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Implementing Media Training with Personnel

Developing a media training protocol is one of the best ways for the company to protect its public image. This allows them to prepare all staff in the event that a member of the media should contact them for an interview. In good times and in moments of crisis, it is important to be prepared to talk to the media. You should prepare yourself and your staff on how to field media calls and questions. That way, you can put your best foot forward in protecting your company’s reputation and sharing its story.

First, identify what members of your staff will serve as spokespersons for your organization. The president or CEO typically fills this role, but it can also be assigned to marketing representatives. Once the spokesperson(s) have been identified, each should undergo media training to learn how to develop and deliver a media message. Always have another key member of your staff do the training as well in the event your spokesperson isn’t available when needed. 

In the media training process, give your team members the opportunity to practice their interview skills using hypothetical situations. This will teach them how to deliver a message containing the key points. 

Interview Tips & Tricks 

•    Keep answers brief and to the point. 
•    Assume the camera or microphone is always on and recording.
•    Speak clearly, concisely, and at a normal level.  
•    Stick to the key message while telling the story. 
•    Be positive and upbeat when appropriate.
•    Act confident, but not overly confident.
•    Only share the facts/basics of the story. Avoid adding unnecessary details that will confuse the message. 
•    Address the audience using language they will understand. Do not use acronyms or industry jargon. 
•    Never speak “Off the record.”
•    Avoid saying “No Comment."

On-camera interviews require additional training. This training will teach the staff how to best present themselves while being interviewed on camera.

Best Practices for On-Camera Interviews

•    Don’t wear stripes, white, black, and bright reds. Avoid wearing distracting patterns. Try to wear solid colors and pastels. 
•    Sit up straight; however, do not appear too stiff. 
•    Remain still. Keep hand movements to a minimum. 
•    Stay calm and focused on your message. 
•    Do move your body a little to avoid looking like a robot. 
•    Answer all questions in a concise manner.
•    Make eye contact with the interviewer as if you are having a normal conversation. 
•    Be sincere and smile when appropriate.

Lastly, develop a media protocol. Outline the trained and approved members of your staff to speak to the media. Also, list the proper steps for when a reporter calls. For example, include questions to ask reporters when they reach out, such as when their deadline is.  

Cork Tree Creative offers different levels of media training ranging from a full-day training session to a shorter session. Both options are designed to prepare you for interacting with the media. We also offer crisis communications services where we step in and serve as the interface between you and the media. Don’t know where to start and exactly what you need for your company's media relations protocol? Contact us at (618) 656-7333 for assistance!

The Business Benefits of TikTok

TikTok isn’t just dances and funny skits; it’s the perfect platform to connect personally with your target audience. With 1 billion users, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms available, meaning the reach and visibility potential could be a massive advantage for businesses. The viral nature of TikTok allows unparalleled opportunity for brand exposure and viewer engagement, unlike other social media platforms that make gaining visibility difficult for smaller accounts.

If you are a business owner, you need to be utilizing TikTok as a marketing and branding tool to reach your business goals! We’ve gathered some of our top tips and tricks to make your business TikTok account more successful!

Harnessing TikTok’s Potential for Business Growth

TikTok marketing is an essential and valuable addition to your marketing plan. Here’s how to incorporate it into your business plan!

How Do I Set Up a TikTok for My Business

 A business account is a public profile allowing businesses to use TikTok’s marketing tools for their strategy. Creating a business account will provide you with templates for content creation, analytics to evaluate your success and a whole arsenal of tools for effective advertising on the app.

To create your TikTok business account:

  1. In the TikTok app, tap profile at the bottom.
  2. Tap the ‘menu’ button at the top.
  3. Choose settings and privacy.
  4. Select ‘Manage Account’
  5. Switch to a business account and follow the instructions to finish!

3 Tips for Using TikTok for Small Businesses

TikTok has a lot of business-boosting potential, but getting started can be intimidating. Here are a few practical tips and strategies to give your business an advantage!

1) Master Trending TikTok Hashtags

Hashtags – everybody uses them, and they help get your content seen on TikTok! Using the right hashtags for your business will boost your visibility and engagement on TikTok. Hashtags ensure that TikTok shows your content to people interested in what you provide. Conduct some research on what hashtags are most relevant to your business, services, and brand image, and consistently use them on every post for maximum reach.

2) Stay Ahead with TikTok Marketing Trends

Leveraging social media trends is a way to ensure that your marketing efforts don’t go unnoticed. TikTok trends are trendy for a reason – everyone watches them! Tailor a specific trend to your brand or product so that anyone watching is exposed to your business. Spend some time seeing what sorts of videos trend, gain the most visibility on the platform, and determine if there is a meaningful way to connect them to your business. Not only will following viral movements result in exposure and engagement, but it can also help companies stay relevant and adapt to evolving consumer preferences.

3) Explore TikTok Advertising Opportunities

TikTok also offers multiple advertising options through the platform for business owners to take advantage of. Through a business account, you can set your own ad budget and target audience and add your content to target potential customers best. A TikTok pixel can be added to your website to track viewer actions, engage previous site visitors, and reach new customers. TikTok provides a host of digital advertising and analytics tools to measure and evaluate your success and change your strategy if necessary. Through TikTok, businesses can leverage these options for ultimate growth, visibility, and engagement.

Hiring a TikTok Marketing Agency

Are you on board with TikTok but unsure of how to effectively make the app part of your marketing plan? Do you have an account but struggle to keep up with trends and content creation? Hiring a good social media marketing agency can make all the difference for your business.

At Cork Tree Creative, our team of social media experts specialize in every aspect of TikTok, from strategy to trends and content creation. Our professionals help businesses thrive on TikTok by providing a unique marketing plan tailored to their services and target audience. If you’re ready to see actual results from your TikTok marketing efforts, contact us today to get started on the path to social media success!

What Is Social Media Marketing?

Everybody knows what social media is – online platforms where people interact, share content and connect. But what exactly is social media marketing? A crucial part of modern communication and marketing strategy, social media marketing utilizes those media platforms to promote a product or service.

Businesses can use social media marketing to share information about their services, engage with current customers, and attract new ones! In a world where a customer’s attention span is short and information moves quickly, social media marketing effectively provides a platform for real-time interaction, building brand awareness, and driving consumer engagement.

Benefits of Marketing on Social Media

There are several benefits of social media marketing to take advantage of! Advertising on social media platforms can help businesses increase brand visibility and awareness, reach a larger audience, and specifically target interested consumers.

Effectively marketing on social media can also have significant financial benefits, including increasing sales and driving website traffic. Not to mention, social media marketing itself can be relatively inexpensive compared to traditional forms of marketing like print or commercial advertising. Creating a social media account costs nothing, allowing businesses to reach a large audience at a fraction of the cost of other advertising options.

Marketing Your Businesses on Social Media

Social media marketing is essential and unavoidable for businesses that want to be successful. Everyone, from consumers to competitors, is present on social media, so utilizing different platforms is crucial to any good marketing strategy. Promoting one’s business through social media ensures a broad audience reach, the opportunity to build customer loyalty through interaction and engagement, and the assurance that competitors don’t have an advantage when it comes to marketing. 

Local social media marketing can be an added advantage to the many benefits social media already provides for businesses. Using social media to advertise locally can provide a stronger connection with the community a company serves, an advanced understanding of the target audience, and help build local brand authority and recognition.

Types of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing can be overwhelming when deciding which strategies are best for a business. Organic content posting refers to free content shared on social media – that is, there was no additional money spent to increase reach or promote the content. On the other hand, paid advertising utilizes paid media to promote a business’s content on a social media channel.

Influencer marketing has always existed, but social media has made this type of marketing more prevalent and accessible. Through influencer marketing, a business will pay a social media user with a large following or influence in their field to promote a particular product or service. When done correctly, influencer marketing can increase brand exposure and build authority for the business.

Social Media Marketing Tools

Yes, social media is intimidating, but tools are available to help businesses get the best results from their advertising efforts.

How To Create a Marketing Plan for Social Media

So, you’re on board with social media marketing. Now, it’s time to make a plan. Creating a social media marketing plan tailored to your business will guarantee the best results. While this plan will look different for each company, there are a few common objectives to keep in mind.

Hiring a Social Media Marketing Agency

Social media marketing can be overwhelming, especially as new trends emerge and technology develops. That’s why working with a social media marketing agency can be a huge advantage for your business! A social media marketing agency will provide you with the expertise, specialized tools, understanding, and guaranteed strategies to help boost your business – not to mention all the time you’ll save by letting the experts take care of your online image.

At Cork Tree Creative, our team of professional social media strategists have unparalleled knowledge regarding which tactics work best for each client we serve. Our job is to create content, spot trends to capitalize on, develop and evaluate communications strategies, and cultivate success in social media marketing. If you’re ready to watch your business thrive in the world of social media, contact us today and let Cork Tree set you up for success!

Benefits of Leveraging Social Media

Social media is an essential and unavoidable part of any good marketing strategy. To be a successful business owner, you need to know how to navigate and utilize social media. While getting started can seem intimidating, the financial and promotional benefits of social media marketing are unparalleled.

Social media offers several advantages for businesses, making it a powerful tool for advertising, customer engagement, and brand promotion. The accessibility and popularity of social media provide unlimited potential for brand visibility and driving sales. Additionally, social media is an invaluable conversion method, enabling your audience to make purchases or take desired action after exposure. With the right social media strategy, you can reach both existing and new customers more efficiently and effectively than ever. Learn our top five tips to leverage social media for your business.

1) Build Brand Awareness

Creating unique content that is on brand with your business and your image will help you craft a strong brand presence online. The use of features like hashtags and consistent posting on social media will increase the recognition of your brand among your target audience. Social media platforms allow even small profiles to trend so anybody can gain visibility online. The more you post, the more opportunities your business has to be noticed by your audience, and the more reliability you build in your industry.

2) Engage With New Customers

Social media provides an opportunity to reach both existing and potential customers, making it an incredibly useful tool for businesses. Building a strong brand presence on social media will inevitably attract new customers for you to begin creating a relationship. Engaging with your audience is crucial to success. Create content that encourages audience interaction and reply to all comments and messages to strengthen your connection with potential customers.

3) Promote Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Consumers turn to social media for guidance and recommendations. A great way to attract new customers while building brand credibility is to feature customer feedback on your business’s social media platform. Promoting positive reviews and testimonials enhances trust and credibility, helps boost your reputation online, and encourages customers to choose your business over others. Showing appreciation for these reviews also proves that you value your consumers and care about the experiences they have with your business.

4) Reach Audiences Through Diverse Social Channels

Social media has multiple opportunities for you to reach your audience. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok all have different features that you can use for your business’s success. It’s important to utilize many of these platforms to expand your reach and connect with a wider audience. Make sure your content is cohesive enough to be recognizable across platforms.

Some platforms are more beneficial for sharing certain content as opposed to others, so it’s essential that you design your content with a specific channel in mind. For example, TikTok is better for sharing short videos, while Instagram prioritizes higher-quality photos. Working with a social media marketing agency can help you strategically plan content uniquely suited for each platform for the best results.

5) Consider Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing can be a great advantage for a business looking to leverage social media. Influencers are opinion leaders and creators with great influence online, and you can utilize their following for your business. Partnering with a social media personality who has authority and an audience similar to yours can boost your brand’s visibility and engagement and drive customers to your site. Industry influencers are available across all types of businesses – if there’s an audience, there’s an influencer!

Does My Business Need to Leverage Social Media?

In today’s marketing environment, leveraging social media is a must to keep up with the competition and connect with your audience. If you’re ready to see your business expand and your marketing efforts rewarded, it’s time to start leveraging social media advertising. There are several considerations to be made when beginning to create a social media strategy for your business. Which platforms to use, what kind of content to create, and how to even get started can be an intimidating process – but it doesn’t have to be!

Working with a social media marketing agency can provide you with the guidance and expertise you need to be successful. An industry leader in social media management and marketing, Cork Tree Creative can help you start crafting a social media plan uniquely tailored to your business and your advertising goals.

What Is SEO in Digital Marketing?

Every website aims to gain visibility and conversions to increase its bottom line. One of the most effective ways to drive traffic and increase conversions is by incorporating search engine optimization (SEO) strategies into your digital marketing game plan.

This is important because, according to research, approximately 75% of internet users will not go past the first Google results page. This means the higher your website ranks, the more likely a user will visit your page and ultimately make a conversion.  

This is easier said than done, as SEO involves multiple factors and requires expertise to be used effectively. Luckily at Cork Tree Creative, our team is trained and experienced in SEO writing and can successfully implement SEO tactics into your website strategy.

What Is Search Engine Optimization?

SEO stands for search engine optimization and is the process of improving a website's placement in search engine results pages (SERPs). To rank on search engine results pages, an author typically writes content that has three primary goals in mind: EAT. EAT stands for expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. So, what does this mean for your content?

Prior to writing, an SEO author conducts extensive keyword research and gets familiar with their target audience. This enables the author to create content that aligns with what their target users are searching for and caters to their user intent. Contrary to popular belief, SEO should not come across as artificial and lifeless but rather empathetic, answering questions that users didn't even know they had. When you hit this sweet spot in SEO content writing, more people engage with your page, and Google recognizes your website's success, gradually pushing it up on the search engine results page. Websites rank higher when the content is easy to locate and read and when it's relevant and corresponds to people's search queries.

Fundamental SEO factors include creating quality content, improving user experience, and on-page optimization for specific keywords. Your website content must include competitive keywords that match your target audience’s search queries. It should also have accurate information so that readers and Google view your website as credible.

On the more technical side, SEO also deals with components, including optimizing page titles, headers, meta descriptions, image alt text, and internal links, all to improve user experience. The user experience involves mobile compatibility and user-friendliness, enabling effortless information retrieval and consumption.

Why Is SEO Important?

Visibility is one of the biggest benefits of SEO because it drives sales and conversions. Marketers who incorporate SEO strategies into their websites increase their search engine rankings and improve their bottom line. Having higher rankings gives your website more branding awareness and traffic. The more people click on your website, the more likely they will convert.

