Social Media Trends For 2020

Staying Current: Six New Social Media Trends of 2020

Social media is all about living in the moment. What might have worked a few years ago or even months ago, may not work today. Your customers will notice your efforts to stay relevant and appreciate that. And that will reflect in your brand image and customer loyalty.  Let’s review some social media trends, new tactics, and content ideas for 2020 to try and implement to ensure you finish off Q4 strong:

1.Ephemeral Posts: Nothing Gold Can Stay. 

The first trend is the growing popularity of “ephemeral” posts or temporary posts. Many social avenues have rolled out content features designed to be appreciated for a small amount of time before they disappear forever. Examples of this include Facebook and Instagram’s story features, as well as reels and TikTok. Although reels and TikToks may have a more lasting nature, they are meant to be more “disposable” than permanent and higher-quality feed content. One way to add to the story features without creating new content is to simply repost older posts onto the story. When you do create new stories, you can extend their lifetime by adding them to a highlight at the top of your Instagram. 

2. E-shops: The Convenience Customers Expect

The second trend is the implementation of social commerce. Many social media platforms are integrating online stores as another feature of a profile. Facebook rolled out its “shops” feature and Instagram allows you to buy right off a post. Pinterest has shoppable pins where purchases can be made right on their site or linked to an external site. Note that this will only be useful for brands that offer physical items as digital downloads are not yet available for sale on these services. Brands with established Shopify’s can more easily transfer their products to these social commerce features. 

3. Video Content: Now Playing

The third trend is the rise of video content. Multiple studies including one by the Cisco report that over 80% of all online content will be video by 2022. Now is the time to feature videos on social media. Integrating video within content that was typically only text in the past is a great way to stay relevant and impress your audience. 

4. Legal Media Ownership: The Ghosts of Limewire’s Past

The fourth trend is more legal and regulatory monitoring. When posting to social media it is crucial that the agency who creates your content is using legal sources and avenues for media. Using an image or song that belongs to someone else without permissions or is copyrighted can land you in court paying hefty fines for a simple mistake. Of course, the best option is using your own photos but this doesn’t work for all business models or clients. Most important is having an agency with access to copyright-free images. Don’t let your company sign with a low-tier agency that doesn’t understand this and makes a rookie mistake that sinks profits. 

5. Local Geotagging: Coming To A Small Business Near You

The fifth trend is the rise of location-based targeting for local brands. Of course, if your company is e-commerce or is looking to reach a demographic of people across multiple states/countries, this won’t apply to you. But if you have a local business particularly in-person service (i.e. vehicle rental, house cleaning, lawn service) this aspect of audience targeting is crucial. Your agency and coordinator must understand that reaching a person 3 states over doesn’t make any sense and is a waste of time and space on captions/hashtags. Hashtags should be like #losangeles rather than #lawnservice for example. The targeting goals for companies that fit into this category should be quite regional and should know the mile-range of their farthest customer to make sure they aren’t missing an opportunity for a sale. 

6. Public Insights: Social Media As A Focus Group

The sixth trend is using insights from social media to shape business strategy and models. If you think about social media as a one-way street, you’ve got in all wrong. You can benefit from the interactions on social media just as much as your audience. Have you ever wondered what your customers really think about your business? By searching publically available search terms and keywords, you have the ability to be a fly on the wall. This strategy also works for general industry terms and adjacent/parallel industries. If you provide an organic peanut butter product, maybe you’re wondering what customer’s jelly habits are as it relates to peanut butter. By simply searching those words, you get to see what people are saying. This tool is incredibly valuable as you are getting a ton of primary research data for FREE. Primary customer interviews and focus groups traditionally cost thousands of dollars, so take advantage of this secret tool. 

By riding the waves of these new social media trends you can achieve everlasting cultural relevancy and clout within your target groups. More important than the actual execution of these trends, is showing your customers that you’re aware of them and are trying to participate. This gains trust and respect, especially with younger and savvier audiences who expect brands to be on top of this. We are a digital marketing agency that understands these 6 social media trends and their importance in 2020 and beyond.  Call us or fill out a contact form today to set your business up for success Q4 to end this year strong in sales.

social media management services

Setting Your Social Media Up For Success In Quarter 4

While you may not be quite ready to buy your Halloween costume or deck the halls with boughs of holly, now is the time to start planning your holiday and quarter 4 strategy for your business. Quarter 4 lasts from October to December and finishes out the year. This means that you will be covering 3 major holidays with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you are a product or inventory based company you will be counting on this quarter to implement up-to-date social media management services to be your most profitable and make up for some of the profits that may have been lost due to the coronavirus. It is also always good to end the year on a high note to start off the new year on a good foot.

We all know 2020 has not only been physically and emotionally tough due to the coronavirus but it has also been financially tough due to job layoffs, unemployment, and shutdowns. While many businesses are trying to figure out how to bring back sales, many people are losing hope and are looking ahead to better times. There is a lot of uncertainty as we approach the 4th quarter. There is still hope that the 4th quarter can be your strongest quarter if you take action now. There are many ways to use social media marketing to plan and execute your quarter 4 strategy as well as increase your brand awareness and sales.

Social Media Marketing Benefits And Features To Promote Your Business For The Holiday Season

One of the most beneficial ways for product and merchandise providers to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season is by utilizing Facebook Shop. Facebook Shop allows users to directly shop and browse your inventory directly on Facebook. This is a great way to shop online as people do not have to risk going into the stores and can conveniently do it safely at home through their Facebook account. Facebook shops are relatively easy to set up as well and oftentimes are easier than selling products on a website page or online shopping company such as Amazon. All you need as a seller to create a Facebook Shops site is a Facebook account and a Facebook business page as well as a valid bank account and tax identification number. Facebook shops allow anyone who likes your page or is visiting your page to quickly browse your product inventory available directly through Facebook instead of having to click through another website to access your inventory. For users looking to buy gifts for the upcoming holiday season, this is perfect to quickly access and purchase gifts for their loved ones and receive them before the holiday rush begins.

Another very beneficial social media feature that can be very beneficial for product and merchandising clients is Shoppable Pinterest Pins. Similar to Facebook Shop, Shoppable Pinterest Pins allow you to showcase your product and inventory that is available for purchase much quicker than going to a separate website. This is convenient for users who are searching for gift ideas on Pinterest. Having a Shoppable Pinterest Pin set up will allow the users to directly click on the pin and order the product with just a simple click. An added bonus to steering up and using Shoppable Pinterest Pins right now is that many users are already starting to look for holiday ideas and gifts on Pinterest. In fact, some of the largest trending items on Pinterest this summer were holiday and gift ideas for 2020. Even though we are still months away from Christmas, the coronavirus has helped build up the hype for the holiday season. Showcasing your inventory and making your products available now with Pinterest Shoppable Pins and Facebook Shop will allow you to capitalize and sell to the audience who is already searching for gifts and put you ahead of the competition that waits to make their holiday products and inventory available.

You may also find that increasing your ad spend for the holiday season is a wise move. Oftentimes many companies utilize paid advertisements and increase their spending in the 4th quarter. This can make ad space more competitive. However, by increasing your ad spend you will stay above the competition and gain that ad space that is so vital during this time. The 4th quarter is when consumers spend the most money. Increasing your ad spend will allow you to take advantage of this additional spend. Many people are also paying more attention to ads as they are looking for gifts and ideas for the holiday season. 

Contact Us About Our Social Media Management Services To Market Your Business Today

Using these two social media features and increasing your ad spend will allow you to showcase your inventory and products as well as increase your profits and sales for the holiday season and the 4th quarter. While coronavirus has been very financially devastating to many companies, there is still hope for those who take action now and plan ahead. Let’s get ready to spread that holiday cheer for this upcoming holiday season! When it comes to our social media management services, if you would like to take advantage of Facebook Shop or Shoppable Pinterest Pins we can help you! At The AD Leaf ®, we have a team of Social Media Specialists who thrive off of cultivating premium content and paid ads for a variety of businesses. Give us a call at (321) 255-0900 or, set up a consultation by emailing us at info@theadleaf.com. We look forward to making your 4th quarter and holiday season a success!

Do You Hear the People e-Sing?

If you’re like me, you entered 2020 with a pretty full concert calendar. Excited for the artists both young and old I’d be seeing, I had even been planning weekend getaways to correspond with some of the shows. Obviously, those plans came to a bit of a halt with the onset of coronavirus. Music fans around the world were left sad and lost at the prospect of at least a year without a show to let loose at. Enter a new music industry line: the social e-concert thanks to Social Media Marketing for TikTok and other platforms. 

The concept of live-streaming an event is certainly nothing new but up until this point, it had been an add on to the actual live-experience. Between social distancing and different regulations in place all over tour routes, the industry had to get a bit creative. A growing number of artists are putting together live concerts for their fans that even feature their own “admission” charges. While thankfully nowhere near the same price of a standard show, this price gives you access to the concert and usually a live-chat feature with other fans– sometimes even with the artists themselves. 

Social Media Marketing for TikTokOne example of artists doing this is the band The Maine. Based out of Arizona, the band is selling $10 tickets to their concert. They’re even offering merch bundles with “tour” shirts to further make the experience feel like the real thing. Fans of the band all over social media are joining together in groups to chat and “attend” the show together. The Maine has traditionally been a band that makes great use of Social Media Marketing for TikTok and unique marketing opportunities and pandemic concerts are no exception. 

