Digital content and social media ideas for December

While we're planning for 2019, let's not forget we still have one important and busy month to end the year on, December! Can you believe the holiday season is here? It can definitely be hard to think about making time to curate content for your blog, PR, and social media channels when this month's to-do list seems almost a mile long. Here are just a few opportunities this month to align your brand or business with some already note-worthy happenings online.

December is...

• Root Vegetables Month

• Exotic Fruits Month

• AIDS Awareness Month

• Universal Human Rights Month

• Write a Business Plan Month

• Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Daily opportunities include...

December 1: Day With(Out) Art Day
December 2: National Mutt Day
December 4: National Cookie Day
December 11: International Children's Day
December 13: National Cocoa Day
December 15: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 18: Free Shipping Day
December 30: Bacon Day
December 31: National Champagne Day
 

Want more content ideas? Check out our curated content calendars specifically for the food & drink, arts & hobbies, health & wellness, and lifestyle industries. You can find them under the Instas tab here on the FACTEUR website (and showcased below). We've pulled together social media, blogging, and PR opportunities based on monthly and daily holidays, hashtags, and high profile events that are related to each of those industries. Also included is a list of story ideas to get you started with developing your editorial plan, as well as space to brainstorm your own ideas. Right now, we're offering each calendar for $9, and if you buy all four with our Blogger Bundle, you basically get one free! Plus, every time we update the calendars, we'll make sure you'll get the newest iteration (at no extra charge, of course). Happy creating!

Reflect + Refresh: Brand considerations for the New Year

Depending on the situation, this time of year is when a brand is either winding down or going full speed ahead to achieve a successful holiday season. As these last few weeks pass by, remember to take a step back and look at everything you and your company has accomplished. Celebrate the successes!

However, it is equally as essential to also analyze where improvements can be made. Now is the moment to make time to stop and reflect on what has happened. This activity can be done over the course of a few weeks, or you could sit down and list everything that comes to mind in one go. It is all about making the contemplation session as beneficial as possible!

FACTEUR PR has three areas to add to your to-do list, along with some questions to ask yourself that may help with the process.

Mission and Vision

• Is your mission statement still accurate?

• Who has your audience grown to include?

We are aware of the amazing growth that a business can have in just one year, particularly for small businesses that are still in those critical early building stages. It is necessary to pause and consider if the direction the company is going is still fully parallel to that of its mission. Compare the different aspects of growth to the elements of your mission statement and the values that accompany it. Though your brand’s mission may not be literally written out for your audience to see, having it for the team to refer to is undoubtedly helpful to stay on track. (Thinking you may need a reset button on that statement? Here is a great resource to help.)

Social Media Presence

• Are you staying on-brand with the company’s aesthetics and voice?

• How does the tone of your content adapt to seasonal/cultural/societal shifts?

Take note of what kinds of posts are best received and focus on those. Do this while keeping everything relevant, however. Just because everyone loves a cute puppy photo does not mean it should be utilized over a more relatable image. Content needs to have strong visuals and writing to provide customers with a well-rounded message. It also is important to observe how your target market utilizes social media. Are they actually moving away from Facebook and towards Pinterest? There are trends in not only products and ideas but how individuals access and share them. Don’t forget to keep an eye out! Not sure how to read your audience? Just ask them!

Customer Interaction

• Do you have accessible avenues for consumer feedback?

• Do you encourage follower promotion by re-sharing their content, or do you keep all promotional content in-house?

It can be challenging to balance staying true to oneself and following what the customer desires. Because of this, it is a good idea to keep a level of two-way communication. Whether you make a point of responding to followers’ comments and questions on your Instagram posts or have an easy option for leaving online reviews, allowing customers to share their thoughts provides them with a way to feel and be more connected. Also, welcoming images or media that have been created by customers, known as user generated content, can increase brand connections. Both of these improve brand loyalty. This in turn lets a company make more informed decisions moving forward.

As you may have noticed, each of these areas are intertwined with the next. How a customer can connect with your brand may often rely on your presence online. The company’s reputation of honesty and/or transparency for the consumer relies on the proper execution of its values through the various physical and digital avenues. This is why we advise for a brand, personal or professional, to unpack these elements at the end of the year to have a fresh, successful start to 2019!

