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:

What to Know:

6 Vital Content Marketing Statistics for 2024

1.96.55% of Websites Don't Get Any Traffic from Google Search Results: This indicates that a very small percentage of websites are optimized well enough to appear in Google's search results. Effective SEO (search engine optimization) is crucial for driving organic traffic.

2. 56% of Brands Reported That Telling More Engaging Stories Is a Top Content Priority: Storytelling is key in content marketing. Brands are focusing on creating engaging narratives to connect with their audience and stand out in a crowded market.

3. 68% of Businesses See an Increase in Content Marketing ROI Thanks to Using AI: AI tools are helping businesses improve their content marketing efforts, leading to higher returns on investment. AI can assist in content creation, optimization, and personalization.

4. 61% of Content Marketers Selected ‘Brainstorming Content Concepts’ as the Top Way They Plan to Use AI in 2024: AI is becoming a valuable tool for generating ideas and concepts for content, making the creative process more efficient and innovative.

5. Social Video Will Account for Over 10% of All US Time Spent With Digital Media: The popularity of video content on social media platforms is growing, with a significant portion of digital media consumption dedicated to social videos. This trend emphasizes the importance of video in digital marketing strategies.

6. 84% of B2B Marketers Say LinkedIn Delivers the Best Value for Their Organization Over Other Organic Social Media Platforms: LinkedIn is recognized as the most effective platform for B2B marketing, providing the best return on investment compared to other social media channels.

Instagram Says Using Certain Calls-to-Action Can Impact Post Reach

It seems that asking your followers to "like and comment" on your posts might not be the best strategy anymore. Instagram has recently cautioned against using engagement bait in your content. This means that when you ask people to share, tag another account, or comment with a specific word, number, or emoji, the platform is less likely to promote your content. Key takeaways from the latest insights:

1. Algorithm Sensitivity: Instagram's algorithm is sensitive to specific calls-to-action (CTA), especially those that appear spammy or overly promotional. This means phrases like "click the link," "buy now," or "swipe up" can negatively affect your post's reach.

2. Effective CTAs: Instead of using direct promotional CTAs, consider using more engaging and subtle ones. For example, prompting users to "discover more" or "explore our latest collection" can be more effective. It's important to craft CTAs that are natural and encourage genuine interaction​.

3. Interaction and Engagement: Encouraging comments, shares, and saves can positively influence your post's visibility. Engaging with your audience through interactive content, such as polls, questions, and challenges, helps in building a community and improving reach​.

4. Content Variety: Utilizing different formats like reels, stories, and carousel posts can enhance engagement. Videos and reels, in particular, are known to generate higher engagement than static posts, thereby boosting reach​ (Social Champ)​.

5. Strategic Use of Hashtags and Geolocation: Using a mix of niche-related hashtags and geolocation tags can further extend the reach of your posts. Limiting hashtags to three to six relevant ones is recommended to avoid appearing spammy​.

Latest Hey Rhody Weekly Episode:

What’s Trending:

Personalized and Interactive Content

Engaging consumers through tailored experiences and interactive elements fosters stronger connections. This includes using AI for hyper-personalization in marketing campaigns and integrating virtual and augmented reality for immersive customer experiences​

B2B

1. LinkedIn Polls and Surveys:

Example: "What's your biggest challenge in digital marketing this year? 🤔"

Purpose: Engage your audience, gather insights, and tailor your services to their needs.

2. Case Study Webinars:

Example: "Join our webinar to learn how Company X increased their sales by 30% using our solutions. 📈"

Purpose: Showcase your expertise and success stories to build credibility and attract new clients.

B2C

1. Customer Story Highlights:

Example: "Swipe up to read how Jane transformed her living room with our DIY kit! 🛠️ #CustomerStory"

Purpose: Share relatable success stories to inspire and build trust among potential customers.

2. Instagram Live Q&A Sessions:

Example: "Join us live this Friday for a Q&A session about our new product line! 🎤"

Purpose: Directly interact with your audience, answer their questions, and build a community.

Restaurants

1. Interactive Menu with QR Codes:

Example: "Scan the QR code at your table to explore our interactive menu, complete with chef videos and customer reviews! 🍽️"

Purpose: Enhance the dining experience with engaging and informative content.

2. User-Generated Content Campaigns:

Example: "Share a photo of your meal and tag us for a chance to win a free dinner! 📸 #MyRestaurantExperience"

Purpose: Encourage customers to promote your restaurant, increasing visibility and engagement.

Museums

1. Educational Quizzes and Trivia:

Example: "Test your knowledge with our weekly museum trivia. Winners get a free family pass! 🏛️"

Purpose: Engage visitors with fun, educational content that encourages repeat visits.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Content:

Example: "Get a sneak peek into how we set up our newest exhibit! Watch our behind-the-scenes video now. 🎥"

Purpose: Create a connection with your audience by showing the effort and dedication behind your exhibits.