Another artist making the most of a difficult situation is The Weeknd. Real name Abel Tesfaye, The Weeknd teamed up with TikTok for the first live virtual reality concert on the app. While Abel and his avatar brought down the e-house, fans were able to chat amongst themselves and express their love for him in the comments. Social Media Marketing for TikTokTo make the experience more special, he even teased a new song and was joined for a surprise performance of a song with Doja Cat. The show was free for fans but part of the collab with the app included the release of a special collection of merch, the proceeds of which went to the Equal Justice Initiative.

Other notable artists taking part in this new era of concerts are Norah Jones, Jason Isbell, Aventura, and Post Malone, the last of which performed a tribute to Nirvana with drumming legend Travis Barker. Many are even taking the opportunity to use this time to raise money for charities or shed light on important issues. 

While the sweat and standing around at a traditional concert may not be the best part of a night out at a show, there is absolutely something to be said for the social experience it provides. Whether going with a group of friends or meeting new people there on your own, the bonding experience of a concert is an unparalleled experience. Particularly with younger people, social media provides a wonderful way to stay in touch, chat, and get excited over their favorite artists, all without having to leave the safety of their homes. 

When you think about it, while they’re certainly no replacement for the experience of a live show right in front of you, keeping the e-concert in a post-COVID world could be a great idea. These shows provide the opportunity to see a show to many who wouldn’t be able to otherwise, whether because of cost, illness, or other interference, all while still staying social, thanks to Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and other awesome social media apps. 

If you’re intrigued by the power of Social Media Marketing for TikTok and how it’s affecting the human experience during COVID, reach out to us here at The AD Leaf! We’d love to show you all social media can do for you and your company during this unprecedented time. 

Are We Listening?

It’s no surprise to anyone: There are a lot of conversations going on out in the world today about many important topics and world events. There are countless important matters to discuss, and matters within matters it seems. The growing amount of high-touch topics and the availability of social media as a marketing strategy is both an exciting and somewhat sobering thing. To have so much at your fingertips is a tightrope not only for social media coordinators and marketing teams, but also for clients, businesses, and actually, anyone using social media. 

If I was to be blunt, more and more it can feel like everyone has something to say. Some opinions to give. And while this isn’t entirely bad, it isn’t entirely good, either. Taking a moment to not ignore the important issues around your brand, but to step out of the endless debates, chats, opinions, and keyboard activist to focus on a skill that needs (in my opinion) revisited: listening.

What does listening have to do with your brand? Your company? Your personal page? Your relationships? Your personal life? 

 

We believe a lot. 

 

Merriam-Webster defines listening as: “To hear something with thoughtful attention.”

To listen is to give preference to another. It is not waiting to talk. How busy are we as a brand, company, friend, or significant other with talking instead of listening? And how can listening not only help your social campaign (not to mention your life)? In the context of social media as a marketing strategy, practicing social listening can improve your brand, create community, help avoid PR nightmares, and so much more. All by listening. 

Looking at metrics and date is an invaluable practice we utilize here at The AD Leaf to see what is performing well, what could use work, to spot trends, and to develop a strategy. Some would say this is listening, but it is in fact social monitoring. Think of social monitoring as the step before you listen, or the information you are already aware of as you embark on your journey of practicing social listening. Social listening, however, is the practice of listening to what your audience is saying now. It grabs the words as it leaves your client’s mouth and takes hold of them. Look at them. Analyze them. And then use them as valuable pieces of information for them. Let me illustrate.

Apple for the longest time has been known as a brand who is well…stubborn. They have a long-standing habit of being very exclusive, private, and just do their own thing because it works (and this is coming from a die-hard Apple fan). Recently I was watching the Apple Developers Conference, the WWDC, and was shocked at what I was seeing. Apple was having interviews with famous tech Youtubers, they made several changes to their OS that have been longtime requests from their customer base, and so much more. What was even more intriguing was the comment section of this event. There was a massive amount of engagement happening, and most of it was positive. Why? I believe because Apple did something that was new(er) for them: They listened to their customers. Now, we still don’t have the headphone jack, but I think you get my point.

When we listen, something takes place. Your brand sentiment is affected. What is brand sentiment? Let’s call it the overall “mood” of your brand. It’s how people feel about you and what you provide. When you are actively listening to what your audience is saying about you, your brand, your product, your services, and your competition, you can learn valuable nuggets of information that can help improve brand sentiment. 

Listening is something that can be done and should be done, everywhere for your brand. If you overhear someone saying in your checkout line that it’s too noisy, then guess what? That is a valuable clue that maybe others are feeling the same way and that is an area that can be developed to improve customer experience! Listening helps you get in front of PR nightmares as well. Do you remember the Nike shoe incident with the Duke basketball player who’s shoe exploded while he played? Yeah, we do too. Nike didn’t hide from it. They actually saw the storm that was brewing on Twitter and they got in front of it by publicly apologizing and reaching out to the player, offering him a great deal. This couldn’t have been done unless their team was listening. In listening, you can catch small wildfires before they become forest fires. 

