Digital Marketing

Why Linking A Client’s Google My Business Results To Digital Campaigns Is So Important

I saw a meme the other day that said “Imagine if trees gave off Wi-Fi signals. We would be planting so many trees and we’d probably save the planet too. Too bad they only produce the oxygen we breathe”. Now I’m not here to be mother nature or the planet police, but there is no denying that as a...

Vici Summit Unplugged

In a land not so far away known as the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia was the backdrop to the first-ever Vici Client Summit. It began as a meet and greet of our media and agency partners alongside the Vici digital operations and training team and founding partners. 47 companies were in attendance, plus 23 of the Vici Team...

What Digital Advertising Products Should Casinos Use?

With 465 commercial casinos throughout the United States, according to Statista , there’s bound to be one near you, and maybe in your market.  As we’ve seen for years, Casinos market heavily.  It’s not about whether or not they have marketing dollars, but how can you secure your share of those dollars digitally?  What products are good for them? There...

How Has Behavioral Targeting Evolved?

One of the absolute best things about digital is the ability to pinpoint the exact person in the exact area you are looking for and put an extraordinarily relevant message right in front of them. Often, when I have a super specific person I am trying to reach; I turn to Facebook for their impressive targeting options....

Digital Spending is Still on the Rise. Are You In?

It has been reported that digital ad spending is up by 18% year over year and will continue to rise. Why? Because it works! Some of the businesses that continue to soar in this space are retail, automotive and on the heels of these businesses are financial and travel. It is forecasted that in 2020, financial services digital spending will surpass...

Digital Advertising Trends

Election season is basically upon us, and we know that every election year, there are so many changes within the economy.  What businesses are going to spend what, and where are they going to spend it? Before we look at 2020, let’s take a quick look at how 2019 digital ad spending will most likely end.  Here’s a quick chart...

How do you capture part of the billions spent on local political campaign?

How big is the local political advertising pie exactly? MASSIVE. In fact, it is predicted by the BIA that $6.55 billion will be spent in local political advertising in 2020. That number is not a typo, it is an enormous opportunity. So we know there is a huge pie, how is it being divided and what media is getting the...

Do Your Potential Customers Think Digital Advertising is Creepy?

Even when we’re adults and out on our own, we still call our moms for everything, especially when we don’t feel well. Just last night I called my mom to tell her I had a sore throat and a headache. She gave the typical mom answer and said “gargle with warm salt water and go to bed early and...

8 Things To Know About Digital Advertising

There’s a lot to know about Digital.  In fact, there’s a TON of information out there.   However, it doesn’t need to be complicated. What is Digital Advertising?  This is when you buy advertising space across websites, mobile apps, and even social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, where audiences are targeted with the help of specific information about their online...

Can I do digital advertising for Cannabis, Marijuana or CBD Oil campaigns?

Let’s be blunt. Trying to run digital campaigns for Cannabis businesses around all the restrictions and limited targeting categories has been a bit of a drag in the past. There are now a wealth of targeting options available that we offer, including Native Ads, Display Ads and Video Ads . Do you want to reach people who are marijuana...

What Is Artificial Intelligence Targeting With Digital Ads?

To some AI sounds superficial or in many ways impossible. AI technology is super sophisticated and therefore can be very hard to comprehend. Therefore, many do not realize how powerful this strategy can be for businesses online. In its simplest form, AI is showing your display or video ads to people across all devices, using machine learning to target consumers based on who is engaging with...

Top Three Digital Trends of 2019

Digital opportunities continue to boom and explode. It was forecasted in 2019 digital ad spending will rise by 17.6% to $333.25 billion. That means for the first time, digital will account for roughly half of the ad market. Some of the top digital trends on the rise are video marketing, artificial intelligence and chat boxes. Video Marketing is anticipated to climb...

What techniques are most popular for Professional Services?

According to a survey by BIA’s Local Advertising Forecast, the professional service industries will spend $2.5 Billion on mobile ads in 2019.  These industries include law firms and legal businesses along with engineering, architects and computer/technology services.  These are the industries that will spend the most. Other industries within this vertical include accounting (CPAs), advertising agencies, photography services, and...

Is Facebook Listening In On Me Through My Phone?

How many of us have felt like Facebook is listening to our phone conversations? I swear I just mentioned these new Kendra Scott earrings to my friend and now I’m seeing them in my newsfeed? Disturbing! Right? Or is it just effective? It is absolutely unnerving. You feel like you just mentioned to a friend, or even just thought about an item and...

Why your marketing plan should include more than just PPC.

PPC, Pay Per Click, Google AdWords and now Google Ads are all different names for paid text ads on google search returns. They generally appear at the top of your search reruns or at the bottom and in some instances in the first position in the “snack pack” returns (the listing under the map image). They can be an important...

Voice Search is Here: Is Your Business Ready for It?

When Apple’s Siri first came out back in 2011 the technology was a novelty.  It was cool to test out and sometimes provided informative results, but often the results were laughable.  Not many people predicted voice search would become a major digital trend of the future.  Voice search is defined as a speech recognition technology that allows users to search by saying...

Digital is Not Scary: How to Help Traditional Sellers Wrap Their Heads Around Digital

I get it. It’s scary to learn a completely new product that you’re unfamiliar with and be expected to go out to your clients and pitch them another product that’s going to get their “doors-a-swingin’, and their registers-a-ringin’”. I’m here to tell you to come on in-the water is warm! When I first started pitching digital, I thought I was never going to...

What social platform is gaining popularity?

Instagram. According to latest research, people are embracing Instagram and its popularity is growing. So who is using it the most? Starting at the top we have an overall number of 37% of US adults (beating out Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Twitter). The strongest numbers for Instagram are in the 18-24 range, however, it is important to note...

What Are Good Conversions For My Client?

First, what is a conversion? A conversion is an action you want consumers to do once they visit your website. You have done a great job getting their attention with a great digital advertisement to where they have either clicked or come to their website on their own. Now what do they do next? A few conversion examples include: Making a purchase on the...

Who starts a company on April Fool’s Day anyways?

Founded on April 1, 2014 who knew what a wild and fun ride it would turn into for these digital fools, uh… I mean founders Todd Schumacher, Leslye Schumacher, Gary Rozynek and Megan Malone. Their passion for the most comprehensive training for our markets and agencies paired with the most advanced digital solutions has made this team rise to the top in the digital...

When should you Geo-Target and when should you Geo-Fence and what is the difference?

There are several “geo” terms in digital advertising, and it can be complicated to determine which option is best for your campaign. With so many opportunities and choices it is important to understand the differences. First let’s define our “Geo” terms: Geo-Targeting (Geographic Targeting):  all digital ads are geographically targeted meaning we serve ads to specific geographic areas like a city, zip codes, or...

Do Credit Unions Utilize Digital Advertising?

In short, the answer is yes!  But, to get a good look at what works and what doesn’t, let’s take a deeper dive into how much they are spending, and what they are spending that money on. According to TheFinancialBrand.com, Credit Unions spend between $9.92 – $14.83 per member on advertising.  Now, that number can vary depending on the size of the Credit...

What is Mobile Conquesting™?

Nearly 80% of US adults own a smartphone and we use them a lot. What used to be a device just to make calls has quickly migrated to a device to send text messages, map directions, make purchases, play games and even capture life’s most precious moments. Because technology is so sophisticated, and we do more on these devices, the...

Should You Be Using Video Ads In Your Digital Marketing?

Ummm, yah, you should. 80% of Internet users can remember a video ad that they have seen in the last 30 days. But it should be good video. More info on that below. But first, some stats to convince you why video ads are where it’s at for getting amazing return on your advertising investment. 90%...

Social Media: When should you DIY and when should you enlist a digital expert?

There are absolutely times in life it is more cost effective to “Do it yourself.”  Before I take on a DIY project, I try to consider if I have three T’s, meaning do I have the tools, the training and the time. If all signs point to yes, I go for it! All three must be in place...

