So, here's what we're thinking...

You don’t need to be told this, especially because you are currently reading a blog on an electronic device, but we are living in a digital world! When it comes to marketing and advertising, your messages are best received when you meet people where they’re at. These days, they are undoubtedly online. We’re not saying burn all print publications, turn off your radios, and get rid of your TV. However, when it comes to advertising, if you want to get the most bang for your buck, the digital space is the place to go. If you haven’t thought beyond traditional media yet, now is the time to add some new types of ads to your repertoire.

It can be hard to keep up with all the free features Instagram offers because of how quickly the platform updates these days. Never fear! We’ve identified which ones you should familiarize yourself with, and why. Below is some bite-sized information about each worthwhile Instagram feature to get you started…

It’s hard to believe that Instagram has been around for a decade! At this point, being present on the platform has proven to be very worthwhile for brands, especially if one of their goals is to increase social media engagement. Instagram generates four times more interactions than Facebook!

You don’t have to be a marketer to know that video is the current king of content. According to a 2020 study by Wyzowl, people share videos at twice the rate than any other form of content. This same study found that 84% of people were convinced to buy a product or service based on a branded video.

Did you know that over 50% of all consumers above the age of 12 listen to podcasts? Maybe you're a listener yourself! But why exactly has this content format become so popular? 

Did you know that email delivers an astounding 3,800% ROI, making it one of the most effective marketing tools? Despite the emphasis modern marketers put on other digital tools, such as social media platforms, email has proven that it will stand the test of time. In fact, 78% of marketers saw an increase in email engagement in 2019, and that was before the overall use of digital communication channels increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the rumors you may have heard, email marketing isn't dead. How do we know? Because it continues to prove its ability to deliver measurable results. According to Forbes, email marketing delivers the highest ROI of all marketing channels – $42 back for every dollar you spend.

Have you ever been stuck in a one-sided conversation with someone who won’t stop talking about themselves? We’re willing to bet you have. Isn’t it the worst?

Do you ever hang up a Zoom call and think, “Wow, I’m exhausted?” That can be a hard thought to come to terms with. Many of us used to live much more active lifestyles than we do now, so why is a conversation over video chat draining our energy? Believe it or not, Zoom fatigue is a real thing with actual scientific causes!

Have you ever seen a post about a product that convinced you to press “add to cart” only to realize it was a friend who had shared this compelling content to social media? That’s UGC! User-generated content, or UGC for short, is brand related and voluntarily created/shared by said brand’s customers. This content can take the form of images, videos, blogs, podcasts, and more. UGC is incredibly authentic because it is usually created in the exact moment that a customer has been made happy by a product or service. It shows an individual’s genuine appreciation for a brand, meaning any claims made about the product/service are likely to be credible.