Remember when hashtags used to be THE growth method on Instagram? I was able to post 1-2x a day and use hashtags and grew my personal account by about 1,000 followers in a few months in 2016. However, with the algorithm changes and Explore page, hashtags feel somewhat irrelevant - are we even seeing growth from them anymore? Do they affect your visibility on the Explore page?

This brand is killing it on TikTok and I was lucky enough to be one of their first 30k followers because they will be at a million soon. If you are unfamiliar with Mohawk Chevrolet’s TikTok - take a look. Their content is engaging, funny, and leaves you wanting more.

Staying ahead of the curve is essential for any brand looking to make a mark. Liquid IV, a popular powder hydration brand, has mastered this art by becoming a top 10 seller on TikTok Shop.

Launching a new product can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor - mainly when budget is in the way. Leveraging UGC has become a powerful strategy to amplify your brand's presence and drive sales, not to mention cost effective. Collaborating with UGC creators allows you to generate authentic, relatable content that resonates with your target audience - you can utilize this content on their accounts, your own organic channels, and even paid (and don’t forget your website too).

It doesn’t always seem natural for a brand to talk about the business side of things - or to approach a platform such as LinkedIn, and share not as “obvious” marketing content. However, there are other people in marketing, in business, and general brand fans that love to engage and learn from their favorite brands on LinkedIn - not to mention this is a great place to recruit new talent (which may be why most brands are active on the platform). We took a look at some of our favorite brands to see what they are posting on LinkedIn (Sidenote: The drink brands seem to be having the most fun on LinkedIn).

As these new tools on Instagram are becoming more popular (and rolled out to everyone now) you may be wondering - How can I best utilize Notes and Broadcast Channels for my brand on Instagram? Well today we are going to dive into some ideas on how to use these tools to your advantage.

Brand collabs not only give you an excuse to bring a new cool product to life but they are a great way to bring more eyes to your brand. When we first got into social media it was all about collaborating on giveaways - you still see them pop up on social every now and again but if you have ever run a social first giveaway you know how spammy they can feel and also attract followers that don’t even care about your brand. Now with the usage of Instagram in particular it’s harder to get followers and people to stay engaged - they want to see things on their Explore page (just like TikTok).

With its unique blend of inspiration, discovery, and shopping functionalities, Pinterest offers a fertile ground for brands to showcase their products and connect with consumers on a deeper level. To be honest, it’s not usually a “top” channel of consideration for our brands as the usage is a bit different from the timely posts and usage of platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

In the dynamic realm of social media marketing, staying ahead of trends is key to maintaining relevance and engaging with audiences effectively. In recent years, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse platform, captivating millions with its short-form video content and viral challenges. While initially perceived as a platform for Gen Z users, TikTok has swiftly transcended demographics, presenting unparalleled opportunities for brands to connect with consumers in innovative ways. The latest move by John Deere to hire a Chief Tractor Officer (CTO) for TikTok underscores the growing significance of this platform in brand strategy.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media marketing, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter often steal the spotlight. However, there's one platform that's quietly growing in importance for CPG brands: LinkedIn. Often seen as a space for professionals and B2B interactions, LinkedIn is emerging as a valuable tool for CPG brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, one platform has managed to capture the attention and loyalty of Gen Z like no other is Snapchat. With its ephemeral nature, creative tools, and real-time engagement features, Snapchat has become an indispensable part of Gen Z's digital world.

Having a mission driven brand is something that must come natural - typically from the start or something that naturally evolves over time for your brand. So many brand’s today struggle with creating content (mainly on social media) as they truly lack a “brand” or having a stance on, well anything! Having a well rounded brand and voice is key BEFORE putting your brand out there (aka on social media).

When I started working in social media in 2012, Instagram was new and Facebook was still fairly new. I mean, do you remember the days on Facebook where you put a status up and people will comment on it asking you direct questions that were honestly no one else’s business? We shared our locations, who we were with, everything in live time - and waiting for people to comment and ask questions that really everyone could see. We would NEVER do that now.

I ask people ALL THE TIME what their favorite brand on social media is. I am always hoping to hear a brand I don’t know about or see a new strategy, but more often than not I hear brands that everyone already knows and sees or that they read in an article that was “the best” brand on social media, Duolingo being one I hear more often than not. I have nothing against Duolingo, I actually use Duolingo daily (currently learning Spanish) , and love their approach to social media. The other side of this is when I speak to brands and work on their strategies we often hear the brands say the same thing - we want to be as big as Duolingo. But the fact is, your brand will NEVER be like Duolingo on social media.

In case you missed it Stanley, who previously did $75 Million a year just did $750 Million in 2023. What happened? TikTok did. Almost everyone in the US knows about Stanley cups and the craze that took over TikTok.

If you haven’t heard of Skims, I’ll give you a quick rundown - It’s a brand owned by Kim Kardashian (and run by Emma Grede - who you may recognize from Shark Tank). What do they sell? Basically they started as an upgraded version of Spanx, and have transformed into so much more - from their recent menswear line, bras and undies, and loungewear. The brand only started in 2019 and has grew to fame quickly - but much differently than all other Kardashian brands - it’s a quality brand that can stand on its own without the Kardashian endorsement - and their partnerships prove it.

The social media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms always emerging. One of the latest additions to the social media scene is SPILL, a Black-owned Twitter alternative specifically tailored to the Black community and other marginalized groups.

We have heard “Facebook is dead” several years ago. Recently it’s been “Instagram is dead”, and I haven’t heard this one before but technically Twitter is dead and X is supposed to be charging people to be on the platform (so not sure I truly consider that a social media app anymore). I recently came across this article by Insider Intelligence basically saying that all of social media is dead and discusses what advertisers can do about it.

The holiday season is a magical time of year and, of course filled with heightened consumer activity. This is THE time of the year that most CPG brands make a large percentage of yearly sales, and it seems year after year sales and marketing for the holidays start earlier.

Marketing for the Barbie movie has been over the top, and I have loved every second about it. I was personally not a Barbie girl growing up (but after seeing the movie I am obsessed - it may have changed my life and I encourage everyone to see it). As a marketer, you have to be somewhat excited about this shift and viewpoint on marketing - Barbie was a great example to launch (or push really) this new view of brands and marketing - building worlds and experiences.