How-To-Guide On Understanding Your Facebook Insights And Analytics

Most small businesses have a business Facebook Page but are you understanding the wealth of information you can get from Facebook about people who interact with your Page? This is our step-by-step guide to walk you through some of the most valuable information you might be interested in learning. Facebook calls their analytics “Insights” and you can access...

A How-To Guide For SEO: What A Business Can Do, What A Digital Provider Can Do.

There are lots of ways to be a digital marketing guru so that your clients will look to you for advice and guidance. One is to be able to understand and explain Google Analytics reports, which we have a Google Analytics How-To Guide you should check out. Another is to be knowledgeable about your digital advertising products. In this...

How Do I Get Renewals From My Clients?

If you’re asking this on your way in to get a renewal, you’re already too late…. First, let’s look at some of the most common reasons renewals DON’T happen: 1. You didn’t hold a proper Customer Needs Analysis meeting because you don’t have access to the end client. 2. You assume what the client’s goals are without discussing it with them. 3. You...

Why do digital and traditional media work well together?

You have heard the phrase, opposites attract. Well the same holds true for your media mix. Traditional media like radio and television work hand in hand with digital. Digital marketing can include tactics like SEO, online display or native and social media across all online devices. First, it is important to understand your audience and to realize there are many ways...

Google Analytics Guide: How To Understand Reports & Explain To Your Clients

If you are in advertising and want to be a marketing guru for your clients, you need to have a basic understanding of Google Analytics. One way to learn it is through Google’s free online classes. It’s fairly straightforward, and you can go at your own pace. If you decide to do that – great, but...

Understanding Digital Co-Op Advertising And Terms

How does a small business access digital advertising Co-Op funds? The answer is, unfortunately, many don’t. Even though it is estimated that 43% of small businesses carry or represent products from national brands that offer Co-Op reimbursement for advertising, less than half those businesses use the funds they’ve earned. Why? Over half (52%) of local retailers...

Can I Daypart My Digital Ads?

Yes, but just because you can, doesn’t mean you should! Let’s start with what is dayparting? It is a tactic by which you schedule ads for certain times, that could mean either certain times of the day or certain days within the week, in the hopes of reaching prospects at the most opportune time of the day. Can you do this? Yes, but...

What Advertising Medium Do Adults Use The Most? (Example)

Want to know what medium do adults in the US use the most during an average day?  Well, that depends on the time of day according to a new study by Nielsen.  The folks at Marketing Charts put together a great graphic illustrating when people use which mediums the most. Highlights of the study are: Just over a third (34%)...

What Is A Good Click Through Landing Page?

What is a “landing page”? It’s the page of your website that people land on after clicking your ad. Should that be your home page? Maybe, but maybe not. Having the right info on a landing page DRAMATICALLY increases your conversions (getting people to take the next step). Here are some tips for what makes a...

How Important Are Online Reviews?

Extremely. In fact, 78% of Internet users conduct research online and believe reviews are the most credible form of advertising.   Online reviews are not only influencing consumers, they’re also influencing search engine results.  In fact, Search experts believe that reviews account for about 7-13% of the local organic ranking factors considered by Google. Responding to positive reviews...

The One Thing You Must Do For Search Engine Optimization

The one thing you can and MUST do as a local business to improve your Search Engine Optimization (meaning – rank on the first page of results when someone searches Google for keywords related to your business) is to optimize your Google My Business listing. Not just claim it – but OPTIMIZE it. Your Google My Business listing is...

How Do I Boost Leads on My Website?

As digital trends and products evolve, and marketers strive to understand online consumer behavior, a common question we get is how to accelerate the number of leads on a website. Making sure a website is SEO friendly, mobile-optimized, and well-designed is all extremely important, but one thing often over-looked is the ease of which to get information. That’s where...

