Socail Media Archives - Rebranding Ryan

How a Simple Apple 🍎 Sparked a Social Media Frenzy (And a Few Banana Jokes)

Creating engagement on social media can sometimes feel like a tricky balance, especially when you’re managing a neighborhood page where people have all kinds of opinions. But it doesn’t have to be complicated! Sometimes, the simplest posts are the ones that spark the most interaction. Take, for example, my recent post:

Here’s a picture of an apple. 🍎

Offended yet? Not red enough? Not shiny enough? Maybe it’s the wrong kind of apple entirely? Who knows – maybe it’s a pineapple in disguise.

Friendly reminder: this is a neighborhood page, not a debate team tryout. Let’s all try a new trick today – kindness. Yep, even on the internet! So, before you fire off your next spicy take, remember, we’re all here just trying to get through another week in Sycamore. 🍎

Pretty simple, right? Yet, this post ended up with 370 likes and 49 comments. The comments were just as entertaining as the post itself:

Katie wrote, “The audacity to post an apple during Pumpkin Fest!!! 😉.”
Darlene chimed in with, “How big is the apple 🍎? I need a banana 🍌 for scale. 🤣😂🤣”
Anne noted, “I cannot love this enough! The salty people should really go axe throwing or to a wreck room instead of spreading their misery online.”
Corey added, “But I want a caramel apple. 😂”

So why did it do so well? The post hit the target demographic perfectly. The people in our community love a little lighthearted banter, especially when it feels relevant to our day-to-day lives. By using a universally recognizable image (an apple) and adding a humorous twist, I kept the tone casual and relatable.

Here’s why it worked:

1. It was simple: Everyone understands what an apple is, and there’s no need for a complicated explanation. Sometimes the easiest way to engage people is through simplicity.

2. It was humorous: Humor is a great way to get people to engage. The playful tone of the post, hinting at how the smallest things can spark unnecessary debates, resonated with people who have probably witnessed similar online squabbles.

3. It allowed people a bright spot in their day: In a world where negative news often dominates, people appreciate a moment of lightness. This post didn’t ask for anything heavy or serious—it just invited a quick laugh and a reminder to spread kindness.

How to Create Similar Posts

If you’re looking to recreate this kind of engagement on your own social media pages, here are a few tips:

Keep it light and fun: People engage more when they feel like they’re in on the joke. Posts that are overly serious or require too much thought might deter engagement. Something as simple as a quirky observation or a playful challenge can get people talking.
Make it relatable: Use imagery or references that are familiar to your audience. Everyone in the neighborhood could relate to the idea of overreacting to something trivial online—because, let’s be real, we’ve all seen it happen.
Incorporate humor: Don’t be afraid to throw in some sarcasm or playfulness. Even a little cheekiness can go a long way in getting people to interact, whether it’s through likes or comments. Humor breaks the ice and invites participation.
Invite interaction: Without directly asking for it, the apple post invited people to share their thoughts (or jokes). The comments showed that people felt comfortable adding their own humor to the mix.
Be timely: Timing matters. This post came during a local event—Pumpkin Fest—so the apple vs. pumpkin comment hit just right. Pay attention to what’s happening locally or seasonally, and tie your posts into that.

Engagement doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as posting an apple and inviting people to laugh along with you. Just remember, social media is a place for connection, and if you’re able to create a space where people can share a laugh and leave a little brighter, you’re doing it right.

Unleashing the Golden Potential: 4 Easy Steps for ChatGPT

ChatGPT, a powerful language model, can be a valuable tool for social media marketers. Whether you need help crafting engaging content, brainstorming campaign ideas, or conducting market research, ChatGPT can provide informative and creative responses. To make the most of this technology, follow this simple 4-step process:

Step 1: Assign a Role: Social Media Marketer

Assigning the role of a social media marketer will help ChatGPT understand the context and tailor its responses accordingly. For example, you could say: “Pretend you’re a social media marketer for a golden retriever rescue organization.”

