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Now that the weather is warming up and the days are getting little longer, I’ve been having the urge to spring clean. In addition to cleaning your home and preparing for summer, now is also a good time to give your brand’s social media presence a spring cleaning. Facebook pages–just like floorboards–get pretty ugly without regular maintenance. So, if you’ve been neglecting your social media accounts, take this opportunity to clean them up with these tips:

1. 

   Get rid of the clutter. With so many social networks out there it’s pretty easy for a brand to over commit themselves. But if your brand has an account on a platform that you’re not regularly posting on, or is no longer relevant to your social media strategy, get rid of it. Focus on the channels that your target audience is on and that you have the resources to maintain. There’s nothing worse than seeing a brand hasn’t posted on their Facebook page in over a year, or visiting a YouTube channel to find outdated videos of products that are no longer sold. Make sure you’re providing value to your consumers with consistent and interesting content, otherwise it’s not going to benefit your brand to be active on that channel. So, if you haven’t been engaging with your audience on a regular basis then it’s probably time to hit the deactivate button on that account.

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I first want to say thank you to Moosylvania for the chance to attend a great conference this year, Future Insights Live, an event covering all areas of digital from the business and planning side, to design and development. During many of the sessions a few key topics kept reappearing that I feel every digital agency must take to heart.

1. Mobile is here now and only growing so you must be ready for it. During a talk by Brad Frost (@brad_frost) some key stats were shared talking about the mobile user experience.

• Currently, there are 6 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide and 2.4 billion are currently accessing the internet. This user space is growing faster than any market and users are expecting more every day.
• On average, 71% of users expect the mobile version of a site to load faster than on desktop, even though the connection speed is slower on a phone. 74% of users will abandon efforts if the initial load time is greater than 5 seconds. This is a very important stat to consider. We really need to take our mobile experiences and consider what the user truly wants and that we need to get it to them in very convenient and fast manner. This leads to the second key takeaway -

2. Use Responsive Web Design when possible. Responsive Web Design (RWD) is a methodology of setting up your site in such a format that no matter what the screen size is, your site will adapt to the user’s screen. One thing, though, that digital agencies and clients must consider is that responsive normally does take longer to do it right and is more expensive. But, it is very flexible and will allow you to provide your content to the user in a manner that is appealing to them, along with providing great functionality.

In a talk by Erik Loehfelm (@eloehfelm) he shared a graphic that talked about the pluses and minuses to going with various design methodologies. Below is the diagram that was shared:

Future Insights Live has been a great conference and I recommend you checkout their hashtag on twitter to see what people have been saying from the conference – #filive.

So, you want to develop a website or maybe just update your current one? Of course you want it to be purposeful and engaging, but what happens when you mix good design with smart functionality? You get a website that works and looks good doing it (Yes, you can have both).

In 2012 we saw a huge increase in website design trends, here are some to look for in 2013.

 1.     Responsive Layout – This trend has been a top priority for any brand wanting to make waves in the digital space. The concept behind responsive technology is to design a single site that is programmed to be used on a variety of devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets and most importantly, anything that is released in the future (That means you Google glass).

2.     Fixed Header Bar – It’s simple: creating a fixed branded bar across the top of your site creates constant brand awareness (What more could you want?).

3.     Large Photo Backgrounds – A number of sites have begun to use this trend. It’s a great way to captivate your consumer the moment they enter your site. Your site looks professional and engaging (Big Bonus!).

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As an account manager at a digital advertising agency, I’ve had to overcome many daily obstacles—from strict deadlines, to creative vision disagreements, to developers talking in what seems like a foreign language.

So as I prepare for my first Warrior Dash—a 5k obstacle course that will challenge my endurance and agility (maybe to its limits)—here are the three advertising lessons I’ll be taking with me:

1. Stay calm

No matter how bad the problem or tough the obstacle, always stay calm. A true leader will stay strong even in the most stressful of situations and your team will learn to look to you for guidance.

