In the early days of social media, there was one metric that indicated success: follower count. Brands, creators, and businesses chased big numbers, believing that scale alone translated into impact. But today, that equation is shifting. Audiences are more discerning, algorithms are more complex, and attention is more fragmented than ever. A large following might…
Read On from Building Community Over Followers: The New Social KPI
Today’s consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, demand honesty, integrity, and transparency from brands. Authentic branding involves aligning marketing with the company’s values and actions, which includes consistency, customer focus, and a clear purpose. Social media is the ideal platform for brands to demonstrate authenticity through real-time communication, fostering long-term consumer trust through genuine effort….
Read On from Building Brand Authenticity: How Transparency on Social Media Can Drive Engagement
With the variety of social media platforms available, it can get stressful on how best to properly utilize each. For consumer brands, developing an engagement strategy not only helps with driving authentic conversations, increasing conversions and customer retention rates, but also creating brand loyalists. With engagement rates four times higher than Facebook, here are four…
Read On from Why Brands Should Utilize Instagram for Engagement
February was an interesting month in marketing, with Super Bowl campaigns looking different than previous years and social media updates that took us by surprise. LinkedIn began developing their Freelance Marketplace, TikTok implemented new methods to help stop the spread of misinformation, Pinterest announced a major revenue increase from shopping ads, and Instagram made it…
Read On from February 2021 Highlights: Important Industry News of the Month
Our Superbowl Marketing Roundup Whether you were rooting for your favorite team or watching by tradition, the Super Bowl creates some of the best opportunities for advertisers to join the big leagues. Over 160 million fans tune in for the big game, putting pressure on brands to create the most attention-grabbing, memorable advertisement for viewers….
Read On from The Best Ads and Social Media Moments from the 2021 Super Bowl
Case Study Spotlight: TEDx With over a decade of industry experience, we have worked with a variety of clients to develop strategic marketing plans using an integrated approach. With a combination of public relations, social media marketing, website maintenance, and brand consultation lotus823 grew TEDxAsburyPark’s overall brand awareness. Learn how we did it below! Background TEDxAsburyPark…
The start of 2021 saw many newly launched features across various social media platforms. YouTube tested out a shopping feature, Facebook redesigned its “Pages” layout, TikTok announced a new “creator portal”, and Instagram launched a “professional dashboard” for users. Continue reading for the latest updates on social media platforms and the industry below! Social Media…
As one of the most-used social media platforms for over a decade (with an estimated 1 billion active users), Instagram remains one of the most effective tools for digital marketers to captivate diverse audiences and help brands grow. Recently, the worldwide app sensation has adapted to accommodate the latest video-content trend with a new feature,…
Read On from Instagram Reels: Your Guide to Instagram’s Latest Feature
Throughout June, Spotify began testing interactive podcast ads, Instagram expanded commerce access to business and creator accounts, respectively, while TikTok released a new brand and platform for marketers on the app. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry roundup below! Social Media Spotify is Testing Interactive Podcast Ads With ambitions to become the…
Through our integrated marketing approach, our team has delivered measurable results and increased market share for a number of the clients in the housewares industry. With activities including public relations, organic social media development, social media advertising, and influencer activations, check out how we grew Zavor’s brand presence both online and offline! Background Zavor, an…
Throughout May, Twitter and Instagram focused on testing new platform features, rolling out a ‘Who Can Reply’ setting and an option to pin desired comments to the top of posts, respectively, while Facebook released a timely expanded version of the existing Messenger’s video calling function. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry roundup…
Throughout April, Instagram and Twitter focused on launching new content features for creators, rolling out updates to IGTV and a calendar full of weekday Tweet prompts, respectively, while Facebook released a timely, interactive COVID-19 map on the platform. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry roundup below! Social Media Facebook Just Released an…
Throughout March, we have seen brands and businesses adapt to recent coronavirus restrictions. With people using technology now more than ever, social media platforms launched creative new features to help people communicate and stay connected during these unprecedented times. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry below! Social Media YouTube Rolling Out New…
Over the years, we have worked with dozens of housewares brands in developing strategic plans designed to help them flourish. Learn how we helped The Fulham Group, a fast-growing home and grilling manufacturer, receive more than 2.4 million impressions as a result of one brand ambassadorship program below! Background The Fulham Group, a fast-growing consumer…
Throughout February, Snapchat and TikTok worked on launching new app features, rolling out a “swipe up to call” ad option and implementing shopping links in videos, respectively, while Pinterest introduced a new Verified Merchant Program. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry roundup below! Social Media Snapchat Launches ‘Swipe up to Call’ Ads…
Throughout January, we have seen newly-launched features across all social media platforms. Learn more about the latest updates in the industry below! Social Media Instagram Addresses Questions on Algorithm, Comment Pods and Verification [Infographic] Instagram is usually sharing insightful information regarding the platform on its @Creators account, and this month in particular, they offered an…
Throughout the month of December, we saw multiple updates across social media platforms, as well as some industry changes. Keep reading for the final important updates of 2019! Social Media Pinterest Debuts Trends Tool to Help Track Top Searches Pinterest Trends, the app’s newest update, allows consumers and brands to see the top searches on…
As the year comes to a close, we wanted to take some time and reflect on the largest digital marketing and social media developments we saw this past year. The top developments of 2019 included updates across social media, advertising, and Amazon, as well as privacy breaches and improvements in Google search algorithms. Social Media…
Read On from Top 5 Digital Marketing & Social Media Developments of 2019
Social Media Private Instagram Posts and Stories Can be Shared Publicly Using Just a Web Browser Attention Instagram users, if you’re concerned about privacy, this news is for you. While you may have thought that setting your Instagram account to private would control who can see your posts, it turns out that your photos and…
When meeting with a prospect recently, we were discussing the struggle to garner authentic conversations around brands on social media. Consumers are constantly looking to others for recommendations, reviews, and testimonials, and in an era when writing fake Amazon reviews is a thriving business, it’s become increasingly difficult for brands to build trust with consumers….
There’s no denying the fact that the majority of people today are swapping out their newspapers for apps on tablets and smartphones. Gone are the days of families gathering around the television for the “evening news,” as social media has become the main source for individuals looking to gain insight into the happenings of the…
As illustrated through our previous blog posts on social media advertising on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, social media has created a multitude of opportunities for businesses to reach consumers through a more casual medium, and now LinkedIn has hopped on the bandwagon. Although initially created as a platform for networking among business professionals, LinkedIn has…
Read On from Social Media Advertising Best Practices: LinkedIn
Marketing projections for 2019 only further emphasize an increase in the role of social media for marketers. Considering we’ve already covered all things Facebook and Twitter, we’re adding to our collection of social media advertising best practices with Instagram. As a platform with over 1 billion users, Instagram has become a mecca for brands looking…
Read On from Social Media Advertising Best Practices: Instagram
There are a lot of tips and tricks to consider when your business is diving into social media marketing, such as “which hashtags should I use?” or “does this picture clearly match the message I am trying to send?” There is a method, though, to all of the social media marketing madness that often requires…
As Q1 came to a close this month, news within the industry continued to flourish. In March, LinkedIn launched several new features for audience targeting, and Twitter announced its plans to incorporate a “Subscribe to Conversation” button in the near future. Amazon has yet again set out to dominate the retail realm, this time through…
We understand there are mixed feelings and opinions about Valentine’s Day. For some, it means chocolate, flowers, and a romantic dinner. For others, it’s about getting together with girlfriends and celebrating friendship. Or, it may be a day full of self-love and treating yourself. Regardless of the feelings surrounding the holiday, we know it is…
Read On from Valentine’s Day Campaigns We’re Falling in Love With
As October marks the beginning of Q4 and the busiest time of the year for most companies, social media and digital marketing efforts are just as active across a variety of platforms. Pinterest is especially gearing up for Q4 with the launch of Product Pins, a newly created e-commerce tool. However, with every beginning also…
With September being back to school season, for social media it meant back to business! And for Instagram and Snapchat, the month was especially busy, with both platforms introducing ecommerce integration to make in-app purchasing easier than ever. Twitter also announced two initiatives to better manage user experience on both the front and backend of…
From sharing adorable dog pictures on Facebook to posting for a friend’s birthday on Instagram, it seems as though everyone uses at least one form of social media to mark life’s important moments. With privacy settings, it’s simple to keep these posts from reaching anyone outside of your select friend group. Some people even go…
Last month in our post, “Why Every Brand Needs Influencer Marketing: Types of Influencers and How to Measure Value,” we identified the different types of influencers and what each can provide for a brand. Additionally, we outlined how to measure the value of the content produced by influencers and ways to maximize a partnership. Continuing…
Read On from Paid & Organic Influencers: Pros, Cons, & Everything in Between
The first month of summer brought along some blockbuster deals and interesting new releases in the realm of digital marketing, social media, and business in general. In case you’ve missed some of these headlines, here’s a recap of some highlights that made news this past month: Social Media Pinterest adds a much-needed Lens update for…
In recent years, social media has impacted the way in which users communicate with their friends, family, colleagues, as well as how they communicate with people they have never met offline. Whether comprised of friends or followers, social networking sites (SNS) have audiences. These audiences are made up of individuals who view, react, and engage…
Read On from Social Media Personas | Reality vs. Online Identities
Spring has finally arrived and it was a jam-packed month here at lotus823! As the outside world was in full bloom our team was sharing tips for how you can bring your marketing campaigns to bloom through integrated strategies. Read on to catch up on everything you missed, including reports from the International Home +…
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” We’ve all heard this iconic idiom, but it really rings true for those of us that work in social media. When you only have 140 characters to convey a brand’s message, using photos can really help tell the story. Eye-catching and engaging imagery can make the difference between…
As my colleague and good friend Katie mentioned in a recent blog, social media plays a vital role in impactful marketing campaigns. If you’re just starting out on the social front, have no fear! We’ve rounded up our top five tips for seamlessly integrating social media into your very own marketing campaign: Know Your Audience…
Read On from 5 Tips for Integrating Social Media Into Your Marketing Campaign
At lotus823, social media isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle. Social media has bridged the gap between the A-list folks and the every day people (us). It has made the average person into a celebrity. Pretty cool if you think about it! From Facebook to Snapchat to Instagram, we’re all connected and “friends”…
Social media. It’s the worldwide neighborhood. We have been given this huge opportunity to connect with people all over the world. Are you taking advantage of it? We’d be surprised to hear if you weren’t on social media yet (unless you’re a new brand of course). But if you’re not and you’re looking to dive…
Though CES is still a few months away our team is busy with their final preparations. From award submissions to booking media events, there’s still a lot to be done before they head to Vegas in January! Join us on the road to CES 2017 as we share the team’s insights and advice for those…
We see it everyday – actors, musicians, experts, and even dogs talking (or barking) up a storm about a brand that they love. If you didn’t already know, these are called Brand Ambassadors. Due to their influence over a particular community, brands select these recognizable folks to amplify their message surrounding one-off campaigns or long-term…
Read On from Tips for Success: 4 Questions to Start off your Brand Ambassador Program
Over the past two weeks Pokémon has taken the world (and the lotus823 office) by storm. No, it’s not 1998 and no we’re not playing Gameboy! I’m talking about Pokémon GO, a new augmented reality game launched earlier this month. The game has Pokémon trainers around the world hooked and is racking up record-breaking returns…
There’s no denying that the smart home industry is booming! From refrigerators that can communicate ketchup shortages to garbage cans that directly sync to iPhones, countless Americans are now living in connected homes. Ironically enough, while the technology landscape is rapidly changing in time with the smart home movement, marketing professionals are evoking traditional tactics…
Read On from Marketing Insights into the Fast-Growing Smart Home Industry
Summer is in the air and a new generation of marketers is about to enter the real world! Throughout May our team shared valuable insights and tips to help the Class of 2016 get started on the right foot. Let’s get started! lotus823’s Christine Rochelle Inducted into Jersey’s Best Marketing and Communications Professionals under 40…
So you’re fresh out of college and looking for a job in digital marketing. Armed with an addiction to Snapchat and hashtags, a job in social media is a no brainer, right? Not so fast! While having a passion for the platforms is necessary, there are several other important attributes you’ll need to dominate in…
Read On from 7 Attributes of Successful Social Media Managers
WHAT: “Radio by the people.” WHAT Makes It Different: Unlike most social communities, Anchor FM is ALL about audio. It allows users to record and share up to two minutes of audio with anyone who follows their stream. It does not, however, allow photos or videos. It’s as if Vine started to podcast. WHAT Is…
In today’s social media-centric world, it is tempting when a hot topic goes viral to join the conversation, leveraging this massive flow of traffic. It’s only natural for marketers to envy this chance circumstance and want to use it to their brand’s advantage. There are a few things to consider, however, before jumping into your…
Read On from When It Makes Sense for Your Brand to Join a Social Media Trend
Newsjacking is still a fairly new marketing tactic in the world of public relations and social media, and marketers are using it to their advantage on a daily basis. But what exactly IS newsjacking? To put it simply, newsjacking is the act of leveraging trending topics to generate attention and boost brand exposure. It sounds…
Read On from What is Newsjacking? The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Working in a digital marketing and public relations agency comes with a lot of questions. “What is it that you actually do?” “Are you able to make my product or brand go viral?” “Do you attend parties with celebrities?” While all of the above are valid questions from an outsider, and sometimes are what the…
Read On from Public Relations vs. Digital Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Back from our long holiday vacations, we’ve finally said good-bye to 2015. With a new year comes a new marketing strategy to craft and new goals to reach – and hopefully surpass. 2015 was a year of groundbreaking marketing technologies that resulted in bigger, better data than ever before. Some of our favorite 2015 social…
As consumer technology advances, advertising and marketing strategies by all industries must adapt, too. For instance, traditional advertising primarily consisted of print and broadcast media but this has evolved with various forms of social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and more, all now serving as advertising platforms. According to Ad Age, the advertising industry…
Read On from The Shift From Traditional to New-Age Advertising
With 2016 presidential campaigns kicking into high gear, campaign teams are searching for the most effective way to advertise their candidate. Today’s campaigns utilize social media more than ever before. In past elections, candidates were limited to Facebook and Twitter. Today, there are a plethora of social media sites available for political campaigns to use…
Read On from Tweet the Vote: Social Media Hits the Campaign Trail
Are the holidays about presents or presence? Having been a merchant for many years, my initial thoughts surrounding the holidays typically occurred in the middle of summer. When most folks were putting on sunblock, I was planning for the biggest selling season of the year. Now as a digital marketing professional, I still find myself…
At lotus823, an award winning integrated marketing agency based in New Jersey, we are proud to announce the expansion of our client portfolio with the addition of two new clients – Gumdrop Cases and Maverick Industries. We continue to see demand for our integrated services, providing each new client with a customized blend of Digital…
It is officially fall and the leaves are quickly changing color here in New Jersey. But that isn’t the only thing that has changed this month. Throughout September we have seen a new iPhone, a new Google logo and closed out the month with a really amazing Super Blood Moon. Sure, that’s all really exciting,…
Earlier this month Disney launched a marketing campaign of epic proportions. The worldwide marketing blitz leading to the December release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens officially kicked off on September 4, otherwise known as #ForceFriday. Stores around the globe held special midnight events for the release of new merchandise and social media…
Read On from #ForceFriday: Star Wars Strikes Back on Social Media
It seems like summer came and went in the blink of an eye – now the kids are going back to school and the days are slowly getting a little colder. As we all mourn the loss of warm beach weather, we can take comfort in knowing that the end of summer doesn’t mean the…
Read On from From Pumpkin Spice to Instagram Quizzes: Social Media Stunts You’ll Fall For
![Our Summer of Digital Marketing News [Roundup]](https://lotus823.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/photo-1517605817225-1a38c494d974-1024x683.jpeg)
Happy September! That’s right, it’s September. We can’t believe it either. These past couple of months have certainly flown by, which must mean we’ve been pretty busy. We’re sure you’ve had your share of crazy busy work weeks, too. So, today we’re bringing you our recap of summer – content marketing genius, the importance of…
Summertime is typically known as a slow period for agency folks, but at lotus823, our digital marketers experienced quite the opposite. While our PR team was busy with holiday gift guide pitching, our social media team welcomed a new member! Vicki Marziale recently joined lotus823 as a Social Media Account Executive. Now that she’s had…
Read On from lotus823 Employee Spotlight: Vicki Marziale, Social Media Account Executive
We had the pleasure of welcoming Emma Rawson, a business student from the UK, into our New Jersey office for a week. We asked her to guest blog her experience working with our PR and digital marketing teams. To see all of our posts from guest bloggers click here. If you would like to be…
Read On from A British Invasion: Learning the PR ropes at lotus823
At lotus823 we understand the importance of integrated marketing. However, many digital marketing professionals still believe organic strategies such as SEO and social media work independently of one another. This fallacy can do major damage to your organic marketing. In reality, SEO and social media work in sync to help your brand acquire customers and…
Read On from 4 Ways to Improve Organic Marketing with SEO and Social
In a follow up to a post I wrote nearly two years ago, we’ll dig deeper into Taco Bell’s overall content marketing and media strategy, and how it evolved from their “ahead of the curve” approach to a social media strategy. I’ve previously written about Taco Bell’s social media strategy, and how it was, and…
When it comes to marketing inspiration, we often look at big brands to see what works, but what about local businesses? The Jersey Shore local biz circuit knows a thing or two about leveraging social media and marketing tools to bring in the masses all year ‘round. After a few months here at lotus823, I…
Read On from 3 Jersey Shore Businesses Who Nailed Their Branding
Hello and happy June fellow marketers! During the month of May we decided to shine the spotlight on the ever-evolving landscape of social media. We love the conversations and insights that social media provides us and keeping up with the latest trends is something we enjoy both on a personal and professional level. It’s time…
It’s the nightmare that’s bound to keep any digital marketing agency up at night. Imagine, a wave of bad publicity hitting your brand without warning. You’re left wondering how to clean up the mess on social media. Do you stay silent, hoping the tide passes? Perhaps you choose to face the barrage head on. We’re…
At our digital marketing agency, social media is a part of who we are. Whether it be for professional or personal use, our social media team is on numerous networks at any given time of the day. It’s like Christmas morning when we receive an update notification to our phones about the latest filter,…
Read On from Behind the Scenes of Social Media Marketing with the lotus823 Team
The ways in which we are exposed to content and how we engage with brands has evolved over the course of history. Gone are the days where PR pros solely relied on the newspaper, TV or radio to generate brand awareness. The emergence of social media has radically changed not only the methods in which…
Each year March marks the beginning of the spring season… on the calendar at least. We still saw snow here in Jersey – which isn’t a first for our crazy northeast weather forecast. At lotus823, though, we did see some firsts. Beth went to her first DSE tradeshow, St. Bernards charged your phone at SXSW…
Here in New Jersey, February 2015 was on the coldest months on record, with February 24 being one of the coldest days ever recorded in the state (Woolpack, in Northwestern New Jersey rang in at -20 degrees that day). In the last 120 years, there have only been five months (out of a possible 1,440)…
‘Tis the season of giving thanks, spending time with family, and of course the most stressful time of year for brands to unveil their biggest campaigns yet as they try to catch the attention of holiday shoppers. From Facebook to Instagram and of course Pinterest, thousands of brands big and small are struggling for the…
Read On from Top Thanksgiving Campaigns from Big Name Brands
With the business industry changing regularly, clients are in need of connecting with agencies that are able to adapt to changes and can integrate all available services. Being an integrated marketer means knowing the importance of using strategies such as public relations, social media, and content marketing are the keys to successfully achieving a client’s ultimate goal. The…
It seems numerous social media outlets and the Internet are the proven “go-to” and reliable news source for most, but which sources are actually here to stay? There’s one online strategy that can benefit many companies and give them something they strive for – an edge. Blogging. There are myths that could cloud someone’s perception…
A lot has changed since the original Facebook debuted in 2004. It seems that even a lot has changed since last year. Back in May and June of this year there was uproar among marketers and brands about organic reach drastically dropping. So why was it dropping? Brian Boland, Vice President of Ads Product Marketing…
Throughout the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with clients both off-site and on. In the office I am working daily to maintain accounts through monitoring for media coverage, to writing press releases, to managing social media communities and any other assignments that come my way. Off-site functions are an entirely different…
Award-winning PR and Digital Marketing Agency Selected by Knomo for PR, social media and branding services. lotus823, a PR and digital marketing agency based in New Jersey, is proud to announce a new client partnership with Knomo, a London-based brand that designs and markets stylish bags and cases that organize and protect digital accessories designed…
Read On from lotus823 Welcomes Addition of Knomo to Client Roster
lotus823, a New Jersey-based PR and digital marketing agency, is pleased to announce the addition of Life n Soul, a pioneer in innovative and stylish Bluetooth gadgets and audio devices, to its growing client roster. lotus823 will support Life n Soul with a blend of strategic public relations, content marketing, and social media services. Founded…
Read On from lotus823 to Launch PR and Digital Marketing Services for Life n Soul
Content marketing. It’s something we’ve been talking about a lot this year. It’s the latest craze in the marketing world and most companies seem to be jumping on board. Being that I haven’t always worked in the marketing industry, I’ve found that many of my other experiences can relate to my current position at our…
With the introduction of #AmazonCart, the line between social media and ecommerce has been blurred even further, paving the way for unlimited reach and sales tools, but is it sustainable? Social media and ecommerce retailers have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. Social media is proven to drive purchasing decisions – so much so that…
Read On from How Ecommerce and Social Media are Working Together
The education and insight that #SMWF North America had to offer roared on during Day 2. Here are some highlights from #SMWF North America Day 1 in case you missed them. Getting social with @KristenGrant_1 & @meeklay at #SMWF! #smwfselfie #notawkwardatall pic.twitter.com/OoUusEEJcL — Ben Blakesley (@benunh) May 29, 2014 Day 2 started off with some…
One of the major social media marketing events of the year is #SMWF North America, presented by Social Media World Forum. The event is taking place from May 28-29 at 82 Mercer in New York City. Even though we’re not there in person, we wanted to share some highlights from Day 1 of the event….
Let’s face it: we live in an era where social media rules the world. It has become a space where every single person is given a voice, even if it’s behind a screen. Like we all know, this is great for brands as it gives them a space to be creative, open and engaging with…
Last month, I was lucky enough to attend the world’s largest startup event, NY TechDay 2014, at Pier 92 in NYC. This being my first trade show, I was both excited to take in the New York startup culture and anxious about the unknown. My team and I boarded the ferry bright and early and…
Read On from #NYTD Takeaways & Tips on How to Rock Your Next Trade Show
We previously provided tips for launching a crowdfunding campaign, but getting the funding your project desires is only half the battle. What happens during the process and once you get backing will impact the public’s perception on the project and, in turn, your company. Best Practices for Your Crowdfunding Campaign 1. Market Your Project One…
Have you ever come across a brand talking about some random national holiday that you never heard of? How about a brand jumping on the bandwagon of a cultural trend? I can’t help but to look at this issue from both perspectives. Coming from a consumer’s perspective, I sometimes find myself thinking “Uhm…so how is…
Read On from Social Media + Pop Culture – A Total #Win or #Fail?
Recently, Snapchat updated its platform with a fresh new look and advanced messaging features. Now available to all iOS and Android users, the newly updated app now allows users to have conversations, rather than just sending individual photos and video messages. The app also aesthetically improved by redesigning many of the buttons and icons as…
Read On from Snapchat Update Creates Better Customer Service Opportunity for Brands
Is your company getting the most out of Twitter? The online social channel allowing for 140 characters per post can become the reason your brand is seen as a thought leader. While a lot of advice has been given about staying active on social, it’s also very important to interact. Community management of your Twitter…
All aboard the breakfast train! As you may know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and on March 27, Taco Bell has officially launched their own breakfast menu featuring such items as the A.M. Crunchwrap, Waffle Taco and Cinnabon Delights. Taco Bell has decided to launch their biggest marketing campaign yet by…
Read On from A Content Marketing Duel: Taco Bell vs. McDonald’s
In the month of April, we traveled to California, New York, Chicago and even had someone join us from Florida. Why all the traveling you ask? To bring you all the latest on social media, public relations and marketing!…
Read On from PR and Digital Marketing Monthly Roundup – April 2014
The third and final day of the WOMMnext Conference in Chicago kicked off yesterday at 7:30 with a giant, recuperative breakfast spread, courtesy of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) who hosted the conference. If you missed the highlights from Day 2, please read our WOMMnext Day 2 blog. At 8:30, people filed into…
The Word of Mouth Marketing Association’s (WOMMA) WOMMnext Conference is in full swing! We just got out of Day 2 and everyone learned a lot. If you want to know what we learned from Day 1, check out our previous WOMMnext blog post. In the throes of the show, TweetReach has registered that an estimated…
Admit it, whether you were lying in bed with your dog or out at the bar with friends, you have snapped a selfie at least once in your life. It’s okay, don’t be ashamed, selfies are awesome. After all, the Oxford Dictionary word of the year for 2013 was “selfie”. You’re certainly not the only…
Read On from But First… Let Me Take a Selfie: How to Leverage the Selfie Sensation For Your Brand
One of the biggest days on the startup calendar is April 24, 2014. That’s because it’s NY TechDay 2014! Here’s a look at the NY TechDay experience from last year: NY TechDay 2013 from The Startup Companies Inc. on Vimeo. What to Expect This Year NY TechDay 2014 will have over 400 exhibitors from a…
“We live in a visual world. Use a picture to draw in more readers.” –Michael Hyatt, during his 7 Rules to Writing Blog Posts That Get Read and Shared session at Social Media Marketing World 2014 We can all agree that the main goal of any content marketing strategy is to get as many…
Gary Vaynerchuk, a social media marketing brand consultant, spoke out against shameless sales pitches on social channels at the Ad Age Digital Conference earlier this week. Ask yourself, how frequently is your social media strategy about pitching product? If you answered “any at all,” Mr. Vaynerchuk is here to say, “you’re doing it wrong, homie.”…
Read On from Seeking Social Media Insights (Forget Likes for a Minute)
There are many benefits associated with being a thought leader – a person or individual that is well known and seen as a trusted expert on a particular topic. According to Forbes, “It is, without question, one of the most effective and efficient ways to generate new business from new clients as well as from…
Read On from Growing Your Brand With PR Through Thought Leadership
So, you have a cool product or offer an amazing service. You know it, but how do you get your target audience to know it? Simple: marketing. If you put your passion and money into your product or service, but have little to no marketing experience, you’re probably asking yourself, “How do I get the…
Read On from The List of PR and Digital Marketing Essentials for Tech Startups
The world’s largest social media marketing conference has wrapped up, but it doesn’t mean that the buzz surrounding it is over. We already covered the first two days of Social Media Marketing World 2014 and the third day finished strong. Because it is a conference revolving around social media, it was of course easy to…
The world’s largest social media marketing conference kicked off on March 26 this year in San Diego, CA. Social Media Marketing World 2014 is hosted by the popular blog, Social Media Examiner. The event boasts a mélange of networking, discovery, and fun, but that designation doesn’t promote the caliber of the attending brands. Names like…
Read On from Inside Social Media Marketing World: Days 1 and 2
Have you ever given yourself five minutes to browse the Internet and wound up looking at the clock forty minutes later and wondering where the time went? Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty much a routine for me. Everyday, there’s fresh, engaging content online that we can’t help but share with friends and coworkers. From the…
Read On from Keeping Content Creative: Tips From A Constant Consumer
If your marketing strategy is a one-way street, you might want to revisit the drawing board before setting another campaign to go live. It’s time to make room for another player in your marketing game. We’ve all seen the Facebook giveaways, Twitter chats and Instagram hashtag social media marketing campaigns, which are effective, but what…
Read On from How WhatsApp is Changing the Social Media Marketing Game
Blogging is an essential piece of any content marketing strategy. From engaging your audience to building your social community and adding SEO value to your website, it’s no longer an option but a must for all businesses. However, there are times that you will hit a roadblock. Writer’s block happens to everybody, at one time…
Read On from 6 Content Marketing Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block
If you spent an afternoon at lotus823, there are a few comments directed towards me that you will most likely hear: 1. “Christine can you put on some upbeat music?” 2. “No, Christine, no one wants to see another photo of Brian Stelter and Jamie Shupak’s wedding.” 3. “Did you find this on Instagram?” Before…
Read On from Nerd Confessions: Instagram Is My Drug of Choice
Over the past few years, users have learned that social media is not only a platform to keep in contact with family and friends, but also a means of direct communication with brands they know and trust. As a digital marketing agency, we have seen firsthand the positive and negative impacts that customer service on social…
Read On from Keeping Consistent: Customer Service on Social Media
“Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” There’s no denying it. People like visuals. They’re quick, to the point and pleasing to the eye. That being said, lets not waste too much time. Instagram. It’s a name we have all come to know…
Read On from Best Practices to Achieving Instagram Branding Success
As with any New Year, you can expect to see new ideas, perspectives and technology. Our first roundup of 2014 will feature great digital marketing tips, CES 2014 fun and our point of view on why our job is better than yours….
Read On from The Digital Marketing Monthly Roundup – January 2014
Have you ever wondered why brands use New Year’s as a time to strongly market themselves or their products? It’s because there’s a huge window of opportunity to promote their brand as a means to start fresh. After weeks of holiday stress, eating deliciously unhealthy foods and possibly traveling, consumers usually want to invest in…
Read On from New Year, New You: The Perfect Content Marketing Opportunity
“It’s not about spamming everyone you know. It’s about sharing a moment with your friends.” – Kevin Systrom, Founder & Chief Executive of Instagram As we’ve come to learn over the past couple months, the social media networks that we’ve grown to love and obsessively post on, have all been updated or have acquired a…
Read On from Social Media Networks and The Craze of Private Messaging
One of the most unique aspects of working at a digital marketing agency is being on top of EVERYTHING that is happening on the web and social spaces. There are many social media tools that make this task easier – but these are my favorite. 1. HootSuite HootSuite is a social media management and analytics…
Read On from Five Tools Every Social Media Marketing Specialist Needs To Use
The addictive 6-second looping-video app, Vine, is letting its users become a little more personal. On Friday December 20, Vine allowed for all verified Twitter accounts to create a vanity URL to allow for easy search and a future web-based profile. The update became available to the public three days later, December 23. Vine.co features…
As most people know, social media is a great way to spread the word about your brand. Whether that brand is your business, your product or yourself, personal engagement is the best form of advertising. Not only is it cost-effective, but also the reach to your audience is constantly advancing. Most brands have molded to…
It’s been a little over a month since we all came across the first Instagram Ad in our feeds. Perhaps it’s too soon to acquire the true ROI and value proposition of these ads, but we can look into other ways that brands are reaping benefits from this new approach. Let’s start off with the…
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I’m a people person. How cliché, I know, as I’m on the PR team. But, really, I am. I enjoy talking; I enjoy listening; I enjoy learning about people and how and why they operate as they do. One of my favorite personality tests is the Briggs-Myers Type Indicator test, a “psychometric questionnaire designed to…
Read On from The Integrated Marketing Specialist’s Personality Profile
“One of the greatest challenges companies face in adjusting to the impact of social media, is knowing where to start.” – Simon Mainwaring The social community that started out as a private online network for college students has turned into a great business tool for companies all over the world. With over one billion people…
Those of us tuned into DiGiorno’s Twitter feed during NBC’s live showing of The Sound of Music were treated to a slice of social media bliss. DiGiorno’s sardonic, accusatory, and just plain crazy meditations on pizza- pizza as it relates (loosely) to love and family during wartime in Europe- were delightful. It was out of…
Read On from DiGiorno’s Twitter Feed Showcases Brilliant Social Media Marketing
FACT: “every day people Pin about 1.5 million places, and there are more than 750 million Pins of these destinations on Pinterest.” (Oh, How Pinteresting). On November 20, Pinterest introduced their latest type of Rich Pin: the Place Pin. Place Pins let Pinterest users, consumers and businesses map what they’re interested in, no matter where they…
Read On from How-To Use Pinterest Place Pins for Geo-Targeted Social Media Marketing Campaigns
Marketing plans are often tailored to each business’s needs and unique characteristics. Foursquare is a location-based social marketing tool that is a must for brick and mortar operations. The livelihood of shopkeepers and storeowners depends on one important factor: getting people in their stores to purchase whatever product or service it is that they sell….
Read On from Location-Based Marketing: Getting Physical with Foursquare
![[Download New Guide] Google+ Hangouts Best Practices](https://lotus823.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/photo-1529612700005-e35377bf1415-1024x683.jpeg)
If you’re an avid follower of lotus823, you know that we are social media lovers. After all, there are so many digital platforms you can use to promote yourself and your brand, so why not take advantage of them? Do you consider yourself an industry leader? Do you have great insights you want to share…
Read On from [Download New Guide] Google+ Hangouts Best Practices
Most kids want to be something like a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher when they grow up. I used to dream of becoming a trapeze artist and joining the circus. I don’t spend my days flying high under the big top; however, I like to think I came pretty close with my career in…
Read On from Working in Integrated Marketing… My Childhood Dream of Joining the Circus Came True
While driving my sister and mom to visit family, my mom rambles on: Mom: “So, I talked to so and so…” Me: “Oh yeah, what did you say?” Mom: “I told her your sister is a lawyer and you’re in public relations, but I have no idea what you do…” We have had this conversation…
Read On from How to Explain Integrated Marketing to Your Grandma
Instant messaging truly was the first form of “social media” by connecting people in a way that we thought was never possible. When it first became available to anyone with an Internet connection, we all couldn’t get enough of it! On this #ThrowbackThursday, let’s turn the clock back to the beginning when the start of…
Read On from #TBT Special: When Social Media Was Just ICQ and AIM
Food preferences aside (I love t-bell), we can all agree on one thing about Taco Bell: they own social media. Let’s look at how they are achieving social bliss with their ‘first-mover’ mentality and crowd sourced approach to social media. Taco Bell currently ranks as No. 1 on DigitalCoCo’s Restaurant Social Media Index, edging out…
Read On from Taco Bell: Serving Up the Spiciest Social Media Marketing This Side of the Rio Grande
The beauty of social media is that you can instantly share anything with your friends, followers, and the world. The downside of social media is that you can instantly share anything with your friends, followers, and the world. With Twitter and Facebook, we have amazing opportunities to share our messages and thoughts with tons of…
Read On from To Tweet or Not to Tweet? Tips To Avoid a PR Blunder
Pinterest, the language of pop pins and pleasant pictures, is an amazing tool if you use it the right way, and most companies don’t. Why, you may ask? It develops its own momentum in a very accelerated way if you tap into things intrinsically “Pinteresty,” and if you don’t your pins sit and go nowhere,…
Read On from 3 Tips For Developing a Pinterest Marketing Strategy
Information is shared so fast it can often be overwhelming. As a content writer I get into a frenzy at times, generating content as fast as I can because ideas have a shelf-life, and I feel the need to explore them before I lose them. I love the pace and the proximity to chaos, but…
Modern integrated marketing solutions are heavily reliant on social media. To ignore social media is to reject the future, and if your company doesn’t evolve, it dies. The problem is with so many runners in the race it can be difficult to stand out. Luckily, in integrated marketing, it’s not about finishing first, it’s about…
Read On from 3 Steps to Interesting Social Media Marketing with lotus823
“How can I get more Facebook likes and Twitter followers?” Often I wonder if social media strategists like myself wince a little every time they’re asked that question. It’s a valid question, being the most obvious metric of success on your brand social page. Strategists debate with clients that website traffic and overall content impressions…
Read On from Integrating Influencer Engagement Into Your Marketing Strategy
You’re surely familiar with old adage of “reach exceeding grasp.” If people read your content and then their people will read it through your people, it spirals outwards again further, into the most distant arms of the social media galaxy. So how can you make sure you’re sending your information as far as it can…
In the integrated marketing world, social media plays a pivotal role in delivering a brand’s message as well as generating customer and fan interaction. Let’s look at a few examples of ‘out of the box’ social media marketing utilization. When planning and implementing an integrated marketing campaign, one major component is social media. Along with…
Read On from Social Media Marketing Beyond Likes and Retweets
Social media is no longer just a tool we use to connect with friends and family. Since its inception, social media has evolved into something so much more than simply liking the latest photos from Friday night, retweeting an inspirational quote or competing in popular online games. Social media platforms have become a mandatory business…
Read On from The Top Three Reasons Why Social Media is Made for Businesses
The search for the perfect honey mustard is an art. Yes, an art – to which I’ll add that it’s an art I have dedicated myself to experiencing and analyzing for many years now. One could say, I’m more adept in this pursuit than to that of finding a mate. I know exactly what I’m…
Does the ability to both share and organize images on the internet sound of interest? Before you go ahead and make an account on Pinterest.com, make sure that you have plenty of free time! This relatively new online image pin-board can have you instantly hooked and intrigued. Pinterest.com is a new social media website that…
Tim Tebow has been generating a lot of buzz throughout this 2011-2012 NFL season. Yes, he led the Denver Broncos to the first and second rounds of playoffs; however, most of the buzz created by Tebow was from his move of getting on one knee and starting to pray, despite what was going on around…
With the recent World Series, social media, yet again, made its presence known. At lotus823, we see all the incredible ways social media can help a business or an individual professionally. We also see how much social media is expanding personal aspects of our lives, including hobbies like America’s favorite pastime. Online Sports…
lotus823 understands the importance of social media sites today. However, have you ever stopped to think how social media could be affecting your job hunt? A study released on PR Daily showed that 70 percent of hiring companies have rejected potential employees due to content on their personal social media sites. Companies listed reasons for…
Celebrating 15+ Years of lotus823: Leadership, Growth, and Building a Woman-Owned Marketing Agency in New Jersey
March 9, 2026
More than fifteen years ago, I took a leap of faith and founded lotus823, guiding its vision and strategy with my husband as a supportive business partner. What started as an idea has grown into a thriving integrated marketing agency in New Jersey, built on strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a leadership philosophy that...
Building Community Over Followers: The New Social KPI
May 4, 2026
In the early days of social media, there was one metric that indicated success: follower count. Brands, creators, and businesses chased big numbers, believing that scale alone translated into impact. But today, that equation is shifting. Audiences are more discerning, algorithms are more complex, and attention is more fragmented than ever. A large following might...
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Is Earned Media Enough Anymore? The Shift to Amplified PR
April 27, 2026
For decades, earned media has been considered the gold standard of public relations. A feature in a respected publication or a product mention from a trusted journalist carries credibility that paid advertising simply can’t replicate. But while earned media remains one of the most trusted forms of brand exposure, the media landscape has changed...
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Why Long-Term Creator Partnerships Outperform Campaign Bursts In Influencer Marketing
April 20, 2026
Let’s start with a hard truth: Most one-off influencer marketing campaigns don’t deliver the ROI brands expect. They may generate impressions and short-term reach, and they may even look good on a report. But when it comes to building brand trust, driving meaningful engagement, and influencing purchasing decisions, campaign bursts often fall short. That’s...
Read On from Why Long-Term Creator Partnerships Outperform Campaign Bursts In Influencer Marketing