Warmest holiday wishes - we can’t wait to see what is to come in the year ahead!

Case Study: How this brand broke through a saturated market to earn 250 million media impressions

The project

Oak & Honey Events is an earth-friendly event planning company based in Northeast Ohio. In addition to planning weddings and nonprofit special events, the brand also produces its annual Recycled Wedding Boutique, a flea-market of sorts for couples to sell their used wedding wears and wares while alleviating some of the carbon footprints created while planning events of a large scale.

a press kit helps tell your brand story.

The plan

FACTEUR PR created a yearlong integrated Public Relations plan and executed the plan through targeted media outreach over a period of six months. We created a dynamic Electronic Press Kit (above), an educational and actionable infographic, and developed thoughtful pitches to both local and national media outlets. How did our pitches stand out in a competitive field such as weddings and event planning? Our strategy heavily revolved around positioning the company’s founder as an expert in the field of sustainable event planning. 

The RESULTS (so far!)

More than 250 million media impressions across media outlets including Martha Stewart Weddings, Good Housekeeping, Brit + Co, Brides, Bridal Guide, and locally on Cleveland.com and the Akron-Beacon Journal.

What the client had to say:

“I started working with FACTEUR last year. I previously was using a national PR group that works with many vendors in the wedding industry. It was very cookie cutter and was not customized to our specialty, so I was looking to make a change. When I started working with Reena she had done her research and presented a PR packet customized to us. We have had a lot more PR coverage than previously not only locally but nationally as well. I was so happy after the first three months I signed for another three to help continue with our PR plan. I can not speak more highly of her and the team. They really go the extra step to make sure you get the bang for your buck.”   -Melanie Tindell, Oak & Honey Events

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FACTEUR PR is a boutique studio devoted to public relations, social media, content marketing and digital creative services for emerging and established brands and businesses. Interested in collaborating? Contact us! 

Pinterest just might be that one thing missing from your marketing plan

Since its launch in 2010, Pinterest has seemingly fallen in and out of popularity over the years. However, all of us at FACTEUR think it is back, and in a big way. Time has proven that Pinterest is a very successful, yet rarely used, marketing tool. They have a great variety of users, mostly made up of millennial women. However, according to Pinterest, 50% of their new sign-ups this year have been men. If your targeted audience is included in this demographic, Pinterest is perfect for your brand! Whether you’re an influencer, blogger, business, etc. you should be using Pinterest in your marketing efforts to drive traffic to your website, increase sales, engagement, and credibility, among other things. Here’s why:

More People Use Pinterest Than You Think

Pew Research Center assembled research in January of 2018 which indicated that 29% of U.S. adults are users on Pinterest, third only to Facebook and Instagram. That is not an insignificant chunk of people.  And, if you’re not on Pinterest, you are missing out on that whole marketing segment.

Picture via SOCIALBARRELL.COM

Pinterest is more than Wedding Mood Boards and DIY Inspiration

Pinterest is essentially a search engine. People go there to find things they want, so why wouldn’t you put yourself out there for them to find? Once you break in and establish yourself, your experience is totally curated to your relevant fields of interest. Basically, you won’t have to fight with 50 “wedding dress” mood boards if you’re a personal chef, and vice versa! The OG Pinterest user, The Blogger, used Pinterest specifically to drive more interested traffic to their website, and so can you!

Pinterest Will Increase Your Visibility

Specifically, Pinterest can contribute to your site’s ever-so-important SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Newly launched in 2018, there are four different sections of Pinterest that your pins can be found on, making even more opportunities to connect with people. They are:

• The Hashtag Feed

Relatively new to Pinterest, hashtags allow users to search for specific feeds showing current real-time posts containing their desired content. Adding all relevent hashtags to your pins will get your posts included in each one of those hashtag feeds.

• The Smart Feed or Home Feed

This is where Pinterest assembles posts from a user’s interests. They are found using a new algorithm that looks at saved, related, and pins relevant to each user’s interest, and assembles a feed that prioritizes “best” over “newest.”

• Search

The Search Feed shows the best of the best pins in the relevant category. In order to appear near the top in this feed, you need domain, pin, and pinner quality. A good way to get these things is to add as much information and legitimacy to your pins, personal website, and profile as possible.

• The Following Tab

In the Following Tab, users see content that the people they follow are pinning. This is a one-stop-shop for recommendations from your own curated feed. A good way to appear on this is to increase your presence and consistency in pins to gain followers.

Appearing in all of these feeds will increase your SEO overall, and will lead to increased trust and visibility for your brand. Read here for some more ways to “win” at Pinterest.

You Can Create a Free Business Profile

Because Pinterest will let you create a free business profile, you will be able to see analytics and trends for all of your content, making for easy and streamlined monitoring of your efforts over time. If you already have a Pinterest profile, you can also convert it to a business profile at any time! Follow this guide to learn more.  

Zaful has created promoted pins with click through purchasing that aren’t an eyesore for the feeds they appear in

You can Create Promoted and Buyable Pins

You can also purchase promoted pins, which bump up your placement in feeds, and are shown to increase total engagement.

Pinterest also allows users to create pins which have a feature allowing products to be bought within the Pinterest app itself. This feature is now available to every Pinterest user, via Shopify. Pinterest has indicated that 1 in every 2 people will make a purchase after seeing a promoted pin, and why not make it easier for them with this cool new feature?

Still not convinced? Read on to learn about recent success stories from businesses who have embraced Pinterest.

ThirdLove, an indie bra retailer that makes the “perfect bra” started using promoted pins with one-click access to a landing page from their own website. After six weeks of consistent and new content in promoted pins, they saw a 26% increase in traffic to their site, and a resulting 14% lower cost per acquisition.

Wayfair, a wildly popular furniture retailer, found huge success by creating buyable pins for every single one of their products. Since launching this campaign they have seen increased traffic and revenues, and decreased advertising costs.

Moorea Seal’s Pinterest Boards

Moorea Seal was a recent graduate, who wanted to launch her own business. She gained popularity on Pinterest because of her curated boards. Each one was thoughtfully curated and housed enough appealing content to gain her a mass following. Since joining Pinterest, she has gotten two book deals, opened an online store, and opened a store front, all of which she attributes to her Pinterest success.

Seems pretty easy, right? Pinterest might just be what you’re missing to get your marketing plan really working for you. If you have experience with Pinterest or are going to give Pinterest marketing a shot, let us know how you get on in the comments below. And of course, share this post with your business hustling friends!

The FACTEUR Holiday Gift Guide

The FACTEUR PR team knows how easy it is to be wrapped up in all of life’s responsibilities, and suddenly it is the middle of the holiday season! To help you get a head start, we have gathered great gift ideas for a number of different people in your life. The best part is that each of the items featured below is from our wonderful clients, with many of them being small businesses to support. It’s a win-win!

Here is a delightful gift or two for…

The Unofficial Personal Stylist

We know that one friend that you can always turn to for outfit advice. Why not treat them to a lovely accessory that will fit instantly into their wardrobe? Bombay Taxi Boutique has fun limited edition jewelry, handmade in India, such as this elegant quartz bracelet. Another unique company, Liza Michelle Jewelry, designs beautiful pieces that are hand cast in recycled metals. This necklace is from their Crater collection, which is inspired by textures and the moon.

Khusboo Bracelet $50.00

Petite Achelois Necklace $86.00

The Resident Chef

If you are lucky enough to have a passionate foodie in your home, you may want to thank them for all the great meals you’ve had together this year. Philly-based Jar Goods offers the perfect option for a go-to tomato sauce. If you can’t decide which of their delicious classic flavors to pick, how about all three? A hand towel always comes in handy in the kitchen, and this black and white tasseled one from Homies is made from super absorbent 100% cotton.

Classic Variety Sauces $19.00

Turkish Hand Towel $40.00

The Perfect Hostess

This individual has a reputation for putting on both the best dinner parties and cozy movie nights in. Show your appreciation for their welcoming home with a chic decorative piece. Homies has handcrafted pillows that are each unique depending on how the fabric is cut and painted. If they are a Cleveland native, try a fun mug with a message. This one from the boutique Banyan Tree will surely bring a smile to their face.

Indigo African Pillow $89.00

From Cleveland Mug $17.00

The Cleveland Foodie

This friend is often searching out new places and always has a recommendation for a bite to eat when you are planning the group’s night out. Give them a day off from the hunt by treating them to a meal at Felice Urban Cafe. The eclectic yet relaxed home setting offers fantastic food, with produce that is often sourced from their garden. Another great option before going out to a game or concert, is The Flying Fig. Located in the Ohio City neighborhood, this warm, friendly, and contemporary restaurant proudly sources their delicious meals locally as well.

Felice Urban Cafe

The Flying Fig

The Beauty Junkie

It is so much fun for them to try the latest skincare and cosmetics! Often compact, these beauty products work well as stocking stuffers! The trending ingredient of Charcoal can be found in this all-natural cleanser from FreeRange SkinCare. All of their skincare products also include free range eggs that contain natural vitamins and antioxidants. VersaSpa provides a great sunless option for keeping one’s glow all year long.

Charcoal Cream Cleanser $18.00

Monterey Bronzing Mist $45.00

The Wellness Guru

The encouragement from being a part of a local fitness community makes these kinds of activities so fun to try. Treat an acquaintance to a class at Harness Cycle for some great morning bonding time! And what is better to follow a sweat session than a refreshing sheet mask? Avarelle Cosmetics has a trio of Herbal Infusion masks, with each one featuring a different natural extract: Tea Tree, Rosehip Seed, and Cica.

Harness Cycle $0.00 (select amount)

Herbal Infusion Sheet Mask $12.50

The Plant Mom

Have a friend whose love of nature inspires many aspects of their life? This cute mini dish with a cactus design would make a perfect bedside table or kitchen counter addition in their home. We also couldn’t help featuring this darling sterling silver ring that was cast from a real twig.

Cactus Mini Dish $15.00

Twig Ring in Sterling Silver $48.00

We hope this gives you a good place to start in your holiday shopping. Many of these items will make great stocking stuffers too, so you really can’t go wrong. Happy Holidays!

Recap: DIY PR Happy Hour

Last week we hosted our first DIY PR Happy Hour! The event, which sold-out two weeks in advance of it taking place, was held on Wednesday, September 26.

We welcomed 16 local professionals to our shared studio space in Ohio City to meet and teach them how to get their hands dirty with their own PR efforts.

We opened up the night with some mingling and munchies! This was a chance for everyone to exercise that one skill we all know we need: networking. Meeting other professionals in the same or similar career areas as yourself present invaluable connections and recognition for any future collaboration. Everyone hit it off, and we can’t wait to see what future relationships blossom from this!

After we got some food and wine in, the learning began. During our session, Reena answered the these questions:

• What is the difference between PR and Marketing?

• Why is PR important and how does it help build revenue?

• What assets do I need to prepare before sending my pitch?

• How do I find the outlets and reporters that would be interested in my brand?

• What are some affordable resources to help me DIY PR?

We kicked things off with some comprehensive definitions of the different aspects of PR and the differences between public relations and marketing. As most of our guests are what we like to call solopreneurs, it becomes important to distinguish what kinds of media they can get, and how. Reena outlined the importance of paid, earned, shared, and owned media and divulged how each intersects and is used to promote a brand in the press.

In addition to making the connection to press, you need to have something to offer them. Everyone at FACTEUR wholeheartedly believes in the power of prepping for publicity, and that includes building a press kit. We shared and discussed some press kits that we recently developed for clients which showed off their brand and gave background on their history and offerings. Not only does this give a reporter an easy and beautiful run-down of exactly what you’re all about, but they also are handy to have for others as well. (Think investors, advertisers, and partners.) If you want a better idea of exactly what goes into a press kit, check out our blog post on the Top 10 Things You Need in a Press Kit.

Reena then shared her 12 Steps to DIY PR, a highlight of DIY PR Happy Hour. These steps are the reason most of our attendees came out for the event, and we made it easy to understand the process of prepping for and procuring your own media coverage. The steps are a simplified version of what we do here at FACTEUR every day, and we think everyone will find them comprehensive and easy to follow, with patience and perseverance.

From one attendee: “Thank you for hosting your DIY PR Happy Hour last week. I truly did not know what to expect from this event but your presentation and the attendees truly blew me away. I've never experienced a group of people willing to create a community of professionals who were so open and willing to help others so quickly. I am still on a high of inspiration from this event.”

If you, or someone you know, want to get your hands on these steps, and/or don’t have the budget to outsource publicity services for your brand, DIY PR is for you. Keep an eye out for more events like this one hosted by FACTEUR. In the meantime, be sure not to miss our upcoming Marketing Planning Brunch on November 3!

We hope to see everyone again soon, and to see some new faces at our next event!

Photos c/o Paige Moag

Tips to ignite excitement around a product launch: what we learned from Fashion Week

It is always exciting to share new products with your consumers. Along with all of the effort put into external promotion, however, we can’t forget about creating content for our own platforms. As we always say at FACTEUR PR, “own your story to share your story!”

Want a tip for approaching your social media in a potentially different way? Treat the drop of a new item like an event! Who wouldn’t want more customer anticipation building up to the release?

The concept:

A good source of inspiration for this kind of strategy is in the fashion industry, specifically how luxury brands engage followers during the release of their collections each season at Fashion Week. An easy way to look at the shared content is in three parts: before, during, and after the event. Instagram, and particularly Instagram Stories, are becoming increasingly important and utilized for brand engagement. Here are some examples of what to look for and share.

“Luxury brands are often known for being the least transparent in the industry, so any glimpse into the process is widely welcomed. The desire for transparency is growing in consumers at all market segments, so it is a good thing for small businesses to keep in mind as well!”

Pre-Show:

• Instagram Story Takeover (example: a show attendee shares the process of getting ready for the show.)

• Small Detail Posts (example: sneak peeks of the show venue, inspirational quotes or images that contributed to the designs, and glances at the production process catch the attention of followers.)

• Attendance List (example: if someone cool is showing up or is otherwise involved, let viewers know.)

During the Show:

• A Garment in Motion (example: choosing a few of the strongest or most unique looks from the collection works well when shown on the model in video or photo form.)

• The Finale Video (example: even a fraction of the moment when all of the garments can be seen at once provides the observer with a good grasp on elements of the collection.)

Post-Show:

• Attendees’ Responses (example: a candid interview occurs to capture the emotional responses of a variety of viewers.)

• Edited Visuals (example: the sharing of final images and/or videos of the looks occurs after they have been sorted and edited to meet the company’s level of quality and aesthetic.)

An elegantly applicable brand to observe is that of Dior, one that is often acknowledged for their extensive social media content. On September 24, the luxury fashion house showed their Spring/Summer 2019 RTW collection in Paris. Its Instagram account utilized the story feature throughout the day. Instead of following the pre-show preparation of a well-known influencer, they featured a fresh-faced model describing each part of the fashion show she experienced (shown above). Luxury brands are often known for being the least transparent in the industry, so any glimpse into the process is widely welcomed. The desire for transparency is growing in consumers at all market segments, so it is a good thing for small businesses to keep in mind as well!

How to apply it:

Each of the kinds of content described can be translated and pared down to your specific products or services before, during, and after a launch. Post a sneak peek of the cool packaging or a video talking through your sources of inspiration. After the product is released, maintain its new position in the market. Though your business likely does not have the ability to make the volume of content that a brand such as Dior has, sharing a handful of quality visuals in the following days is already a significant reminder to your audience! At FACTEUR PR, we can’t say enough about the importance of continuing on after a big brand moment has happened. Keeping up public relations both online and off is a constant endeavor, so keep it fresh and creative!

Looking for assistance with your public relations and social media strategy ahead of your brand or product launch? We can help! Head to our Contact page to get started!

Instagram Story images c/o @dior. Cover image c/o Cleo Glover.

Our newest clients will adorn you!

There is always a multitude of changes going on as transitions between seasons occur, and FACTEUR PR has been along for the ride! In the last month, we have been excited to have added four new clients to our roster of brands we love, deepening our commitment to the creative community! We’d like to introduce them to you here on our blog!

Avarelle Cosmetics

This company was founded just over a year ago and sells their line of products exclusively on Amazon. The Avarelle Cosmetics skincare line currently consists of acne cover, treatment, and spot patches, as well as an acne treatment spot solution and rejuvenating herbal infusion sheet masks for every skin type. Based in New Jersey, the brand sets itself apart in its use of all-natural ingredients to combat acne, as well as the diversity in its products, particularly with its level of coverage and variety of sizes. Avarelle is made with Tea Tree Oil, Calendula Oil & Hydrocolloid Dressing. These treatments can be applied day or night, are easily concealable with or without makeup, and can be snipped to size to heal acne and its scars quickly and safely. Avarelle aims to ultimately boost confidence while solving skin and blemish issues.

VersaSpa

Sunless, Inc. is the global industry leader in healthy, UV-free tanning and the power behind the well-known, most in-demand home and salon-applied spray tan brands: Mystic Tan, VersaSpa and Norvell. With its headquarters in Cleveland and an office in Nashville, Sunless’ mission is to help its broad range of consumers not only look better, but feel more confident in their own skin. Its products are not only safe, but easy to apply in four minutes or less.

Liza Michelle Jewelry

The essence and beauty of objects found in nature is what inspires the designer behind Liza Michelle Jewelry. Liza Michelle Jewitt Rifkin creates handcrafted fine jewelry and objects, utilizing a method of casting natural objects in solid metal. Founded in 2013, the company produces with a commitment to craftsmanship of the finest quality and environmental sustainability. Inside her Ohio City studio, each item passes through the designer’s hands and carries the story of her process and the clients.

Shannon Michael Style

Shannon Michael Style is an Ohio-based beauty consultant and retailer, primarily focused on hair and makeup artistry in the bridal and celebrity industries. Led by Shannon Dyer, the company contracts artists for numerous events throughout the year and most recently expanded to include a premium makeup line to offer both its online and in-person clients. This fall, Shannon Michael Style will begin a new chapter in its business by aligning fashion with its beauty brand. Bridal gowns designed Dyer, thanks to her background in design, will sell direct to consumers in several bridal boutiques. Utilizing her business strategy to incorporate fashion into the beauty brand positions Dyer’s company as a industry leader and offers a full experience for her consumers. 

We look forward to all of the creative projects ahead!

FACTEUR PR welcomes Emily Kopchak to its team

We are so excited to welcome our fall intern, Emily Kopchak to the FACTEUR PR team! Emily is a senior Fashion Merchandising major at Kent State University with minors in Fashion Media and Visual Communication Design. Through her education, she has had the opportunity to complete a summer semester in NYC and a fall semester abroad in Florence, Italy. At Kent State, she is also an honors student and the Chief Administrative Officer of the National Retail Federation Student Association chapter on campus. Emily is interested in the creative processes fashion and non-fashion brands utilize to connect with their consumers. Her other passions include exploring in nature and finding the best doughnuts in the world.

Emily will join Hannah Krisinski through December - please join us in welcoming her to the team! Leave a comment below, and feel free to send her an email. Plus, stay tuned for some blogs and other great content from Emily and Hannah throughout the coming months here on the FACTEUR blog! 

Social media and story ideas for September

September is nearly here, which means summer is almost over (sadly)! But who else thinks fall is the best season? The approaching season has no shortage of great events that can serve as an inspirational source for blogging, and September is no exception. These ideas are also applicable to your social media and media relations pitches. To get you started, here are just a few opportunities this month to align your brand or business with some already note-worthy happenings online.

September is...

• Better Breakfast Month
• Whole Grains Month
• Yoga Month
• Healthy Aging Month
• Self Improvement Month
• Classical Music Month

Daily opportunities include...

September 3: Labor Day
September 6: National Read a Book Day
September 18: National Cheeseburger Day
September 21: International Day of Peace
September 22: First Day of Fall
September 25: One Hit Wonder Day
September 26: National Pancake Day
September 27: Women's Health & Fitness Day
September 28: Drink Beer Day
September 29: National Coffee Day
 

Want more content ideas for the year? These are just a few of the ones we've identified! We have developed four editorial content calendars specifically for the food & drink, arts & hobbies, health & wellness, and lifestyle industries. You can find them under the Instant Resources tab here on the FACTEUR website (and showcased below). We've pulled together social media, blogging, and PR opportunities based on monthly and daily holidays, hashtags, and high profile events that are related to each of those industries. Also included is a list of story ideas to get you started with developing your editorial plan, as well as space to brainstorm your own ideas. We're offering each calendar for $9, and if you buy all four with our Blogger Bundle, you basically get one free! Plus, every time we update the calendars, we'll make sure you'll get the newest iteration (at no extra charge, of course). Happy creating!

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