Step 2: Provide Context: Golden Retrievers

Giving ChatGPT additional context about golden retrievers can enhance the quality of its responses. For instance, you might specify the target audience (e.g., dog lovers, families), the organization’s goals (e.g., adoption, fundraising), or the current trends in the pet industry. For example: “I’m trying to increase awareness about golden retriever rescue and encourage adoptions. What are some popular social media trends I can incorporate into my campaign?”

Step 3: Give a Command: Golden Retriever-Related Content

Clearly state your request or question related to golden retrievers. Be specific and avoid ambiguity to get the most relevant results. For instance: “Write a social media caption about a golden retriever puppy looking for a forever home.”

Step 4: Tell ChatGPT to Ask You Questions

If you’re unsure about providing enough context or want to explore a topic in more depth, encourage ChatGPT to ask follow-up questions. This can lead to more engaging and informative conversations.

By following these steps, you can effectively utilize ChatGPT to assist you in various aspects of your social media marketing efforts, especially when working with the adorable and lovable golden retrievers. Experiment with different contexts, commands, and follow-up questions to discover the full potential of ChatGPT as a valuable tool for your social media marketing campaigns.

Build Stronger Connections with Authentic LinkedIn Content

I recently had a great conversation with a friend about his career path. He was torn between sharing his journey on LinkedIn, which included some more traditional roles he took to support himself financially, versus only highlighting his dream job. My advice to him was simple: authenticity trumps perfection every time.

LinkedIn has become a platform flooded with seemingly perfect career trajectories and inspirational quotes. While these posts can be uplifting, they often lack depth and genuine connection. In contrast, sharing a story about overcoming challenges or taking a non-traditional path can resonate far more deeply with your audience.

My friend’s journey, from “pay-the-bills” jobs to his dream role, is a story that many people can relate to. It’s a tale of perseverance, learning, and growth. By sharing his experiences openly and honestly, he can inspire others who may be facing similar challenges.

This isn’t just about LinkedIn; it’s a broader principle in marketing. Whether you’re sharing a personal story, promoting a product, or building a brand, the key is to connect with your audience on an emotional level. A well-crafted narrative is far more powerful than a generic, shared inspirational post.

So, the next time you’re considering what to share on LinkedIn, remember: authenticity is your greatest asset. Don’t be afraid to share your journey, even if it’s not always glamorous. Your story could be the inspiration someone needs.

5 Tips on Using AI to Streamline Your Small Business Marketing

Automate Your Customer Interactions

Ever feel like you’re drowning in customer queries? AI chatbots can help you stay afloat. These nifty tools can handle common questions, provide instant responses, and even guide customers through your sales funnel. By automating these interactions, you free up more time to focus on other important aspects of your business. Plus, customers love the quick response times!

Personalize Your Email Campaigns

Gone are the days of generic email blasts. AI tools can analyze your customers’ behaviors and preferences, helping you craft personalized emails that resonate with your audience. Whether it’s suggesting products based on past purchases or sending birthday discounts, personalized emails can boost your engagement and conversion rates.

Optimize Your Social Media Presence

Keeping up with social media can be a full-time job, but AI can make it a lot easier. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer use AI to analyze the best times to post, the type of content that gets the most engagement, and even automate your posting schedule. This means you can maintain an active social media presence without being glued to your phone all day.

Enhance Your Content Creation

Stuck on what to write about next? AI can help with that too. Tools like Copy.ai and Jasper can generate blog post ideas, social media captions, and even entire articles based on the topics you provide. While I wouldn’t recommend relying entirely on AI for your content, it can be a great way to get the creative juices flowing and save you from writer’s block.

Analyze Your Marketing Data

AI analytics tools can sift through mountains of data to provide you with actionable insights. Whether it’s tracking your website traffic, understanding customer behavior, or measuring the success of your campaigns, AI can turn data into a goldmine of information. With these insights, you can make more informed decisions and tweak your strategies for better results.

“Is my marketing for my small business working?”

The other day, I was having lunch with a friend, an interesting question came up: “Is my marketing for my small business working?” It’s a great question and one that many small business owners grapple with. However, one meeting alone can’t provide a definitive answer. To get a clearer picture, I asked the him five key questions. These questions help determine whether their marketing efforts are on track and delivering results.

What are your marketing goals?

