If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you might have noticed a big uproar in the social community regarding Instagram and Twitter. It might be hard to believe, but in just two years, Instagram has officially risen to over 80 million users! If you’re one of the 80 million users, you know just how addictive the platform can be.

In case you didn’t already know, Instagram is a social networking app where users can upload their photos with filters to make In case you didn’t already know; Instagram is a free program and social network where users can share their photos. Users can upload a photo and then customize it using an Instagram filter. Once it is customized, the user can share their photo with their friends, and even use hash tags to share it with other people who might share similar interests.

Sound similar to Twitter? You might be shocked to find out that Instagram has officially surpassed Twitter in average daily users! Every single day, an average of 7.3 million users log onto their Instagram feed and spend time browsing the program. While Twitter still has more registered users, only 6.9 million people access the website daily. In August, Instagram users spent approximately 257 minutes accessing the program, which Twitter users only spent 170 minutes accessing their feed.

These numbers don’t lie; people are definitely engaging more on Instagram than on Twitter. Users are engaging with friends, strangers who share interests and the brands and celebrities they love.

At Davanti Digital Media, we can help you manage your social profiles to build an engaged audience! Visit our website or give us a call at (800) 420-3441 to learn more. Don’t forget to ‘Like’ us on Facebook to keep up to date with social media and digital marketing.

Instagram vs. Twitter is a post: Marketing NJ

On Tuesday, September 18, Twitter launched an all new layout to give users a more personalized feel that can be compared to look of the timeline found on Facebook. This gives individuals and companies alike the opportunity to show off a little more on their Twitter pages.

Understanding the New Layout

Four new tabs will now be featured on Twitter pages. These tabs will make the site and your profile generally easier to navigate with one click. The tab icons will remain the same as they were in the past, but will now just be icons ready to navigate you through the site. There will also be an added design feature of the cover photo like the timeline in Facebook.

Users still have a thumbnail picture, a limited character description, and the same rules for Twitter handles, but now in addition to a background image, you can dress up your twitter page a little more with a cover photo.

How it Affects Companies

This layout shift gives brands the opportunity to stand out. Companies can now be official company pages and dress up their page and show off their brand a little more with a cover photo. Brands can have a graphic created that features their best selling items whether food, retail or service.

Social media, Twitter especially, is all about connection. It’s all about telling a story. Twitter is a straight story composed of 140 characters or less. Tell the story of your brand. Tell the story of your head chef or your store manager. Get creative and get connected.

Below is a snapshot of the new Twitter layout. This is just a quick upgrade and the opportunities to “glam” up your Twitter page are endless.

To optimize your social media presence and expand your digital marketing strategy, give Davanti Digital Media a call today at 732-982-8260 for a free consultation. ‘Like” us on Facebook for digital tips and tricks as well as the latest news.

Add a Little Glitter to your Twitter is a post: Marketing NJ

Employers might block it from the work network, some students occasionally choose it over studying or taking notes in class, but social media is actually making us more productive members of our social groups, and here is how:

The Age of Inventors

Okay, so maybe you and your friends are not inventing a life saving device via Facebook or Pinterest, but you are coming up with new projects, recipes and crafts. You’re sharing ideas and sending them out through a web of minds where the ideas are interpreted, improved, altered and designed to fit the lifestyle of every person they reach.

Through gardening tips, parenting advice and inspiration to get organized, get fit and get out of the house, we’re all inventing and sharing ways to make each other’s lives just a little better.

Philanthropy

Social networks have given us the opportunity to share the causes that mean something to us. You can post a link on your Facebook, Twitter or blog when you’re running a marathon, walking for a cure, helping to save youth programs, standing up to bullies, fighting for equal rights or backing a campaign. We’re raising more money than ever for the things we care about because we can so easily reach out to our friends and family.

Bucket Lists

Whether you’re seizing the best deal, or hoarding a stack of Groupons, social networking is giving us all a chance to start crossing items off of our bucket list. Ballet classes? Check. Skydiving? Check. Sampling every restaurant in town? Check. These online deal sites and exclusive social deals are making us more adventurous than ever.

While social media does lend itself to the procrastinators, the bored and the nosey, it also gives users the space to share, help, raise awareness and discover new things about a hobby, a friend and even themselves. If you’re looking to create a social space for your organization, Davanti Digital Media works with various non-profit organizations to create and implement social media marketing strategies to increase awareness, raise funds and spread the word!