Conversions happen when users do something positive on your website like purchase a product or fill out a form. According to research, 78% of Google searches result in an online conversion. Although paid ads are an easy and effective way to convert, not everyone has the budget for this type of pay-to-play game. SEO is cost-effective for businesses since they generate conversions and boosts their return on investment (ROI).

How to Use SEO For Your Business

To enhance your business's success rate, it's important to utilize different types of SEO, including on-page, off-page, technical, and local SEO. These tactics work together and are crucial for increasing website visibility and sales. Cork Tree Creative has expertise in all types of SEO and can help optimize your website for success.

Our SEO process at Cork Tree starts with understanding the target audience of the business we're working with. We then conduct competitive keyword research to find out which keywords their competitors rank for. Next, we look for relevant and effective keywords that the website can rank for. For example, a large corporation with extensive knowledge may be able to rank for a keyword with 80% difficulty, while a newcomer to SEO may only be able to rank for a keyword with 40% ranking difficulty.

Once we've conducted our thorough keyword research, we begin piecing everything together. We focus on internal links, user intent, empathy, and keywords. Once we've written the content, it undergoes multiple rounds of edits before we upload it to the website. We carefully choose the meta details, such as the SEO title, meta description, and website slug. To increase the page's interactivity, we also include relevant alt text and titles for featured and internal images. Once everything is perfect, we publish the page.

However, publishing the page is not the end of the process. We add the page link to other relevant pages on the website to help users navigate the site. We also create social media posts to drive users to the website and ensure the page remains relevant by updating internal links and copy. These elements are crucial to achieving SEO success.

How to Use Keywords for SEO

Keyword research is a vital aspect of SEO. Picking and using targeted keywords in your content increases your website rankings. Search engines rank keywords that align with words users type into search engines.

We recommend developing content for SEO that matches your keywords and the user’s intent. You want these two things to complement each other. An easy way to find targeted keywords is by using free tools that generate top-rated keywords. Once you have found your keywords, it is important to implement them properly.

This very strategic and technical process involves writing quality content that targets your audience. Since search engines base their rankings on expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, your website should intertwine these three qualities. Craft your website copy with on-page SEO tactics and keyword research for maximized results.

What Is Technical SEO?

SEO is more than just writing; it’s also about user experience. Technical SEO improves the nitty-gritty of SEO, like site speed and loading time. You want your website to be user-friendly and easy for Google to crawl, making it easier for search engines to rank it. Successful technical SEO focuses on improving website user experiences so they stay on the page longer, make a conversion, and recommend the website to others.

With millions of websites on the internet, it is too easy for users to quickly exit a page if they find it hard to navigate. This is why it is crucial to make websites user-friendly so they stay engaged.

Organizing your website’s structure, improving your website’s mobile responsiveness, and increasing your website’s security help improve your website’s technical SEO for higher search engine rankings.

Local SEO Services

Local SEO optimizes websites to rank higher in local Google searches. Any business can benefit from local SEO if it has a physical location or serves a geographical area. Google search engine algorithms consider the user's location when they search local keywords. This happens even when a user doesn’t search “near me.” Optimizing your business for local SEO boosts ROI and visibility.

At Cork Tree Creative, we have the tools, skills, and experience to optimize each SEO type successfully. Our SEO-savvy content writers, web developers, and strategic planning services work together to create effective SEO solutions to drive traffic and improve your website performance.

On-Page SEO Rank Checker Tools

SEO is a complex and technical strategy that takes expertise and knowledge to perfect. SEO rank checker tools allow businesses to track keywords their competitors are ranking for and use similar keywords in their websites. By doing this, companies can increase their search engine rankings and organic traffic.

Having assistance from a marketing agency skilled in search engine optimization writing will help make this intricate process easier. At Cork Tree Creative, we use many SEO tools for different industries that boost their rankings and conversion rates. Your business will benefit from using one of these five tools to increase your website’s SEO.

ChatGPT Checker

ChatGPT, which stands for Generative Pretrained Transformer, is a relatively new AI chatbot that has become increasingly popular. This tool can craft high-quality content on almost any subject. The chatbot will produce natural and conversational language optimized for SEO by giving it a keyword or topic.

With the help of this tool, you can quickly generate content ideas with targeted keywords and save time researching. 

Although this tool is excellent for leveraging AI and SEO into your marketing, it must only be used as a partial replacement. SEO tools are meant to guide writers with analytics and research to improve their rankings and visibility. Even if it can write engaging and creative content, ChatGPT should not solely write your website copy. ChatGPT does not account for biases, cite sources, or fact-check information before producing it.

SEObility

SEObility is an SEO software that helps develop content and optimize websites. This tool provides on-page SEO audits, analyzes backlinks, targets keywords, and tracks rankings. One of the most significant features is that you can monitor your competition’s keyword strategies without them knowing.

While using this tool, you can access an SEO checker that analyzes your site for technical, on-page, and server issues. This SEO rank checker tool will show the meta information, page and link structure, page quality, and external factors affecting your website’s SEO.  

It's important to note that while this information can be incredibly useful, it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of each topic and the best way to implement each suggestion to enhance your SEO rankings. For this reason, we recommend working alongside an SEO marketing firm that can apply these metrics and grow your company’s rankings.

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

The Screaming Frog SEO Spider is an industry-leading website crawler that detects technical SEO issues on small and large websites. Unlike the rest, this tool collects data from on-page SEO elements, like meta descriptions, URLs, title tags, and headings, to give SEO recommendations.

This SEO tool is your best option if competing against more prominent corporate websites. A device that detects broken links, locates redundant content, and finds missing title tags will boost your website’s SEO and rankings. When these simple technical issues are fixed, Google will view your website as more credible and trustworthy and suggest it to users.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is an SEO tool that helps people understand how their website performs based on Google searches. Unlike the other tools, Google owns this software and has a unique perspective since it’s directly from a search engine.

This software allows users to monitor server errors, site load issues, and hacking-related security problems. When these issues arise, Google Search Console explains how to fix them using SEO tactics.

Semrush Tool

Semrush is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers many different functions. It addresses technical issues, assists in writing optimizations, and gives detailed suggestions on receiving higher search engine rankings.

At Cork Tree Creative, we primarily utilize this SEO tool for our digital marketing clients. When we write blogs and website copy for other businesses, we continually optimize for search engine rankings using SEO audits. We use this tool to find keywords for each topic that will boost their SEO.

Our writing team then embeds these targeted keywords throughout their content so company blogs and websites start trending. Working hand in hand with a trusted SEO tool and marketing firm will give you successful results.

Hire an Agency that Utilizes SEO Rank Checker Tools

Although these tools are helpful, if you are unfamiliar with SEO writing and best practices, it is hard to decipher their feedback and how to act. Certain tools are better for specific services and businesses, so partnering with an agency that specializes in SEO will make this process more manageable. Our team at Cork Tree Creative knows how to utilize these SEO tools and use their results to enhance your website and blogs.

On-Page SEO Best Practice Tips

SEO writing is not a one-and-done project. To optimize your work, you must continually update your keywords and utilize different SEO tools. When businesses incorporate on-page SEO into their website copy, it improves their rankings on search engines.

Embedding these SEO best practices increases organic traffic and boosts conversion rates. You can track your SEO website performance with analytical tools like Google Analytics 4 and use it for optimization.

Mastering SEO takes experience and skill, and we recommend using a trusted marketing agency specializing in search engine optimization to see maximum results. At Cork Tree Creative, our writers are adept at writing compelling SEO copy for any industry’s website. Our checklist encompasses the four most important on-page SEO practices we incorporate into each website.

1. Select Targeted Keywords

Finding and using targeted keywords throughout your website will elevate your rankings and visibility. When people search questions on the internet, Google uses those exact or similar words to find information that meets the user’s queries. Adding those specific words and phrases to your website copy will make it easier for Google to find and suggest your website to different users.

Before selecting targeted words, you must understand and develop your website content around these keyword categories. Every keyword is divided into categories based on its length and search volume.

Short keywords are the most competitive and popular because they are so broad, bringing in high search traffic. Mid-tail keywords are three descriptive words that show up in more specific searches. Long-tail keywords are highly descriptive phrases that target a particular client’s need.

Our team can find those trending keywords, determine which type of keyword is best, and optimize them using our SEO tools and industry experience. We work alongside and showcase many businesses by driving their rankings and brand awareness through targeted keywords.

A line graph showing the search volume in comparison with the number of keywords for short-tail, medium-tail, and long-tail keywords.

2. Enhance Your Website Copy

Your website copy should be organized and easy to read so your viewers can quickly find the information they seek. When people search for questions on Google, they want an immediate answer, or they will click on another page. Enhancing your copy with structure, clear paragraphs, short sentences, and simple vocabulary will make it easier for users to read and for search engines to rank your content.

An effective structure guides readers throughout your page, keeps them engaged, and increases conversion rates. We recommend adding headers to create smooth transitions to each topic.

Since most people skim through articles and company blogs, keeping your paragraphs and sentences short and concise allows readers to get information quickly. Start with your main idea, and then segue into the rest of your content.

Ensure your vocabulary is broad enough that anyone reading it can understand, not just someone within your industry. You can easily reach more audiences and higher website rankings with more universal words and content.

Use these tips to address the user’s intent and increase website traffic.