Listening and responding helps create positive momentum within your brand. But don’t just listen for you. Listen to your competitors, too. If you have a competing business that is doing well, listen, and see why they are. Maybe there is something you can learn to improve your own! Listening spots trends, too. If you consistently hear people talking about sustainable purchasing, then maybe it’s something you should look into for a new product line. Listening helps you spot both good and bad trends and provides you with valuable information to take your brand in the right direction. 

So, the question remains, “What do I listen for?”

Listen Everywhere

This extends beyond your social media marketing strategy. Listen when you walk into the office. When you walk to the lunchroom. When you login to your accounts. When you take calls. Don’t just listen to the team, but listen to their conversations, and the interactions they are having with clients. All of these are valuable in developing a listening ear. 

Learn From Others

If a brand is crushing it, find out why. This may require a bit of humility, but it’s good for us to become a more developed people and brand. Listen to what others are doing. Learn about their success. What mistakes did they make? What challenges did they have? When you do this, you discover why they “walk” the way they do. Listening learns. 

Be Aware, but not Reactionary

Listening can be tricky when it comes to reacting. Especially if you come across a rough comment. Take a moment, step back, and assess the situation. Listening is meant to help your brand gather quantifiable information to develop a plan around to better everyone. Be careful not to react but to be aware of what others are saying.

Develop a Plan

Did you know that studies show that top-rated leaders have a desire to do more listening than talking? They prefer it. Listening helps you take in information to then develop a course of action. After all, we aren’t only listening to just listen. We are listening to make more well-informed choices down the road. Listening helps you make a game plan. 

Speaking of listening, we at The AD Leaf would love to hear about you and your brand and would love to help you reach your marketing and creative goals. At The AD Leaf ®, we’re here to help you build your brand’s reputation and develop relationships with your customers. Feel free to give us a call at 321-255-0900 or you can email us to info@theadleaf.com. Let’s make great things happen together.

Customer Reviews

Best Practices for Responding to Customer Reviews

In this day and age, there are multiple platforms for a consumer to post about an experience they had regarding your business. Many consumers use reviews to guide their purchasing decisions. These shared experiences open the door for the positive feedback that can attract new customers but can also actively drive away new potential customers. Your brand’s reputation is critical to growing your business. While it is important to have quality marketing copy for your website and social media, consumers are much more likely to develop their opinion of your business based on customer reviews. 

Claim Your Business on Social Media and Online Review Sites

It is near impossible to gain success on social media without listening to your customers. It is very important to know where your customers are having these conversations around your business. Your business probably already has an Instagram and a Facebook account, but don’t stop there. Be sure to utilize platforms such as Yelp, Google, Zomato, and Trip Advisor. Claiming your business on these sites not only improves online visibility, but it gives you an opportunity to see what your customers are saying about your business. Reviews can also have a major impact on search rankings.

Responding to Reviews

While some reviews might be negative, there is no reason to fear what your customers might say about your business. Sure, these types of reviews can be gut-wrenching, but if the customer doesn’t speak their mind you may never have the opportunity to address their concerns head-on. Use these reviews as opportunities to develop a relationship with a customer. 

Keep in mind that your response should be an effort to build goodwill with the reviewer. Every review should be approached with care, no matter how negative it may be. Even your harshest critics are likely to give your business a second chance when greeted politely and professionally. 

Responding to negative reviews is no easy task. It’s important to remember that you are a human being with emotions, and it can be upsetting to read a review that is damaging to your company’s reputation. Don’t force yourself to reply to a review if you’re feeling upset. Step away for a minute. You cannot allow your emotions to dictate your response. Reply to the review when you feel you can provide a thoughtful response.

Your response to a negative review will vary based on the situation, but always remember to thank the reviewer for sharing their thoughts with you and for allowing you the opportunity to respond. They could just as easily post their negative review to their own social media without tagging you, leaving you without an opportunity to respond. Take full responsibility for their experience and do your best to make things right.

Don’t allow your response to a negative review to turn into a public discussion between you and the unhappy customer. Leave your phone number or e-mail address so you can further discuss the issue in private. Remember to follow the same standards when communicating with a customer offline as you would on a public forum.

It may seem redundant to respond to a happy customer leaving a positive review, but it is absolutely necessary. Responding to positive reviews helps make the already satisfied customer even more satisfied with your operation. Making your customers feel appreciated is the perfect way to build brand loyalty. Let them know that you greatly appreciate their review and continued support for your business.

Customer Reviews

Neutral reviews tend to be a mixture of positive and negative feedback. Because the customer may not feel as strongly about the situation, a neutral review may be missing some details. Be sure to reinforce the positive notes in your response.  It’s a good idea to ask the customer for more information so that your response is as targeted as possible. 

Encourage Customer Reviews

It’s natural for some of your happiest customers not to review your business. Take the initiative to find creative ways to encourage your happiest customers to share their experiences. If they’re already reviewing your business on Yelp or Trip Advisor, share their comments on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so that your followers can see what your most satisfied customers are saying.

Each review contains data about your customers that can help you better understand their experience. Listen to what your customers are saying and make the appropriate adjustments. It’s likely that there are other customers with similar experiences that haven’t taken to social media or a review site to share their thoughts.

Social Media Promotion

Now that you’ve gotten some feedback via review sites, let’s make sure your social media audience can read about those experiences. Make an effort to get your social media followers to find you on Yelp, Google, and other review sites. You can also add review site widgets to your website to allow customers to share their experience directly from your website, rather than navigating to the actual review site.

At The AD Leaf ®, we’re here to help you build your brand’s reputation and develop relationships with your customers. Feel free to give us a call at 321-255-0900 or you can email us to info@theadleaf.com. Let’s make great things happen together.

How Video Has Transformed Marketing in 2025

How Video Has Transformed Digital Marketing in 2025

Video has become the heart of social media, and in 2025, it’s not hard to see why. As platforms expand and audiences become more selective about the content they engage with, the demand for businesses to stand out has only intensified. This surge has led to video marketing becoming not just a trend but the foundation of digital communication. Unlike static posts, video content is dynamic, refreshing, and often feels more authentic, which is why it continues to outperform most other forms of content.

In recent years, short-form video has become increasingly popular across various platforms. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have seen record-breaking engagement, with TikTok alone influencing purchasing decisions for more than half of its users. YouTube remains the giant in long-form content, hosting over one billion hours of video watched daily, while Facebook continues to rack up massive viewing hours, averaging close to 100 million daily. And even though Twitter rebranded to X in 2023, videos are still six times more likely to be reshared compared to static images. The message is clear: video is the language of social media, and businesses that embrace it are the ones building stronger connections with their audiences.

Video content has cemented itself as the megatrend of the 2020s, and for businesses navigating today’s online world, the need to harness this medium is more crucial than ever. The good news is that video marketing doesn’t have to be overly complicated. What matters most is quality, clarity, and creativity. Even businesses in industries that may not seem “social-friendly” at first can thrive with video. A dental office might share quick oral care tips, a small café might show behind-the-scenes clips of latte art, and a local retailer might spotlight customer testimonials. The more willing a business is to align with social media trends, the more opportunities there are to reach new people.

 

Every company has something worth showing. It just takes creativity to package it in a way that feels engaging. Manufacturing companies might show their process at work, restaurants can highlight their chefs in action, and service-based businesses can showcase their expertise through short educational clips. What matters most is presentation. Interesting, authentic content always beats bland, sales-driven messaging. By paying attention to what’s trending online and adapting it to fit their own brand voice, businesses can stay current while building trust with their audience. And no matter the approach, clarity is key. A video with a clear objective resonates far more than one that leaves viewers unsure of its purpose.

Digital marketing isn’t a guessing game. It’s a numbers game. Data has shown repeatedly how video drives results, from improved engagement to increased conversions. Understanding how different platforms treat video content is just as important as creating the video itself. Social media companies are continuously leaning toward video-first algorithms, making it clear that the medium isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X have all increased their focus on video in the past two years, and platforms that once played catch-up with the trend are now fully centered around it.

 

Small details can also make a huge impact. Roughly 85% of viewers still watch videos without sound, so captions and text overlays remain critical. Creating playlists or a series of videos is another way to boost retention, as audiences are more likely to binge through related content when it’s easily accessible. Pinning a video to the top of your page continues to be an effective tactic for increasing both visibility and brand recall. And perhaps most importantly, a clear call-to-action at the end of every video makes sure that the attention you’ve earned actually translates into action.

 

Let’s look at the platforms more closely.

 

Facebook continues to average about 100 million hours of video views daily. Out of the majority of marketers who use video on Facebook, most report it as effective. Because users often come to Facebook for entertainment or emotional connection, videos that are funny, heartfelt, or inspiring tend to perform the best. Experimentation is encouraged here. Businesses that test a variety of creative strategies are the ones that learn what resonates most with their audience.

 

YouTube remains the second-largest search engine in the world, following closely behind Google. With billions of hours of content consumed daily, it remains one of the strongest platforms for businesses seeking long-term engagement. Nearly 9 out of 10 marketers who use YouTube report success, particularly when they post on a consistent schedule. Shareable, high-quality content is the key to keeping viewers coming back.

 

Instagram has solidified itself as one of the most engaging platforms for video, especially with the dominance of Reels. While Instagram may not always have the same raw numbers as Facebook or YouTube, its return on investment for businesses remains high. Short, visually appealing, and to-the-point videos perform best here, especially when paired with trending audio or cultural moments.

