The New Marketing Show

When you see content on social media garner huge numbers, you automatically assume that the viral campaign is wildly successful. Social media expert Nate Baldwin is here to remind you that isn't always the case, and going viral doesn't equate to social media success. What do we mean by that? As we always refer back to here at Trinity Web Media, your social media strategy is everything. With that being said, what goals do you intend to achieve? Suppose you're focusing on generating leads, but all your social media campaign does is collect an abundance of vanity metrics. In that case, you aren't achieving your goals.

In the past, only Instagram users who were verified or had over 10,000 followers could add a link to their story directing follows to a page off the Instagram platform. Fortunately for all of the smaller accounts out there, the recent Instagram update is changing the game. No longer will you need to hit a particular follower mark to have this ability. Links are now available for anyone to add to their story. This may not sound like a huge deal. Still, for all the professional accounts out there, this opens open the door to new opportunities. Whether you plan on sending users to a landing page or the homepage of your site, followers will now be able to interact with your brand like never before. Are you not taking advantage of this new update? Or, are you not sure how you can incorporate stories into your strategy? Feel free to reach out to our team directly to learn how we can help you along the way to growing your social media presence.

More Instagram updates have arrived, but who's surprised?  After news broke that Instagram is no longer a photo-sharing app, even more updates have been made to the platform. For most users, you know that the recommended hashtag usage was from 10-20 terms. As we advance, Instagram is advising users to use only 3-5 hashtags which is a significant change for social media managers. How do you feel about these updates? We'll continue to keep you updated as we test out this new methodology. In the meantime, follow our Twitter or Instagram to stay in the loop!

Social media managers/experts can all agree that a lot goes into a daily dose of work. From creating content to developing strategies and scheduling out posts, it takes plenty of time and effort to remain consistent. Here at Trinity Web Media, we've been picking up a lot of social media clients lately. So it's only right we break down a few different ways to stay sane trying to manage a heavy workload. As a social media manager, three imperative tools are a scheduling service, a hashtag tool, and a reliable service to create content

Between recording and producing full-length podcasts for our clients and repurposing content into bonus episodes, our team here at Trinity Web Media knows a thing or two about podcasts. Although some may think podcasts are as simple as hitting a red button and then clicking export, we're here to remind you that quality takes time. Our team utilizes two different DAWs to ensure that each show is as good as the last. If you're in tune with the world of audio production, you've no doubt heard of both Logic Pro X and Adobe Audition. So which DAWs do we use and why? Listen in to find out!

Your social media strategy should always revolve around providing your audience with clients. At most times, pure aesthetics isn't going to provide substantial value. The next time you're setting up a profile for a client or yourself, keep your goals at the forefront. Let aesthetics take a back seat while you focus on building a profile that works for your business, rather than just looking pretty.

If you're feeling overwhelmed with monitoring your social media progress, don't worry, you're not alone. With so much going on within social media, it isn't easy to pinpoint exactly what you should be paying attention to. Do you work for more likes? Should you just get your followers up? Today let's talk about the top 5 conversions to prioritize on social media. Of course, every social media strategy is different, but the end goals often remain similar. Whether it's a website visitor or a direct message of value, conversions through social media come in various ways.

Did you catch the recent news about the direction Instagram is heading? The head of the company came out and announced several upcoming changes that will be made to the platform. They emphasized the growth of other platforms such as Tik-Tok and YouTube as catalysts for the ongoing updates.  No longer will only the people you follow be shown on your feed, but as well recommendations that Instagram makes for you. This is very reminiscent of Tik-Tok's FYP (for you page), which seems like the direction Instagram is heading.  There will also be a push for creators to use immersive, full-screen video more within the Reels section. It will be interesting to see how these plans develop, but one thing is for sure, Instagram feels like they are falling behind. 

For all the social media managers out there, you know just how easy it is to get overwhelmed. Trying to maintain different accounts across so many varied niches is a lot to handle. One of the best ways to try to eliminate some hassle is by scheduling out social media posts. Stay tuned for a later video where we discuss the best tools to use; today's Media Minute with Nate Baldwin is all about covering the basics. Join us to learn about three reasons behind scheduling out social media, and how this can not only benefit your sanity but your account's growth as well.