3. Use Keywords in URLs, Meta Tags, and Header Tags

When choosing a name for your web pages, check that you are still optimizing keywords and phrases. Adding keywords to your URLs, meta tags, and header tags makes it easier for Google to rank your website pages higher.

When Google crawls a site for the first time, it gets an idea of your website and services based on the keywords in the URL. If your website has a clunky URL with no primary keywords, it will be harder for Google to interpret, rank, and suggest its content to other users.

We recommend adding one or two keywords to your URL that tell Google how your page should appear in search results. Keep it concise so Google does not view it as spam and use a keyword already used in your page or blog title.

Meta tags are the titles and descriptions that appear on the results page. Search engines use your meta tags to see if the information on your website can answer a user’s question. Have a competitive meta tag under 60 words that make readers choose your website over others and incorporate keywords for SEO.

Header tags are HTML tags that tell a browser how content on a page should be displayed. Keywords in your header tags make it easier for search engines to rank based on their hierarchical structure. It also gives your readers a nice content preview.

Every header tag is written as H1 through H6 and should be strategically placed throughout a page. H1 tags are the dominant header and should relay the content’s main idea. H2 and H3 tags are subheadings that explain more detailed information. H4, H5, and H6 tags are subsections.

4. Write Concise and Descriptive Alt Text

Since Google cannot read images, they rely on alt texts to understand the idea of your website. Adding descriptive alt text to your pictures is vital because, without it, Google will not use it on image searches. Additionally, alt text can be read aloud to blind users on a screen reader, enhancing your website’s accessibility. We recommend keeping your text short and using minimal keywords so it is not cluttered.

On-Page Optimization Services

Utilizing on-page SEO will give your business higher ratings on Google and increase your visibility. With so many different websites and information out on the internet, it is vital to stay competitive by using SEO.

Hiring a professional on-page SEO agency to help with SEO practices and techniques will elevate your website. At Cork Tree Creative, we ensure that your website and blogs continually rank with our search engine marketing services, expertise, and knowledge. Let us find your targeted keywords, write optimized content, and utilize internal links to grow your business.


Let a trusted agency update, review, and enhance your website and copy by using SEO. Cork Tree Creative will ensure that each on-page SEO asset will be executed appropriately.

Why Are Video Marketing Services So Powerful?

According to research by WordStream, 86% of people said they wanted to see more videos from companies, and 68% of consumers preferred learning about a product or service through a video. One of the biggest advantages of using a marketing video is that it utilizes direct-to-consumer (D2C) marketing. D2C marketing allows your business to communicate directly with your customers instead of using a middleman like wholesalers or retailers. Video marketing and D2C blend well because they add a human element to your marketing by directly showing them what they are buying and who is behind the product.

At Cork Tree Creative, we provide strategic planning services that will elevate your business’s visibility. Our team writes relatable and relevant copywriting and creates marketing videos that capture and engage your target audience. Having a trusted marketing agency like Cork Tree Creative makes planning, producing, and executing an effective video simple and easy.

5 Tips for Creating a Marketing Video for Businesses

Many people think that video marketing is only useful for bigger businesses, but it is beneficial for every business. Adding video marketing into your small business’s strategic marketing plan will:

Our team incorporates these elements into our client’s strategic plan to create content that engages your target audience. Hiring a credible marketing agency like Cork Tree Creative will build your brand and deliver results.

Give Your Audience What They Want

Successful video marketing increases sales and brand awareness because people like watching videos. Research shows that people prefer learning about a product or company from a video because it is easier to remember and process information.

A marketing agency like Cork Tree Creative constructs strategic plans and customizes content that resonates with viewers. Our team also creates targeted ads and persuasive content for your video to increase revenue and ensure your audience connects with your brand.

Create a Strategic Marketing Plan

The key to creating a successful marketing video is to have a strategic plan that focuses on your business’s marketing goals. Without knowing your exact target audience and the best video format to use, your efforts may go unnoticed. Using a trusted marketing firm like Cork Tree Creative will make these next steps in the process stress-free.

Tell Your Small Business’s Story

Storytelling is an incredibly effective tool that has the ability to connect emotions with your customers and your brand. Every brand has a unique story that is worth sharing, and incorporating your business's story into your marketing video is an excellent way to showcase your brand's personality and culture. By telling your story, you can create a deeper connection with your audience and establish a more personal relationship with your customers. So why not take advantage of the power of storytelling and let your brand's story shine?

Incorporate Your Customers and Employees

Everyone loves being featured on social media, and including your customers and employees in your marketing strategy is a great way to make your brand more inclusive and personable. In addition, showcasing your target audience strengthens customer loyalty and allows them to be a part of your brand.