 

TikTok has grown far beyond its teenage beginnings to become a massive driver of consumer behavior. Short-form content dominates here, and trends move at lightning speed. Businesses that succeed on TikTok are the ones that adapt quickly, lean into creativity, and aren’t afraid to show personality.

 

X (Twitter) remains unique in its openness, allowing users to view and engage with content beyond who they follow. Short videos do particularly well here, and since video tweets are still several times more likely to be reshared than photos, brands have an opportunity to gain reach by hopping on timely trends. But timing is everything. Trends shift quickly on X, so businesses need to stay alert to what’s happening in real time.

 

At the end of the day, the dominance of video in 2025 isn’t just about trends. It’s about how people consume information. Audiences want quick, engaging, and authentic content, and video delivers on all fronts. Businesses that embrace it, tailor it to fit each platform, and consistently provide value are the ones who will thrive in today’s digital world.

 

Because social media is meant to be a worldwide experience, it’s important for marketers and businesses to engage with what consumers are doing. If we are asking for consumer engagement, it’s only right that we give that back by participating in what consumers want to see. With video marketing, companies are able to provide their audience with entertaining or informative content while also gaining engagement and notoriety from consumers. Even if you don’t know a lot about social media or technology, and even if you think you don’t have the time, there are still other ways to reach your audience on social networks. If you want to better grow your social media and engage your customers in your business, call The Ad Leaf Marketing Firm, the social media experts. Call (321) 255-0900 for your consultation today.

 

Reputation Management

Positively Dealing With Negative Comments On Social Media

You’ve worked hard to build your brand. From the early days of starting your own company all the way to the present, there has been a lot of effort and hard work that has gone into making your company what it is today. When we receive positive feedback on your company’s social media posts it feels like all the hard work has paid off and we feel accomplished for making our customers satisfied. However, it is not always all positive comments and we are unfortunately bound to have a few negative comments and reviews on social media here and there. While some of these can be as small as a less than stellar review, some can be downright nasty and really harm your brand’s image and reputation. These negative comments and reviews can also discourage you and make you frustrated as a business owner. While getting these negative comments can feel like the end of the world, there are a few things you can do to make the best of this situation and reduce the damage done through reputation management. By utilizing best public relations practices with your response you can make the best approach to this situation for your business. Reputation Management

One of the worst things that you can do with a negative comment is to leave it be and completely ignore it. By doing this it will allow other customers to see that you have a negative comment/review and have done nothing to address it. This may make the customer perceive that you do not care about your customers which can be detrimental to your company or brand. All comments regardless of positivity or negativity should be addressed for the best public relations practices as well as for your brand’s reputation management and image. Replying to every comment also shows that you are willing to take the time and talk to customers about their experience and that you care about how their experience was. No matter how negative the review is, addressing the situation and offering an apology or a solution to the problem will show that you have made the effort to correct a mistake. 

Oftentimes we are more likely to leave a negative review instead of a positive review. This is because we expect good service at all times and often don’t express gratitude or appreciation with good service because we are used to it. However, when we receive bad service we feel emotions such as anger and frustration which leads us to express these emotions as we feel we have been wronged and don’t want other people to have an experience similar to ours. With this being said negative reviews are inevitable because we can’t always offer a perfect experience for all customers. Customers also have a different idea of good customer service depending on the person. While some people may view a mistake as a simple human error and be very forgiving, some customers will consider this an insult and be very upset with your company. How you address these negative reviews is oftentimes how your customers will view and speak about your brand.

While there are many wrong ways to address negative reviews, there are a few correct ways to do this properly. The first is to remove any negative emotions such as anger or frustration before replying. Using negative emotions to combat a negative comment will only worsen the situation and can make your company look unempathetic and unprofessional when dealing with customers. When replying make sure that your reply is sincere. Offer an apology while stating your company’s values and offer a way to fix this problem the customer experienced and offer a solution to make up for this bad experience.

However, don’t offer any promises that you can’t keep or afford. For example, if someone left a bad review at a clothing store that you own because the product was ripped or of low quality, you don’t want to offer them free clothing items for a year. This will not only be costly but will encourage more bad reviews so that customers can take advantage of your free clothing offer. Instead, offer a solution that works for both you and the customer. The best way to do this is by asking them to call or email you to tell you why they had a bad experience. That way you can hear the whole story as well as find the best solution to hopefully turn a negative experience into a positive one. This also takes the negative experience out of the open and limits the exposure it has on social media which can help your company’s image and customer service.

With your business, you want to highlight and spotlight your positive reviews while addressing your negative reviews by using a personal approach to fix them to show the customer that you care and want them to have a positive experience with your company. If you need help in reputation management or repairing it on social media, give us a call at 321-255-0900 or email us at info@theadleaf.com to schedule your reputation management consultation. 