The Steps For A Productive Digital Advertising Client Meeting

When going into a digital client needs analysis meeting it can be hard to determine where to start. There are so many products and options to consider it can be daunting to everyone involved. To avoid overwhelming clients with all the different possibilities, it is helpful to do your homework and research first. Prepping for the meeting: Use K-meta.com and...

Digital media is on the rise for 2019, are you ready?

As the holidays are near, 2019 is shortly on the heels of a remarkable digital year. Are you or your clients prepared for 2019? Have all the proper media channels for 2018 been evaluated and considered? Digital spending was up 21.9% in 2018 and is forecasted to grow an additional 18% in 2019. Digital continues to climb, as consumer habits...

Do Video Ads Work For Small Businesses?

Video.  Is it worth the investment to have a video created and include it in your digital marketing?  The answer is yes. In almost every aspect of Digital Marketing, we have seen not only an increase in using video, but an increase in the interaction with digital ads created by businesses. (photo credit: Ad Week) According to SingleGrain: 70% of consumers say...

What is a digital buyer and why are they so important?

Digital Buyers are typically the link between advertiser and media partners. In the marketing world, there are many viable media outlets, however digital is on the constant rise. In 2019 it is projected that digital media will take up 55% of all ad spending. When engaging in digital it is important to make sure you find the best partner with...

Are teenagers leaving Facebook? Should that impact your Ad Spend?

My 14-year-old son refers to Facebook as “Snapchat for Old People” yet he still knows every time I post something on Facebook. Teenagers would like us to believe that Snapchat is life, but is that actually true, and more importantly does it matter for your advertising dollars? According to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, today, roughly half (51%) of...

Digital Ad Spend Surpasses 50% of Total Ad Spending in the U.S.

Earlier this year, eMarketer, Marketing-Interactive, and CNBC  all predicted that digital ad spend would surpass 50% of advertising dollars in the U.S.  Turns out they were right. Currently, according to MAGNA, digital ad spend in the U.S. will surpass 51%, 51.5% to be exact.  That equates to about $160 billion dollars!  That’s a lot of money! Leading the digital ad spend...

Christmas In October?

Most people frown at the thought of thinking about the holiday season now and prefer to wait until after Halloween and Thanksgiving. It makes us cringe when we walk into a home decor or craft store and it is already filled with Christmas trees, lights and aisles of gift wrap and bows in September or even October. BUT, with the...

Is couponing effective on Mobile?

Short answer: no. In fact, it is not just mobile, we have yet to find a digital product that works effectively for coupons. What is the problem with digital coupons on mobile? The main reason digital coupons on mobile fail is that they are just too complicated for most people. Think about how the ads are served. You are on...

IRS Contributes 3rd Party Income Data to Facebook (Example)

As we know, Facebook has been under scrutiny when it comes to their targeting capabilities and what they can/cannot do. Earlier this year, we learned that Facebook was removing many 3rd party categories from their targeting offerings and that they would take effect October 1st, 2018 (link here: https://vicimediainc.com/why-i-love-facebook-collection-ads/). This impacted many categories, including automotive, charitable donations, financial, job role,...

How Does Back to School Impact Automotive Advertising?

They’re making a list and checking it twice. But, it’s not to see who’s naughty or nice. Parents are checking to make sure that a car is now on their Back-to-School list. According to Nielsen Scarborough 22% of households with a child in college are also planning on buying a new or used car during the upcoming year. What does...

Opinion: My Love/Hate Relationship with Google’s “Walled Garden”

As Google has advanced as a search engine, it has rolled out many features aimed at getting users information as fast as possible.  Included in Google’s search engine results are things like the Google Knowledge Graph, which appears if a business has an updated Google Business listing, showcasing information like the address, phone number, business hours, reviews, and even...

New Facebook Feature Great For Prospecting

Facebook has launched a new feature called Info and Ads. This push from Facebook is another step towards their goal of digital transparency that they released late last year. To access this feature, go to Facebook and visit any business Facebook profile page from a computer.  On the left-hand side navigation, underneath the profile image you will see many options like...