Celebrating is such a great way to have content on social media that isn't asking, educating or growing your audience. It's just about shouting out those surrounding you that are doing cool things that you want to call out.

This could be people in your organization, volunteers, board members, or even your own community. It could also be wins from the work you're doing, milestones, anniversaries, etc. 

Never miss an opportunity to celebrate on social media. And since it just happens to be my birthday – this is the topic of this week's Digital Marketing Therapy podcast.

What you'll learn:

→ different types of celebrations you can shout out on social media. → ways to make more engaging – hint hint, use of video. → putting celebratory events on your calendar so you don't miss them.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

When you're building trust online, a great way to do that is by collaborating with people that are aligned with your cause. This gives you visibility with an audience that already trusts the brand or person you're partnering with. 

This episode will give you ideas for building personal relationships with influencers and brands to be able to get out and grow your impact.

What you'll learn:

→ how collaborations work online. → ensuring there is a connection with your CRM. → tips for making an ask. → aligning goals and budget with the partnership.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[6:30] Collaborations can help you get in front new audiences, even on platforms you aren't currently on. Partnerships can span across platforms to build your visibility in other arenas. [7:34] You can create great collaborations at various levels. It doesn't have to be large productions with big brands. It can be hyper local and focused on strong partnerships that already exist. It also doesn't have to include an exchange of money. [11:51] The ask depends on the size of the brand and the expectation. Be very clear on the goals of the collaboration so you're making the right ask that is in alignment with both companies or organizations. Build relationships, remembering that some will take more time than others to cultivate. [22:53] Consider the goals and budget for the campaign. One post from a brand on social media might not give you that big of a boost. Can you run social media ads to keep it going and build momentum?

Resources

VIP Strategy Days NonProfit Megaphone [book] Debrief to Win: How America's Top Guns Practice Accountable Leadership…and How You Can, Too!

Brian Davidson

Co-Founder of Matchnode

Brian Davidson is the Co-Founder of Matchnode, a digital marketing agency that is changing the way people and organizations leverage social media. He and his team have worked on digital ad campaigns for influential brands like New Balance, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, LendingTree, and Indiana University.

Brian has been a leader in generating leads using Social Media since 2007 when he became the VP of Social Media at NCSA Athletic Recruiting. Lead generation efforts helped the company join both the Crain’s and Inc fastest-growing lists. Brian is passionate about using his experience to help businesses achieve provable, meaningful growth. Learn More: https://matchnode.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

How comfortable are you in marketing to Gen Z? Is it even on your radar? Gen Z is an incredible generation that is giving and thrives on community. They are also a fully tech generation and love video and social media.

Learn ways you can target and connect with Gen Z to build your donor base with people you can continue to nurture. Marketing to Gen Z looks a little different but is super fun. Let your creativity go!

What you'll learn:

→ who is Gen Z? → how to beging to understand Gen Z. → ways to use TikTok. → video is crucial. → values alignment is everything!

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[5:41] Gen Z is 12 – 27 right now. They are the first all digital generation. They don't know a world with out internet or mobile phones.  Email isn't their favorite but instead prefer shorter instant messages. They are super passionate and connecting with them on their values is critically important. Since they are driven by their beliefs they are going to look for jobs and companies that align there. [11:08] Start with grace and understanding. Yes, they communicate very differently with video and devices. However, they are also grappling with mental health issues at levels that we haven't seen before. They've also had to live through COVID during their youth, which affected their communication styles. They are also the most ethically diverse generation and its something they value. [14:43] TikTok is a requirement in reaching this generation. It doesn't mean you have to have an account that posts organically on a regular basis. You can just have an ads account and create content that reasonates with them.  [20:27] Get comfortable with video, and putting your face forward. Have the leader or your organization record a 90 second video every morning. Share something you're excited about and show up consistently. Then turn that video into multiple pieces of content you can share across all channels in multiple ways. It is the fastest path to building trust. [22:02] Bring it back to experiences. They value experience over things. Figure out ways you can connect with Gen Z and make things memorable. They'll connect better with your organization and also be more likely to share those experiences online with their friends – which builds immediate trust.

