Author: ad_new

Hello again…

I trust this message finds you in good spirits!

I can hardly contain my excitement as I write this to you because we’ve just released a brand new episode on “Digital Dialogues,” and it’s a topic that’s close to my heart—Podcasting!

Episode 4: The Power of Podcasting – Why Everyone You Know is Starting a Podcast!

You’ve probably noticed it too—podcasts are everywhere! Whether it’s for commuting, exercising, or even during work, podcasts have become a staple in our daily lives. But have you ever stopped to wonder why they’ve taken off in such a big way?

Reim and I decided it was time to dive deep and unravel the mysteries and magic behind podcasting.

In this episode, we navigate through the tricky questions: What’s the perfect podcast length? Should you go with seasons or keep it flowing continuously? And, the big one—what’s the deal with video podcasts?

Did you know only 17% of podcasts are using video, despite platforms like Spotify pushing its limits for creating video podcasts? It’s a fascinating space, and we’re right on the cusp of something big.

Reim, with her video expertise, sheds light on why integrating video could be a game-changer, while I bring in my love for in-depth, extended conversations. It’s a lively debate, and trust me, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun!

? Jump Right In and Listen to Episode 4!

Why Should You Care?

The podcast industry is on a trajectory to hit a whopping $4 billion by 2024. Yes, you heard that right—$4 BILLION! So, whether you’re a podcast enthusiast, a curious newbie, or maybe even pondering starting your own, this episode is tailored just for you.

We’ve packed it with insights, strategies, and a touch of our usual Digital Dialogues charm to ensure you’re not just a passive listener but an informed one, ready to ride the podcast wave.

Your Thoughts Matter!

Once you’ve tuned in, I’d love to hear your take on it. Are you Team Video or Team Audio? Long chats or quick insights? Your perspectives fuel our discussions, and I’m all ears!

Thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. Your support means the world to us, and it’s your curiosity and engagement that keep these dialogues alive and kicking!

? Listen to Episode 4 Now!

Until the next digital dialogue, stay curious and keep the conversations flowing!

Warmest wishes,
Namita

PPS: Got any podcast recommendations or topics you’d love for us to cover? Hit reply and spill the beans. I’m all ears! ?

Hello hello…

I hope this email finds you well. Remember my last newsletter hinting at the launch of my new podcast? Well, the wait is over!

I’m thrilled to announce that the “Digital Dialogues” podcast, in collaboration with Reim El Houni, is now LIVE and streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. ??

And guess what? We’re not just introducing one, but THREE power-packed episodes to kick things off!

? EP 1 – Advertising vs. Content Creation – The Pros & Cons
Wondering about the dynamics of Content vs. Ads? This episode breaks down myths, showcases geo-targeting magic, and sheds light on when smartphone filming is enough and when it’s not. Ready to decode the digital dilemma?

Listen to EP1 on Apple Podcast | Spotify | Watch on YouTube

? EP 2 – The World of AI Explained with Special Guest Fahed Bizzari, The Chaos Wrangler
AI is no longer a thing of the future; it’s here! Dive into the world of Chat GPT, explore AI’s current impact, and catch a glimpse of what’s next. Featuring special guest Fahed Bizzari (also known as the chaos wrangler), this episode promises to enrich and enlighten.

Listen to EP2 on Apple Podcast | Spotify | Watch on YouTube

About Fahed: A dedicated AI literacy specialist helping professionals harness GPT tech. Founder of the FASTER ChatGPT curriculum.

After the shoot of this episode, I in fact signed up for Fahed’s ChatGPT Accelerator program… and it is mindboggling. I am learning to use ChatGPT in a totally different way. Find the link to his course in the PS section below. 

? EP 3 – Content Creation is the New Networking, According to Steven Bartlett – Do You Agree?
In the age of digitization, is content the kingpin of networking? Delve into the nuances of connecting online vs. offline and see if, perhaps, content is indeed your key to networking success.

Listen to EP3 on Apple Podcast | Spotify | Watch on YouTube

I can’t express how excited and proud I am of these episodes. Our aim is to provide you with insights, strategies, and a dose of inspiration to help you navigate the digital world.

Thank you for your continued support.

It means the world to me.

Please listen, share, and let us know your thoughts on the topics discussed.

And better yet, leave us a review. Your feedback fuels our content!

Wishing you happy listening and until next time, stay digitally dialed-in!

Warm Regards,

Namita

PS: I churned out this mailer in exactly 5 minutes, which otherwise would take me at least a day to write!

I really recommend Fahed’s ChatGPT Accelerator Program. If you do plan to sign up with him use this link here.  (This is my affiliate link)

PPS: Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on whichever platform you are listening on 🙂

PPPS: Missed any of my previous newsletters? Here is the link to all my newsletters on Above Digital Website. 

 

 

Hey there, it’s Namita!

As we dive into the final stretch of the year, I’m excited to share some insights on how you can maximize your Q4 sales for your e-commerce brand.

To be honest, these tips apply to any business selling products or services and not just E-commerce businesses!

