:
    Content ideas for Instagram Reels

  1. What to Use: Discover your brand's unique voice using 5 simple steps

  1. What to Try:

    • Brand voice chart template

    • Free caption generator

    • Free courses

Source: Giphy.com

What to Know:

  • Dennise M. Kowalczyk of CTD Creative Consulting will be a monthly contributor!

  • A survey conducted by HubSpot unveils the popularity and growth trends of various social media platforms in 2024.

  • Google is testing a new feature called "short videos" in its search menu bar.

Meet Dennise M. Kowalczyk of CTD Creative Consulting

Photo courtesy of Dennise Kowalczyk

Dennise M. Kowalczyk of CTD Creative Consulting brings her multifaceted creativity and extensive experience as a seasoned entrepreneur to her role. Known for her dynamic "Second-Act Business Broad" persona, Dennise specializes in providing online and relationship marketing strategies to burgeoning businesses. She firmly believes that the cornerstone of successful business practices is building strong relationships.

Dennise will be sharing her insights in our new series, Marketing 2.0: Tips, Tricks, and Resources for Small Businesses. Each installment will offer practical advice and resources aimed at refining your marketing strategies through the power of relationships.

Discover more about her unique Relationship First!™ Approach by visiting BusinessRelationshipsMatter.com

A survey conducted by HubSpot unveils the popularity and growth trends of various social media platforms in 2024. Here are the findings:

Source: HubSpot.com

  • Instagram and Facebook are prominent, with high marketer investment and user engagement.

  • TikTok emerges as Gen Z's favorite platform and gains popularity among older demographics.

  • YouTube maintains popularity across generations and has the highest ROI (return on investment).

    • Did you know Hey Rhody Media Co. recently released a new Youtube series? View it below!

    • Source: HubSpot.com

  • Platforms like Tumblr and Twitch are declining.

  • Understanding audience preferences and experimenting with platforms are key to effective social media marketing.

For the full report, click here.

Google Tests Short Videos In Search Menu Bar


Google is testing a new feature called "short videos" in its search menu bar.
  • Users can filter search results by shorter videos alongside regular videos.

  • The feature directs users to a feed of short videos from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

  • Screenshots of the feature were shared on X and LinkedIn.

  • Previously, Google tested short video carousels in search results.

  • Some find the feature redundant as users could already filter videos by length.

  • Speculation arises that the change might relate to the renaming of “perspectives” to “forums.”

Hey Rhody Weekly, Episode 1

  • “If This Is Your Vibe” Trend: Use it to connect with like-minded people online.

    Showcase Your Product and Aesthetic: If you're a product-based business, seize the opportunity to showcase your products in alignment with the trend and your brand's aesthetic. Highlight the unique features and benefits that appeal to your target audience.

  • “You'll be fine” Trend: Use this audio to engage your audience.

    As a small business, you can use this trend in various ways to engage your audience:

    1. Share Success Stories: Create short videos featuring testimonials or success stories from your satisfied customers, with the lyrics "Just trust me you'll be fine" playing in the background. This can help build trust and credibility with your audience.

    2. Educational Content: Share informative videos or graphics that highlight little-known facts or insights about your industry. Use the lyrics as a motivational backdrop while providing valuable knowledge to your audience.

    3. Product Demonstrations: Showcase your products or services in action, demonstrating how they solve a problem or enhance the lives of your customers. Pair the visuals with the reassuring message of "Just trust me you'll be fine" to instill confidence in your offerings.

  • “It Must Be Easy” Trend: Use this audio to debunk how easy it is to do your job.

    1. Identify Misconception: Begin by identifying a common misconception about your work. For example, "It must be so easy to make TikToks all day."

    2. Show Montage or Fast-paced Clip: When the beat drops, show a montage of yourself working hard or a single fast-paced clip of your workday. This could include various tasks you undertake, deadlines you meet, or challenges you overcome.

    3. Add Caption: Overlay the video with the caption "my easy" to highlight the contrast between the misconception and the reality of your job.

Source: Giphy.com

To view an example of each trend, click on the corresponding image:

if this is your vibe trend

Your Vibe Trend

you'll be fine trend

You’ll Be Fine Trend

must be easy trend

It Must Be Easy Trend

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What to Use: Discover Your Brand's Unique Voice in 5 Simple Steps

Creating a brand voice chart is essential for anyone wanting to enhance their presence on social media.
Here's how to effectively establish a brand voice that resonates with your audience and reflects your company’s values:
Step 1: Understand Your Mission & Values

Start by aligning your brand voice with your organization's mission and values. Extract keywords and phrases from these foundational texts. For instance, a company like Canva leverages its mission "to empower everyone to design" by using an inclusive, encouraging tone across its platforms.

Step 2: Know Your Audience

Tailor your brand voice to fit your audience's preferences. This involves understanding not just demographic information but also their likes, dislikes, and communication styles. For example, Slack uses casual language and emojis to appeal to a younger, tech-savvy crowd, whereas Microsoft maintains a formal tone for a professional audience.

Step 3: Analyze Your Content

Look at your most successful content to identify what resonates with your audience. This analysis can uncover a preference for humor, trending topics, or in-depth information, which can further refine your brand voice.

Step 4: Define Personality and Tone

Imagine your brand as a person. Is it a friend, a coach, or a mentor? Utilizing frameworks like the Nielsen Norman Group’s tone of voice dimensions can help you define whether your brand should come across as casual or formal, humorous or serious.

Step 5: Create a Brand Voice Chart

Organize your insights into a brand voice chart. This chart should outline key personality traits with specific do’s and don’t’s, ensuring consistency in how your brand communicates across all platforms.

A well-defined brand voice is crucial because it helps your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace. When your brand voice is consistent and unique, it:

  1. Enhances Recognition: Customers can easily identify your brand across various platforms, from social media to email marketing, because they recognize your distinctive style and tone.

  2. Builds Trust: Consistency in communication helps build trust. When customers know what to expect in your messaging, they feel more secure in their relationship with your brand.

  3. Encourages Engagement: A relatable and distinct brand voice can increase engagement on social media and other communication channels. People are more likely to interact with content that resonates with them on a personal level.

  4. Supports Brand Loyalty: Over time, a consistent brand voice helps develop brand loyalty as it reinforces the character and values of your company every time the audience interacts with your content.

  5. Facilitates Brand Differentiation: In competitive markets, having a unique brand voice can differentiate your brand from competitors, highlighting your unique perspective and positioning in the industry.

What to Try: