Why brand authenticity wins over marketing perfection every time
Have you ever seen an ad that stopped you in your tracks, just because it felt so real? Has a piece of marketing ever made you think, wow, nobody else could have gotten away with that?
To me, moments like these are the holy grail of marketing. Even if I donât know the brand and have no interest in the product, it just makes me giddy to see marketing that truly embraces authenticity.
The internet â and social media especially â really changed the game, lowering the costs and risks of trying new things with marketing. Trying something weird, edgy or different is difficult to justify when youâre paying top dollar for the ad space. But on social media, where all it costs you is your time? The only thing holding you back is your courage. (Okay, and maybe your CEO or board of directors.)
Now, Iâm not here to say that every brand should embrace the weirdest and wackiest advertising they can imagine. Thatâs not going to be authentic to most brands â weâll get into what authenticity should look like for you. But first: a detour to Dennyâs Diner.
Dennyâs, and brands being weird on the internet
Even before Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, some brands were embracing the wild-west nature of the early internet by creating weird online personas, and were often rewarded for it.
Most notably, Dennyâs â the American diner chain â gained notoriety for starting a Tumblr account (an early blogging-slash-social-media platform famous for its weird niche communities) where they fully embraced the internet culture of the day. Dennyâs was posting memes and engaging with fans in ways that matched and even exceeded the weirdness of the platform and the internet as a whole, going viral (or what passed for viral 15 years ago) over and over for content that, as one internet commenter described it, âcaptured exactly what it feels like to be in a Dennyâs at 3am.â
But as is the way of the marketing world, Dennyâs soon had its imitators, and they started with similar restaurants. Wendyâs became known for doing similar things on Twitter (where Dennyâs has also been active), and many other fast food chains effectively copied the model with varying degrees of commitment and success.
The problem with all of this is that, while it was once novel and effective, the many copycats have caused this to no longer feel unique, and have arguably demonstrated why this was never truly âauthenticâ to begin with. Innovative and entertaining, yes. But authentic? I donât think so.
How to craft an authentic brand voice
It may sound ironic on the face of it, the idea of âcraftingâ an authentic voice. How authentic can it be if you had to craft it?
But hear me out. I believe true authenticity for brands should be a natural extension of having a few key things in place:
- Well-defined values
- A strong USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
- A robust copy / style guide
If you are missing any of the above, or if they are not well defined, itâs likely your marketing will be less consistent, lower quality, more easily swayed by the trends and movements around you, and ultimately inauthentic.
[And for those who didnât go to marketing or business school: a USP, or Unique Selling Proposition, is a concise description of what makes your product or service different from your competitors.]
If you have the above, and have done them well, authenticity in marketing should become easy. Whether you do your own marketing, have an employee or team, or hire an agency (like Starling Social, for instance!), these things should act as a roadmap for marketing that feels grounded in everything that makes your business unique.
And that doesnât have to mean weird. Some of the best marketing Iâve seen has felt authentic simply because itâs real, itâs unique to the brand, and it isnât trying to be anything itâs not.
Why authenticity beats marketing perfection every time
If the backlash to AI in digital marketing can teach us anything, itâs that most people can smell marketing that is inauthentic.
We even see research bear that out. Companies like Meta conduct regular user surveys to test ad recall, and even ads that do everything ârightâ will have a substantial number of people scroll right past, quickly forgetting what they saw.
We donât have the data to prove why someone canât recall a given ad because, well, they forgot it already. But we know that authenticity gets attention and increases retention and conversion, especially among younger audiences.
A survey from Stackla found that 90% of Millennials say authenticity is important for them when deciding what brands to buy from. And theyâre not alone â 85% of Gen X respondents said the same, along with 80% of Baby Boomers.
Authenticity also builds brand trust, something that is both increasingly important and increasingly rare according to numerous studies. While the average consumer today has lower trust in most companies and institutions than they did in decades past, they value it more and will reward those companies which earn and keep that trust.
Another thing consumers care about now more than ever before is supporting brands whose values align with their own. That can be tricky, especially when your values might get mixed up in politics and other touchy, controversial subjects. However, messaging that may exclude some customers can often be extra effective for attracting and retaining other, better customers.
A very basic version of this is the modern trend of ads that say something like, âour product isnât for everyone,â or âour product isnât cheapâ â implying by exclusion that it might be just your kind of thing, or very high quality. This can be very effective â although beware being the late copycat using a trope that your customers have seen too many times.
How can we help?
If you could use help finding your brandâs authentic voice, or using it to create great marketing, we are here for you.
Whether itâs a one-time brand audit, help with a specific campaign, or ongoing management of your social media channels, Starling Social has the team and tools to elevate your digital marketing into something truly authentic, and truly effective.
Get in touch today and let us know how we can help.
Understanding Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads
Google Ads is one of those things that seems simple—until you try to do it yourself. Which is why we offer free initiation consultations!
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can be a game-changer for businesses, but only when done right. David, our Google Ads expert at Starling, has been working in PPC for 21 years, bringing decades of digital marketing experience to the table. His approach focuses on strategy, measurement, and ensuring businesses get real value from their ad spend.
David doesn't just focus on who sees an ad—he focuses on who doesn't see it. Because the best campaigns aren't just about visibility; they're about reaching the right audience at the right time.
What Are PPC Ads?
PPC is an online advertising model where businesses only pay when someone clicks on their ad. Google Ads is the most popular PPC platform, but these kinds of ads can also run on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others. The key difference with Google Ads is that it targets people actively searching for solutions, making them high-intent customers.
Google Ads shows ads at the top of search results based on relevant keywords, with businesses bidding on those keywords. Ads can also appear across the Google Display Network, which includes websites, YouTube, and Gmail. With advanced targeting options, businesses can reach the right audience at the right time, maximizing their return on investment.
Google Ads: The Basics
One of the biggest misconceptions about PPC is that it's about getting as many clicks as possible.
David believes that in search campaigns, it's not just about who sees your ads but who doesn't. The goal goes beyond visibility and focuses on precision. The best PPC campaigns target the right audience, increasing the chances of converting those viewers into customers.
He often hears people say, "I never click those ads." To that, he says, "Perfect. We only want you to click those ads when it's exactly what you're looking for." Google Ads remains one of the most effective ways to reach potential customers because it places businesses in front of people actively searching for their products or services.
The Benefits of PPC Ads
- Control over where and how your ads appear across platforms.
- Lower your cost per click by improving your ad quality and performance.
- Narrow your audience targeting to make sure your ads reach the right people.
- Set and manage your budget, both daily and by campaign, to suit your needs.
- Bid on relevant keywords and phrases to target users interested in your products or services.
- Track your ad performance, allowing you to make data-driven adjustments for better results.
PPC Ad Examples
The most common example of PPC is on search engines like Google. On these platforms, you can buy different kinds of ads, like text ads or Shopping ads, to appear in different sections of the search results.
The sponsored ads are what Google Search results bring up.
Google Shopping looks like this.
While search ads appear on search engines, Display ads can show up on websites and apps within the ad network. For example, the Google Display Network spans over 2 million sites and apps, including Google properties like YouTube and Gmail.
Key Terms in PPC
When looking at reports from our team, it's important to know these key terms to understand what you are looking at:
Impressions refer to how many times your ad is shown to users, regardless of whether or not they click on it. A high impression count with few clicks could mean that your ad isn't as effective as it could be, and you may need to rethink aspects like the headline or the copy.
CPC (Cost Per Click) is the amount you pay each time someone clicks on your ad. This cost can either be fixed or fluctuate based on an auction system. In this auction, you set the highest price you're willing to pay for your ad placement (called your bid), and Google or other platforms compare your bid to others along with additional factors to decide which ad appears first.
CTR (Click-Through Rate) is the percentage of users who click on your ad out of the total number who saw it. A higher CTR indicates that your ad is resonating with viewers, and platforms like Google tend to favour ads with a higher CTR, as it's a sign that they are engaging and relevant.
Conversion is the action you want your audience to take after interacting with your ad. This goes beyond just a click—conversions might include purchasing, signing up for a newsletter, or completing a contact form. The goal is to drive valuable actions that help meet your business objectives.
How To Determine Your PPC Budget
You are going to hate this answer, but it depends. Businesses need to consider their price point, profit margins, and customer demand before deciding on an appropriate budget.
"If you've got a $5 product and you're spending $4 on clicks, Google Ads MAY not really make sense," David explains. However, PPC can be a worthwhile investment for businesses with higher-value services or products. Always consider the lifetime value of a customer or other intangibles rather than only the initial transaction.
David also highlights that PPC isn't just about direct sales—it's about reach. "Google Ads can get to places that your salespeople will never pick up the phone and call. When was the last time you bought something meaningful that you didn't research online? Never."
Google Ads For Non-Profits
David finds working with non-profits one of the most rewarding parts of his job. Many charities qualify for Google Ad Grants, which offer up to $10,000 in monthly advertising credits. But he points out that not all non-profits can use the full amount.
"Very few can spend the $10,000 because of scale, but spending $500, $1,000, or $2,000 can make a real difference." David helps non-profits secure their Google non-profit status, get approved for the grants, and develop a strategy that maximizes their budget. For him, it's about creating a real impact and helping non-profits achieve their marketing goals.
PPC Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make with PPC is failing to track results. David emphasizes that "If you can't measure it, you can't make good decisions." Successful campaigns need to track key actions, like conversions, phone calls, and purchases. He also notes that Google Ads has evolved. It's no longer just about keywords — it's about intent. Five people might type in the same search, but based on past data, Google now prioritizes the one most likely to convert.
David uses advanced audience targeting, keyword selection, and budget control to fine-tune campaigns. He's constantly testing, tweaking, and optimizing to make sure clients see the best return on investment.
PPC is about more than just running ads. We focus on understanding a business and its goals and defining what success looks like. Like everything our team puts out at Starling, a common sense, strategic, data-driven approach makes sure every ad dollar goes as far as it can.
If you're interested in learning more about what Google Ads may be able to do for your business or want us to review your current campaigns, you can contact us here. We are happy to have a free no obligation conversation to explore the possibilities.
Is Bluesky Worth It For Small Businesses?
The social media platform Bluesky just passed its one-year anniversary of being open to the public last month, and while its chart-topping run of a million new users a day has subsided, the platform is continuing to grow.
As marketers, we are always watching new platforms to see which ones might survive their startup phase and become part of the mainstream â and, more importantly, which ones are worth joining and investing time in.
Is Bluesky worth it for small businesses? The short answer, as with many things, is probably âit depends.â But by learning about how Bluesky works, how itâs different from other platforms, and who its users are, we will try to make some use cases for it and determine if itâs right for your business specifically.
And if you donât know the first thing about Bluesky, thatâs OK, because weâll start with the basics.
What is Bluesky?
In a nutshell, Bluesky is a âmicrobloggingâ platform similar to X (formerly Twitter). It started in 2019 as a project within Twitter, when founder Jack Dorsey announced Bluesky as a possible way to decentralize the platform and give users more control over their privacy, algorithms, and overall experience.
Eventually, Bluesky was incorporated as a separate company, Twitter was acquired by Elon Musk (who changed the name to X), and the two became fully separate. Bluesky launched its own app, which went from invite-only to fully open in February of 2024. And by November, user growth reached a peak of more than a million per day.
Technically, what makes Bluesky most unique is how it was built to be decentralized, which we wonât get into here. But Bluesky is unique in a few other key ways too:
- No advertising or paid features
- No base algorithm (feed is chronological)
- No live video, just text (300 characters), and uploaded photos/videos
- Open-source
Being open-source, the platform also allows users to create (or take/share/use) custom algorithms and other tools to manage their own feeds and experience on the platform.
Ultimately, Bluesky remains less than one-tenth the size of X (formerly Twitter), but where X has been losing monthly active users steadily for several years, Bluesky continues to grow, and has been developing its own niches, communities and culture.
The argument AGAINST Bluesky for your business
If you have been on Bluesky yourself (which I do encourage â itâs easy to try out), youâll notice a distinct lack of anything corporate or marketing-related. Not many businesses have jumped to Bluesky, and those that have largely seem to be parking usernames without committing to posting or engaging. The lack of ads contributes to this feeling as well.