Utilize Search Engine Optimization

Using SEO keywords and phrases in your video captions is a great way to increase brand visibility. At Cork Tree Creative, we specialize in SEO writing to broaden your business’s audience and image. Incorporating SEO writing into your copy puts your content higher in rankings on Google, allowing you to compete with similar businesses trying to market the same product or service.

Work with a Video Marketing Agency

We know not everyone is tech-savvy, has the video equipment, or even has the time to film an entire video. Working with a trusted agency and having access to professional videographers can make this whole process stress-free and lead to future savings and revenue. At Cork Tree Creative, our videography team is experienced, and we have the staff and equipment to produce your next marketing video. Ready to take the next step? Connect with us today and discover how our team can help you achieve your goals. With convenient locations in both Edwardsville and St. Louis, scheduling an appointment has never been easier. Let's start your journey together.

Introducing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Migration

Change is just around the corner in the analytics world. In less than a month, Google is officially dissolving Universal Analytics and rolling over to Google Analytics 4. Change can be scary, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and improvement. With the Google Analytics 4 migration, you'll have access to new features that can help you better understand your website or app's performance. One of the most exciting new features is the ability to track cross-device and cross-platform interactions, which will give you a more comprehensive view of user behavior. Additionally, GA4 is designed with privacy in mind, so you can be confident that your data is being collected and used ethically.

Although this change might seem frustrating, there are many advantages and new benefits to the Google Analytics 4 migration. Don't be afraid to embrace this change - it could lead to even greater success for your business. At Cork Tree Creative, we understand the importance of a seamless GA4 migration plan for your business. Our team has a wealth of experience in this area and can provide the expertise you need to make the transition as smooth and efficient as possible. Rest assured that we'll take care of it, so you don't have to worry about your Google account.

Google Analytics 4 vs. Universal Analytics

Many people might be wondering why Google would change its analytics program. A little over 28.1 million websites use Google Analytics, and this number is only projected to grow. Creating an entirely new platform may seem useless, but the new features on Google Analytics 4 will make website tracking more accessible and efficient.

The most significant driving force in creating GA4 is privacy laws. With substantial public concern and awareness about online privacy, along with new regulations like GDPR in Europe and Innovative Perioperative Technologies (IPT), Universal Analytics’ data tracking method is outdated and unethical. In order to continue collecting data through Google, it is necessary for your business to migrate since UA is no longer collecting data. This step is mandatory and will ensure that you are able to continue tracking and analyzing the performance of your website or application.

The main difference between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics is that GA4 can be used on websites and applications. Before GA4, Google Analytics could only track data from websites, and if a website wanted metrics from its app, it had to use a different application like Firebase. The Google Analytics 4 migration collects data from both sources, it makes the analytics’ job much easier.

Aside from this main difference, there are three important updates to the program, which are event-based data, hit type changes, and the ban on cookies. Learn more about these changes and what they mean for your Google Analytics.

Google Analytics 4 Migration to Event-Based Data

Previously, Universal Analytics used session-based data to track website metrics. Now, the Google Analytics 4 migration is using event-based data. The difference between the two is how they follow and label how long someone is active on your page. Universal Analytics grouped all their hits, also known as an interaction, as a session. In GA4, hits are grouped and labeled as an event with a session ID. Each session ends after 30 minutes of inactivity, and sessions transfer over as the same hit after midnight. This means that Google Analytics will be more accurate and comprehensive. Session-based data provided limited information, whereas event-based data tracks touchpoints and articulates the entire customer journey – from start to finish and across multiple devices. This means that your business can stay ahead of your customers’ wants and needs.

At Cork Tree, we specialize in event-based tags and tracking. Our team of experts has years of experience in helping businesses across various industries, such as construction and healthcare, gain a competitive edge over their rivals. Let us help you unlock your full potential and achieve your goals.

Hit Type Changes

A hit is the type of interaction someone has on a website. For example, a hit could be a scroll, page view, or click that Google Analytics tracks. On Universal Analytics, hits were tracked by a hit type, but now they are tracked as an event. Events allow analytics to measure a specific interaction on a website or app. Events can be a user loading a page, clicking a link, or completing a purchase. Changing from hit type to events better aligns with GA4’s event-based data model.

Cross-Device and Cross-Interaction Tracking

UA and GA4 have different approaches to tracking user activity. A major advantage of GA4 is its ability to seamlessly track users across multiple devices and throughout all stages of their engagement. This allows businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their users' behavior and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.

The Ban of Cookies

Many people have privacy concerns with Cookies because it tracks personal information. These concerns influenced Google Analytics 4’s switch from Cookies to Google Tag Manager. Now, GA4 uses Google Tag Manager to follow online users’ behavior and different moves anonymously.  Additionally, Google Tag Manager allows for better customization and control over the tracking process, giving users more transparency and peace of mind.