How Social Media Makes us More Productive is a post: Marketing NJ

When it comes to marketing, brand reputation and customer relationships, Search Engine Optimization and Social Media are kings of the online castle. If you have a company that is outsourcing SEO and doing in-house social media, you might often hear the inquiry as to which is more successful. These two digital marketing arenas tend to become competitive especially in the budget saving climate.

However, if done properly SEO and social media can work together to increase website traffic, boost a bottom line and build invaluable relationships with past, present and future customers.

It’s all about Content

When it comes to SEO, think content, content, content. You need to be producing original and quality content and you need to be doing so frequently. The content you create for SEO purposes should utilize keywords to generate traffic to your website.

When you create a web page, the page is indexed and this is how it appears on search results when you search a keyword or phrase. Your content should be what is called evergreen content which basically means that it should remain relevant for an extended period of time. That doesn’t mean you can’t blog about something time specific, but the bulk of your content should consist of things that remain true for web searchers in two weeks and two months.

SEO & your Target Market

When it comes to finding and reaching your target market via SEO strategies, there is one practice that can help you do so. Long-tail search is a group of keywords, generally three or more terms, that are used in content to drive target specified traffic.

“Digital marketing services in Tinton Falls,” would be considered a long-tail search that Davanti would use. Other could be “Italian restaurant in Red Bank.” These searches are far less competitive than “marketing,” or “restaurants” and they yield more specific results both in search result and customer.

No Time like the Present

If you’re going to do SEO, start now. Google’s algorithm, or search formula, has shifted in the past year to boost results for websites that create genuine and quality content rather than keyword stuffing a piece of content

There is no Time, Ever

Generating consistent, frequent and quality content for SEO takes a great deal of time. Most business owners do not have the resources to do this effectively. It’s not as simple as typing up a couple of paragraphs with a few keywords thrown in.

Content vs. Technical

Technical SEO refers to the guts of your website and the page to which you are posting content. These include site structure, sit hosting, 404 configuration and more. All of these aspects should still be in place for an effective SEO strategy.

The Unity

When you create this content you should be posting it on the social media channels that your business is on like Facebook or LinkedIn. The greater the content, the better the social receiving and the more shares you are likely to get. All of these things are like points generated for your website. Google favors pages with more points.

If you’re wondering whether it’s more beneficial to do SEO or Social Media, there’s the answer. The two work hand in hand to increase the success of the other. To find out how our website designer and SEO strategist can create a campaign for your business, give us a call today at 888-355-2708 and “Like” us on Facebook for the latest digital marketing tips and tricks!

The Marriage of SEO and Social Media is a post: Marketing NJ

If you’re trying to gain traffic to your business or website, online content can be very helpful. However, it’s important to do it the right way if you want to get results. What should you write about? How do you know if you’re on the right track? Davanti Digital Media of Tinton Falls, New Jersey is here with some tips for content writing.

• Do write about what interests you or your customers. Don’t necessarily write about your business directly. You want to develop a relationship with your customers and create brand awareness. That doesn’t include pushing your products to your customers.
• Do write about new events and products. While you don’t want to use your blog or other sites to directly sell your business, it is a place where customers should be able to find information about your business. Do promote events you’re holding or new products that have come out, but don’t over promote.
• Use keywords and SEO strategies to drive more traffic to your blog or website. Keywords are vital in the formula used by search engines to find your website and ultimately, your business. You can tag the entirety of your content with keywords as well as including the keywords in your content.
• Be sure to proofread your work. If you’re talking about your business, chances are, you know what you’re talking about, but if you don’t proofread and mistakes go out, it might look like you don’t. Read and reread!

Developing both effective and interesting content can be a time consuming task. It takes creativity, SEO knowledge and writing skills. When done properly, you can gain quite the following to your website and business. “Like” Davanti Digital Media on Facebook for more tips for online marketing strategies.

5 Tips for Content Writing is a post: Marketing NJ

Have you been in search of some of the best barbeque in the nation? It can be found in New Jersey, at Local Smoke Barbeque, in Cookstown and Neptune. Sink your teeth into a rack of their award-winning ribs and have a taste of this sensational barbeque found only at Local Smoke Barbeque, Davanti’s Client of the Month.

Local Smoke broke onto the barbeque competition scene in 2007, cooking in contests throughout the Northeast and blowing away the competition in their first year. Since then, Local Smoke BBQ has traveled all over the Eastern United States, from Tennessee to Maine. They have collected over 100 awards, including 3 New Jersey State Championship titles and 1^st place at the American Royal BBQ contest in Kansas City, revered as the ‘World Series of BBQ.’

