The old saying “it gets worse before it gets better” seems to be playing out on the international stage in the wake of the Coronavirus epidemic. With experts now predicting that the virus will begin to die off in June, people continue to hold out as cases rise in some parts of the world, while falling in others. It’s obvious that COVID-19 is hitting its apex, and once the hardest period is over, things will start going back to normal.

In the meantime, you’re probably thinking about the long-term well-being of your company, your employees and your brand image. Digital marketing never stops, and it can be used not only to keep your company strong during the height of this pandemic, but after the danger has passed. Here’s a few things to remember.

Pay-Per-Click Works

With millions of people stuck in limbo as businesses remain in shutdown, more are at home surfing the web, checking the news and doing a little light shopping. Now’s the time to engage them with pay-per-click advertising methods. As PPC rates continue to drop during the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s a smart move to save money and get your company’s name out there for everyone to see. A reduction in competition during the lockdown era is an opportunity for your company to take advantage, and outpace your rivals.

Use SEO To Stay Ahead

Being at the top of search engine results is vital on a good day. Think how much more important it is during a crisis! By utilizing SEO at this time, you can remain relevant and high ranking in search results, which is a vital cog in the marketing scheme of your overall business plan. The last thing any company wants is to neglect this avenue, only to drop in ranking once the crisis has passed. Many companies are making the mistake of putting the brakes on their SEO campaign altogether, while Coronavirus runs its course. In reality, it should be the opposite. Don’t make the mistake of losing your SEO footing, or it could have detrimental effects later on. Remember the old saying “Out of sight, out of mind,” and keep it at the forefront of your thoughts.

Prepare For The Recovery

When COVID-19 passes within the next few months, we may see the most incredible economic bounce-back in history, driven largely by consumers who have been pent-up in their homes for what feels like an eternity. They’re going to want a return to normalcy, and with that comes purchasing power. Plan well enough in advance to account for a boom in customer spending, and don’t forget things like sales campaigns, Welcome Back offers, or flexibility in your services. When this is all over, you don’t want to be caught with an influx of business that you didn’t prepare for!

Keep Your Messaging Positive

It should go without saying that you should never capitalize on the fear and uncertainty revolving around COVID-19. Not only is it immoral, but it will speak untold negative volumes about your company’s ethics and reputation. Your brand messaging should be positive, inspiring and encouraging at all times. This is the right climate in which to engage your customer base on a human level, rather than a corporate one. Talk to them as if they were your neighbor, rather than a paying customer, and remind them that things are going to be Okay.

Tie Up Any Loose Digital Marketing Ends

Before COVID-19 hit, you may have had plans to work with your digital marketing agency on particular weak points, but never had the time. That time has now come. Before the recovery kicks in, take advantage and give yourself a few weeks with your digital marketing agency to patch anything up that needs work. This could include website optimization, your Email marketing strategy, or even a video ad. The trick here is to identify the things you wanted to fix before the virus hit, and amalgamate those fixes with an updated strategy that will put your company ahead of the pack once the virus is gone. For instance, an update to your website could strengthen its weak points, while also giving you a chance to implement that Blog section you’ve been meaning to add. Your first article? It could be a positive message to your customers after the danger has passed, which sets a great precedent moving forward.

One thing is certain – Coronavirus has hit its peak. We’re seeing the worst of it right now, but the numbers will drop in the coming weeks before there’s a return to normalcy. The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for a long time, but with the right digital marketing strategy, your company can recover faster, easier and with less stress than your competitors. For more information on how the right digital marketing strategy can aid you during the Coronavirus outbreak, please contact us today.

The digital age has given rise to teams who quite often work remotely as part as a large whole. This isn’t simply an issue of convenience. It’s a method by which digital marketing companies can access a much broader and more diverse pool of skilled workers. Some digital marketing firms are largely made up of workers collaborating across the country, or even around the world.

In fact, digital marketing agencies are one of the prime candidates for remote teams, simply because it allows them to maintain their level of service 24/7, without a drop in quality. The recent outbreak of Coronavirus has the world on edge, and while many markets and industries are being affected, your digital marketing agency is probably weathering the storm quite well.

