Zoom Divorce...And other Lessons We've Learned from the Pandemic

Have you heard of the 'Zoom Divorce'?  Up until yesterday I had not.  Then on the radio in the car yesterday, I heard 'Zoom Divorce' three times in my short commute to the office. It's 13 months into dealing with the COVID pandemic and we've learned so many new things, why not divorce?  It's another positive thing that has come out of being locked down.  Let me elaborate...

Before COVID, I depended on coffee meetups to catchup with friends. Always time limited and only with those who lived near by.  Since March 2021, I've had many Zoom calls with friends right across Canada.  We don't always talk for a long time and we could have called on our phones but it's great to actually see each other.

I've got family in the US on both coasts.  Before COVID we only saw each other at weddings and funerals.  In the past year we've Zoomed numerous times just to say hi.  The highlight was Christmas Eve 2020 when we all sat in front of our respective Christmas Trees to wish each other the best of the season.

We've done Zoom wedding and baby showers.  Pleasantly surprised at how well these went.  With gifts purchased online and shipped directly, everyone seemed to have a great time.

While on a Sunday evening walk this past weekend, we chatted with a neighbour who attended a Zoom wedding.  She loved it.  Her niece and fiancé decided to use Zoom to celebrate their wedding with all their family and friends rather than delay until sometime in 2022...maybe!

And of course, I've attended a Zoom funeral.  This was tougher than a live in-person affair...I was alone and without the in-person contact, it felt unfinished.  

So a Zoom Divorce makes all the sense in the world.  Kudos to the Legal Firm who put the campaign together.  If you want more info, check out this article in the Toronto Star:  Divorce is still divorce, but doing it via zoom may be less painful.

Until next time...

Google My Business: Ground Zero for Online Marketing

Ground Zero, the foundation for every business that wants to be found online is Google My Business.  It's the first thing I recommend to all starting-up business owners.  There are a lot of online tutorials for how to access your My Business listing page but basically once you are logged into your Google Account, search for the 'My Business' icon and you'll be directed to your main page.  From there, it is relatively straightforward to follow each of the steps to completely and accurately set up your My Business page.

From your My Business page, your Google Reviews are visible and accessible.  Your online reputation matters.  Both to the search engines and to real people.  Ask for reviews and respond to them right from your My Business Page.

Build up your content two ways on your My Business page.  First, upload photos and videos.  They can be of anything related to your business.  The more content you post, the more of an authority you become and again that benefits both your customers and the search engines.

Second, you can create posts.  Like blog posts, you can share your opinion on various topics related to your business.  Take advantage of this feature with regular updates.

There are other valuable features available and as you gain experience, you'll learn how to take advantage of them.  For more on Google My Business, here's an informative infographic:

Until next time...

Chris Morales

Helping Startups Get Started Online

You've been itching to start your own business  You have an idea that you know will just crush it.  You've done your homework:  Analyzed your strengths and weakness;  Assessed your potential market;  Prepared your Business Plan. 

You've read all about online marketing.  You know you need a website.  And you've read all the success stories about how Instagram and Facebook can connect you with your most rabid fans.  And of course there are Google AdWords to wrap your head around.  Now you're ready to take the leap of faith but...how do you get from concept to market?

After listening to countless first-time business owners over the past 5 years voice their stress over online marketing, I realized that there was a need to help them take their first step.  I've put together the Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit to help first-time small business startups get started.  This Kit includes all the basics to set up a professional online presence.  Plus, I've included a special bonus to make sure you have the knowledge to grow:

• Brand Logo:  Your brand is what your customers will see first.  It is important to have a strong brand identity.  We will design your Brand Logo and give you all the versions you need across all online platforms
• Google My Business:  This is the heart of your online presence.  Setting this up properly is the first step in setting up a professional online presence so that you can be found by potential customers when they search for your business (Includes Keywords)
• Website:  This is your online home.  We set up a simple yet robust presence that tells your customers who you are and what your products or services can do for them.  We write content that is relevant to your business...and to the search engines so that you get served up most effectively (Content Marketing)
• Instagram:  We set up your Instagram page using your Brand Logo and linking back to your website.  We'll show you how to post photos and short videos (Social Media Marketing)
• Facebook:  We set up your Facebook page and integrate it with your Instagram page and your website.  We'll show you how to leverage these two key Social Media platforms

And there's more...

Included in the Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit in addition to the 45 minute Virtual Kickoff meeting is an additional 60 minutes of consulting!

The Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit is $799.  It includes all of this:  Brand Logo, Google My Business, Website, Instagram, Facebook and 60 minutes of consulting!

Contact me at chris@chrismorales.ca to sign up and book your Kickoff Meeting.

6 Web Design Trends for 2021

6 key design trends for 2021:

1. Photography with graphics
2. Use bold fonts
3. Use a clear visual hierarchy
4. Create personalized content
5. Keep your eye on mobile, particularly ecommerce
6. Faster loading speeds

For more on each of these, check out this infographic, Web Design Trends:

Link to this infographic:  Web Design Trends

Until next time...