Last month, the Local Smoke Barbeque team traveled to North Wildwood for a weekend of grilling and eating. The barbeque buffs took home awards for 2nd place in Pork and 8th place in Brisket.  With an overall 8^th place finish, Local Smoke went home, satisfied with their performance and already planning for 2013.

With the help of Davanti Digital Media, Local Smoke has spread the word about their supreme cuisine through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Almost 1,000 people have connected with the restaurant’s two locations and barbeque team and their fan base continues to grow.

Don’t settle for mediocre barbeque—go straight to the experts and take a bite of perfection at Local Smoke Barbeque! “Like” Local Smoke BBQ on Facebook for their specials, events and more!

August Client Spotlight is a post: Marketing NJ

In a world where the Internet is inundated with social media, forums, and review-based sites, everything that appears online is part of your public relations footprint. Every statement that appears online is immortalized. This holds true for posts made on both personal and business pages. One status update, one single blog post has the potential to snowball into a PR nightmare. Taking an active role in your online reputation is the first step in creating a positive appearance, starting with your personal pages.

The Internet matters. Accepting this is the first step in turning around any negative exposure found on the Internet. What has happened in the past is there to stay, but you are in control of what appears in cyberspace going forward. When Tweeting or posting on Facebook, use common sense as to what is appropriate and what is not. If you’re not sure if what you are saying crosses the line, use the rule; “If you wouldn’t want your mother to hear it, don’t say it.” If you have a shadow of a doubt that Mom wouldn’t be pleased, it’s best to hit the backspace and think twice about what you’re saying.

Protect yourself! If you haven’t amped up your privacy settings, it’s about time to do so! It’s as simple as checking a box or setting up some parameters as to who can see what you post. If you’re friends with your co-workers, or better yet, your boss on Facebook or Twitter, think twice not only about what you’re posting but who can see it as well. Facebook even allows customize privacy settings to prevent specific people from accessing your information.

Talk to your friends. You DO have a say in what you are associated with on the Internet, whether it be photos or statuses and tweets in which you are tagged. If you don’t appreciate a tag or mention, un-tag yourself and contact the person who initially tagged you. If they are considerate of your concerns, the problem should be resolved without conflict. If not, maybe you should consider your social media affiliation with the individual.

For more information about online reputation management, ‘Like’ us on Facebook and stay up to date with all the latest trends in digital marketing. Give our team a call for a free consultation on how we can help you with your online reputation management.

Tips for your Online Reputation Management is a post: Marketing NJ

Earlier this year, Pinterest emerged as a new trend in social media. The virtual pinboard site experienced a 155% increase in unique visitors to the site between December 2011 and January 2012, according to a report by Compete. With the increasing popularity of the site, many businesses have added Pinterest to their social media portfolio. Pinterest takes a visual approach to social media, allowing users to share and develop a community based on shared interest by pinning images and videos to a collection of pinboards, each of these pinboards often centered around a common theme.

Can your business benefit from joining Pinterest? It very well could. Studies by Shareaholic report that Pinterest has been directing more traffic to websites than LinkedIn, Google+, and YouTube combined. Check out these guidelines for integrating Pinterest into a successful digital marketing campaign.

What does it take to Pin?

A successful Pinterest campaign does not rely directly on self-promotion. The most effective method of creating a Pinterest following and overall success on the social site is to develop a sense of community based on common interests involving your product or service. For example, if you owned a fashion boutique, one of your pinboards could be a “How To Accessorize” board, showcasing different outfits with different accessories. It is important to post original photos when creating your Pinterest account, but similar to Facebook and Twitter, interaction is key to building a fan base. Comment on other users’ pins, repin them on your own boards, and follow other users and their pinboards. A solely self-serving Pinterest account can be detrimental to building a fan base and your overall success on the site.

One technique for cultivating a Pinterest fan base is to launch a “Daily Pin” campaign. Again, using the fashion boutique as an example, the daily pins could include celebrity fashion picks, quotes from designers, and other ideas related to the interests of the desired fan base but not directly to the business. A successful Daily Pin campaign will lead to repeat visitors that come back looking for the daily pin and ultimately, more traffic to your website.

Don’t forget to connect your physical presence and other social sites to your Pinterest account. The fastest way to cultivate your fan base is to alert your fans and followers on other social media platforms to your presence on Pinterest. Whenever possible, add links back to your website in your pins to drive traffic to the site. Returning to the example of a fashion boutique, an original pin, such as a necklace sold by the shop, should include the price of the jewelry as well as a link to the boutique’s webpage and ecommerce site, if one exists. The impact of each pin’s clicks and re-pins significantly increases the likelihood of driving more traffic to your website.