While we donât have good data yet, the attitude toward businesses on Bluesky so far seems to be developing similarly to Threads (and, if your memory goes back this far, Twitter in the early years). That is, if you are willing to use the app like the locals, post content that fits the community youâre in and engage with it, youâll do just fine. But simply re-posting your Instagram and Facebook content here will not get you very far.
This may mean more effort than youâre willing to put in, and thatâs OK. The userbase is still small (about 30 million worldwide), and most users on Bluesky are not expecting to be keeping up with their favourite brands and businesses on the platform anyway.
Thereâs also the matter of demographics. Your target audience may just not be on Bluesky in any real numbers. The company has not published its own statistics, but third-party data suggests that the user base skews fairly young (42% are aged 18-24), heavily male (64%), politically left-leaning, and geographically concentrated in a few specific areas (mostly the United States and Brazil).
However, there are some specific use cases for Bluesky, and if youâre willing to put in the time, you just might be rewarded.
The argument FOR Bluesky for your business
Firstly, and perhaps obviously, if your target audience is progressive young men in the United States and/or Brazil, you might want to consider Bluesky. But beyond that, there are some more broadly useful ways in which the platform might make sense for you and your business.
1. Thought leadership and networking
While it may not benefit your business to be on Bluesky as a brand, having an account for yourself (or whoever else) as the public face of the company could be a good fit. Bluesky is filled with young, educated professionals who may be good connections as future B2B customers, employees, business partners or investors. If you are already active on LinkedIn or creating any kind of thought leadership content, this might make sense to repurpose for Bluesky (although remember the character limit and format differences!).
2. Media connections and outreach
One group that is very well represented on Bluesky, even in Canada, is journalists. Many have fled X and have redirected their followers to their Bluesky accounts. This may be another use case for joining the platform, not as brand social media, but for you to find and connect with journalists for potential media outreach.
3. Niche communities
Like every other social media platform, Bluesky is quickly developing its own niche communities, and you may find that your business has a natural match in one of these. Unlike Reddit communities, there is no formal structure for this on Bluesky â but with a little digging, you might find a thriving niche to join. And if it doesnât exist yet, the platform is still growing â it might exist soon.
Any further questions?
If you are curious about leveraging Bluesky for your business, need help managing your social media and digital marketing, or just need some good advice on how to get the most out of your online presence, weâre here to help. Whether itâs a brand audit, social media management services, or training for your existing team, we love working with businesses and nonprofits of all sizes to achieve your digital marketing goals. Get in touch - letâs chat!
Five impactful ways to recognize International Women's Day
International Womenâs Day is approaching quickly. The annual global call to action sparks important conversations about womenâs equality and safety and reflects on the work still needed. On March 8, we will also celebrate women's achievements in our businesses and communities.
We donât need to wait for IWD to #AccelerateAction! Every day is a great day to support and celebrate women, non-binary, trans, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The blog highlights the need for IWD and ways your organization can showcase its support on March 8 and throughout the year.
Why do we need International Womenâs Day?
The fight for equality
The first IWD took place in 1911, and over a century later, weâre still fighting for equality. According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations, to reach full gender parity.
A changing political landscape
Legal protections, funding and support for women and non-binary people have been challenged and dismantled. The rights of women, trans, non-binary and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, reproductive freedom, and more became key issues in the 2024 United States election, with a resounding impact on countries worldwide.
As the newly elected US President Trump takes his first weeks and months in office, the swift action he and his cabinet have taken to limit resources, training, protection and rights of people is alarming.
Outdated rhetoric
In addition to Vice President JD Vance calling prominent Democrats âchildless cat ladiesâ as a criticism and insult, Vance and President Trump have advocated for the âtraditional family structureâ and suggested that adults without children should pay higher taxes and have fewer voting rights.
In an October 2024 CNN article, they noted that âIn a national AEI survey, 60% of Republican men and about 40% of Republican women said women asking for equal treatment are really seeking âspecial favours.â Most Republican men and women also agreed that society no longer needs to do more to ensure equal rights for women.â
World Crises
UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, has called the conflict in Gaza a âwar on women.â In a January 23, 2025 article, Amnesty International shared that an average of 63 women are killed each day, and those who survive have a dramatically increased risk of infection due to a devastated health care system, lack of sanitation and clean water and verging on famine.
Gaza isnât the only country involved in conflict right now, and women throughout the world are impacted and threatened by war, famine, inadequate safety, poor living conditions and more.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Here in Canada, the National Inquiry into MMIWG wrapped up over four years ago, but only 2 of the 231 Calls for Justice have been implemented by the Government of Canada.
According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence. While Indigenous people make up only 4.3% of the Canadian population, Indigenous women make up 16% of the female homicide victims. Theyâre also more likely to experience physical and sexual assault than non-Indigenous women.
How you can support IWD 2025
This yearâs theme is Accelerate Action, emphasizing the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. As the Starling Social Founder (and woman business owner) Alyson stated in 2023, âAll efforts advancing womenâs equality are welcome and should be respected. There is no one right way to celebrate.â
Here are five ways you can support IWD this year (and always):
1. Support women-owned businesses
There are amazing women-owned businesses in every industry. From retail to restaurants, artistic to corporate needs, a women-owned business would appreciate your support!
In Manitoba, you can access a Womenâs Business Directory from WeMB. Look for something similar in your city!
2. Celebrate women
You send an uplifting message to a woman in your life, shout out to your favourite women entrepreneurs on social media, honour the women in your organization and more. Additionally, you could:
- Read and share books, podcasts and products by women
- Hire women speakers and attend events with women panelists and keynotes
- Share and celebrate womenâs achievements: look for top lists, women-based award programs and more to honour these amazing people!
- Join women-based organizations. Locally in Winnipeg, we have the Winnipeg Womenâs Community, Hustle & Charm and Council of Women Winnipeg, just to name a few.
3. Be an educated ally
- Engage in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) learning and practices
- Educate yourself on the issues
- Take action like speaking out against discrimination, advocating for policy change, organizing a fundraiser and more
- Support legislation that protects women, non-binary, trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ people
4. Support causes that support women and girls
You can donate your time, resources or money to support an organization that promotes womenâs rights, raises awareness for an issue affecting women or directly supports the needs of women in the community.