Chris Morales

Rookie Mistake

Rookie mistake! Yes, even with the years of experience on Social Media, it is possible to crash out. That happened today when I posted iGN!TE as a Current/New Job position on my LinkedIn profile. As it should, my LinkedIn profile lit up! Lots of congratulatory messages on the 'new job'.

I should have known better!

Let me clear up one thing first: No, I do not have a new job since the gig at Budds' ended a few weeks ago. As my LinkedIn Headline states, I am currently available for a full-time or contract position in digital and social media marketing. Yes, I'm actively looking!

What is iGN!TE? As us Marketing types are prone to do when we are 'between assignments, it's the face of my Small Business Freelance/Marketing Consulting. In the past I've referred to it as Morales Marketing Services and Outsourced Marketing. This time my creativity was alive and I came up with iGN!TE and set up a page on my blog, iGN!TE and the page on LinkedIn. My intention was to use LinkedIn to promote digital and social media marketing services. Because of the way I posted it, it triggered the 'New Job' Announcement. Rookie!

So now you know!

Thanks for the somewhat premature best wishes. I really appreciate them and will make sure to post the new gig properly when appropriate.

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Automotive Marketing Trends

1 in 3 auto shoppers perform a mobile action while physically on a dealership lot.  These potential customers are getting real-time information about the vehicle they are considering while closing in on their purchase decision.  How well the Dealership website serves up the information the shopper wants has a major impact on what Dealership to buy from. Google shared this insight and other automotive marketing trends to help direct more effective Dealership online marketing strategies

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855
 

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

How Lead Management Improves Sales

How does Lead Management improve sales? Tracking the key metrics that measure how many leads your receive, where they come from and how your sales team responds and engages with these online shoppers.

Chris M Morales

 

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

 

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

 

Social Media Trends in 2017

Two things stand out in Social Media Trends in 2017:

1. Increase in Personalized Content...yes, it's all about 'Me'!
2. More reliance on Social Influencers..."What's that you said?"

Live Streaming Video (Like Facebook Live) and Augmented Reality are also at the top of the list of Social Media Trends.  Both were on display at the recent Digital Marketing Event in Toronto, Dx3.  

When I'm asked by a Business Owner if she should use Facebook I respond that it's not the platform, it's the ability of the technology to engage with their customers and target audience that matters.  For this Small Business Owner I recommend a Base that looks like this:

1. Blog (hosted on the business website):  Business updates;  User-generated content (Customer Stories);  Video sourced from YouTube
2. Facebook (Primary Social Media Channel):  Blog post updates;  Live events on Business Page;  Boosted Posts;  Facebook Display
3. Online Advertising (Targeted):  Search, Display, Re-targeting to reach current customers (reinforce purchase decision) and new ones (generate inquiries)

Here's more on the top 8 Social Media Trends to watch for in 2017:
 

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

 

Cracking the Code of the Online Buying Journey

"Gain insight into your customer's experience at each touch point to improve their satisfaction with the whole journey".  This may just be the 'Silver Bullet' in cracking the code in online marketing

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Mobile Marketing 2017

We're obsessed with our mobile devices:  1.8 hours per day spent on our mobile devices connected to the Internet. Combine that with the statistic that 78% of Facebook users are mobile only and the opportunity for business owners is clear:  Think Facebook Mobile First!  

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

The Holy Grail of Online Marketing

It's not how fast your website loads, it's not how well your website renders on a smartphone.  These and other technical factors are important in online marketing but one of the most important factors in online success for a brand are Consumer Recommendations.  92% of consumers report that word-of-mouth and recommendations are the leading influncers of their purchase behaviour in a survey from the Zocalo Group.  Social Media expands the reach of these recommendations...word-of-mouth on steroids!

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Top Digital Marketing Trends for 2017

It's always fun to forecast trends. It's impossible to predict the future but always fun trying.  Here are some digital marketing trends predicted for 2017:

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

What Conversion is at Tier III

Making sense of the data.  Traffic, Unique Visitors, Page Views, Cost-per-Click, Conversions...lots of data from multiple sources measuring specific elements of online marketing.

"What's working?"  That's the question that Dealer Principals and their Leadership Teams need to answer so they can make better decisions.  Brian Pasch in this Auto Marketing Now Video tackles this question by looking at the quality of website traffic in addition to the quantity.  Engagement!

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Online Marketing 101

SEM, SEO, Social Media, Email, Conversion Rate...the acronmys are enough to drive you mad!  All in the name of Online Marketing.  When I get the 'full glaze' look from a client when talking about online marketing I remind them that it's not about the technology...it's about what the technology delivers.  Here's an Infographic that was shared with me that explains online marketing:

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization