Hand picked and summarized articles that got our attention this month. Updated regularly throughout the month.
But first, let's laugh a bit!
Here's the ideal walk-in closet for girls ... and guys!
5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond
In this article, the key SEO content strategies for 2024 include focusing on experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) in content creation, understanding the type and placement of content based on user engagement and search intent, and customizing content for specific platforms to align with their unique characteristics and audiences.
Most Enterprise Marketers Are Using AI in Their Email Campaigns
In this article, nearly 60% of enterprise-level marketers employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their email marketing to varying degrees, marking a notable increase from the previous year's 26%. Main applications of AI include content personalization, email retargeting, and subject line optimization. Marketers express strong positivity towards AI's impact on email marketing, though customer privacy and data quality remain concerns.
RELATED: What Can AI Do for SMBs?
CMOs Less Likely to See Barriers to Sustainability
In this article, research highlights a growing alignment among Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) globally regarding the importance of societal and environmental responsibility. A significant 78% of senior marketers, including 94% in the US, believe brands should embody ethical or socially conscious purposes. This shift is partly driven by consumer preferences, with 81% of respondents foreseeing a fundamental business pivot in response to climate change, aligning with the 80% of consumers more likely to support companies practicing sustainable advertising.
CHECK OUT: Our Sustainability Content
These Industries Are Expected to Be the Biggest Spenders on Ads Next Year
In this article, global ad spending is predicted to increase by 8.2% in 2024, exceeding $1 trillion for the first time. Political ad spending will skyrocket by 503.9%, while Non-Profits, Financial Services, Technology & Electronics, Pharma & Healthcare, and Telecoms & Utilities are also expected to see significant growth. However, the Transport & Tourism industry is forecasted to reduce its ad spending by 4.4% next year. The Retail sector will remain the highest spender, despite a minor decrease of 0.1% in its ad budget.
Facebook Deemed to Deliver Highest ROI for SMBs
In this article, a survey reveals that Facebook is not only the most utilized social platform by SMBs but also offers the highest ROI. About 68.5% of SMBs plan to advertise on Facebook in the upcoming year. Email marketing remains a strong channel, with 66.2% of SMBs intending to use it, while direct mail is chosen by 60.3%. These three channels—Facebook, email, and direct mail—are perceived as the top ROI drivers. The article also highlights challenges like budgets and lead generation and emphasizes the value of referrals and audience targeting for SMBs.
Facebook Changes That Affect Marketers
In this article, recent changes on Facebook that impact marketers are explored. Key updates include Meta's Q2 2023 earnings showing growth in users and ad impressions, but a decline in ad prices. Facebook is also targeting inactive groups, prompting concerns among group admins. Additionally, in compliance with the EU's Digital Services Act, Facebook and Instagram users in Europe can now switch off personalized feeds. Lastly, Meta's Ads Library now allows businesses to search for branded content campaigns, providing insights into competitor partnerships and influencer marketing strategies.
Bing AI: Exploring Bing Chat, an AI-Powered Search Engine
In this article, Microsoft introduces an AI-powered update to its search engine, Bing, utilizing OpenAI’s GPT-4 model. This enhancement allows users to interact with Bing in a chat format, offering AI-generated responses. The article details three main features: Bing Chat, an in-browser chatbot; Bing AI SERP Features, which integrate AI-generated content into search results; and Bing Image Creator, using DALL-E 2 technology to produce images from textual prompts. These advancements signify a transformative shift in search engine capabilities and user experience.
WhatsApp Launches Topic-Based Channels in More Regions including Canada and the U.S.
In this article, WhatsApp expands its Channels feature, initially launched in Colombia and Singapore, to 150 more regions. Channels, a one-way broadcast service, allows users to follow topics of interest within the app, separate from regular chats. This feature positions WhatsApp as a real-time news and information service. The updates in Channels last for 30 days to keep information current. Additionally, WhatsApp introduces an enhanced Channels directory, offering users a variety of organizations, sports teams, and thought leaders to follow, aiming to capitalize on the shift towards direct messaging.
SEO scalability: We have a problem
In this article, the intricacies of utilizing generative AI for SEO scalability are delved into. While the advancements in AI present promising avenues for content creation, there's a growing concern about its unchecked use. Over-reliance on AI might compromise content quality and authenticity. The article underscores the critical role of human oversight in ensuring the relevance and accuracy of AI-generated content. Moreover, it highlights the debate among SEO experts about the true value and efficiency of AI in content strategies.
SMBs Struggling with Customer Acquisition; Hope to Improve Social Media Marketing Skills
In this article, the challenges small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face in acquiring new customers are detailed. A significant portion of SMBs, particularly those with 1-9 employees, find it challenging to attract new customers. The study indicates a growing interest among SMBs to enhance their social media marketing skills as a strategy to address this issue. Additionally, while there are concerns about data security and the costs associated with implementing AI and automation technologies, many SMBs believe these tools can be beneficial in the long run by saving time and money. Listen to my thoughts below.
Meta is Developing its Own LLM to Compete with OpenAI
In this article, Meta's endeavor to create a new Large Language Model (LLM) to compete with OpenAI's GPT systems is discussed. The company aims to leverage its substantial data and resources to develop AI tools that can generate human-like expressions, enhancing services such as text analysis. The project, which is a part of Meta's broader strategy to dominate the AI space, is expected to kickstart the training of the new system in early 2024, with the deployment details still under wraps.
Top 10 Social Media Trends
In this article, the latest trends shaping the social media landscape are outlined, emphasizing the critical role they play in contemporary marketing strategies. Key trends include the growing preference for live video content, the integration of chatbots on social platforms, and the evolving dynamics of influencer marketing with a tilt towards micro influencers. The article also touches upon the increasing utilization of augmented reality features, the significance of user-generated content, and the rise of ephemeral content in enhancing authenticity. It encourages marketers to leverage these trends to foster engagement and grow their brand.
Generative AI vs. Predictive AI: The Power of Intelligent Algorithms
In this article, the differences between generative and predictive AI are explored. Generative AI creates new content based on existing data patterns, aiding in artistic and design fields with tools like ChatGPT and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Predictive AI, leveraging historical data to forecast future outcomes, finds applications in finance, healthcare, and more, helping in areas such as market analysis and disease detection. The piece delineates the unique benefits and applications of each, showcasing their revolutionary impact on various industries.
How the Instragram Algorithm Works in 2023
In the article, readers are guided on optimizing their Instagram strategies according to the 2023 algorithm updates. The algorithm now operates distinctly across different features like Reels, Stories, and the Feed, each having unique ranking signals based on user engagement and content popularity. The article underscores the importance of understanding these signals to enhance content visibility. It suggests experimenting with various content formats, collaborating with other creators, and ensuring the originality of content to effectively engage the audience and leverage the algorithm's capabilities.
Three quarters of marketers’ positive outlook holds steady amid rapid digital acceleration
The article discusses a survey by Econsultancy showing that 76% of marketers maintain a positive outlook amidst rapid digital acceleration and economic uncertainties. This optimism is fueled by a focus on technological innovations, with a majority foreseeing a greater role for new technologies in the coming years. The survey, involving 835 global marketers, indicates a trend towards investing in employee skills and adapting to the phasing out of third-party cookies. It portrays a future where agility and technological adoption are pivotal.
7 Killer Sales Techniques Designed For Beginners
The article guides newcomers in the sales industry through seven fundamental techniques to enhance their skills and foster business growth. It underscores the importance of understanding the audience's level of awareness and addressing their primary concerns to build strong relationships. The piece introduces the concept of a sales funnel, a tool to automate the sales process and guide prospects effectively. It also highlights the critical role of follow-ups and the potential of leveraging affiliate marketing to boost sales, serving as a rich resource for beginners.
