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🍂 Wrapping Up October 🍁




How to use emojis effectively in social media posts

Emojis have become a powerful and easy way to support text-based content across many platforms, from private messaging to emails and social media adverts.
 

They can help your audience understand the context behind your message, break up blocks of text, improve flow, and prevent misunderstandings based on mistaking tone. After all, our brains weren’t wired to communicate behind screens; we rely on subtle facial cues and body language just as much as speech in our real-life encounters. 


Although emojis are a fantastic tool, they can do more harm than good if misused. In particular, businesses can risk alienating their customer base if they get it wrong. Here are a few reasons to implement emojis into your social media strategy – the right way. Use them:

  • For readability by including relevant symbols instead of bullet points in lists, replacing actual words with obvious emojis, and emphasising key information, such as headings or T&Cs. 
  • For CTAs by choosing emojis that signify a specific action, such as a telephone for ‘call us’ or a calendar for booking an appointment. 
  • To get found via Instagram and TikTok search results by using emojis in captions, bios, and hashtags.
  • In your bio to instantly clarify what your business is all about – find ones relevant to you by searching Emojipedia
  • To set the tone with facial emojis to prevent misunderstandings caused by lack of context or social cues. 
  • To share achievements with your followers – think of raised hands, party face, trophy and medal emojis. 
  • To create a narrative by asking followers to describe an experience or feeling or sharing a message with just emojis to interact with or translate for a reward. 
  • To take advantage of trends started by seasons, world events, celebrity usage or newly released emojis to stay relevant to your niche.

Now you know the best ways to use emojis, why not start including them in your current campaigns? Just make sure you select ones that suit your brand’s tone and will appeal to your target audience, using customer profiles and responses to gauge which type of emojis to rely on.

 

If you need further help and or guidance please speak to your Customer Success Manager or Marketing Manager who will be able to help suggest what to use.

 



How do hashtags work?

Way back in 2009, Twitter offered the online world a new way to search for content based on specific topics by filtering them into categories, set off by the now famous #. 

 

This allowed audiences to connect with others with the same interests or easily spread a message by simply clicking on the hashtag or adding them to their own posts. 

 

Hashtags have proven so popular that they’re now found across social media. However, they do work slightly differently depending on the platform. Let’s take a look. 

 

Twitter mainly uses the # to help users find and join conversations, suggesting trending topics related to who each user follows and where they live. Hashtag results are based on the most recent and popular tweets within that category.

 

Facebook only allows hashtags on public profiles or within the context of a group or fan page. Any user with tight privacy settings effectively hides their hashtags from public view or search results, which are filtered by your friend’s list and pages you follow.

 

YouTube employs the humble hashtag to filter video content. Although you can’t subscribe to a hashtag, by clicking on #s in video descriptions, you can deep-dive into niche categories. You can also use hashtags in titles.

 

Instagram is a highly visual platform where hashtags dominate. Potential followers won’t see your content unless you use relevant hashtags, which can show up on the Explore page and help you attract a bigger audience. 

 

LinkedIn allows users to filter hashtags by searching through them based on jobs, services, companies, people, groups and much more. Your audience can follow your hashtags to stay in the loop, or you can start or join conversations with them. LinkedIn Pulse will also let you add hashtags to your articles, which are then shared with all your connections.

 

It’s also worth noting the different types of hashtags, such as those used for niches, locations, events, communities, contests, brands, and marketing. 

 

With so many ways to implement hashtags, it can be hard to quantify their effectiveness. Luckily, there are lots of hashtag performance tools available, which can analyse how well yours are working in real time – #epic.

 



Related keywords – and how to find them

If you’re actively marketing your business, you’ll know that targeting relevant keywords for your audience will help search engines find your content.
 

However, including related keywords that fall under the scope of your primary keyword will allow search engines to understand the wider context of your website pages and blog posts, meaning you’ll show up more frequently. 


But how do you pick the right ones? 


Let’s take a look.


Firstly, you’ll need to brainstorm keywords that apply to your ideal customers or clients. Which topics are they interested in?


Next, begin the hunt for related targets by using nifty tools like the Keyword Magic Tool by Semrush. It will show you a list of associated terms and metrics, filtering results depending on how closely it’s related to your initial search term. It’ll even suggest ways to place your keywords into questions people regularly ask. 


You can also use Semrush to see which keywords your competitors are using – just copy and paste the URL of the top-ranking businesses in your niche into the tool and select ‘Exact URL’, clicking the Positions tab. 


When using related keywords in your content, try using the SEO Content Template to analyse your competitors’ tactics and find recommendations related to your primary keyword. 


Alternatively, paste already written content into the SEO Writing Assistant to see which keywords you could include to improve your results.


Google is also your best friend for finding good keywords. For example, typing your topic into the search engine will bring up autocomplete suggestions based on frequent searches. At the bottom of the page, you’ll also see related searches that could prove fruitful for ideas. 