 Hospitality

1. Personalized Travel Guides:

Example: "Discover the best local spots with our personalized travel guide, tailored to your interests. 🗺️"

Purpose: Enhance the guest experience by providing customized recommendations.

2. Guest Spotlight Stories:

Example: "Meet John, a frequent guest who found his home away from home with us. Read his story! 🏨"

Purpose: Build a sense of community and loyalty by highlighting guest experiences.

Visual Design Trends

In 2024, content marketing is being revolutionized by four key visual and design trends that are capturing the audience's attention. From dream-like visuals created by generative AI to nostalgic retro designs, these trends are shaping how brands communicate and engage with their customers in increasingly dynamic and interactive ways.

Brand Imagery Gets Surreal: Leveraging generative AI, brands are creating dream-like, surreal visuals to captivate audiences and offer an escape from reality.

Graphic Design Goes Retro: Nostalgia marketing continues to thrive with retro designs evoking past eras, appealing to both older and younger demographics.

Social Media Videos Pare Back to Basics: There's a shift towards authentic, raw, and low-fi videos, prioritizing simplicity and genuine content over high production value.

Text-Based Posts Take on Typography: Text posts are making a comeback, with a focus on creative typography to stand out in visually saturated feeds.

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What to Try: 

Video/Sound Trends

1. TREND: “I’m looking for a man in finance”: 

   The latest social media trend has people singing, "I'm looking for a man in finance," but with a twist. Participants are swapping lyrics to describe their ideal customers. This creative approach attracts the perfect audience in a fun and engaging way. Whether you're in finance, fashion, or food, this trend lets you showcase exactly who you're looking to connect with, making it a clever marketing tool for any business.

2. TREND: “No, no, no. Listen!”: Use this trending sound to showcase the transformation from a service you offer. When it says, “No no no no no listen!” show the before. Then, once the beat drops, reveal the after pictures or videos.

3. TREND: “3, 2, 1…GO!”:  Sometimes, you just need to spread good vibes. Everyone sharing positivity by dancing to this sound does exactly that. Show the more laid-back side of your business by joining in – because not everything has to be 100% serious all the time.

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

What to Use:

Relationship Marketing to Transform Your Business With Dennise Kowalczyk

If you've spent any time in Rhode Island, you know how it works: you've got to know a guy. When it comes to growing your business, it's all about building meaningful relationships.

Relationship marketing is the key to mastering the "know, like, trust" factor that every business owner needs to invest in. It's not just about closing a sale; it's about nurturing your network and creating bonds that go beyond a one-off transaction. The real magic happens when your network transforms into long-term partners who believe in your business as much as you do. This type of connection leads to increased referrals, more opportunities, and ultimately, higher revenue. Building these relationships isn't just smart; it's essential. Read more on our blog at HeyRhody.com.

Native Advertisement

Native advertising is an approach that involves embedding ads within content on third-party platforms, making them less intrusive and more engaging for consumers. Native ads are viewed more favorably and can effectively introduce new audiences to your brand​.

Here's a list of native advertising examples tailored for different business types:

B2B

1. LinkedIn Sponsored Content: A case study shared by a software company showing how their product improved productivity for a large enterprise.

2. Industry Blog Partnerships: Guest posts on industry-specific blogs that highlight a company's innovative solutions.

3. Whitepapers and E-books: An e-book on emerging trends in supply chain management, sponsored by a logistics company.

B2C

1. Instagram Stories: A local boutique sharing fashion tips and featuring their latest arrivals through influencer partnerships.

2. Facebook In-Feed Ads: A small craft store promoting DIY project ideas using their materials.

3. YouTube Sponsored Videos: A small tech startup sponsoring a tech review channel to demonstrate their new gadget.

Restaurants

1. Food Blogs and Review Sites: Sponsored posts on popular food blogs showcasing a new menu item.

2. Social Media Influencers: Instagram influencers visiting the restaurant and posting about their dining experience.

3. Local Event Sponsorships: Sponsoring a community event and featuring dishes at the event with signage and mentions.

Museums

1. Educational Podcasts: Sponsoring a history podcast to discuss exhibits and special events.

2. Cultural Blogs: Collaborating with bloggers to write about new exhibitions and museum programs.

3. Interactive Social Media Posts: Creating Instagram stories with trivia about the museum's artifacts and history.

Hospitality

1. Travel Vlogs: Partnering with travel vloggers to feature the hotel or resort in their travel series.

2. TripAdvisor and Yelp: Sponsored content highlighting unique amenities and guest experiences.

3. Lifestyle Magazines: Native ads in travel and lifestyle magazines showcasing luxury stay packages.

Please answer the poll below to help us tailor this newsletter to your interests in social media and marketing

What to Try:

• Utilize this planning sheet for post ideas

• Use these videos to create fun transition short-form content

• Grow your skills with these FREE webinars:

  1. Social Media Sins and How to Avoid Them

  2. From Followers to Fans: How to Turn Customer Care Into Your Competitive Advantage