Think for a moment about the advantages for your business. With no lull in service or delivery quality, your digital marketing agency is always on call to help you deal with the fallout of a situation like the Coronavirus epidemic. In the coming weeks, the outbreak will begin to taper off as certain measures begin yielding a drastic reduction in new cases. An economic bounce-back is practically guaranteed, which means companies will need to ramp up their workloads in order to get back to a normal routine. In the meantime, your digital marketing agency plays a vital role not only in managing your reputation during this crisis, but preparing you for when it eventually comes to an end.

Consider the many moving parts of a digital marketing agency. Account reps, website devs and content writers are just a few cogs in the machine, but each one works within a digital space. In our age of ultra high-speed internet and a plethora of team management apps, it’s never been easier for a digital marketing agency’s employees to coordinate remotely, without missing a beat. Facetime, Skype and Google Hangouts make it easy for project leads to set up regular meetings and stay on top of current projects. Digital delivery of finished products is a breeze, thanks to website servers, business Cloud storage and other mediums.

The world may have slowed during the Coronavirus outbreak, but your digital marketing agency has not. They realize the importance of communication between your company and your clients, and their job never ends. That’s a good thing, not just for them, but for your company as well. A digital marketing agency can show you how to turn a negative into a positive, and spin the Coronavirus situation into an opportunity to spread a little cheer once it all goes away. As market certainty rebounds, so too will the economic engine begin picking up steam.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that three-quarters of Americans believe remote workers are just as, if not more productive than office workers. Make of this what you will, but it does lend credence to the notion that a digital marketing agency can easily maintain its level of service and quality through any situation. They have the tools, the experience and the know-how to stay on top of things, even when the team has been separated. Technology has evolved to a point where we’re one step away from virtual conference rooms, which means the future of digital marketing is going to get even better; a definite boon for businesses!

It’s also great for the employees, as well. Remote workers report a happier health/life balance, and feel the company both trusts and cares about their well being. Happier employees translates to better work, and greater quality for you, the customer. Plus, the advantage of a digital marketing agency having access to such a wide range of talent can only spell great things for everyone. It’s a win/win, right across the board.

To summarize, you shouldn’t worry that your digital marketing agency will be affected negatively by Coronavirus, or any other troublesome event. They’re ready to go when you are, and while the world struggles to get a stable foot-hold, they can show you ways to prepare for that recovery period, and the benefits still yet to come! If you’d like more information on how digital marketing agencies operate, and how they can be of benefit to you, we invite you to get in touch with us today. We’ll be happy to work with you.

Digital marketing is all about leveraging the online landscape to drive visitors and growth towards your business.  This might seem easy, but it’s actually a highly complex process with a lot of moving parts.  That being said, there’s no reason to fear venturing into the digital marketing space, provided you know a few things!  Let’s take a look at 10 tips for creating your next killer digital marketing campaign!

#10) User Experience Trumps Everything

Ask your digital marketing agency to evaluate your website’s UX (user experience) value, and you’ll probably learn a few humbling things.  Take heed – this is not a bad thing!  While nobody likes to have their flaws pointed out, it’s wise to acknowledge them so that you can grow.  Digital marketing agencies can identify the weak points of your website, most notably when it comes to user experience.  They’ll target portions of your site that take too many steps to perform an action, or a menu system that isn’t intuitive.  They examine the entire process from start to finish, to determine how best to optimize your site.  Sometimes this can mean a few tweaks, while other times it involves crushing your current site and starting from scratch.  Remember, there’s no such thing as a “good” or “bad” website – only functional, and non-functional. 

#9) Figure Out Your Market

Moving forward with a digital marketing strategy means acknowledging a simple truth – you cannot target everyone.  It’s wise to identify your target demographic, and create a campaign that will appeal to them directly.  The key to a good digital marketing campaign is being able to identify your target audience, while still attracting secondary clientele.  For instance, if you’re in the food business, it may not be advantageous to target car companies, but what about event venues?  Try to identify who else might be interested in your business besides your primary core market.