5. Use your sphere of influence for good
Share, share, share! You have a platform where you can start conversations, and share about your support for women-owned businesses and organizations helping women and more! Whether youâre starting conversations in person or sharing online, giving space and an outlet to raise the conversation is important and valuable!
You can learn more and get guidance and resources on the International Womenâs Day website. We canât wait to see how your #AccelerateAction this year!
The Power of Publicity & Media Relations
Traditional media coverage used to be a sort of âholy grailâ in the world of marketing.
Itâs easy to see why: normally, you pay for advertising, which is tucked around the edges of the main media product, whether thatâs the news or some form of entertainment on the radio, television or in print. But when you get on the news, you become part of the main event â plus, itâs free!
This makes traditional media coverage very valuable, but it can also be frustratingly difficult to get, as there are never any guarantees. You couldnât pay for it even if you wanted to, and you are always at the mercy of the journalists, producers or hosts who decide what to cover and publish.
The changing role of traditional media
Itâs no great secret that traditional media like newspapers, radio and television have lost some of their power and influence. The vast majority of these outlets have been losing readers, listeners and viewers to new platforms made possible by the internet, like social media and podcasts. In many ways, the new âholy grailâ of marketing is having something go viral online.
In Canada, we have the added disadvantage of being unable to post links to news stories on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Threads), which even further limits the reach and potential benefit of any news story about your business or organization.
However, there is still value and benefit in getting earned media (another term for media coverage which you did not pay for). I spent several years in radio newsrooms followed by nearly a decade in publicity and media outreach, and as a veteran of both sides of the game, I have seen the changes firsthand.
With the right strategy in place, integrating your marketing to properly leverage each piece, I believe media relations is still a crucial tool for any organization with the appetite to try it.
How to do media relations
At its most basic, media relations is three things:
- Writing a news release
- Sending it to a list of media contacts
- Being available for (and doing) interviews
A news release (also known as a press release or media release) is basically a sample news article that includes all the important details of whatever it is youâre wanting to say. They are generally formatted like news stories (with a few specific exceptions), and are written in such a way that a journalist can quickly and easily understand the subject â while also convincing them that itâs an interesting or important story to cover.
Once you have your news release created, youâll need to send it to a list of media contacts. This can be the biggest barrier for a lot of people, since if you donât already have a list of contacts, youâll need to build one.
My suggestion on this is generally to start broad and then start zooming in on individuals. Most news outlets will have a general news or tip line listed on their website, so before going any further, copy those down. Those email addresses will generally forward to at least a few journalists, editors and/or producers at that outlet.
Next, I recommend searching for accounts on social media (especially X, formerly Twitter, and its competitors like Bluesky and Threads), using search terms like âjournalist,â âreporter,â âproducer,â and the name of your city or region. Many reporters will have contact information listed in their bio. Be mindful of the subjects they cover too â you want to cast a wide net, but not annoy someone who doesnât even cover the kinds of stories you are pitching.
There are also subscription-based services that collect information about journalists and can help you find and reach people who might be interested in your story. I donât often recommend these as they tend to be out of date and donât provide great value, although if your organization is national or international in scope and you have the budget, there can be good use cases.
Finally, once you have your news release and contact list ready, you will need to decide on a spokesperson who will take interviews, and ensure they are available on short notice. This person will need to be able to speak comfortably and knowledgeably about the topic. And, since the turnaround on most news stories is less than a day, theyâll need to have an open schedule.
You may also want a second person available for interview, depending on the nature of the story. This can be a volunteer with your nonprofit organization, a customer of your business, or an employee whose work has some connection to the story â many news outlets require two separate âvoicesâ or interviews on any given news story, and having one to offer is always helpful.
Integrating with other marketing
Given the reality of traditional media losing some power and influence, getting news coverage no longer acts as a huge cherry on top of whatever else youâre doing â you need to be more strategic with it, and ready to capitalize on it if and when it comes.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that any media attention you get can help strengthen the impact of any other current or recent advertising and communication. Having these things planned together, unified and complimentary to each other can really help your advertising dollars go further and your earned media mean more to its audience.
You also need to consider how you are going to leverage the coverage you get, especially when you canât post links to most news on social media (at least in Canada). A good workaround for this is having a good website with a blog or news section; you can paste links, excerpts or a summary there, and then share that specific post/page to social media. (It helps too if your website is built so that these posts are easily shareable!)
Ultimately, fewer people may be seeing these news stories on the platforms where they originally air or publish, but itâs still valuable free space if you can get it, and lends some credibility that is hard to achieve any other way.
Telling the story
Now, all of the above is only helpful if you have a good story to tell, and the ability to get the mediaâs attention. If you need help telling your story or getting news outlets to notice, Starling Social can help.
One of the new things Iâm bringing to our clients here at Starling is a great depth of experience in media relations and integrated marketing. This allows us to start offering clients our help building media campaigns and marketing major announcements, as well as training for teams who have the capacity but could use some expertise on how to maximize their impact and results.
If you are interested in getting help with an upcoming project, or would like to learn more about training opportunities, get in touch â we would love to work together!
Our Content Marketing Checklist for 2025
Itâs the start of another new year, and for us marketing professionals, that means planning season.
Now that youâve slept off the holiday hangover (literally or figuratively, I wonât judge), itâs time to think about the year ahead, and what that means for your content marketing.
Iâve put together this content marketing checklist for 2025, filled with ideas and insights for how to make the most of your efforts this year.
1. Develop content themes
Depending on your business or industry, this can be an easy and energizing place to start your planning, or the complete opposite â but either way, it is always one of the most important.
Do you have any big plans for the year? New products launching? A rebrand or major campaign? A key event or season that drives a lot of what you do? These are great top-level priorities for your content. Not only are they the things youâll want to talk about most, but they can become inspiration for broader supporting themes to fill your year of content.
For instance, your new product launch can complement a broader theme of innovation or quality. Your end-of-season sale could be supported by a broader theme of providing value. Or you could pair the launch of a capital fundraising campaign with evergreen content themed around impact and community.
All of this is a lot more challenging, however, if your business or organization doesnât have much new or exciting to talk about. Without big campaigns, sales or announcements, it can feel tough to keep things fresh and relevant.
But thereâs good news â if you arenât finding content inspiration by looking within your company, you can look outside. Even when we arenât changing, the world around us certainly is. Look around your industry for changes and trends to respond to. Consider your customers and think about what is changing in their world. Get curious and try zooming in and out on different aspects of your business, industry, customer base, or even the broader economy and world.
2. Identify key topics and keywords
Once you have your themes outlined, itâs time to think about key topics and keywords to use in your content marketing.
Starting with the themes youâve established, some of these can (and probably will) also be terms and phrases that are common and specific to your industry. Put on your SEO hat and think about how people might be searching for the kind of content youâre making, and use variations on those topics and keywords to try and capture that in a thorough way.
To really go above and beyond with your keywords, you should also be doing some research. Get onto the various platforms where you are publishing your content, follow some accounts within your industry doing good work, and look for things like:
- What topics or keywords are getting good engagement on other accounts?
- Is there a new trend or topic in your industry that youâve missed?
- Are there any emerging topics within your content themes that you should include?
3. Research your audiences
A common mistake I see in marketing is people not researching their audiences often enough.
So you already defined your audience back in 2008? That donât impress me much. (Sorry, Shania Twain…)
Like I said in our first point in this content marketing checklist â even if your organization hasnât changed, your customers, donors or clients might have.
This doesnât need to be done every year, necessarily, but I do recommend keeping this on your checklist every year, and at least considering if your audience needs an update. Ask yourself (or your team, or client) the following:
- Is our audience aging?
- Do we have a new, younger cohort aging into our product/service/audience?
- If our audience has grown, who are the new people?
- If our audience has shrunk, are there people we want to win back?
- Where is our audience online, and has that changed?
That last one is probably the most important, and the one that could be changing most often. One of the best content marketing tips I can give you is to research your audienceâs media diet â meaning where they are consuming content, what kind of content theyâre consuming, when, and how much.
There are many ways you can learn these things about your audience, from surveying your existing customer base, to social media analytics, to research done by other firms available online.
Once youâve answered these questions and done some research, you can better focus your content themes, and prioritize the channels and formats that best suit your content strategy.
Which leads us to…
4. Prioritize formats and channels
Hopefully you already have some idea of what platforms, content types and formats work well for you and connect with your audience. But once youâve done the work in the checklist items above, you may find yourself wanting to shift some effort from one platform to another, or consider adding a new channel or type of content.
Remember, there are many types of media you can include in your content marketing. To name just a few:
- Blogs
- Video content
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Case studies and white papers
Something weâre thinking about this year is the value of the âTwitter alternativeâ platforms, Threads and Bluesky, but for you it may be something different.
We're here to help
If youâve read this far, you clearly see the value in being proactive and intentional about your content marketing for 2025. But maybe your team doesnât have the time, capacity or skills to really make the most of your content marketing.
Weâre here to help. Book a discovery call today to see how our team of content marketing experts can help you make the most of your content and digital marketing this year!
The Future of Starling Social
TL;DR: Starling Social is carrying on.
From a group of people who write for a living, figuring out what to say in this blog post is hard. One thing we know for sure is that people have questions about what is happening with the company and our team.
Alysonâs passing was not something we ever imagined we would have to consider.
We donât have all of the answers — we donât know what we donât know — but hereâs what we know right now.
How We Made This Decision
Our entire team, including Alysonâs partner, came together after her passing to figure out what the next steps looked like. We unanimously agreed that continuing Starling Social was the best way to continue Alysonâs legacy.
Just like a murmuration of Starlings, Alyson Shane built a team that moves in sync, adjusts to each other's actions and stays aligned with the bigger picture.
Her bigger picture was to support good businesses and non-profits doing great work in their communities. Having a person with a big heart at the head of Starling is what made it so successful. Our team all genuinely loves what we do and wanted to continue to do great work for our clients. That part was an easy yes.
What Current Clients Need To Know
First off, we want to thank our clients for their understanding, patience, and support during this time. Our team is so grateful that our clientsâ trust has remained with their account managers, and the processes and procedures that Alyson had implemented.
Our clients can rely on the same dedicated service and exceptional quality of work theyâve come to expect from us.
We are mourning Alysonâs loss, but doing this work, having a creative outlet and supporting our clients is something we can continue to feel good about moving forward.
Who Is Filling Alysonâs Position
Alysonâs strong need for clear, documented communication has kept everyone aligned, even after her passing. Together, we have been able to navigate, collaborate, and now move forward with an addition to the team who will fulfill Alysonâs duties and add services — and a new perspective — to benefit our clients.
We are welcoming a new Director to the team: Luke Thiessen. Luke is a longtime friend and collaborator who has been involved with Starling since its founding. A graduate of the Creative Communications program at Red River, he has spent more than a decade creating content, directing communications strategy and leading teams across a variety of industries and sectors. He is taking over leadership of the Starling Social team and looks forward to working with our clients as we enter this next chapter for the agency.
Our team wholeheartedly agrees that Luke is the natural fit to continue growing Starling. His skillset and experience complements our team, and as Alysonâs close friend, he knows and supports the direction and goals of the company. We feel good knowing another person with a big heart, and the same values, is continuing her legacy.
We are looking forward to adding Lukeâs skillset, sense of humour, and musical acumen to our murmuration.
Honouring Alyson
Alyson used Starling Social to support women and BIPOC companies, and the LGBTQAI2S+ community where she could. Those will be the initiatives we continue to support.
The University of Winnipeg Foundation has set up the Alyson Shane Memorial Award in Rhetoric. They aim to raise $35,000 to support underrepresented students studying Rhetoric, Writing and Communications at The University of Winnipeg.
She was also nominated for the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and they will be honouring her memory and contributions to the community at the event.
We will continue to share stories about Alyson, always be inspired by the drive and creativity she shared with her community, and produce work she would have been proud to have her name attached to.
Our Services
Our entrepreneurial crew of self starters works together to help our clients grow their businesses. Hereâs a reminder of what we will continue to offer, and whatâs new.