Migrating to Google Analytics 4

Although this new program is complex and detailed, it only takes a few steps to download. Follow the following steps to switch from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4. We understand that transitioning from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4 might be a challenging task. However, rest assured that Cork Tree has ample experience in this area, and we can provide you with the necessary guidance to make the process as seamless as possible. Our Google Analytics 4 migration services mean our team is here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring that your data is safe and secure.

Create a Google Analytics 4 Account

Before creating your GA4 account, you must sign into your regular Google account or create one if you do not have one. After you are logged into your Google account, find the Google Analytics Homepage, and click on the “Start for free” button.

Here, you will be asked to:

After entering the previous information, click “Create,” agree to GA4’s terms of services, and return to your GA dashboard.

Set Up a Data Stream

Before setting up a data stream for collecting data, double-check that you have selected the correct account name and property.

Next, select the “Web” option and add your domain URL, name your data stream, and select which web protocol you are using.

An additional feature of GA4 is enhanced measurements. You can choose if you want this, or specific things measured in this section by clicking the small “Settings” icon.

Add an Analytics Tag to your Web Pages

To improve the data collection process on your website, you may want to consider enhancing your analytics tag. One way to do this is by adding additional tracking parameters that can provide more detailed insights into user behavior. You can set up an analytics tag using Google Tag Manager or the “G-” ID. You can also integrate your analytics tag with other tools, such as heat maps or session recording software, to gain a deeper understanding of how users interact with your site. Keep in mind that any enhancements you make should be carefully tested to ensure that they do not negatively impact site performance or user experience.

Archiving Your Universal Analytics Data Before July 2023

Google Analytics is discontinuing Universal Analytics on July 1, 2023, so it is time to start getting yourself acquainted with Google Analytics 4. We know navigating this change can be confusing, irritating, and overwhelming, so seeking help from a trusted marketing agency with a Google Analytics 4 certification like Cork Tree Creative. Get in touch with our team to leverage GA4 and understand your analytics.

Why Video Marketing is Vital for Businesses Today

In a world where content is a dime a dozen, your marketing efforts must stand out. Unfortunately, it is too easy to hit delete, swipe away, or click into a different app when we find something boring. This has created a highly competitive market and a push toward producing engaging content.

Luckily, video marketing is one of the best ways to capture your audience’s attention quickly. According to research, people remember 95% of a message in a video but only 10% of a written message. This makes video one of the most engaging platforms because audio and video stimulate multiple human senses and emotions. Audiences want something personable and relatable, and video marketing allows businesses to advertise, tell their story, and show their personality all at once.

Using Video Marketing Tools to Measure Success

Video marketing is a highly influential and powerful tool since it is so prevalent and easily accessible. The average internet user consumes 17 hours of online videos each week, which is projected to rise. To say that video is unnecessary for your business would be a lie. It not only increases sales and revenue, but it also creates trust and loyalty between your customers and your brand. Discover the top four amazing advantages of video marketing that can skyrocket your business's success!

Boosting Conversations

Strategizing to create conversations within your target audience may seem useless, but according to Invesp, word-of-mouth marketing produces over $6 trillion in annual consumer sales and accounts for 13% of consumer sales.

When your brand reaches your customers and makes an emotional connection, they will talk about it. Let your customers advertise and increase your brand awareness. Make sure to end your marketing video with a Call-To-Action to make them want to act and stay connected with your brand. 

Influencing Purchases

Why do people find video marketing more appealing? 65% of the population are visual learners, so it is easier for most people to stay engaged and retain information presented in a video format. Since visuals are stored in our long-term memory, people are more influenced to act on what the video sells or promotes.

Increase Web Traffic

One of the best ways to increase your brand’s visibility and popularity is by incorporating SEO in your marketing video’s caption. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it strategically picks popular keywords and phrases so your content ranks higher on search engines and is more accessible.

Companies that incorporate video on their websites rank 53% higher on search engine results pages. At Cork Tree Creative, we specialize in all SEO services and have the knowledge and expertise to incorporate SEO writing into your business. Hiring a specialized technical SEO agency like Cork Tree Creative will help boost your web traffic.

Increase Sales

When your company uses video marketing, it is easier to reach a specific target audience. We customize every video to fit your business's goals and can incorporate targeted ads and language.

Video builds consumer trust and creates emotional connections so your audience continues to buy from you. According to WordStream, brands that incorporated video into their marketing strategy increased their revenue 49% faster than brands that did not.

Working with a Video Marketing Agency for Maximum Results

Working alongside a video marketing agency can take your business to the next level. At Cork Tree Creative, we showcase our clients’ brands by creating successful marketing videos that connect with their target audience and drive revenue.

Our St. Louis production team has the experience and creativity to create a video to boost your sales and visibility. Contact us today to get started on your new marketing video.

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