"You're Dead in 18 Months or Less": Scott Galloway on the Future of CMOs
The article discusses Scott Galloway's perspective on the future of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs). Galloway warns that CMOs could become obsolete in less than 18 months if they continue to focus solely on advertising. He urges them to adapt and broaden their strategies to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving market landscape. The piece suggests that CMOs should leverage new opportunities and platforms to ensure sustainability and growth in their roles, moving beyond traditional advertising approaches to embrace a more holistic strategy that encompasses various aspects of the business.
Why Hire a Fractional Marketing Director?
The article discusses the benefits of hiring a fractional marketing director, a part-time role that offers a blend of strategy and hands-on work, serving as a cost-effective alternative to a full-time position. Ideal for companies with revenues ranging from $500K to multi-millions, these professionals can handle tasks such as CRM leveraging and event planning. The piece suggests this approach can be particularly beneficial for science sector businesses, but urges companies to assess their marketing demands realistically before choosing this option.
Why the Death of Cookies Will Make Online Advertising Better
In the article titled "Why the Death of Cookies Will Make Online Advertising Better", the impending phase-out of third-party cookies by 2024 is discussed as a positive shift for the marketing industry. The article suggests that the absence of cookies will enhance the customer experience, making advertising less data-driven and more customer-centric. Brands will need to adopt a more intentional approach to data collection, focusing on first-party data. This change will foster better customer relationships, emphasizing personalization and long-term engagement over mere data points.
X’s brand safety efforts called into question (again) as MRC and TAG credentials hang in the balance
In the article titled "X’s brand safety efforts called into question (again) as MRC and TAG credentials hang in the balance", X (formerly known as Twitter) faces scrutiny over its brand safety measures. Despite efforts to enhance brand safety, including partnerships with Integral Ad Science (IAS) and DoubleVerify, challenges persist, partly due to internal changes and the departure of key brand safety team members. X's Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation has been delayed, and its Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) certification is under review. Concerns about X's commitment to brand safety have led to a decline in advertiser trust and reduced ad revenue.
How to Capture More Qualified Leads With Facebook Ads
In the article titled "How to Capture More Qualified Leads With Facebook Ads", the focus is on optimizing Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns to generate higher quality leads. The piece introduces Facebook Instant Forms and conditional logic as tools to automatically filter out unqualified prospects. The article emphasizes the benefits of Meta's Instant Forms for middle-of-funnel objectives and highlights new features rolled out in 2023. It provides a step-by-step guide on using conditional logic, setting up dynamic forms, and A/B testing for optimal results. The goal is to attract prospects more likely to convert into customers.
The Top 9 Marketing Trends to Look for in 2023
In the article titled "The Top 9 Marketing Trends to Look for in 2023", the emphasis is on the importance of staying ahead in the marketing domain by understanding and leveraging upcoming trends. The article highlights nine key trends for 2023, including the rise of live video streaming, the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, the significance of micro-influencers, the continued relevance of content marketing, targeting Generation Z, the importance of consumer personalization, the heightened need for privacy protection, LinkedIn's dominance for B2B marketing, and the role of interactivity in email marketing.
All social media apps collect user data but Threads is king
In the article titled "All social media apps collect user data but Threads is king", new research reveals that Threads, a microblogging platform owned by Meta, is the least protective of user privacy among social media sites. The study, conducted by Home Security Heroes, indicates that Threads and Instagram are the worst platforms for personal user privacy. Threads reportedly collects data related to health, finances, contacts, and more. The platform also gathers 50% more personal user data than its competitor, Twitter/X. Despite the vast data collection, Threads has seen a significant drop in user engagement recently.
About the Author
Chris Herbert spearheads Mi6 Agency, emphasizing small business growth and entrepreneurship. On the agency's blog, he offers practical marketing insights and solutions to unique challenges faced by businesses. Herbert advocates for sustainable and responsible growth. His "Rural Entrepreneur Podcast" extends this mission, providing essential advice and experiences for entrepreneurs. He adopts a comprehensive approach, focusing on building sustainable businesses, community engagement, and active participation in entrepreneurial ventures.