#8) Identify Your Budget

If the law of diminishing returns is any indication, there comes a time when a return on your investment isn’t enough to justify the amount of money you are investing into the action.  In the case of digital marketing, spending more money might lead you to think you’re reaching a wider audience, but it’s more important to focus on how you’re reaching them.  Staying strategic is paramount to maxing out the value of your budget, which will yield a greater ROI.  Your digital marketing agency can show you these results with regular reports, so you know exactly where your money is having the best impact, and where you can afford to pull back.

#7) Attack The Campaign From Many Different Angles

Many companies who don’t understand digital marketing will believe that one or two channels are all that’s necessary to focus on, in order to build brand awareness.  In truth, a strong digital marketing strategy is a web of many elements that must work harmoniously in order to generate the right ROI.  If you’re in B2B, then don’t advertise B2C.  If you’re neglecting Email campaigns, then make sure to rectify the situation.  A digital marketing agency will be able to coordinate all these elements at once, and execute the marketing strategy at your command.

#6) Focus On Ads

Yes, social media ads are still a great way to get your name out there, and this method of distribution shows no signs of slowing down.  Facebook and Google Ads are two of the heavy hitters here, but don’t neglect Twitter and Youtube.  If you’re in the entertainment field, it pays to have a YouTube or Vimeo channel to showcase your work and drive engagements.  One thing companies should remember is to create dynamic, interesting content.  Often times, this is where they trip up.  A digital marketing agency has access to graphic designers, videographers and social media ad experts who know what works, and what doesn’t.  You might wish to put this job in their hands.

#5) Maintain Your Reputation

If you have social media profiles online, they should be cleaned up and kept consistent.  This means the same look and feel across all the major platforms.  One mistake companies make is neglecting certain channels over others, which can create a sense of detachment and sloppiness on the part of the visitor.  The strength of your reputation means checking all the boxes so you look your best at all times.  Strike outdated info from your social media profiles, and stay current.  This is especially important when it comes to contact information!  Some platforms are more advantageous than others when it comes to certain things.  For instance, a LinkedIn account focuses more on the professional merits of a company and its staff, while Facebook or Instagram are better suited for sharing company culture and brand awareness with your audience.

#4) Remarket, And Remarket Again

A digital marketing agency will be able to deliver real-time results that let you see tangible data on who your visitors are, where they’re coming from, and what pages they’ve browsed on your website.  By analyzing hot-spots on your website, they can determine if a potential customer showed up, clicked on something, yet still navigated away from your page.  Remarketing is a great way of dropping a gentle reminder on your visitors to let them know that you’ve noticed their presence.  This has proven to be an excellent tool to drive sales, and increase company reputation.  Retail websites often employ cart abandonment emails which identify what a customer has placed into their cart, but didn’t end up buying.  If this item goes on sale, it could pay to send an Email so they’re aware.

#3) Create Rich, Organic Blogging Content

When done correctly, blogging can drive up your company’s reputation and “sell without selling.”  Many companies mistake blogging as a sales platform to push a company’s wares or services.  In truth, blogging is one of the most “human” parts of your website, and it speaks directly to your customers in a friendly, down-to-earth manner that puts them at ease.  The trick with blogging is to focus on relevant topics that your customer base might find interesting.  This could be a technological development within your field, or an organic list of tips and tricks they might find informative and entertaining.  The emphasis should be on friendly conversation, as opposed to selling yourself.  The former will lead directly to the latter.

#2) Less Is More

Many companies who decide to take on their own digital marketing often bite off way more than they can chew.  They open up a ton of social media accounts, create a LinkedIn profile, a YouTube page, and then have trouble managing it all.  While enthusiasm is great, it’s rarely effective without some strategic planning to go along with it.  A digital marketing agency recognizes that not every social media platform is going to suit every company.  Indeed, it pays to focus on just a handful of platforms as you start out, where you can focus your time and money to build your reputation. Let your digital marketing agency decide the best platforms for your company.  The result will be greater growth, in less time.

#1) Decide What You Want To Accomplish

Before you decide to move forward with a digital marketing strategy, you’re going to have to actually focus on being strategic.  Be sure you understand what you actually want to accomplish.  Many companies see only the coveted #1 spot on a Google search list, but what about the strength of your social media presence, or good ROI on your Email campaigns?  This is where hiring a digital marketing agency comes in handy.  If you communicate your desired goals, the agency will understand how best to move forward to achieve them.