Take the Time

Like any other social site, spending the time to develop your Pinterest account will increase your success on this social platform. Put thought into each pinboard theme and what you pin and repin on these boards. Track your efforts using Google analytics and monitor your growth in visitors and conversations. Tools such as Pinerly, which allows you mass-follow, unfollow, schedule pins, and view your Pinterst statistics. Fan engagement can also be measured by repins, likes, and original pins to your pinboards. Fan-created content, such as sharing a pin with your product, is the most impactful form on engagement. Encourage such content by creating a pinboard such as “Fan Favorites.”

Pinterest has great potential to bring many business’s digital marketing campaigns to the next level. If you have a business that relies on increases sales by way of driving traffic to your website, Pinterest could be very beneficial to your social media marketing strategy. Explore the possibilities for expanding your business through the virtual pinboard site and create you own online community of fans, connected by a common interest in your product.

“Like” Davanti on Facebook for more great social media tips and tricks!

Are You Pinning? is a post: Marketing NJ

What social media platforms is your business on? Of course you have a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and probably a WordPress or Tumblr blog as well.  Maybe you’ve even taken your social media presence further and developed your LinkedIn or Google Plus profile. There is no steadfast rule about how many social media accounts your business needs to be successful in the digital realm, but more likely than not, you are juggling more than one online profile. But with having these profiles comes the need to manage these sites and know what consumers are saying about your business. This management of your online reputation is an integral part of your digital marketing campaign and can be a defining factor in the growth of your business.

• Like anything else, it is important to plan. Think about how you want your brand to be portrayed. Start by finding out what is already out there. Many review-based sites such as Yelp! allow consumers to create pages without authentication from you, the business owner. Take the necessary actions to claim these pages and increase your control over your online reputation. Make it a priority to respond to negative comments and interact with your consumers.
• The next step in defining your brand is to develop your content strategically. What is appropriate for one social platform may not be ideal for another. Create a basic, informative bio that can be tailored for each network. Consider your audience when writing content. Different social sites are better for different things—write your posts based on the audience and the uses of each site.
• Link back to yourself! A great way to increase your SEO and bring traffic to your website is to include links on your social profiles. Include links to your different social platforms on each of your pages as well as on your blog. If you are set up on these social channels, it is easy to set up inbound links and this digital spiderweb of links will help increase your Google rankings.

Remember that managing your online reputation requires you to take a proactive role in how consumers perceive your brand. Do not let the collective Internet develop your brand image—taking steps to build and maintain your online reputation allow you to manage how your business is seen. Put your best foot forward in your digital presence through online reputation management.

For more tips on how to bring your business to the next level digitally, “Like” Davanti Digital Media on Facebook!

How to Manage your Reputation Online is a post: Marketing NJ

Personal identity theft is a real issue that we protect ourselves against with complicated passwords, PIN numbers, and sitekeys. Your brand image is your business’s identity and it is equally important to take measures to protect your online reputation. Consumer generated content (CGM) can have a profound effect on your business success or failure. Monitoring review-based sites is an important step in protecting and enhancing your online reputation.

Yelp!—What’s the Big Deal?

Yelp! is one of the most highly trafficked review-based sites on the Internet. There are over 32 million registered users and the development of a mobile application has made the site even more accessible for people on the go. Yelp! has also become more interactive, allowing users to check-in at different establishments.

It is important to know as a business owner that anyone can create a Yelp! page for your business. You may have reviews on the site of which you are not aware. Taking control of the page and monitoring what is said about your brand is integral to managing your online reputation.

Managing your Yelp! Account

The first step is to claiming your Yelp! page. After finding the listing for your business on the site, scroll down to the business details. Below the location information, you will see a link that reads “Is this your business?” Click the link to begin the process of claiming the page, which includes receiving an automated phone call and entering a 4-digit code. Once your page is claimed, you will have the ability to update you business information, add hours of operation, and post announcements, coupons, and photos.

One of the most important aspects of managing your Yelp! page is responding to reviews. Engaging with your consumers on this review-based site displays your appreciation for their business and concern for any negative experiences they may have had with your brand. Being aware of these reviews and responding to them gives you control over your online reputation.

You can’t stop consumer generated content, but you can use it to build online reputation management. Yelp! is only one aspect to your online reputation. There are several sites including consumer based blogs and posts that need to be monitored. To learn more about what Davanti Digital Media can do protect your social media identity and manage your online reputation, call us today at 800-420-3441. ‘Like’ us on Facebook and stay up to date on all the latest digital marketing strategies.

Protecting Your Social Media Identity is a post: Marketing NJ