Digital Marketing Strategy
- Onboarding: This process allows us to act as an extension of your brand online.
- Transparency: Cloud-based tools keep you updated on every campaign detail.
- Monthly Reports: Detailed updates on performance, ROI, and strategic recommendations.
- Quarterly Meetings: Regular meetins to align goals and objectives.
Social Media Marketing
- Content Strategy: Data-driven insights make sure your posts reach your target audience.
- Content Publishing: Professional scheduling and promotion of your social content.
- Audience Engagement: Strategic interactions to grow awareness and connections.
- 24/7 Account Monitoring: Always stay on top of DMs and sales opportunities.
Copywriting
- Blogging: SEO-optimized blogs to drive traffic to your website.
- Email Marketing: Campaigns, newsletters, and nurture streams tailored to your needs.
- Website Copy: Refresh or overhaul your site with impactful, polished content.
- PDFs + More: Custom promotional materials for any campaign.
Social Media Ads
- Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest Ads: Expertly managed to amplify your digital marketing efforts.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
- Search and Display Ads on Google and Bing: Drive traffic and boost sales with precision-targeted campaigns.
Web Development
- Website Development: Create or revamp your site to showcase your brand.
- Branding and UX Design: Responsive, user-friendly websites highlighting your products and services.
- Logo Design and Brand Identity: Build a memorable visual identity that reflects your brandâs values and stands out in your industry.
- Shopify Setup and Management: Optimize your online store for sales and efficiency.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Improve your search rankings and visibility.
New Offers
With our new addition to the team, weâre offering a small but beneficial expansion to our current offers.
Media Outreach & Publicity
- Press Releases: Creating newsworthy stories to gain media attention.
- Media Relations: Building relationships with journalists and influencers to boost coverage.
- Event Promotion: Generating buzz for your events through strategic media campaigns.
Grieving
Grief can be overwhelming, especially over the holiday season. The Mood Disorders Association of Canada has free resources available for people who have lost a loved one and need support.
Please take care of yourself. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access Shared Health Manitobaâs Mental Health & Wellness Resources here.
If you have questions about our team, the future of Starling Social, or digital marketing, you can reach us here.
Meet Luke Thiessen
Letâs just start by saying the quiet part out loud: we did not expect that a straight, cis, white, Christian male would be the perfect person to take over Alyson Shaneâs duties at Starling Social. But, after getting to know him, weâre confident youâll be as happy about it as we are.
âHappyâ is a strange word to use because we are all having a lot of feelings right now. Weâre figuring out itâs okay to feel a little happy mixed in with everything else. Maybe the more correct word is âright.â Luke coming on board feels like the right decision for Starling Social.
Who Is Luke?
The first thing you need to know about Luke is that he is starting a Taylor Swift drag cover band with John Luxford. Okay, maybe thatâs not the first thing you need to know, but it is important information, and we will be sharing show details when it becomes available.
Luke is a long-time, trusted and close friend of Alysonâs. The two met during a work placement at Direct Focus, where Alyson was working at the time, and then reconnected on Twitter — back when it was still a good place to be.
Wanting to get into similar work, the two became fast friends, bouncing ideas off of each other over a craft beer and cheering for the otherâs successes.
You may have seen Luke at one of Manitobaâs many music festivals or even playing in his own band! He is drawn to folk, Americana and blues music — but he also loves a good bop. Lukeâs other hobby is brewing beer and heâs a proud member of the Winnipeg Brew Bombers.
Work Life
After graduating from Red River Collegeâs Creative Communications program in 2014, Luke secured a job at his second internship, Golden West Radio — a network of (mostly rural) radio stations with a couple of spots based in Winnipeg.
When you hear Lukeâs voice, you immediately agree that it belongs on the radio, so it was no surprise that he was asked to start part-time and cover the news. That quickly turned into a full-time position on Classic 107 and across other Golden West radio stations.
Luke says doing the news was never his dream, so he transferred to another station and secured a spot as an afternoon drive show host. In that position, he led the content creation and the on-air team. That included things like coming up with partnerships for advertisers, delivering on-air content, running a show, and coming up with timely and entertaining things to talk about.
Interested in doing and learning more, Luke started doing freelance communications and publicity work with a local record label.
âAfter about a year I took the leap, quit my day job and started doing freelance full-time.â
Most of his clients were in the arts and music scene, but he also did communications work for non-profits and small businesses. In the initial years of Starling Social, Alyson hired Luke to manage some content marketing projects.
Luke made a great impression in the communications field and was offered a job at Siloam Mission as the Manager of Communications, where he spent the next 6.5 years.
At Siloam Mission, Luke helped grow the communications and marketing department from a team of one to a group of four. They handled everything from public relations to digital marketing to fundraising materials.
âOver that time, we brought a lot of that work in-house or changed our vendors to local vendors, like Starling Social. Whatever we couldnât do in-house, we wanted to at least have close to home, so thatâs when we started working with Starling.â
If you didnât know, Siloam Mission became one of Starlingâs clients in 2022.
In November 2023, Luke left Siloam Mission to take a break, do some work in the craft beer world, and start his own freelance practice. His business was just starting to come online when Alyson passed.
If youâve interacted with our team before, youâll know weâre a bunch of self-starters with good intentions. Through our grief, we each contributed to creating spreadsheets of outstanding tasks, making tough calls, and writing whatever needed to be written. We felt it was important not to add more to Johnâs plate, for our clients to have no interruptions in service, and to treat this company with the same respect Alyson showed us. After a couple of weeks and some discussion, a team member phoned Luke and pitched the idea of him coming on board.
âIt never occurred to me that this was something I should think about doing. But it immediately clicked for me. We had a discussion, and I thought, as long as everyone wants this to happen and feels the same way, then this feels like such a natural fit.â
While we all mourn the circumstances that brought us here, we also feel Luke has the experience, skills, and values we want to run Starling Social — and the extroverted personality to grow it. His personal and working relationship with Alyson gave him insight into how the company is run, and we are grateful he has stepped in to fill this position so Starling Social can continue to thrive.
Joining Starling
Lukeâs goal is to add to the company, not change how it's run. He wants to see what else he can bring to the table for clients to make their experience even better.
âI am looking forward to digging back into the work that Iâm passionate about. To meet new clients and get to know their stories and their people. Iâm a people person. Iâm an extrovert, and that gives me energy.â
Luke loves working on big-picture ideas and creating new strategies. As an âad guy", heâs driven to create campaigns that tell the story of a product, brand, project, or capital campaign. He loves getting into a brand or campaign with a great story to tell.
Publicity and media outreach is a large piece of Lukeâs background and a new service he is proud to offer Starling clients.
âI've always been so proud of Alyson and the work sheâs done at Starling. Itâs been amazing to watch the business grow and, by extension, see her clients do well. This opportunity just feels really exciting and Iâm honoured to be able to continue that and do some of that same great work.â
If you have questions for Luke, or are interested in ramping up your digital marketing game in 2025, contact us here.
7 Foolproof Content Promotion Strategies That Really Work
Spoiler alert: helping your audience find your content is harder than ever.
Search engines like Google are increasingly using tactics to keep searchers on the results page and off your site, and social media has become so crowded that whether someone sees your post or not can often feel like a shot in the dark.
And while there are other ways to get your content in front of your target audience (of course) a lot of them tend to fall into one of two categories:
- Somewhat effective, like posting a blog to your social media profiles and encouraging your followers to click through and read it.
- Too complicated, like creating detailed reports or doing interviews that might net you some traffic, but are unrealistic to do every month unless you have a dedicated team to manage it for you.
Iâve been publishing content online for 23 years, so Iâve seen lots of trends come and go, but there are some tactics that get results time after time - and thatâs what this post is about.
A note before we go on: these strategies only work if your content is entertaining, informational, and valuable. People only want to read, share, and backlink to content thatâs genuinely worth sharing, so donât dial it in!
Now letâs get into it:
1. Email your audience
I often say that âgetting someoneâs email is like getting the spare key to their house.â
Think about it: even if youâre promoting your content on Google or social media, youâre still just hoping that your content will be seen by the right people and that they wonât simply scroll on by.
But someone who subscribes to your email list has already shown that theyâre interested in what you have to say, and you can send it to them in a place that only a few can access: their inbox.
For example, when we publish a new blog post I include it in Starling Socialâs weekly digital marketing newsletter. Not only does our content get a traffic boost from our subscribers clicking through to read our articles, but anecdotally Iâve noticed that our blog posts often rank higher in search results because search engines recognize the boost in engagement from the traffic weâre sending, too.
The trick here is to publish regularly and cover topics that you know your audience are interested in. We send a digital marketing-focused newsletter, so itâs easy to assume that the people who sign up to read it are interested in the topics we cover here on the blog.
We also publish regularly (two times a month, on average, but sometimes more). This gives us lots of opportunities to drive traffic back to our content.
2. Repurpose your content
This is also known as a âbricks and feathersâ approach to content promotion.
Iâve gone into this tactic in more detail in an earlier post on the blog, but the idea is to take a longer piece of content (like a blog post or a longer video) and break it up into smaller chunks, like social media posts.
So this blog would be a âbrickâ and the âfeathersâ are the posts and videos Iâll be creating after Iâm finished writing this to promote it (and whatâs inside) on our socials. Or, if Iâve been featured on a podcast (a âbrickâ) Iâll pull the audio and make Reels and TikToks with it (âfeathersâ).
An important note: one mistake I often see people making is just resharing the original piece of content on social media - but this is a mistake for a few reasons:
- Social media algorithms âthrottleâ posts that have links in them because they have an incentive to keep users on the platform, not send them away.
- People canât interact with a link, so turning it into a video they can watch, an Instagram carousel they can swipe through, or even resharing it as a LinkedIn article they can access without leaving the site is a better way to encourage them to engage with the content youâre promoting.
3. Tap your team
92% of consumers trust word of mouth and UGC (user-generated content) more than other forms of traditional brand advertising, which makes sense: our brains are hard-wired to trust other humans (compared to a âfacelessâ brand).
So instead of just posting to your company page and socials, ask your team or employees to re-share your content on their own timelines, too.
An important note: just blind re-sharing wonât have the same impact as when someone takes a few minutes to write a thoughtful post about why the content has value.
This is especially important for company leaders and executives to do this since they tend to have large audiences on platforms like LinkedIn. At Starling Social, our favourite approach to helping clients do this is by creating Mad Lib-like templates their team can use to take the guesswork out of what weâd like them to say.
Once the post has been shared, encourage others in the company (other executives or employees) to like, comment, and re-share it to their own profiles to boost its visibility even higher.
4. Guest blog (but with grace)
You may have been the recipient of one of those spammy âhey I want to guest blog for youâ emails before - and this isnât the right approach.
Most people only offer to guest blog in order to earn backlinks, which means the content tends to be poorly-written and often doesnât have any original ideas of value.
Instead of cold-emailing people, look for industry publications with a large audience and only submit a guest post when you have a unique or thoughtful perspective to share. Then (and only then!) should you link back to your content thatâs relevant to what youâre saying.
Another approach is to publish your own post first, then reach out to other publications in your industry and explain in your pitch how youâd like to expand on that topic.
That way youâre not just repeating yourself; you can earn a reputation as an industry thought leader and earn those valuable backlinks to your content.
5. Partner with influencers or other brands
Working with influencers or other parallel brands in your industry is an easy way to help your content get discovered by more people. There are three main ways to do this:
- Hosting webinars
- Doing podcast/video interviews
- Doing blog post interviews
You can either work with someone in your niche and invite them to be interviewed by you, or to partner with you on a project, or you can develop relationships with others who will feature you.
I can personally attest to how effective this strategy is. Iâm interviewed on a podcast every 1-2 months, on average, and I deliver a workshop or webinar at least every 2 months in partnership with several nonprofits and brands in parallel niches to my own.
This not only helps me promote Starling Socialâs content to a wider audience, but also positions me as a subject matter expert which reinforces the value of the content I share.
6. Cross-promote with other newsletters
Remember how I said âgetting someoneâs email is like getting the spare key to their houseâ? Well getting featured in someone elseâs newsletter is like that, but on steroids. Hereâs why:
- People love when their content is promoted
- People tend to reciprocate when you do them a favour
If you promote someone elseâs content to your audience, theyâre likely to reshare yours, too.
A few years ago I started reaching out to industry associations and nonprofits asking them if they have events or content theyâd like Starling Social to feature, which has landed our blog posts in over a dozen of their monthly newsletters to their members as a result.
The trick here is to lead with offering, not asking.
6. Run paid ads
You probably knew this would be in here somewhere.
Most people donât share sales-driven content unless itâs really valuable, so often paying to show your content to the right people is an effective way to help the right people see it - this is because ad targeting allows you to specify exactly the type of audience you think will want to see it.
An important note: knowing where to run your ads is a key part of this tactic. LinkedIn is the best place to share B2B (business-to-business) content, and Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are better for B2C (business-to-consumer content).
If you think about why people use these platforms, this makes sense: most of us donât go on TikTok or Instagram when weâre thinking about work or business, whereas 4 out of 5 LinkedIn members drive business decisions.
So if youâre going to invest your marketing dollars in running ads to promote your content, make sure youâre promoting it to the platforms where your audience is spending time.
8. (Bonus!) Re-promote your old content
Do you have an older post thatâs still relevant? This is known as âevergreenâ content.
Evergreen content = content that focuses on a topic thatâs already relevant, regardless of the season or news cycle. The term comes from the evergreen, a plant that stays âever greenâ all year round (get it?)
If you have evergreen content lying around, link back to it in new content you publish or reshare it using the tactics outlined in the post above. Sometimes just the process of resharing it and sending more traffic to the page can improve your search engine rankings.
Start promoting your content today
Using these strategies can help you get more visibility for your content, but remember: your content needs to be engaging, entertaining, and valuable.
(Hint: donât just churn out content using AI and hope for the best!)
If the thought of creating high-quality content sounds overwhelming, youâre in the right place because we can help! Starling Social is led by a seasoned content marketer (me) and made up of a team of creative and high-quality copywriters who have the experience to make your content shine. If we sound like your dream copywriting team, book a discovery call today!
Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2024: Trends, How to Prepare, and How to Sell More in 2024
If youâre gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, youâre not alone. According to Retail Dive, nearly 60% of consumers are already scaling back on their regular spending habits so they can take advantage of all the sweet, sweet deals this shopping season will offer up.
In fact, 76% plan to maintain or even increase their spending this season, making Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM) the perfect time to sell more of your products and services.
The BFCM weekend is the biggest shopping event of the year, but a successful sales campaign is more than just adding some discounts to your website — you need to stay ahead of the curve and include the latest trends into your marketing strategy.
Below are some of the most important tips you need to know to sell more, increase customer loyalty, and attract new buyers to your brand. Letâs explore:
Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2024: Trends and Predictions
From artificial intelligence to Buy Now, Pay Later options, here are three trends we anticipate will shape the holiday shopping experience this year.
1. Plan for early promotions and extended sales
According to Experian, almost one-third of holiday sales took place in October 2023.
This trend probably isnât going anywhere, especially since more brands are extending the BFCM into the following week (or even the week before).
If youâre looking to fire up your sales early, consider doing âPre-Black Fridayâ promotions and leaning into âCyber Weekâ deals for items sold through your website.
2. Offer flexible payment options at checkout
One trend weâre seeing is the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options at checkout.
If youâre been on websites like Wayfair or Shein lately youâve probably already seen these options, which allow customers to pay in instalments or even defer the full payment amount to a later date.
This tactic is especially useful if you sell big-ticket items like furniture, clothing, expensive jewelry… you get the idea. You can offer these incentives by integrating tools like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm into your e-commerce platform, and once theyâre on your website, make sure to highlight that these options are available in your marketing push, too.
3. Lean into AI-driven customer support
According to research done on BFCM spending last year, AI likely contributed $51 billion to online global sales, so we can expect to see this trend of using AI-powered tools to continue this year, too.
Some ways you can integrate AI into your BFCM marketing planning include:
- Using chatbots to address customerâs questions and issues in real-time.
- Personalizing product recommendations.
- Doing pricing research against your competitors (tools like Prisync are great for this!)
- Using tools like Klayvio to create customized, AI-driven email marketing campaigns.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2024: Tips for Success
Here are some of the hottest strategies to help you level-up your BFCM sales success this season:
Start building your marketing plan early
Like, right now! (We can help with this.)
Start promoting your BFCM offers on your social media and through your newsletter as soon as Halloween is over. Some ways you can build excitement include:
- Countdowns
- Previews and sneak peeks
- Early access deals for subscribers and returning customers
- New customer incentives and savings
- Referral codes to existing customers spread the word about your products
Lean into âFlash Salesâ
Creating a sense of urgency is one of the most effective tactics to enhance conversions, both during BFCM and year-round.
Use countdown timers on your website and in your marketing emails to remind customers how much time is left for a deal.
Staggered promotions that evolve throughout the day can also encourage repeat visits and incentivize customers to add more to their cart, too.
Make your brick-and-mortar experience memorable
Lots of customers still love the feeling of an in-person shopping experience, especially when it comes with special incentives.
Host exclusive in-store events with offerings like early access to discounts or special product launches (potentially with gifts).
Even small special details, like free samples or gift-wrapping, can help get more people through your door.
Offer mobile-exclusive deals
Do you have a mobile app? Then donât miss out on the chance to attract more downloads and purchases through it by offering app-exclusive deals.
Encouraging customers to buy through your app also allows you to establish a direct connection with them and can open up other marketing opportunities like push notifications on flash sales and limited-time offers.
Use âRetargetingâ to reconnect with customers
Itâs normal for customers to browse your site without buying anything, especially during BFCM when they may be comparing options across multiple websites.
âRemarketingâ is the process of reconnecting with people whoâve visited your website through Google Ads and Meta Advertising, so those pants someone viewed yesterday will show up in their Instagram Stories or at the top of their Google search feed, which might bring them back to buy.
Are you ready for BFCM 2024?
BFCM 2024 is set to be another blowout shopping season, so start your planning now and use these tips to make sure this BFCM is your most successful one yet!
If you need help getting your marketing plan in order, we can help! Drop us a line and letâs build a winning BFCM strategy together.