Content Calendar

Why Your Business Needs a Content Calendar

When you are a small business owner, making sure that you plan out your website or social media content ahead of time is crucial. However, what is arguably even more crucial than this is making sure you are posting these pieces of content at the right times. That is why creating a content calendar should be a priority for your content and social media marketing. 

Thankfully, we are here to make this process just a little bit more simplified. Here is the ultimate quick-start guide to creating the right calendar for you and your business.

What Exactly is a Content Calendar?

You might already be slightly familiar with the concept of a content calendar, just under a different name: an editorial calendar. It is a calendar that lays out all of your upcoming content over the next week or month, depending on the layout of the calendar. Any type of content that you and your business are planning to post or promote can go on this calendar. This will help you stay on track and be looking ahead to any upcoming holidays, ensuring you have plenty of time to plan out specific promotions or events. 

Benefits of a Content Calendar 

Creating a calendar for your website or social media content can lift a lot of weight off of your shoulders. This is because you will be able to see all of your planned content in one space, organizing both your workspace and your hard-drive at the same time. Another benefit is that content calendars are able to be readjusted to more easily accommodate your target audience’s attention and online presence; after all, your content will only be able to succeed if your audience is able to actually see it.

You are also able to post more consistently with a content calendar. This is because you can customize your calendar to make sure you are hitting the best days and times for audience engagement. Not only that, but you are also able to plan more efficiently for holidays and special events. For example, you can plan your Fourth of July celebration post or commemoration of a relevant national day for your business well ahead of time.

How The AD Leaf ® Can Help

Our Content Marketing and Social Media Marketing programs can help you create the best calendar for your business. We will analyze your customers’ and audiences’ behaviors to best determine what, when, and where to post. From there, we can create the perfect content for your business. Give us a call at 321-255-0900 for more information on how The AD Leaf ® can help you create an amazing content calendar.

Social Media Engagement

Sports in the Time of COVID

Covid-19 has no doubt forced changes in nearly all industries but few have been more obvious than professional sports. It’s no secret that some sports teams are more popular than others but at the end of the day, at least their corresponding social media accounts have always had games and team news to post about. With suspended and, in some cases, canceled seasons, all teams have been forced to get a little creative with how they interact with their fan bases and keep people interested in their teams. Let’s take a deeper look at a few examples of how the industry has adapted. 

One yearly event that always makes waves is the NFL Draft, which while always televised, is also always an in-person event. This year, cameras were in hundreds of living rooms across the country, ready and waiting to capture the exuberant reactions of the fresh draft picks when their name was called. Social media saw a huge boom in direct relation to the draft, with teams like the Bengals seeing a 412% increase in their social media engagement. To put that number into a bit perspective, the Bucs only saw a little over a 300% increase in their engagement when they announced the signing of former Patriots legend Tom Brady.Social Media Engagement

Many leagues have also made prior seasons available to view for free and have been hosting e-watch parties of classic games on social media. With normally pricey things like NBA League Pass and NFL Game Pass available for free, social profiles were able to target people’s nostalgia for classic wins to keep people entertained and engaged. Similarly, with more free time on their hands than they’re quite used to, many big-name athletes have been hosting Q&As and live streams on both their personal profiles and team ones, which has been an added bit of fun for socially inclined fans. This time off has also seen the e-reunions of several championship-winning teams. They’re not as good as a new game, but these added interactions have certainly made the loss of sports a bit easier for hardcore fans. 

Social Media Engagement

Shutdowns have also seen teams leaning into their humorous side with a ton of memes and heavy usage of Twitter’s poll feature. Often redundant questions, these polls are a fun way to get fans talking to each other and with the team itself. One example of that is this poll the Rays recently ran. There’s no higher compliment for a pitch than to be described as filthy or any synonym thereof, so they ran with that idea to amusing results.

 

While some leagues in the States are, for better or worse, looking to start back up soon, some leagues around the world have already gotten up and running, including the English Premier League (go Liverpool!) and Korean Baseball Organization. Instead of awkward silence in between broadcaster commentary, they’ve chosen to play crowd noise for home viewers, making it nearly just like how it would normally be to watch on the couch. Aside from empty seats in the background of in-game pictures and footage, a scroll through the Twitter of an EPL club page seems just like any other season! Social Media Engagement

 

Sports have always been a unifier, even if it’s bonding over hatred of each other’s teams with some trash talk– something I’m quite good for– and there are few things better than enjoying some stadium food while being surrounded by like-minded fans, so when faced with a reality where that wasn’t available, technology and social media have really come in clutch. If you’re interested in having The AD Leaf ® manage your social media engagement, feel free to give us a call at 321-255-0900 or email us at info@theadleaf.com. Let us hit your social media out of the park! 

The Positive Power of Social Media

It’s no secret that there is a lot of negativity in the world right now. Many individuals have taken to social media to post their feelings, reactions, emotions, and to seek support from others. On Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020, much of the world participated in a social media campaign given the name #BlackOutTuesday. Amongst those hundreds of millions were businesses, from huge corporations to small locally owned businesses.