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The trip to Social Media Marketing World in San Diego still has me buzzing with energy and excitement. As with any conference, there was a dizzying amount of information and insight. The best way I find to keep up with it all is to live tweet during the event, and then review my tweets for the top nuggets of information gleaned from the event – as judged by my peers’ RTs. I call these “twuggets”, of course. Here are my favorites ones from the conference (tweet them if you agree!):

1. #Social trigger #1: CONTRAST: What stands out is remembered, what blends in is ignored. #smmw13 @derekhalpernTweet
2. REDIRECT Don’t attack your customers by telling them they are frustrated, tell a story about someone else that is frustrated. #smmw13Tweet
3. #social trigger #4: SIGNALING: people share things to show people who they are #smmw13 @derekhalpernTweet
4. You have to connect #socialmedia to real revenue or you will lose funding. #smmw13 @nichole_kellyTweet
5. Make it STUPID EASY FOR PEOPLE TO CONVERT!! #smmw13 @nichole_kelly <–so true and yet so overlooked a lotTweet
6. Make sure you are adding custom URL parameters to any links shared in #social to tie back to Google Analytics Goals #smmw13 @nichole_kellyTweet
7. problem w/google analytics is it is based on last touch attribution. #SM usually affects the user higher in the sales funnel. #smmw13 @nichole_kellyTweet
8. #Social ROI convos should begin with showing your boss how #sm fits into the sales funnel. #smmw13 @nichole_kellyTweet
9. “Be a value creator, create connection currency, change your life” #smmw13 sage advice from @larrybenet!Tweet
10. smartphones: psychological shield giving introverts ability to go out to be “social”- but focusing on #instagram filter selection. #smmw13Tweet
11. What is the utility is your app offering? It better be super valuable, or people will delete it. #smmw13Tweet
12. stop mythologizing hustle. Are we overvaluing workaholism? #smmw13 @jaybaerTweet
13. resist the urge to follow everyone. Follow those that add value. #smmw13Tweet
14. The secret to success: “Therapy, drugs and buddhism” - @chrisbrogan #smmw13Tweet
15. once again at #smmw13 - #email mentioned mentioned as a core need, with impressive ROI. via @chrisbrogan <–agree!Tweet
16. Twitter tip: provide real-time, exclusive access to content your audience cares about and normally could not get. #smmw13 @iizlizTweet
17. 50% of Twitter users expect a response within 2 hours. 70% expect a response on FB within 48 hrs. #smmw13 @pisaroseTweet
18. People are 3x more likely to recommend a brand if they receive a response in #social. #smmw13 @pisaroseTweet
19. Community Mgr tips: be helpful, humble, fun, positive, creative. #smmw13Tweet
20. Twitter best practices via @bepkoboy from @wholefoods #smmw13 pic.twitter.com/4kwQSoqKuHTweet
21. the biggest ROI in #socialmedia is humanizing your brand. @ekaterina #smmw13Tweet
22. .@Sharpie #SM Strategy: inspire creative use, shine SM spotlight on our fans and the amazing things they are doing with our product #smmw13Tweet
23. How @sharpie made such amazing #SM traction: test and learn environment – push the envelope, test the waters. #smmw13Tweet
24. quick social test – when’s the last time you highlighted a fan? Take a note from @sharpie and make it your focus #smmw13Tweet
25. if you are a service-oriented company, you have no other choice than to be in social media. #smmw13 @fsaustinTweet
26. Visual content is currency today in the social space. Split btw UGC and brand-created content. #smmw13 @sharpieTweet
27. Keys for #HR: Social media policy, allowing social network access within company walls! #smmw13Tweet
28. .@Sharpie is producing all content they are posting on instagram #smmw13Tweet
29. Avg #socialmedia purchase $85, avg Pinterest user purchase $180 – @callanpaola #smmw13Tweet
30. Good #Pinterest strategy starts w/user research: what is being pinned about your brand or industry (type, look, boards) #smmw13 @callanpaolaTweet
31. Another #email plug from #smmw13 – key for building your #pinterest following as @sonyelectronics did!Tweet
32. It’s about the experiences surrounding your product – not the product itself. Share those photos on #instagram #smmw13 @sandiegozooTweet
33. Use #instagram to pull back the curtains, show the images behind your brand. #smmw13 @sandiegozooTweet
34. Nice #instagram tactic – asking people to caption your photos #smmw13 @sandiegozooTweet
35. Another tactic heard a few times at #smmw13: use internal company launches to get employees knowing and sharing your #SM campaignsTweet
36. Stop thinking as the biz owner/marketer. THINK AS THE USER to really succeed in Pinterest (and #SM)! #smmw13 @melanieduncan7Tweet
37. #Pinterest tutorial pins see 42% higher CTR. #smmw13 @melanieduncan7Tweet
38. 80% increase in engagement with adding a CTA “button” in your #Pinterest image. #smmw13 @melanieduncanTweet
39. Good #Pinterest strategy starts w/user research: what is being pinned about your brand or industry (type, look, boards) #smmw13 @callanpaolaTweet

Have any good twuggets from the conference? Share yours in the comments below!

What started as a clever fundraising effort has transformed into an inspired art movement. Project Flutter paired together Friends of Wings children and their families with a Moosylvania designer to create a poster that represented overcoming the life-limiting challenges of childhood illness or the loss of a loved one.

At the Project Flutter kickoff, this Saturday, 20 inspiring posters will be revealed. All proceeds from the posters sold will benefit the Friends of Wings efforts with Wings on Wheels, a new mobile therapy program specializing in grief support and expressive art therapy for children and families facing life-limiting or threatening illnesses. The Wings on Wheels program will visit patients, peers and families of a child in BJC’s pediatric hospice program, Wings, as well as provide community outreach at schools, churches and more.

Moosylvania, a creative advertising agency, was excited to team up with the Friends of Wings organization again. What our designers didn’t expect was to become so passionately involved in each moving story.

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When attending events such as Social Media Marketing World, providing relevant information live can have quite a few benefits for your brand. When done right, it can position your company as an industry thought leader and resource, provide your fans a reason to continue engaging with you in the future and allow your employees to get the important facts right alongside you.

Here are a few quick tips for leveraging social media to get the most out of niche events, conferences and conventions. (more…)

With a new site design and a recent integration with Bing, our third largest social network doesn’t seem to be losing its buzz. Pinterest is a huge driver of traffic and money; users spend more on purchases they found through Pinterest than Facebook and Twitter combined. It is a platform with a rabid fanbase of users tuning in every day for essentially the same reason: to experience new products and ideas.

Melanie Duncan, founder of Entrepreneuress Academy, spoke at Social Media Marketing World 2013 and I was mesmerized by her pinning prowess. She gave valuable tips on amplifying your brand’s message and channeling your target market with Pinterest. Digital advertising agencies, heed this advice. (more…)

Let’s start with a riddle:

If a customer directs a question to your social media account and no one’s around to answer it – does it still make a sound?

Yes. And it makes a big one.

Nielsen’s 2012 State of the Media reports that more than half of consumers now use Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels to give feedback, ask questions and register complaints with their favorite (and not-so-favorite) companies.

So if you’re not answering questions and responding to comments about your brand or business – who is?

Truly effective customer service begins before the first question is asked or the first tomato is launched at your brand page. Every business, no matter how unsexy they may seem, needs to own their social media space and have a customer service plan at the ready. If you don’t respond, trust us, someone else will.

If you haven’t worked customer service into your social media strategy, here are some starting points wepicked up from Social Media Marketing World:

1.     Start out by asking “How can I help you?”

You should be thinking about this question all the time – when planning social media posts, when promoting your brand, and especially when responding to customers. If you keep coming back to this question and really consider it across all channels and situations, you’re going to be in a good place. So put it on a Post-It note, write it on your hand, set a calendar alert every 15 minutes – whatever you have to do to keep it top of mind.

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Email is dead. Email is not dead. Maybe it’s on life support? Who knows? Well, no we actually DO know.

It’s alive and well.

Check out this fun statistic: eMarketer expects there to be 216.6 million US email users this year, representing 89% of total internet users. Two out of three people in the US will be email users in 2013.

Seems alive and kicking to us!

We’re not alone in this either. The Social Media team at Moose recently attended Social Media Marketing World in San Diego, and a consistent theme was that email marketing isn’t going anywhere, and you’ll regret it if you don’t step up your efforts. So, a conference featuring some of the most respected social media experts in the world just said that email marketing is vital to your success as a business. Interesting. Let’s dive in. (more…)