Google Search Console (GSC) is another way to learn which search terms your webpages currently rank for. This free tool allows you to analyse each page of your website based on its URL – under the Average Position box, you’ll see a list of keywords customers used to find your site. You can integrate any that don’t already appear in your copy to further boost your rankings.


Of course, GSC can help you understand your site’s overall performance, too, which is useful for tracking the success of your content. 


Clustering topics together via a series of interlinked pages on your site can improve your results, along with robust SEO practises such as including your primary keyword in your title, headings, subheadings and throughout the main text – in a natural way. Semrush’s On Page SEO Checker tool can help with this. 


Ready to up your keyword game? These easy-to-follow guides will help you get started:


Keyword Magic Tool

SEO Writing Assistant

On Page SEO Checker

Google Search Console

 



Five marketing tips everyone needs to know

Whatever industry you’re in, getting your marketing strategy right can be the difference between beating the competition or sinking to the bottom of the pile. 


Today, we’re looking at five easy-to-implement marketing tips that can help any business up their game. Read on to learn more.


  • Create & review a content marketing plan. 

It’s hard to know where you’re heading if you haven’t clearly defined your goals or starting point. A simple content marketing plan that your team can access will ensure everyone stays on the same page. 


Conducting regular reviews on how well the plan has been executed and whether you’re hitting your targets will clarify the next steps to take to reach your idea of success.


  • Choose your audience wisely.

Of course, every company wants to attract as many potential customers or clients as possible. But a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works when it comes to marketing. 


To sell effectively, you’ll need a strong understanding of the type of people interested in your offering and why they need you. Focusing on specific characteristics can narrow your marketing efforts to reduce costs and boost return on investment.


  • Put your customers first. 

Once you have a firm idea of your target audience, keeping tabs on precisely what they need is vital. How they engage with your content can give you some clues. 


For example, are they interacting with specific posts more than others? Are certain email campaigns generating higher click-through rates? Follow the data to ensure you keep scratching the right itch, and your customers will reward you with their loyalty.


  • Be intentional about content.

Creating good content isn’t about chucking everything at the wall to see what sticks. Instead, focus on how each piece of content will serve your overall goals and whether it’s relevant to your audience’s needs – what will it give them that they don’t already have?

Although regularly generating new content keeps your brand fresh and exciting, you should also update older material whenever necessary to keep your SEO performance strong. 


  • Distribute the right way.

So, you’ve found your niche and generated some tip-top content to keep your audience happy. But just like a good joke, the delivery can make or break the punchline. 


That is to say, you should select appropriate distribution channels for your content. For example, while TikTok and Instagram are great places to engage younger consumers, other demographics will respond better to email campaigns or print media, such as magazines and brochures. 


Again, we come back to really understanding your audience. Don’t expect them to come to you until they’re hooked – go where they are to capture their attention.  


Perhaps your business already employs some or all of these strategies – if so, keep up the great work. Or maybe you’ve identified areas of growth.


Either way, you can always refine your marketing approach further by closely studying the data, analysing everything from open rates to subscribers and sales. 


Over time, we can all get better at defining our audience, adapting to their needs, and offering the best products or services possible. Now, it's time to dust off that content marketing plan…

 



Winter Warmth Campaign 1st November 2023 - 31st January 2024

Please join our Winter Warmth campaign by collecting up and donating winter clothes like coats, jumpers and personal hygiene products to local charities to help at a time when many rough sleepers are starting to feel the effects of winter.  Every year there is always a shortage of warm clothing for those experiencing homelessness.

 

We work with agents and suppliers to the industry to encourage donations of warm clothes to local homeless hostels, shelters and charities.

 

We’re teaming up with Only A Pavement Away, who provide an astonishing 250,000 essential items yearly to those who are homeless or staying in hostels. Together, we’re making a real difference!

  • JOIN THE CAUSE: Get involved in our Winter Warmth Campaign! Help keep someone warm this winter by donating pre-loved winter attire to a homeless charity, shelter, or hostel near you. Not sure where to go? We’ve got you covered – reach out, and we’ll point you to your local drop-off location.
  • QUALITY MATTERS: Kindly ensure your donations are in tip-top condition. Please double-check that pockets are empty and all hygiene products are brand new and sealed.
  • GET IN TOUCH: Ready to make a positive impact? Let us know by filling out the form below. We’ll guide you to the closest charity, shelter, or hostel, and even help to promote your generous act.
  • SHOW & TELL: Snap a photo of your donation and tag Agents Giving to share the love! Use the hashtags #WinterWarmthCampaign #AgentsGiving to help spread the word!

Get involved today and make someone’s winter a little warmer!

 

What donations are required?

GET INVOLVED

We are looking for donations of the following items:

  • Coats
  • Winter jumpers
  • Scarves
  • Gloves
  • Toiletries – new, small deodorants, anti-perspirants, small shower gels