First things first, we need to know what success looks like for your business. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, generate leads, boost sales, or perhaps improve customer retention? Clear, specific goals provide a benchmark to measure your marketing performance against. Without these, it’s challenging to determine if your marketing is effective.

Who is your target audience?

Knowing your target audience is crucial. If your marketing efforts aren’t reaching the right people, they’re not going to be effective. We discussed who their ideal customers are, their demographics, interests, and pain points. Understanding your audience helps tailor your marketing messages and channels to where they will be most impactful.

How are you tracking your marketing efforts?

Tracking is key to understanding what works and what doesn’t. I asked what tools and metrics they’re using to monitor their marketing activities. Are they using Google Analytics, social media insights, email marketing reports, or customer feedback? Having robust tracking mechanisms in place allows you to analyze data and make informed decisions.

What is your current marketing mix?

We then delved into their marketing mix—the combination of channels and tactics they’re using. Are they focusing on social media, email marketing, content marketing, SEO, PPC, or a mix of these? It’s important to have a balanced approach and diversify your marketing efforts. Relying too heavily on one channel can be risky.

What are your results so far?

Finally, we looked at the results they’ve seen so far. This includes both quantitative data like website traffic, conversion rates, and sales figures, and qualitative data like customer feedback and engagement. We compared these results to their initial goals to gauge how well their marketing is performing.

By the end of our discussion, we had a much clearer picture of where they stood. While we didn’t have a definitive answer right away, these questions laid the groundwork for ongoing analysis and improvement. Marketing is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to continuously monitor and adjust your strategies to ensure they remain effective.

So, if you’re wondering whether your marketing is working, start by asking yourself these five questions. They’ll help you identify strengths, uncover weaknesses, and ultimately, refine your approach to achieve your business goals.

Five Easy Tips to Improve Your Social Media Strategy for Better Results

In our last post, we explored common reasons why social media efforts might not be yielding the desired results for your small business. Now, let’s delve into five easy and actionable tips to enhance your social media creation and planning for more effective outcomes.

1. Plan Your Content in Advance

Creating content on the fly can lead to inconsistency and missed opportunities. Instead, plan your content in advance using a content calendar. Outline your posts for the month, including key dates, holidays, and promotional events. This proactive approach ensures a steady flow of content and allows for better alignment with your overall marketing strategy.

2. Use Visual Content Creators

High-quality visuals are essential for capturing attention on social media. Tools like Canva, Adobe Spark, and Crello offer user-friendly platforms to create stunning graphics, videos, and infographics. These tools provide templates and design elements that can elevate the visual appeal of your posts without requiring professional design skills.

3. Leverage User-Generated Content

Engaging your audience by encouraging them to create content for your brand can be highly effective. User-generated content (UGC) not only builds community but also provides authentic, relatable content for your social media channels. Create campaigns that invite customers to share their experiences with your products or services, and feature their posts on your profiles.

4. Schedule Posts with Social Media Management Tools

Consistency is key, and social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social can help. These platforms allow you to schedule posts in advance, ensuring a consistent presence even during busy times. Additionally, they provide analytics to track performance and optimize your content strategy.

5. Engage with Your Audience Regularly

Social media is a two-way street. Regularly engaging with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions can significantly increase loyalty and trust. Set aside time each day to interact with your followers, answer questions, and participate in conversations. This active engagement fosters a sense of community and strengthens relationships with your audience.

By implementing these five easy tips, you can enhance your social media strategy and achieve better results. Planning content in advance, using visual content creators, leveraging user-generated content, scheduling posts with management tools, and engaging regularly with your audience will help you create a more effective and engaging social media presence.

Ryan Weckerly

Why Your Social Media Isn’t Working for Your Small Business (and How to Fix It)

Setting up social media profiles and posting updates are common steps for small businesses aiming to increase their online presence. However, many businesses find that their efforts are not yielding the expected results. Here are five common reasons why social media might not be working for your small business and some hints on how to turn things around.

1. Lack of a Clear Strategy

Posting random updates without a clear plan often leads to disappointing results. A well-defined strategy is crucial. Determine your goals, identify your target audience, and decide on the type of content that will resonate with them. This focused approach will drive more meaningful engagement.

2. Inconsistent Posting

Inconsistent posting can lead to a disengaged audience. A regular posting schedule keeps your audience engaged and helps maintain interest. Developing a content calendar can ensure that you post consistently and keep your followers informed and engaged.

3. Ignoring Analytics

Success on social media is more than just accumulating likes and followers. Analyzing metrics such as engagement rates, reach, and click-through rates can provide valuable insights into what content works and what doesn’t. This data-driven approach allows you to refine your strategy and better meet your audience’s needs.

4. Not Engaging with Your Audience

Social media should be interactive. Merely posting content without responding to comments or engaging in conversations can result in missed opportunities. Actively engaging with your audience by responding to comments, asking questions, and creating conversations can significantly enhance loyalty and trust.

5. Overlooking the Power of Visuals

Visual content is highly effective in capturing attention and increasing engagement. High-quality images, videos, and infographics can make your posts more appealing and shareable. Utilizing visually engaging content can effectively convey your brand’s message and attract more followers.

Looking Forward

Identifying these common pitfalls is the first step to improving your social media presence. In the next post, we will explore five simple and effective strategies to enhance your social media performance. From content creation tips to engagement techniques, these actionable steps will help you achieve your social media goals.

Stay tuned for practical solutions to grow your social media efforts!

Helping Small Businesses Thrive: My Passion Project and How You Can Benefit

The hustle and heart of small businesses are what keeps our communities vibrant. But as a marketer, I also know the challenges they face – limited resources, stretched time, and the constant need to stay ahead of the curve. That’s why I’m passionate about dedicating my expertise to helping them thrive.

Recently, I volunteered 50 hours to work directly with small businesses. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. We tackled everything from crafting effective marketing strategies to implementing time-saving operational tweaks. Seeing the impact of these sessions, the spark of possibility in their eyes, solidified my desire to make a bigger difference.

Here’s the thing: every small business deserves a shot at success. But sometimes, the best marketing strategies and efficiency hacks seem out of reach.

That’s where I come in.

I’m offering free consultations to help small businesses jumpstart their marketing efforts and free up valuable time. Whether you’re struggling to find your target audience online, need help streamlining your operations, or simply want to bounce around some ideas, I’m here to listen and offer solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Here’s what you can expect:

A personalized consultation: We’ll discuss your unique business goals and challenges.
Actionable marketing tips: I’ll share strategies to reach your target audience and grow your business.
Time-saving efficiency hacks: Learn ways to streamline your operations and free up time to focus on what matters most.

So, if you’re a small business owner feeling overwhelmed or stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s work together to unlock your full potential.

Stop Yelling at Me: Why Facebook Pages Should Ditch the Constant “@Followers”

Let’s be honest, social media trends can get old fast. From pointless challenges to recycled memes (and yes I searched for this pic on purpose), there’s always something vying for our attention (and patience). But one trend that’s been bugging me lately is the excessive use of the “@followers” function by Facebook pages.

This isn’t just a personal pet peeve – there are several reasons why constantly tagging your followers can actually hurt your social media strategy. Here’s why it’s time for Facebook pages to ditch the “@followers” spam and focus on building genuine connections.

Reduces post reach: Facebook prioritizes content that sparks conversations. Repetitive use of “@followers” might be seen as spammy by the algorithm, potentially limiting the organic reach of your posts.

Comes across as demanding: The constant use of “@followers” can feel bossy or demanding. It puts the pressure on the audience to take action rather than focusing on providing them with valuable content that would naturally encourage engagement.

Not inclusive to non-followers: If someone isn’t already following your page, seeing “@followers” mentioned all the time might make them feel excluded. It’s better to craft content that resonates with a broader audience and organically attracts new followers.

Sounds impersonal: Constant use of “@followers” can make your content sound robotic and impersonal. It’s better to use a more conversational tone and address your audience directly with phrases like “you” or “our community.”

Focus on value, not numbers: Obsessing over follower count isn’t the best strategy. The goal is to build a community of engaged individuals. Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience, and the follower count will naturally grow.