Autumn has arrived whether we’re ready for it or not. With it brings cooler temperature, seasonal pumpkin spice drinks and changing out your summer wardrobe to heavier garments like sweaters and jackets.  However, cleaning out your closet isn’t the only fall housekeeping that should be done during this season of crunchy leaves and apple picking. Organizing and prioritizing your “to do” social initiatives and digital projects are in order to make sure you stay on top of the latest social trends, platforms and key ideas. The seasons are changing and so should your digital approach.

Don’t be stuck in your old ways

As humans, it’s in our blood to resist change when we’re stuck in our ways. We feel safe and comfortable in our routine, so why change a good thing? Unfortunately, many brands are unwilling to take the risk to make a change to their digital behavior and strategy; thus, they will never know what they are missing out on until it’s too late. So, how does one do it? Start by setting a list of goals and tailoring your daily routine to meeting those goals. For example, reach out to two or three followers per day by engaging through Facebook or Twitter. Not only will they not expect this, but will most likely appreciate the effort and begin to build a relationship with your brand.

Make a statement

Countless marketers and digital professionals alike are constantly trying to figure out how to stand out from the masses. This fall, don’t sit back and watch as other brands are successfully pulling off successful marketing campaigns and promotions while you struggle to keep up. Set your brand apart and make a statement about your brand. What are you trying to accomplish by being digitally active? Ask yourself this before tackling a major initiative. Would you like to acquire more customers? Build relationships with new potential consumers? Foster relationships with your current client base? All of the above? Once you are able to pinpoint exactly what your goals are, it’s time to be bold and make a statement. Think about the successful brands you know. Are these companies successful because they found their niche which essentially helped them stand out from their competition? If so, how did they execute? Think about what you can do this fall for your brand that will bring your company to the next level. Holding a brainstorming session with co-workers and colleagues is a great first step.

Fall has made its way back on the calendar after a warm and relaxing summer. Now that a new crunchy leaf has turned, when will you be cleaning out your digital wardrobe? Do you have any ideas for your company this fall? Let us know and comment below or tweet to us @TRA360! 

The social media train has left the station, ladies and gentleman. Are you on board? Either your brand is actively using social media and cruising along the Digital Sphere North, or pretty much, you’re left behind on the station’s platform, alone and confused. Yes, social media has become a norm in growing your brand’s business; but how do you know if you’ve succeeded? What does success look like?  Defining your company’s goals is essential for figuring out your personal secret sauce for success.  Finally, monitoring your analytics is the key to determining if you’ve met your goals, which in turn, defines your success.

The question isn’t where to go to measure general analytical trends (Google Analytics or Basic HootSuite are solid options), but how to efficiently use these analytical tools. Creating your brand page is the simple part, but when it comes to execution, many businesses end up stuck and regretting their decision to use social media in the first place.

Analytics are extremely important to determining success via numbers. When said and done, it comes down to how many people are actually noticing your brand and taking action through engagement. For instance, why take the time and effort to create a social campaign without determining if it’s worth your while. Analytics keep track of how far your initiatives go and what demographics are being reached. This helps brands further understand their target audiences and can tailor marketing campaigns/promotions accordingly.

Social media takes time and in some cases, money (hiring a consultant, spending for online advertising, etc.) and marketers wonder when they will finally see money coming in from their digital efforts. Analytics can also help with raking in the dough. Building relationships take time, as does establishing trust and gaining credibility in your industry. However, keeping track of the patterns of your users interactions with your brand can shed light into creating successful campaigns and contests. Continue these smart marketing practices, and you’ll soon likely see a return on investment through partnerships, buyouts, deals, new customers/clients, etc.

Do you think analytics are important to a brand’s social success? Why or why not? Let us know and comment below! 

In the Pharma industry, new innovative medications, software and products are being developed on a regular basis. These developments are advancing technology and the world of health care. But how can you tell if your product launch is successful? Hundreds of thousands of product launches take place around the world on a daily basis. But what are some factors in making a product launch successful or unsuccessful? Let’s take a look.

• Mastering the pre-launch

Before spending a significant amount of time and money on a product launch, not knowing if it will succeed or fail, it may be in your best interested to have a soft or pre-launch of your product. A soft launch is launching your idea or product to a smaller targeted audience. The purpose is to be able to see on a (much) smaller scale how your product will do when it’s go time.

• Branding and fulfilling a need

Does the product you are launching fulfill some sort of a need? Or is it fulfilling a want? Determine the purpose of your product is essential before launching it. Once this has been established, take a look at your marketing plan. Does the message your brand is sending match up with your product? Make sure this is clear in your launch; otherwise your product may be questioned.

Conducting a successful soft launch before releasing your product to the public and targeting the message behind your product are crucial for a successful product launch. Have you ever launched a product before? Did it fail or succeed? Why or why not? Let us know and comment below or tweet to us @TRA360! 

Are you looking to further expand your social media superpowers to better enhance your brand? Do you long for a tool that helps you organize your various social media outlets in a given space? You may already have checked out our series on how HootSuite Pro can accomplish just that. But we’re not here to talk about going Pro. HootSuite University (or “HootSuite U”) is essentially an extension to the HootSuite family that offers some pretty sweet perks.

How can users benefit from HootSuite U?

HootSuite describes HootSuite U as “a learning program designed to educate people on HootSuite features and social media marketing best practices”. The way we see it, HootSuite U comes hand in hand with Hootsuite’s various platforms (Basic, Pro, Enterprise, etc.) and helps its users fully understand what Hootsuite has to offer in terms of social media. Further, students enrolled in HootSuite U take three courses, each with their own exam at the end. After passing each exam, HootSuite U grads will be listed in HootSuite’s Social Media Consultant Directory and receive access to a library of webinars from industry experts.

As a social media consultant myself, I think HootSuite U is an extremely valuable tool. Business owners and non-tech savvy individuals alike are desperately trying to find a way into the social media world but tend to become too overwhelmed by the process, don’t have the time/patience, or don’t know where to turn to when looking for social media assistance. The value of HootSuite U is clear, but it’s the dedication of the student and their willingness to learn that makes all the difference.

For $30.99/month for non-HootSuite Pro users, or $21/month for HootSuite Pro users, HootSuite U seems worth it for those looking to enter the digital world. Check it out, we’re even in HootSuite U’s Hoot100 video! Do you U? If not, do you know anyone who could benefit from learning some new social media tricks and tips? Tweet to us and let us know @TRA360!