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions [book] Authenticity: Marketing to Generation Z (People born between 1997 -2012)

Emanuel Rose

Emanuel Rose is a recognized expert in lead generation, branding, advertising, and the day-to-day operations of a digital agency ready to help you build your business today. For over 25 years Emanuel has gone to work each day seeking to pioneer cutting-edge lead generation and marketing strategies for the benefit of his clients.

Emanuel’s rich and diverse experience evidences the strength of his unique skill set, acquired through years of persistent growth, leading a digital agency, and serving as a pioneering professional in lead generation and retention. This expertise and understanding is not only central to the success of Emanuel’s career, but his leadership of the digital agency he founded.

As the CEO of Strategic eMarketing, Emanuel is at the forefront of driving digital solutions with machine learning for lead generation for all of Strategic eMarketing’s clients in Oregon and beyond. Doing so with an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and challenges seen for clients across the digital agency landscape, and utilizing his enviable expertise in leading generation to leverage a leading advantage for all his valued clients. Learn more: https://emanuelrose.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

Do you get frustrated trying to figure out what to post each day? Putting together a quick and easy template can help you get more consistent and connect with your audience. Grab the quick and easy template to come up with what to post on social media whether you're on one platform or all the platforms!

What you'll learn:

→ creating your core categories. → easy ways to schedule your posts. → how AI can help create copy for your posts. → why team communication is important for creating posts. → what to do during promotional periods.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[3:55] Create 3-5 categories that you can post about regularly. These will be value added podcast like a Tip Tuesday or highlighting a sponsor or volunteer. It could also be impact stories. Then as you plan out your week or month you can batch create posts based around those categories. [7:41] Map out your posting schedule. Create a doc that has your posting schedule for the core types of posts lined out by platform. That way you aren't necessarily posting the same content at the same time on multiple platforms. [9:50] Use social holidays to fill in some gaps. There are so many fun holidays you can play with. The ones that are relevant to your mission are great to include on social media. They are also fun ways to create connections with your followers. [14:17] Talk regularly with the team to understand what else needs some additional attention. It could be registration for an event or program you run. Maybe you need extra volunteers or emergency in-kind contributions. Social media can be a great place to add in those extra posts to get more community engagement. [16:20] During promotional periods you'll post more frequently about your promotion. Still make sure you're changing up your posts to they aren't just asks but are connecting with your audience in a way that gets them to ask for more information or to learn the impact.

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy Session [Google Sheet] Posting Template – to make your own choose File > Make a Copy HubSpot's Social Media Holiday Calendar

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

Bonus Episode #2

This episode was featured on The Official Do Good Better Podcast. It features host Patrick Kirby and guest Dean Crownover in a conversation about how you can raise more money at your fundraising events. Dean is a sought-after nonprofit auctioneer. He is giving you all the goods as it relates to events that are fun, engaging, and most importantly, RAISE MONEY!!

Check out the Full Show Notes   Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Building your email list helps you stay top of mind, engaged and building trust with more potential donors. It also allows you to nurture and encourage your existing donors to give again!

There are several ways to grow your email list and this podcast episode shares just a few. Remember that its about building your list with the right people, not just to say you have a huge list.

What you'll learn:

→ getting the right people on your list → ensureing there is a connection with your CRM. → how to turn your blog readers into email subscribers.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[2:44] It's not about having the numbers, its about the right audience that is engaged. Don't get wrapped up in the numbers. You want people on your list that are excited about your organization and the work you do. [4:50] Bring people over to your email service provider from your CRM. Regular communication with your entire audience keeps them engaged. Pull everyone into your email service provider so you can target them with the right messages while also giving them the big picture messaging. You never know what is going to encourage someone to participate more with your organization. [10:14] Use a lead magnet to get more people that are reading your content on your email list. This a freebie people can download that coincides with your post. It gives them added value and gets them on your email list so you can notify them of future posts. Start with your best performing pieces of content and create a lead magnet to go with it.

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions VIP Strategy Days The First Click Lead Magnets

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click  Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net 

Recently, I made a big change when it comes to my email newsletter. A complete 180 to be fair. It's in its testing phase but I still wanted to share it with you. The reason being, things are fluid in the marketing space. If you truly know your audience then you can take best practices and ensure that you are connecting with them in a way that is authentic to you and engages with them.

There was more I wanted to say each week to my readers. Yes, this podcast, but also other things that are going on in my life and that I'm learning. This episode shares the reason why I made the switch and what you should consider before making a change to yours.

What you'll learn:

→ what my newsletter looks like now → how I write my emails → what my emails used to be vs what they are now

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[4:17] My emails sound more personal by writing them to your best donor. Think about how you talk to your best donors – that personal friendship level! That will help you be more conversational and personal in writing your email. It will also help you remove jargon or speak about your impact in an overly formal way. [5:50] Email is great for sharing your regular content. My emails used to be focused on sharing that new piece of content only. It was a great way stay top of mind and get more visibility for the podcast episodes I was creating.  [10:31] Now I'm sharing more about my whole business in my emails. There was more I wanted to share and talk about and didn't want to send emails more than once a week. This way I can share some of my inspirations and collaborations as well as my content.

Resources

1:1 Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

Bonus Episode #1

This episode was featured on Easy Style with Sami and is all about creating your dream personal and professional life. It's critical to build in time for yourself. As leaders in our organizations, that means setting the systems we need to be able to step away and truly relax. 

Alyson Caffrey shares her sabbatical method to approach our businesses in a way where we can take mini sabbaticals regularly and bring meaning and impact to all aspects of our lives.

Check out the Full Show Notes   Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Creating blog posts or long form content is important. But what's the point of creating it if no one sees it. One great way to share your content is to your email list. 

Grab some strategies on how to nurture your email subscribers and stay top of mind, while also promoting your content!

What you'll learn:

→ how to use existing content in your emails. → teasing your content in email so they visit your website. → how to turn your blog readers into email subscribers. → monetize your email newsletter.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[4:01] Use your existing content to create your nurture emails. You can take the content you've already created and send out regular emails to your list. This adds value to your audience and helps to build trust. Ensure that email is included in your repurposing plan for your regular content. [6:26] Highlight the best bits and encourage people back to the full post for more. The goal is to get people to your website! Share what they will learn in the email and entice them so they'll want to learn more. If you only have one blog post a month but several emails, break up that content into core takeaways and share one element in each email. [10:14] Use a lead magnet to get more people that are reading your content on your email list. This a freebie people can download that coincides with your post. It gives them added value and gets them on your email list so you can notify them of future posts. Start with your best performing pieces of content and create a lead magnet to go with it.  [19:14] Monetize your email newsletter.  Sponsorships are a great way to do this. They get in front of your audience and can offer something like a discount or a product that is alignment. A softer approach is to send them to another way to work with you or a way to include another freebie that leads to an ask.

Resources

VIP Strategy Days EP 202 | Your Content Repurposing Roadmap EP 203 | Next Steps for Maximizing Content with Aaron Burnett EP 204 | How Content Can Encourage Connection with Kevin Kwan EP 205 | Using AI to Create Content with Scott Bywater

Sarah Noel Block

Sarah Noel Block is an inbound marketing expert who focuses on an education-based approach to marketing for SMBs and solopreneurs. Her approach to marketing systems makes it easy for tiny teams to have a big impact. She works with businesses in two ways: 1) marketing education and products for small businesses and 2) strategy and executing content marketing + inbound funnels for SMBs.

Learn More at https://sarahnoelblock.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours