admin In Advertising, Art, Branding, Business, Design, Digital Solutions, Email Marketing, Facebook, Fayetteville, General Info, Graphic Design, Lead Generation, Media Services, Raleigh, Search Engine Optimization, SEO,

What Makes an Ad Stand Out – Good Text, Display, or Video?

As a business owner, it is important to understand the basics of what goes into a good advertisement.

All brands need promotion and the correct kind of promotion is key. In order to expand your business, it’s essential to have an effective advertising campaign. When done incorrectly, money is wasted on ineffective or poor ads. Our goal is to save money with ads and, in turn, make them more money with new clients or customers.

At 219 Group, when clients ask us “What makes a good ad?” – there is no easy answer, as it is largely based on each client. However, we will do our best to answer this in general terms.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF ADS

It is important to understand what makes a good ad and what does not.

Good ads:

Call to action / tell the prospective customer to do something.
Engage customers based on where they are in the customer journey.
Regardless of channel, it seamlessly translates brand identity.

Bad ads:

Do not follow the rules and get disapproved.
No call to action / do not ask the customer to do anything.

TEXT ADS

In 2021, Google confirmed Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) are the default in new ad accounts. What this means is that strategies need to fit both formats to include the expanded text ads.

RSAs are made up of:

Minimum of three headlines (30 character limit each), maximum of 15.
Two descriptions (90 character limit each), maximum of four.
One path set (two 15-character addendums to your root domain)
Optional tracking templates.

As only the first two headlines are guaranteed to show in a text ad, it is imperative that you pin the calls-to-action in either headline one or two.

In text ads it is important to make sure each headline can stand on its own while being related to the others.

DISPLAY ADS

Display advertising is defined as a mode of online advertising where marketers use visual ads to advertise their products on websites, apps, or social media. It has been mistaken that display is only useful for remarketing; but display ads are good for various parts of the consumer’s journey. Display ads can create and build brand awareness.

The steps for display ads include creative for all the potential spots, or sacrificing some creative polish to use responsive display ads.
If you choose to opt for a responsive display ad (RDA), you are sacrificing some level of brand control in exchange for reach. These ads will open all possible placements to you.

Display and Responsive display ads require:

At least three images or videos, including a logo (can have up to 15 assets)
One long headline
At least one regular headline
At least one description
Business name
Final URL

Display ads have their own downfalls but tend to outperform traditional ads simply because they stand out. They allow more creative either from your website or social or stock images if you prefer.

Display ad tips:

If using video, make sure it is no longer than 15 seconds.
While RDAs will have a CTA button, regular display does not therefore, make sure to build a call to action button into your ad.

VIDEO ADS

Video advertising is the process of displaying ads either inside online video content. This is typically before, during or after a video stream, known as pre-roll, mid-roll and post-roll or as standalone ads.

How video ads work on Youtube:

Bumper: 6-second spots serving before or after the main video.
In-stream non-skippable: 15-second spots that serve before/during/after the main video.
In-stream skippable: 30+ second spots serving before/during/after the main video that can be skipped after five seconds.
Outstream: Video spots serving in spots other than main YouTube.

Video ad composition:

Video: If you selected a time-specific format, you’ll receive a warning if your video is incompatible
CTA: 10 characters (“Learn more” is always a good option)
Headline: 15 characters to position your CTA
Final URL: Where your clickable element will lead
Display URL: What the user sees (root domain is the best choice)

The most important thing to remember about YouTube is understanding what you want your audience to do. If your goal is to drive them to a landing page or website, you need to make sure they watch long enough to see the website. If the goal is sales, then do not waste time on the bumper ad for awareness and put your call to action for a sale.

WHICH AD TYPE IS BEST

To decide which ad type is best is to look at the client and goals. A great ad is the result of many things – the right target audience, the right creative and using the channel correctly.

DIGITAL MARKETING YOU CAN TRUST

At 219 Group, we do a lot of things well. Websites, landing pages, banners, newsletters, social media, mobile marketing, search engine optimization, email and paid search campaigns are the best ways to engage with customers in an increasingly digital, mobile and personalized world. We have assembled a team of professionals to create complete digital strategies and tactics that leverage all available forms of digital media at different levels of the marketing funnel.

admin In Branding, Business, Fayetteville, Media Services, Public Relations,

What Not to Do When It Comes to Social Media

Often times, businesses focus more on what to do when it comes their social media platforms, neglecting what they shouldn’t do. Luckily, we at 219 Group haven’t forgot and have composed a list of a few don’ts when it comes your social media.

Don’t Like Your Own Status

There’s a meme out there that states “Liking your own post, is like giving yourself a high five”. Although you may think your status, that you created, is interesting, let’s give your followers the chance to make the decision on their own. One thing that you could do is encourage your employees to like the status and possibly share it on their personal pages. This is one of the best ways to increase brand awareness.

Don’t Get Muted

Sometimes, businesses get so caught up in reaching their audience on social media, that they constantly post every hour, without pacing themselves. Flooding your followers’ timelines with a post can become very nerve racking to some and can force them to mute your page, or even worse, unfollow you, which isn’t good. Try pacing yourself, create a schedule stating the number of times you will post a week (preferably 2-4 times a week). This will show your followers that you are consistent on your page but that you are not over posting as well.

Don’t Forget That It’s Business… Not Personal

One of the main problems for businesses is that they forget that their social media pages are not meant to be personal. Posting birthdays, pictures from crew lunches, or work parties are great but anything such as political views or opinions on current events is a big no-no. It is best that you keep those things on your personal page. This can give your business a bad look regarding your brand can lead to followers blocking your page and you possibly losing business.

As a business owner, managing your social media and your company can be tough task, at 219 Group, we can help. Give us a call or fill out a quote form to discuss social media services with one of our account executives.

admin In Branding, Design, Graphic Design

Success Begins With A Great Logo Design

The importance of great logo design for a business or organization simply cannot be overstated. If you do not believe us, just google logo design fails and you will see what we mean. For many of your key audience your logo design will be their first impression of your business or organization. You know how they say that a picture is worth a thousand words? A good logo is vital to your marketing strategy. Believe it or not, your logo could turn people away from your business or organization before you ever have a chance to interact with them. When it comes to your branding, your logo is one element that you do not want to get wrong.

The creative team at 219 Group includes graphic designers who create award winning marketing materials for a living. It’s what we do. Your logo design will become a huge part of your business or organization’s identity. People will know you by your logo. Our graphic designers will carefully craft a logo that is smart and well thought out, with input from you. We won’t settle until we get your logo right.

Our team will not stop there though. Our talented team will handle all of your branding needs including everything from stationary to brochures, billboards, business cards, menus, invitations, t-shirts, even beer bottle labels! If there is a marketing material that you can come up, chances are we can create it. We will ensure that your brand is seamless, between marketing materials, your website and your social media presence.

Business branding and corporate identity marketing come easy to us. Our marketing clients range from government organizations to popular local restaurants, from family entertainment businesses to education services and so much more. In this growing economy, where small businesses are popping up everyday, you will want to make sure that your logo design and your branding strategy work for you and get you the right kind of attention. 219 group can do that for you.

Are you ready to make a statement with your logo design and marketing strategy? Call 219 Group today and let’s get started! Your business logo does not have to be another logo design fail.

admin In Art, Branding, Design, Graphic Design

How to Design the Perfect Product Label

You may not know it, but the look and the design of your product determines the future outcome of it and if it will be successful. In any product market that you dive into, it will be competitive, and shoppers do not have time to research every product that is presented to them. So, they will more and likely pick up the product that appeals to their eye the most.

That is why it is very important that you have the perfect product label when selling.

In this article, we will list a few tips on how to design the best product label. Whether you are just entering a competitive market or a veteran that has room for improvement, this article can help.

In Living Color

The colors that you use when designing your label is essential because each color conveys a message. The right color can either add a striking look to your product and make it stand out on the shelves or it can make it invisible amongst your competitors. So, it is important that you don’t just use your favorite color when designing the label but instead use research.

Ask yourself “What message am I trying convey with this color?”

Here is a list of messages that each color conveys.

Yellow: Happy, Soft, and Full of Energy.

Orange: Friendly, Change

Red: Bold and Exciting

Green: Growth and Refreshing

Blue: Calming and Dependable

Purple: Creative and Mystic

Black: Elegant, Edgy, and Simple

Choosing the Right Font

Unlike your high school/college days, Times New Roman is not always the go to when choosing a font. When designing your label, you want to choose a font that complements both your color and brand. If you were designing a label for a kids’ cereal, you wouldn’t choose an Calibri font. For it can be too serious and might not catch the eye of children. Instead you would look for a more fun/inviting font that will stand out to both kids and parents.

Find a font that is unique and eye catching but can be readable a mile away.

“… a thousand words”

A picture is worth a thousand words and the picture/image that you use when designing your label determines what those words are. Just like when you are choosing the right color or font, there must be research involved. Look at your competitors and see what type of graphics or images that they are using and seek inspiration from that.

Again, using research and not just your opinion is critical when designing a product label. What looks good to you may not look good to your consumers. At 219 Group, we do thorough research to create a product label that fits your company’s culture and that conveys a message that you want to deliver. Call us!

admin In Branding

Pantone Has Named Ultra Violet as this Year’s Color

What does rock legends Jimmi Hendrix, Prince, and David Bowie have in common? The same thing that 2018 will have. Pantone, the color institute, has named Ultra Violet as this year’s color and we couldn’t be more excited!

A very vibrant and complex purple, Pantone states that ultra violet communicates creativity and innovation. It is a mystery color, that resembles the cosmos, which means no one knows what lies ahead but are still fascinated as to what can happen next; a perfect match for the new year. It is a boundless color, that has been a popular pick amongst music and fashion icons for years and now it can be yours for building/rebuilding your brand in 2018.

You can include this year’s hue by painting a few of the office walls and adding a striking look to your workplace or by simply changing the style of your business cards and Facebook page. If you want to stand out this year among your competitors, then including ultra violet in your brand is a great way to start off.

Don’t agree? Then tell us why in the comment section and let us know what color, you think, should be for the new year.

admin In Branding, Fayetteville, Raleigh,

How to use Instagram to tell your story and connect with your customers.

Instagram has become a widely popular social media platform over over the last year or so. With 400 million active users every month, it may be something you want to consider using in your social media marketing efforts. It’s important to do this the right way for it to be effective. The most important thing to remember with Instagram is that it’s a visual platform where photos and being able to tell a story through them, matters.

Instagram offers a variety of features that will allow you to connect with your ideal customers. The first of these is the use of hashtags. Using hashtags in your photo posts will help users find you through their mobile instagram searches. You should be using general hashtags when you’re posting product or lifestyle images. If you’re running a particular campaign, use tags that are specific to that, including your business name. Like most other social media platforms, it’s important to monitor your hashtags (specifically for your business name), so that you can respond to customer’s comments and questions.

Some other useful features are Instagram Stories and the Geo Tracking feature. Instagram Stories is very similar to Snapchat in the way that the stories disappear after 24 hours. The story feature allows you to tell a better story to your followers. The geo tracking feature allows you to add your location to your photos when you post. If your building/office is open to customers, you can add your location so they know where to find you.

This platform can be a lot of fun when used correctly. You can use it to show off products and services, show behind the scenes looks into your business and offer exclusive deals. It’s an amazing way to really bring your business to life and put a human face on it. This will help to establish a certain amount of trust between you and your customer and will keep your business fresh in their mind.

For help using Instagram marketing and social media marketing in general to further your business goals and attract more customers, give us a call today! 219 Group is experienced in handling many social media accounts for our customers and would love to discuss how we could help you with yours!

admin In Branding, Media Services, Uncategorized

Your Raleigh Area Marketing Agency

Do you own a business and want to makeover your existing website?

Maybe you’re thinking about starting a Raleigh business and you need help to create brand awareness and grow your company. Look no further than 219 group! Our creative team of marketing, advertising, and public relations experts will create the vision and growth you’ve imagined. We do it all and we do it well. We’re happy to serve Raleigh and nearby areas including Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Fuquay-Varina.

Digital Marketing in Raleigh

Here at 219 group, we use advanced digital marketing strategies to increase awareness of your brand for your target audience. We build vibrant, interactive websites to engage customers, create paid search campaigns, and ensure your business is seen in search results with current SEO strategies.

Social Media Marketing in Raleigh

It’s not just about posting on Facebook and Twitter. Our marketing team will develop your online presence to create brand awareness and customer engagement. We increase web traffic with media-rich SEO content, increase business, and gain loyalty from your target audience. We can teach you how to operate social media successfully, or we can do it for you while you focus on your business.

Raleigh Web Analytics

Your business thrives on results and so do we. We create easy to read reports that measure how our integrated marketing strategies are working for you. From website traffic reports to insight on how to increase sales and maintain your brand loyalty – you’ll see us working to exceed your goals.

Do you want a team of marketing experts working for you? Contact us today!

admin In Branding, Media Services, Uncategorized

Content Marketing Trends

Content Marketing continues to grow and now it is used by prominent businesses throughout the world. Here are some Content marketing trends to look for in 2017 and beyond.

Native Advertising is a very hot topic in digital media right now. Native Ads perform better than traditional displays especially on mobile devices. Native Ads are a form of advertising meant to blend into the page as regular content. According to surveys, consumers generally have a positive attitude towards this type of advertising. This has caught the attention of businesses and marketers, the result being a huge spike in Native Advertising Revenue over the last few years and expected growth in 2017 and beyond.
Live Streaming marketing is also growing; this has become an effective way to move people to action and has the potential of having a great return on your investment (ROI). Live streaming is expected to gain popularity in the next few years because of the potential ROI and the limitless marketing possibilities. You can Stream live events, consumer interaction events, to behind the scenes of how a product is made or a service being done like food being prepared to construction projects. If done right it can be an easy way to move people to action, sell your products, services and market your brand.
Virtual Reality Marketing; It is expected to be a 30-billion-dollar market by 2020. It’s an easy way to create stories that resonate with your consumer audience. Virtual reality gives the person a feeling of interaction and personalized communication, which is what consumers are looking for now.
Other marketing trends to look for: Expect a rise in email newsletters and growth in influencer marketing. Influencer marketing do be done right, would include a meticulously planned public relations campaign and the proper research to make sure your marketing products are reaching the right influencer/s.

With marketing being difficult and complicated now, the future only promises that it will become even more complicated and sophisticated. With that said, it will also provide businesses and marketers more opportunities and the potential for more success. Therefore, it is so important for your business to hire a marketing company that understands new age marketing, the growing trends, one that stays on top of the newest marketing technologies and methods.

Most likely if you have a business to run you do not have the time to spend to come up with a long-term marketing plan let alone stay on top of all the marketing data and trends. 219 Group is a full-service marketing company with a creative team that does all this and more. At 219 Group, marketing is our business and we’re great at it!

admin In Branding, Business, Design, Graphic Design, Uncategorized

Rebranding starts with your logo

Located in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, NC the 219 Group is never far from the action. 219 Group specializes in many advertising and marketing services among these is Graphic Design. 219 is home to an award-winning graphic design team that strives to get you noticed with creative, innovative, and eye-catching designs. Our graphics team will take your brand from ordinary to extraordinary with fresh, new designs that are sure to appeal to any audience. Our designs can be found in all mediums including television, radio, digital, custom print materials such as brochures, pocket folders, billboards and other varies marketing outlets. Our designers excel at developing content that maximizes marketing strategies and boosts your web presence.

One of the single most important tools your company or organization can have is a logo, but not just any logo. Logos need to be unique, attention-grabbing and left to the professionals (that’s us!). If you already have a logo, but it’s missing that wow factor.. that is no problem for us! Our design team has got you covered. Along with revamping your logo, it might just be time to rebrand yourself. Rebranding can be stressful if you try to go it alone, but 219 Group can see you through all the way to the finished product with minimal stress on your part.

When asked why is a logo important to your brand, our graphic designers had this to say:

“It’s how you present yourself to the world, your logo is the first impression, like a book cover.”

“It is the reference point from which the entire brand is created. It is the first thing people see of your brand and what that logo says about you could easily make or break your brand.”

“Your logo is your number 1 identifier. It is the nexus of your brand. Eventually, your logo will bond your brand’s name to success or failure. “

Once your logo and branding are ready for publication, our in-house advertising professionals can help you get the word out. At 219 we understand that advertising is not one-size-fits-all and that taking the time to really establish a relationship with the consumers that matter the most to your brand is a crucial part of being successful.

Branding

Success Begins With A Great Logo Design

How to Design the Perfect Product Label

Pantone Has Named Ultra Violet as this Year’s Color

Your Raleigh Area Marketing Agency

Content Marketing Trends

Rebranding starts with your logo

What Makes an Ad Stand Out – Good Text, Display, or Video?

Digital Audience Building – How To Target Effectively And Efficiently

Nothing Less Than Intentional Graphic Design

Why An Effective Public Relations Strategy Matters

The Essentials of Web Design

OUR STORY

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Digital Audience Building – How To Target Effectively And Efficiently

Nothing Less Than Intentional Graphic Design

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