It’s important as a company to keep your social media campaign positive. This does not mean turning your back on what you believe in but ensuring that your content will not be viewed in any negative light. Staying positive and looking towards a better future is especially important to your audience. Brands that are viewed in a negative light will not succeed in their social media campaign. When Chase Bank insinuated that some of their customers have low balances due to their bad spending habits, the backlash was quick and clear. With more than 43.8 billion people on social media that is a huge hit to your company if you lose your social media following and good presence.

Staying neutral doesn’t mean turning a blind eye or lacking compassion amidst current events. Posting positive content occasionally can be a relief from the negativity we see on our feed. The Women’s Center of Brevard does a great job of doing this on social media. Occasionally they will feature activities for the family, uplifting-quotes, appreciation posts for sponsors and staff, and encouraging content. The goal is to get the audience to stop scrolling as a result of your positivity.

It’s hard not to let personal viewpoints and emotions spill over into how you present your company brand, but it’s important to remember that not every customer or client thinks exactly as you do. With a lot of negative situations going on, here are some tips on staying positive on social media.

  1.     Post Positively

This may seem obvious but think about how your posted content will impact society and your audience. Share appreciation posts, testimonials, and uplifting quotes. What you are posting should be inspiring and encouraging. Your goal should be to unite your audience in a positive way. A member of the audience is a potential customer. If the audience perceives your feed negatively, they are less likely to purchase from you.

  1.     Keep Judgment and Intimidation Off Social Media

Your opinion can be misperceived and taken as judgment. The old saying “keep your opinions to yourself,” applies to your social media campaign. What you believe may not be what everyone else believes. Compete with rivals in your industry but do not intimidate them. It is okay to compete with others in your industry but do not be hateful, rude, or derogatory in your competitive nature. Challenge your competitors in a clean way that can never be taken as slander or cruelty. Samsung is a great company that exemplifies poking fun at the competition without being cruel. Their commercial mocking Apple’s fanbase that waits in lines for hours for a new product launch is a great example of giving a company their props while comparing their quality and innovation. The opinion of a business owner can be different from that of their customer base. Therefore, keeping opinions on the inside can prevent the loss of an existing customer or future customer.

  1.     Do Showcase, Do Not Show Off

Yes, businesses should be showcasing their new items or services and achievements. However, it is discouraged to show off. The two things might seem like they are one and the same, but they are not. Showing off is perceived as flashy and looking for kudos for doing something good. Your business might have made the most money it has in years but that is not something you should be posting on social media. While your business might be excelling in all aspects your neighboring businesses might also be struggling. However, if your business wins “Salon of the Year” that is something you should be showcasing. That is a great accomplishment that your community awarded you and is a result of their support and your efforts to go above and beyond. Back in 2013, the airline company, WestJet, released a viral video that encouraged its customers to perform random acts of kindness, which has now coined the term “mini-miracles.” WestJet has kept the tradition of showing their gratitude and appreciation for their customers’ kindness alive for years.

  1.     Honesty Is Everything

All too often we see companies who are later caught in a lie. Covering up a mistake or mishap will only come back to bite you in the long run. This can lead to loss of business. Acknowledging an incident, apologizing, and taking a corrective course of action will produce the best outcome.  An alcohol delivery company, Grizzly, has a GREAT example of this recently! They accidentally sent out an email with placeholder text and sent out an apology email with coupon code “LOREMIPSUM”. Be positive in your acknowledgment and plan of action by putting the incident into the spotlight as a learning experience. Businesses that take ownership and are transparent will continue to be successful.

  1.     Be Respectful

Again, this might seem as obvious as being positive, but it can often be overlooked. Respect your community, respect your neighbors, respect your customers, and respect your brand. When posting something put yourself in the place of a spectator in your audience. Could your post be taken the wrong way despite not being meant maliciously? Is the content culturally unaware? Will anyone view the content as insensitive? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, it isn’t something your business should be posting. Respecting your community extends to respecting your competitors, sometimes by supporting them. We often see this with small businesses in their local community, but large companies like T-Mobile and Sprint recently displayed their support for each other. As a segue to their merger, the two companies decided to provide their customers with more coverage during the pandemic by sharing their networks before the merger was official.

A positive social media campaign is one that inspires, makes your audience think, or gives them a warm fuzzy feeling. If you are a business and do not feel very strongly about something you should stay neutral in the matter. Do not follow the majority opinion to gain a following or increase engagement. Be genuine in your approach.

If you’ve recently been involved in a situation where your brand wasn’t represented in a positive manner and you’re struggling with getting back on your audience’s good side we are here to help. Feel free to give us a call at 321.255.0900 or you can email us to info@theadleaf.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!