To no surprise, short-form video content has taken the world by storm. In short order, it has been redefining the way brands build awareness and increase user engagement. Today, PR and marketing professionals are growing more committed to expanding their short-form video strategies, and can you blame them? The facts are undeniable: The evidence is all there. Short-form video content is worth investing in. Here’s how: Keep it short and sweet Short-form videos work because they cut to the chase. They capture viewers’ attention with…
Read MoreI’m 100% sold on the concept of working smarter, not harder. And in an industry that constantly pulls you in different directions, optimizing your workflow is crucial to staying afloat (and creating meaningful, lasting content while you’re at it). When it comes to developing your content marketing strategy, you’re likely producing a lot of content to fill your various channels. Scheduling interviews and dedicating full days to content gathering to fill those social media editorial calendars can be a lot, but if you’re not getting…
Read MoreI had lunch with an old friend not long ago who regaled me with the pleasures of retirement, one of which was an indulgence he never made time for – novel writing. By all accounts, he has made a seamless transition from journalist to novelist, a pivot that not everyone can make, but his first works display a flair for fiction – for storytelling and characters and drama – and I found myself eagerly turning page after page. When I asked him about finding an…
Read MoreOne element of a productive content strategy is effectively repurposing your messaging on various platforms. After all, you only have so many stories and only so much expertise, so the trick is to find multiple ways and places where you can tell those stories. That’s what helps keep the content pipeline filled on all fronts. At Hodges, those fronts run the gamut – from our monthly e-newsletter (Press Box) to our video podcast (Teaming Up) to the Gong Blog, all of which help populate our various…
Read MoreOnline shopping has become increasingly popular, even before the onset of the pandemic, and social media, email and website tools have evolved to make purchasing as easy as tapping a button on your smartphone. While this can be great for increasing sales, it may not support services, enhance experiences or increase brick-and-mortar foot traffic. Whether your motivation is to keep tenants leasing commercial property spaces or you’re hoping to increase sales and in-person experiences for your business, here are four ways to increase foot…
Read MoreIs your social media content falling flat? The solution might be easier than you think. Reference this blog post next time you’re looking to add some spice to your organic content. It’ll take your social media skills to the next level – I promise. GIF or JIF? Graphic Interchange Formats (GIFs) have been a large part of internet culture for years, and in many ways, they manage to say all the things we can’t. Feeling sad? There’s a GIF for that. Doing a happy dance?…
Read MoreHaving a photo bank full of relevant, authentic brand photography goes a long way. Those photos can be used in a number of ways: printed collateral, social media, advertisements and more. But keeping your bank of photos up to date is important, especially in the tourism industry. With any locality, there is always one thing that seems to be a constant: change (we like that c-word better than construction). New street art, new residents, new restaurants, green spaces and businesses. With all this change comes…
Read MoreWhether your goal is to increase enrollment, showcase life-changing research or establish your school as the best option to earn a certificate or degree, having a well-rounded communications plan is a must as a higher education institution. We’re big believers in the EOP model (earned, owned, paid), so here are three must-do tactics to add to your strategic communications plan and why they work well for higher education. Earned Media: Media Relations Incorporating media relations into your communications strategy gives you the opportunity to raise…
Read MoreFrom aesthetically pleasing graphics on Instagram to incredibly addictive videos on TikTok to podcast advertisements during a morning commute – it’s nearly impossible to avoid content. And with the volume of captivating content swirling around these days, it can be especially difficult to create content that catches and keeps your audience’s attention. If you, like me, are writing multiple content calendars a month, it can be easy to forget that the goal isn’t just to create content that supports your clients’ key messages, it’s to…
Read MoreContent is all around us, you just have to know where to mine it. And when it comes to industry associations, they’re gold mines for PR and marketing folks looking to generate content and pitch the media. At Hodges, we love working with associations because it makes our jobs infinitely easier. Why? Because we’re not just working with one client; we’re considering every member of that association a client contact in some way – and when we and the association succeeds, so do the members….
Read MoreIt’s all in a name – and the branding. When building your brand, developing a creative toolkit is essential in setting yourself apart. A creative toolkit isn’t all about picking pretty colors for your brand. A toolkit builds cohesiveness and consistency within your brand that will engender trust with your clientele. Begin with a simple exercise. Think of two to three words to associate with your business identity, For example, pretend you’re a fitness brand: confidence, drive, exercise. Bring these words with you as you…
Read MoreThe pandemic caused a shift in consumer behaviors that has led to an increase in screen time. Online streaming services, e-commerce and social media consumption are all booming. As our online digital habits changed over the last two years, social media platforms have evolved and adapted at an even greater rate to meet consumer demands and increase user engagement. Today, there are more than 4.25 million social media users worldwide with the average person spending about 145 minutes per day on social media. From launching…
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