At Operatio Marketing, we know digital marketing inside and out, which is why we’d love to talk to you!  If you’re looking to expand your company’s reach, reputation and success in the digital realm, contact us today, so we can discuss your goals!

Choosing a great digital marketing agency is tough!  There’s a lot to choose from, and not all are alike!  Finding a great digital marketing agency in Toronto is like finding a great mechanic.  Once you do, grab them and hold on!  That’s why it’s important to know what to look for in any agency that you’ll be trusting with your company’s reputation!  Here’s 5 key things to look for if you’re seeking a Toronto-based digital marketing agency.

#5) KNOW YOUR NEEDS

You can’t even begin to look for a online marketing agency unless you know your own needs.  That means analyzing your company goals so you’ll be prepared to walk into a meeting and lay your cards on the table.  For instance, many companies don’t understand the difference between SEO, paid advertising and social media marketing.  Some agencies focus on just one of the three, while others can tackle all at the same time.  Regardless, it’s important to do a bit of research so that you can narrow down your short-list of digital marketing agencies before you start driving all around the Toronto area.  You don’t have to be a seasoned digital marketing expert to move forward, however.  Sometimes it’s as simple as identifying your desired goals over a period of time.  Let the marketing agency know where you are, and where you eventually want to end up.  It’s their job to carve out a clear roadmap that can lead you towards that goal.

#4) KNOW YOUR INDUSTRY

A common misconception is that digital marketing agencies are a one-size-fits-all solution.  In fact, many online marketing agencies realize the importance of narrowing their services to a specific range of industries where they possess a lot of experience.  Knowing the market is vital for achieving excellent results, and an agency can’t do that if they’re flying by the seat of their pants.  Most online marketing agency websites will tell you what industries they have the most experience with, and that can save you a lot of time.  If you’re a mid-sized automotive company operating out of the Vaughan area, there’s no sense setting up a meeting in busy downtown Toronto with a high-rise agency that caters to major international restaurant chains.  Choose the right digital marketing agency that caters specifically to your world, and your needs.  This will establish a great working relationship that helps both sides grow and succeed.

#3) PROMISES, PROMISES

Beware of digital marketing agencies that promise you instant success and the entire world on a silver platter.  The truth is that digital marketing involves constant evaluation of both your company and your overall industry.  A great marketing agency will keep its ear to the ground when it comes to shifting trends.  It will analyze the data and determine whether your online marketing campaign needs a few course adjustments to remain optimized at all times.  There’s no single-set solution to any online marketing initiative.  Industries are constantly evolving and growing day by day.  Even something as simple as color trends can have a massive impact on your company’s marketability.  This is why it’s beneficial to work with a digital marketing agency that will eliminate this guesswork for you, and gladly take on the challenge of making sure your campaigns are up to par, all the time.  They will also provide you with tangible, real-world results in the form of weekly and monthly reports and data sheets that will track your progress and help identify any areas in need of improvement.  Talk is cheap.  Results take effort!

#2) SIZE DOESN’T MATTER

Some might think that a smaller online marketing agency will be less effective than a larger one.  In many cases, the opposite is true.  A small digital marketing company with 3-5 employees can end up being a better fit for your company than a large one with 300 employees.  This will vary depending on your company and your industry of course, but it’s important to take note of.  Even if a particular digital marketing agency doesn’t offer video production, they may work hand-i

n-hand with a video company that can be contracted out to create your next campaign ad, and there are plenty of those in the Toronto area.  When finished, it’s up to your online marketing agency to apply it across your marketing channels to maximize impact.  Never think that a smaller company lacks versatility.  More often than not, flexibility is one of their key advantages!