One of the most valuable things you can have in business is a solid network of people around you. Although it can be tricky to arrange the perfect group, once you are surrounded by like-minded individuals, both your business and your personal abilities will flourish. Here at Trinity Web Media, we often generate leads through people who do the exact same thing as us. As a specialized WordPress development and content marketing company, we often fill the role that other companies can't. When this happens, work is passed down through our network and onto our desks. Likewise, when work doesn't suit our teams' skills best, we will push work to other companies within our network. The power of your business is often limited to the power of the people around you. With a solid network in place, generating leads become a whole lot more straightforward.

The front lines of your company are represented by customer support. When it falls short, so does the perception of your entire team. We recently ran into a situation with subpar customer service (to say the least), which was a teaching moment for us all. Rather than being condescending, always treat people at a higher level. Always provide value and be helpful. As straightforward as it may sound, many brands are extremely lackluster when it comes to treating customers with respect. Don't be that brand; always embrace helping customers to the best of your ability.

One of the most crucial aspects of any website is security. WordPress users can experience hacks through vulnerabilities in updates or plugins, so it is best always to stay prepared. Keep in mind the power of your WordPress website security starts with you. What do we mean by that? Greg Taylor from Trinity Web Media is here to break things down.

When you work together as a team, you'll be amazed by what the power of collaboration can amount to. Quarantine has taught us all an important lesson on the impact being dispersed can have on a company. Here at Trinity Web Media, we strongly encourage others to take on the mindset of “collaboration over competition.” With the power of your team in full force, internal processes will improve as well as your ability to please clients. Keep in mind the value of collaboration next time your in a bind. Bouncing ideas off one another is an incredible way to boost the productivity of both yourself and others.

In both the world of business and personal life, mistakes are going to happen. We're all human, and no one is perfect. When something goes awry, don't beat yourself up about it. At the end of the day, even the biggest and most well-run companies are going to make mistakes. The best thing you can do is learn from it and move on.

Living in an “influencer society,” it's hard to filter out content that is of actual value. Social media has made many so focused on likes and followers that we forget what actually goes on behind the scenes. Years ago, what influencers do was just considered an endorsement. We all know that once money gets involved, the opinions of someone are likely to follow suit. So, the next time your online and you see someone with over a million followers claiming a product is the end-all-be-all, think again.

June marks Pride Month, and the team here at Trinity Web Media wants to remind everyone the importance of remaining allies with the LGBTQ+ community. Our company never stands for any discrimination, and we will stay that way. Whether based on race, religion, sexual orientation, creed, ethnicity, or anything like that, we are allies.

For all of the content creators out there, it's no secret creating engaging content is key to growing an audience. With so much content already out there, the internet is flooded with options to choose from. Make your content stand out from the crowd by providing high-value resources that are both educational and entertaining. Creating videos or podcasts just for the sake of publishing something to hit a deadline isn't going to cut it. Add value to a person's life. Create content that you yourself would enjoy watching. Engaging content takes time to master, but the extra work is always worth it in the long run.

Can you believe WordPress is already turning 18 years old? As time goes on and technology advances, WordPress has grown from a blogging platform to a web development powerhouse. Trinity Web Media is a company that specializes in WordPress development, so we're proud to say we've been along for the ride. In today's Trinity Web Minute, Greg mentions just how incredible the community built around WordPress is, and how we can't wait to get back involved with WordCamps & other WordPress-related activities in 2021. With all that being said, happy 18th birthday to WordPress! Cheers to the tremendous growth experienced over the years.

If you're new to the world of WordPress, it can be easy to feel as if you can handle everything yourself. The WordPress community makes information very accessible and provides an excellent background of knowledge for those trying to get in tune with the platform. One problem we see with this is when clients start to feel as if they can begin to manage their entire website without help from professionals. Without the proper knowledge, taking down a site you worked so hard to build can happen with just one bad plugin. When it comes to building and maintaining the technical aspects of a WordPress site, leave it to the professionals. The extra costs you spend on working with industry experts will always pay off in the long run. 

If a client doesn't understand your value, the dynamic of your relationship is going to turn for the worse later down the line. From the beginning of a client relationship, you need to establish the value of your work and just how much effort goes into everything. One interesting takeaway we've seen with clients is the issues that arise from overdelivering. Here at Trinity Web Media, we always do our best to provide a streamlined and comprehensive process to complete tasks for our clients. Unfortunately, when you become so good at your job, the client perceives what you do as being easy. When your value is diminished and perceived as easy, what's stopping the client from trying to do things themselves? Join Greg Taylor as he explains a problem that many experienced marketers run into. To ensure the longevity of a client, always make sure you demonstrate your value to the fullest. 

Everyone has a different work process when it comes to operating in the world of business. Although it's hard to pinpoint which working technique is the best, we've pinned it down to either being effective or efficient. Both ways of thinking are justified, and we'll you why. When it comes to the highest quality of work, effective is the word that comes to mind. Providing your clients substantial value is always at the top of the priority list, but so is profitability. Finding the most streamlined and profitable way of working is what we consider to be truly efficient. At the end of the day, how do we strike a perfect balance between the two? 

Let's say you achieved the results you wanted, but your process was entirely flawed. Although you get the end product you wanted, we consider this impartial thinking “results bias.” Sure, you may feel as if you have a process solidified by getting what you want out of it, but it won't be scalable at the end of the day. To have a successful business model, you need to evaluate every part of your process and how you achieved results.

Since “Review, Refine, Repeat” is the name of the game here at Trinity, we're always doing our best to improve the ways we bring you content. As Reels becomes more of a center point on Instagram, our media team has decided on a slight pivot. Don't worry; the same great content will be posted here on our website and youtube, but our IG page is switching things up. As we advance, you can catch 30-second clips with Greg on our Instagram page in the Reels section. These clips will be short takes on everything in the digital marketing world. We'll continue answering industry questions as well as giving you tips along the way.

In the modern-day of digital marketing, customer reviews and testimonials are a must-have for a successful business. We see way too many brands out there that are excellent at what they do but fail to generate the recognition they deserve. Let's get into a few of the best ways to garner reviews, starting with the most straightforward way; asking. If you don't reach out to past clients and ask for reviews, how can you expect them to know where & how they should review? Here at Trinity Web Media, we provide the direct link to our Google profile reviews. This makes it both simple and convenient for our clients to leave their thoughts and feelings. There's a lot to cover when it comes to business reviews. Join Greg Taylor as he covers generating reviews as well as maintaining the ones you already have. We're all going to get bad reviews here and there; how you handle them is what counts most.

As we pass the year mark of being in a pandemic, a lot has changed in both our personal and business lives. Adapting to remote working while trying to remain as close-knit as possible has been a challenge. Even with our team being spread out, we've done our best to emphasize teamwork and collaboration. Who knew Slack would become everybody's best friend over the past year? By communicating via Slack and Zoom calls, our team has been able to keep the ball moving, even without face-to-face interaction. Now let's be honest; it hasn't been easy for anyone. Going from working hand-in-hand at the office to transforming into a dispersed workforce has taken some adjusting. Fortunately, the Trinity squad has been able to adapt to the changes facing the world. Transitioning back to a sense of normalcy, we want to hear from everybody else out there. How have you been adapting to the past year? Have you made unexpected changes in your lives? Let us know! We're always happy to catch up.

When client requests are coming in from all angles, things can get overwhelming, to say the least. In order to filter out “pie in the sky” ideas while still acknowledging the requests from the company you are working with, there are several processes you should get in tune with. Here at Trinity Web Media, we always do our best to respect our clients' requests and respond to them promptly. One of the ways to ensure we keep on track with requests is by implementing a ticketing system. There are a variety of different ticketing systems out there, but we tend to side with GitHub. By permitting the higher-ups in a company to make requests, those lower on the chain can have a dialogue before it reaches us. This way, when we hop on a new task, we know it's going to be the real deal.

Making sure you adhere to the proper protocols is essential to keeping your website up and online. Without web development experience, it can be easy to overlook a few steps that may leave your website jeopardized with security risks. Here at Trinity Web Media, we keep a close eye on our web properties to ensure our client's websites are always up to speed with the latest security updates. Aside from keeping your finger on the pulse of a site's health, there several things to lock down when developing websites. When it comes to keeping your site as secure as possible, make sure you: Always have a backup of your site Work with a reputable host Don't touch aspects of your site you don't understand Test plugins with your current version of WordPress Use a malware detection service

Whether it's internally or for clients, problem-solving is always an important topic to cover. Regardless of the issue at hand, reviewing the overall scope and complexity of the problem is the first step to take. Is it a one-off issue, or is it recurring? With that question in mind, you can determine how much time and effort should be allocated to the task. One of the most significant issues people tend to have with problem-solving is the tendency to over-engineer solutions. Over-engineering often results in wasted energy that should be allocated in other places. By taking the time to evaluate the different options for problem-solving, you'll provide better answers for both your clients and your hard-working team.

Interested in learning the inside scoop behind evaluating projects for clients? We have you covered. When it comes to taking on new projects and initiatives, there are a number of things to reflect on before diving in headfirst. Start off by analyzing the scope of the work ahead of you. Is it what you're comfortable doing? Is the client going to value your expertise? Also, keep in mind the value of making sure the relationship with your client is one that can grow. If you feel as if working with a particular team isn't a good fit, it likely isn't. Last but not least, ensure you are charging accordingly for what you do. The quickest way to go out of business is to continue providing hard work for free.

We can all agree finding an “expert” in digital marketing these days isn't difficult. What's more important than ever is having the proper criteria in place to vet them and their work. Many companies are quick to promise you the world in results, but these “experts” often fail to deliver. Before committing to a service or company, there are a number of questions that you should present them with: “What are you promising my company and me?” “What results have you achieved in the past?” “Can I talk to one of your current clients?” Never let so-called digital marketing “experts” try to convince you of something that you can simply vet to find out for yourself. And most importantly, always trust your instincts.

In the world of business, as much as some companies try to make it seem, not everything is glitz & glamour. When you scroll down the feed of most brands, it always feels like everything is positive, but behind the scenes, that's not always the case. There's often a big difference between what's going on Instagram vs. reality. At the end of the day, the more real and authentic you are on social media, the more people will respect you. These tough times aren't easy for anyone, and it's okay to let people know you are struggling. You can't always put up the facade that everything is going to plan because, frankly, today's world is more unpredictable than ever.

It's no secret that there is a buzz around social media influencers, but not everything is always as it seems. For those of you with access to HBO, we highly recommend you check out their new series, “Fake Famous.” The show revolves around the concept behind influencers and ambassadors and how their passion for a product or service may be misleading. Did you hear about Instagram models renting staged sets of “private jets” just to portray a particular lifestyle? That's just the tip of the iceberg. Although there's plenty of money to be made as a brand ambassador, understanding the difference between influencers and ambassadors is the first place to start. Tune in with Greg Taylor to learn all about the significant differences between the two and what you should keep an eye out for when scrolling down your feed. As we mentioned, not everything is always as it seems!

Are you charging your clients accordingly for what you do? At times, it can feel like you're providing clients with so much value, but not seeing anything in return. This is when you have to reflect on how you're charging for work and where to draw the line. If you don't charge for what you do, it's only a matter of time before you go out of business. Of course, charging accordingly doesn't mean you have to be rigid. By using your judgment, it's crucial to recognize when and where to provide value. If a client dismisses your work and continues to ask for more, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate the relationship. Be comfortable with your value and continue charging clients accordingly. It's as simple as that.

It's no secret there are tons of moving parts that go into a successful web build. When it comes to the development process, it can be easy to overlook a few crucial details that can make or break your site—one of those being our topic for today; site architecture. Site architecture is essentially how everything on your site works together, how one page interacts with other pages, how your homepage is the foundation, and much more. To give your users the best experience possible, your site architecture must stay on point.

When it comes to exactly what goes on behind the scenes of web development, there are three major components you should be aware of. As simple as some of these concepts may be, it's important to understand each aspect a much as the next. For those who are a little less tech-savvy, this is the perfect Trinity Web Minute for you! So, how exactly does a website work? First things first, let's begin with your domain. This is your purchased URL that needs to be renewed every year. Domains are purchased from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or NameCheap. Next up, you need reliable web hosting. Web hosts essentially host all of your files, your database, and everything that comes along with your site. Last but not least is the designed final site. Depending on the platform in which you develop your custom site, you then take your web files and upload them to your web host.

When you think of goals for your social strategy, what comes to mind? More often than not, the purpose of your social media channels is eventual conversions in various forms. Although it's easy to get caught up in the game for achieving likes, the end all be all goal should never be vanity metrics. Our team here at Trinity Web Media brainstormed together to come up with a ranking for social media conversions. With a proper strategy in place, you should always be looking to prioritize your goals in this order: 1. Direct message of value 2. Website visit/tap 3. Share (or retweet) 4. Comment of value 5. Follow/like

As you may have noticed, here at Trinity Web Media, we believe content is king. With content marketing continuing to be one of the top ways to get your brand found and recognized online, finding various ways to repurpose content is crucial to a successful strategy. So, what are a few ways one can leverage content from platform to platform? If you're willing to put in the work, capitalizing on your content is more possible than ever before.

A few weeks back, our featured Trinity Web Minute was all about the value of content, especially during these challenging times. When you focus on content, you keep your company's bloodline alive while keeping people in touch with your brand. Content marketing is the name of the game! If you haven't started pushing out content, take your spare time over the holidays, and begin your content journey. The sooner you get to posting, the better. Do you have questions about the content marketing process? Don't hesitate to send us a message or check out our content marketing FAQ page. Here at Trinity Web Media, we're always happy to get your content strategy on track.

2020 hasn't exactly been an easy ride. With all the challenges we've faced, this time has been a major learning experience about the value of sticking together as a team. Without the ability to work together as we usually do, nothing has come easy. Fortunately, our team has risen to the challenge. As Greg Taylor mentions in today's Trinity Web Minute, we can't stress enough how proud we are of everyone for adjusting to these unprecedented times. As long as this year has been, we'll continue to recognize the value of teamwork. Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode on sticking together as a team. Let's begin the countdown to next year!

Join in as Greg Taylor checks in from South Philly to discuss and topic that has become more relevant today than ever before. As Small Business Saturday has recently passed, make sure you take time to support a small business today. While some corporations are performing well during the lockdown, many local businesses have suffered. Today's Trinity Web Minute is all about thinking small and impacting an organization that needs it most. Tune in and let us know the different ways you have been supporting the smaller players on the field. Make a difference and support a small business.

There's a lot more that goes into a website launch than you may expect. The process doesn't just stop at designing and publishing! You need to make sure you take the correct steps to ensure a successful launch for both you and your clients. When you prepare to launch, it's essential to account for client feedback and a few intricate details. As we say, the devil lies within the details. Think form notifications, replacing favicons, etc. The little details always make the most difference! Tune in to this week's Trinity Web Minute with Greg Taylor as he dives into the details of a successful site launch. Questions or concerns? Give us a buzz! We're here to help.

As we mentioned before, small businesses & NPOs will be most affected during this holiday season. With corporate entities getting involved in Giving Tuesday & other fundraising events, getting your strategy together has become more imperative than ever before. Going forward as a small business, what you must begin with is a strategy. Next on your list is finding ways to execute that strategy to its fullest potential. As we say, a plan without execution is nothing. So, as we head into this chaotic season, you need to make sure all aspects of your online businesses are on point. With everyone moving online, you no longer compete with the mom and pop shop down the street. Your competition is now Amazon and Best Buy, making executing your strategy as crucial as ever. Heed our warning. Now is the time to make sure all of your plans are in place and ready to take on the vast competition.

As mentioned in previous episodes of the Trinity Web Minute, this year's giving season will be like no other. With large, corporate NPOs getting involved with Giving Tuesday, maximizing your results this year is going to take a significant amount of more work. So, what are you waiting for? Get planning! Expect tons of noise this Giving Tuesday. The real question remains, how do you make your non-profit stand out? Let's begin with finding ways to be different. Get creative with your strategy and find ways to differentiate from the competition. Learn about maximizing your Giving Tuesday results by finding ways to solidify your brand on today's video with Greg Taylor. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have!

There are tons of moving parts to account for when it comes down to nailing a digital marketing strategy. By working with professionals, you can hone in on your process and determine exactly what gets the ball rolling. Unfortunately, even when you have the perfect plan in place, results at times fall short. We often attest this to an organization having the right strategy but the wrong person trying to execute it. As we say, a plan is nothing without execution. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take time to evaluate the team that surrounds you. Are they the right fit for the strategy? Can it truly be executed to its full potential? Without the proper people in place, your efforts are inevitably going to fall short.  

The secret for non-profit fundraising is out! Giving Tuesday was an incredible way to garner donations in 2019, but all the attention it has brought will undoubtedly affect smaller non-profit organizations. How do you overcome the buzz during the giving season and stand out from the pack? Everything begins with a plan. Start planning sooner than later, and get your strategy in place. The prominent players in the NPO field will be ready to execute their moves to the highest degree. This means the smaller organizations may feel the effects first hand, but this shouldn't deter you from preparing for the giving season.

Respect can go a long way. Both in life and business, when you respect each other, everything goes a lot smoother. Here at Trinity Web Media, we pride ourselves on respecting one another and not getting in the way of someone and their lane. Think about it, when you have two team members lacking respect for what the other person does, nothing really ever gets done. When it comes to the success of a team, never let your ego get in the way. Give your team members the respect of doing what they do, and you'll likely receive it back.

We are all looking for ways to make our lives a bit easier, right? As a web developer, one of the best ways to keep your mental sanity throughout the life of a project is with backups. Constant backups stored both locally and server-side keep you less worried about malware attacks and PHP conflicts and more focused on the task at hand. The best tool to keep your site backed up? We recommended BackupBuddy. BackupBuddy is one of the most prominent backup services for WordPress development, and there's no secret why. You can't go wrong with this reputable plugin with an easy to use interface and exceptional services.

We're reaching the end of the year, and time is flying by as we continue to stay busy during these difficult times. As a nonprofit looking to raise funds, planning for year-end appeals is imperative. If you aren't already busy getting resources together for your ask, we recommend getting to it sooner than later. One of the most significant days for nonprofit asks is Giving Tuesday, taking place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Get in front of this crucial day by preparing with your team. Giving Tuesday isn't the type of holiday where you can begin planning the week beforehand. Take the time to get ready and watch your fundraising abilities evolve like never before.

When you prepare to set goals for yourself or your team, it's always important to keep things realistic. Sure, we all like to set high expectations for ourselves. But, as you know, sometimes things just don't work out as planned. When you set realistic goals, you set yourself up for success and the motivation that comes with it. Don't set up anyone for failure by promising clients the world. By maintaining a realistic viewpoint, you help keep goals on track without the need for too many bumps along the road. Are you finding that you are continually struggling not to fail? Continue learning about the value of setting realistic goals on today's Trinity Web Minute with digital marketing expert Greg Taylor.

Here at Trinity Web Media, we're proud to discuss the successful strategies we have implemented for nonprofits across the east coast. With the proper tools in place, our team has the ability to curate donors and exponentially increase the average donation rate. If you're looking to do the same, we highly suggest you start off with the innovative donation tool, GiveWP. Our very own, Greg Taylor, had a recent engagement with GiveWP on Twitter, sparking us to dive into more explanation of our nonprofit experience. As you may know, elevating an average donation rate can transform a nonprofit – GiveWP allows you to do that and much more.

Having your site backed up both locally and by your hosting service is crucial to a development project's lifespan. Whether you run into design complications or malware incidents, being prepared with backups makes all the difference. We've run into some past issues with e-commerce sites that have been shut down due to faulty security. Fortunately, our team can step in and resolve the situation by initiating a backup of the site. Don't overlook this fundamental aspect of web design – it can make or break a client experience.