#1) ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS

Don’t be afraid to pummel a prospective marketing agency with a ton of hard questions!  That’s what the first initial meeting is for, so you can get a feel for the agency and determine whether you’ll enjoy a great working relationship.  The right marketing agency will be confident enough to take all your questions and provide honest answers with key points to back them up.  They also won’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” to some of your tougher questions, rather than lie to you in an attempt to court favor.  Working with a digital marketing agency means moving forward together, as a team.  The agency should be enthusiastic about attaching itself as part of your company team, to work alongside you and generate results.  You’ll be an active participant in this process, as well.  While the agency is there to take you to the next level, it’s no fun if you aren’t there to share in the rewards!

At Operatio Marketing, we love working with our clients in a down to earth, positive way that fosters trust and a great working relationship.  If you’re ready to move your company forward in the digital marketing space, we invite you to reach out to us so we can get to know you, your company, and where you’d like to go in 2020!

Digital marketing is a field packed with players serving a huge assortment of clientele across every conceivable industry.  It’s inescapable at this point, and a key factor in growing your business while achieving success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.  As a client, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting the right digital marketing agency to handle your business’s online affairs.  However, along with all that choice comes difficulty when you need to identify the best of the best.  Today we’re going to look at the Top 5 things you should look for when choosing which digital marketing agency to work with.

#1) ADAPTATION

It’s vital that your digital marketing agency stays on top of the latest trends within the ecosphere to guarantee you’re getting your money’s worth.  Search engines such as Google routinely update their algorithms, standards and practices when it comes to the digital marketing space, and the last thing you want to deal with is an agency that never got the memo.  Not adapting to these updated standards creates a gigantic risk that can have a detrimental effect on your business.  The best digital marketing agencies keep their ears to the ground, and remain active participants when it comes to changes in the digital landscape.  Not only does it suit their goals, but the goals of their clients as well.  There’s no room for outdated or bare-minimum thinking.  The lawless days of the budding digital marketing landscape are long gone, which means today’s agencies must always stay at the top of their game.

#2) COMMUNICATION

It may seem like a data-driven industry, but the world of digital marketing is a far more human affair than it first appears to be!  Today’s online climate is a social space, and that’s reflected across the board in everything from company culture to philanthropic efforts.  Being able to communicate your company’s message into the digital world requires equal parts finesse and humanism.  The best digital marketing agencies employ talented people who are born communicators and electronic diplomats.  They can disseminate information into the social space through engaging advertisements, entertaining blog content and highly effective video production.  Organic content is no longer simply recommended.  It’s now a hardline requirement for any business looking to grow their online presence and create a buzz among its customer base.  Organic content requires highly imaginative organic thinkers to produce top-notch material which will resonate with your target audience.

#3) QUANTIFICATION

The best digital marketing agencies live by a simple rule – “Talk is cheap.”  Every business needs to see where their money is going, and what impact it’s making when it comes to ROI.  That means quantifiable results from the digital marketing agency handling their affairs.  By staying on top of your company’s online presence each day, a digital marketing agency can provide you with with weekly and monthly reports detailing the amount of money spent, and the net effect.  They can make on-the-fly suggestions to switch up your marketing campaigns to focus on more successful parts, as opposed to less.  They will walk you through a vast assortment of data to prove the value of their work in a transparent manner.  After all, their reputation is on the line, as well as that of your company.  The best digital marketing agencies sport a proactive attitude that reflects in the quality of their work.  Make sure that your digital marketing agency can quantify theirs with demonstrable data!

#4) ZEAL

A famous sci-fi character once posited that “size matters not.” The same holds true for digital marketing agencies.  Both large and small agencies can be equal in terms of end result for your company, depending on what you’d like to accomplish.  Smaller digital marketing agencies tend to be more focused on the needs of the clients, and take the time to establish these relationships by essentially inserting themselves as part of the overall team.  At the same time, larger agencies may have difficulty achieving this due to the more complex nature of their business.  While not etched in stone, many larger agencies can fall prey to inflexibility due to the practices and procedures they have put in place to deal with client surge.  The quality of their work might be wonderful, but come at the cost of the human element.  Don’t assume that bigger is necessarily better.  The smallest digital marketing agencies stand out and deliver through zeal and pride in their work, which can propel your online success rate to new heights.

#5) SERVICES

A good digital marketing agency knows the value of harnessing a select set of skills that are designed to yield excellent results for their clients.  A jack-of-all-trades mentality can be detrimental to an agency, which is why many focus on serving specific industries where they can specialize their services and skills to maximize ROI.  Some agencies offer website design, and some do not.  Some offer video production, while others steer clear.  As always, the best digital marketing agencies will present their services to you, and the quality will speak for itself.  By the same token, they will showcase actual data and real-world statistics to prove their worthiness.  For instance, a digital marketing agency might provide exact numbers on a video they created which ended up going viral, and all the relevant statistics available to chart the course.  Once again, more is not always better.  Great digital marketing agencies know when it’s wise to scale themselves appropriately to deliver the best results for their clients.

Digital marketing is an exciting part of any company’s growth strategy, and there’s a lot to learn.  Thankfully, we can help bring you up to speed and answer any questions you might have.  Feel free to get in touch with us Today so we can assist you in your next campaign!

30 seconds left till the end of the game… Everyone is watching. Whether you like basketball or not, this month everyone turned into an expert. Raptors entering the playoffs has had a huge impact on Canadians, pop-culture and society. Credit- and debit-processing firm Moneris says transactions increased by 14% in Canada during last week’s Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Almost everywhere you look now has a Raptors logo slapped on it, from merchandising to Real Estate. In order for the modern company to succeed in the era of GIFs and Memes, it is necessary to collide with pop culture.

Take a look below to see how the Raptors impacted marketing this month.

Real Estate

The real estate industry has plunged into the Raptors madness this month as well. Toronto is pushing for Kawhi Leonard to move to the city- no matter what it takes. Numerous real estate companies have been offering to sponsor Kawhi properties free of charge. Real estate brokerage The Condo Store Realty Inc. is offering Kawhi his choice of several multi-million dollar value penthouse condos in downtown Toronto for free. This has driven a significant amount of attention towards the brokerage and promoted their brand.

McDonald’s

This year the Raptors have reached the playoff finals for the first time. Now what’s the business impact? Many reputable brands are taking advantage of the fans’ loyalty and marketing themselves based on the Raptors. In their most recent Ad, McDonald’s removed their iconic “golden arches” out of respect to Toronto fans and replaced it with Raptors colours. Canadian fans were loving the public acknowledgment and responded to the Ad with appreciation and promises to return to McDonalds. One point for the Raptors, three for the McDonald’s digital marketing strategy.

Another promotion this company did was a giveaway. If the Raptors score 12 3- pointers or more, you score FREE medium fries. This tactic drew a lot of traffic into stores and raised profits for McDonald’s while increasing brand awareness.

UberEats

Uber definitely hopped into the digital marketing madness of the playoffs. Investing a lot of money to be a sponsor, fans noticed UberEats increase their marketing. Utilizing video marketing, UberEats strived to prove they feed the raptors and are willing to feed the fans too. The videos enticed fans to choose this brand as their number one delivery service during the playoffs. Furthermore, their social media activism increased to better promote their services during the playoffs. As the cities flood with fans during games, they need the reassurance that their delivery provider will service them. The purpose of UberEats’ social media advertising is to market their promo codes on both rides and food deliveries.

Kawhi, New Balance & Social Media

New Balance played a smart move and saw the opportunity associated with player Kawhi Leonard. Together they partnered on a limited-edition shoe designed with the aid of Kawhi. Announced via one of the most famous social media platforms, Instagram, the shoe went on sale and sold out within 6 minutes. It was thanks to the digital push and the aid of social media that allowed New Balance to gain popularity. Talk about a win-win.

New Balance Global Director of Consumer Marketing Patrick Cassidy, talked about the importance of capitalizing on social media. “Everything we want to do is digital first, primarily social first. Part of our thing is telling the story of who Kawhi Leonard is through a social-first lens.We had a launch video that dropped during All-Star Weekend and it caught people by surprise. ” Knowing how to manipulate social media, is what lead to New Balance’s immense success with the Raptors.

Safe to say, the Raptors are changing the marketing world. Pop-culture, trends and media directly collide with digital marketing. They impact sponsorships, endorsements, digital advertisements and increase brand awareness. A successful marketer is one who notices a trend and learns how to advertise based off that.