Q4 is the season that every e-commerce business eagerly anticipates, and for good reason.

It’s a time when consumers are on the lookout for incredible deals, thanks to events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday(BFCM), and the 11.11 Singles’ Day Sale.

But it’s not just about these specific dates; the entire year-end period experiences a surge in buying intent.

Fun fact: Many US E-commerce brands operate at a loss for most of the year and only start turning a profit after this major sale event.

The advertising landscape during Q4 heats up, big time as well.

Giants like Amazon & Noon gobble up vast ad spaces, driving up costs and making it a challenge for smaller retailers to acquire customers through paid ads.

In a world where ad costs are soaring, Email Marketing and WhatsApp Marketing will be your best allies in boosting revenue during Q4 because:

1. Cost-Efficiency: Unlike the ever-increasing ad costs, email marketing remains relatively affordable as you just need to pay the sending charges to the software based on the size of your list.
2. Sent to Existing Customers: It’s often more profitable to target your existing customer base rather than constantly chasing new ones.

So, how can you craft a winning Q4 promotion strategy?

Here’s the roadmap:

Reflect on the Past: Before diving in, have a glance at last year. What clicked? What didn’t? Wisdom lies in those insights.

Plan Ahead: Don’t restrict yourself to just a Black Friday sale. Think about a consistent stream of promotions from late October to mid-January.

And guess what? You don’t need to mimic the masses. Infuse some creativity into your promo style. I will be sharing a few ideas. Read on.

Timelines are Key: Hop into the Q4 game early. Big brands usually begin their Q4 promotions at the end of October. However, consumers get in the shopping spirit even earlier. Consider offering something intriguing in early October. Avoid giving hefty discounts early and then even more during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). That can leave customers feeling cheated. Instead, consider launching a new product or service or offer enticing deals like buy one, get one free, or buy one, get a free gift. Try not to have this product or service in your main BFCM event.

BFCM Sale: These are essential sales events that can be extended for extra days or even a week. Consider offering site-wide discounts to simplify your promotion. Avoid complicated offers; a straightforward blanket discount works best.

Post-BFCM sale revenue dips can be nerve-wracking, but stay composed. With the right offers, you’ll see those numbers rising in no time.

Post BFCM Strategy: After the big sales, pivot immediately to Holiday or Festive Discounts, targeting the festivities leading up to the New Year.

Remember, this season is all about festivities.

There’s Christmas, New Year, birthdays, anniversaries. So, even if some customers missed your BFCM deals, there’s always another chance to woo them.

A couple of final tips to keep in mind:

Landing Page: Create a dedicated page for your promotions, something like “YourDomain.com/Sale.” You can use this page multiple times throughout the year, and it makes it easier to direct your best Ads traffic. You can update the offers while keeping the same landing page.

You can even take the same BFCM promotion, tweak it slightly (perhaps a smaller discount or a different bonus), and call it a Holiday Sale, extending it into the new year.

Scarcity Element: The limited-time nature of these sales entices consumers, ensuring your Q4 sales peak.

Need Help?

If you’re struggling to plan your promotions, just hit the reply button and reach out to me.

Don’t worry about sending too many emails or running too many sales; your customers are ready to spend during this time of the year, and the scarcity element of sales will help you make this Q4 the most profitable yet! ?

Until next time,

N

——-

PS: By the way, I recently had an exhilarating cycling trip to the Dolomites, Italy! ?‍♀️ If you’re interested in hearing about our mountain-climbing adventures, click here It was tough, but oh-so-rewarding!

PPS: Would like me to write next about AI and more specifically how to use ChatGPT? Hit the reply button and let me know.

PPPS: This newsletter was written using ChatGPT btw! 😉 Do you feel the difference at all?

PPPPS: Missed any of my previous newsletters? Here is the link to all my newsletters on Above Digital Website.

I have an apology to make.

It has been almost 8 months since I sent the last newsletter.

Yes, you are right!

I was the one who spoke about consistency, and I am the one who failed at it.

I take the responsibility.

Things have been crazy at Above Digital.

I have so many things to share with you.

The first good news is that one of our team members, Namitha (who shares the same name as me), delivered a happy, healthy baby boy this year. I call him AD Baby. This boy has all the digital marketing knowledge embedded in his brain? as since his conception; he has been listening to our marketing conversations in the office. I am, in fact, curious to know what field he will choose as he grows up.

The summer of 2023 was full of activities for me.

I went to the Dolomites again.

Yes Again!

And this time, I attempted 90% of the climbs. I, in fact, trained for it. The climbs I couldn’t attempt had an 18% gradient, and I was just too scared to fall. 🙂 Here is the link to my day-to-day experience of Dolomites. It is absolutely stunning. Everyone should at least see the Dolomites once in their life.

I also jumped out of a plane! Literally. 😉

I attempted skydiving in Spain. It was a life-changing experience.

I conquered my fear of heights and also realised that most of the time, our fears are not our own. They are passed down to us by others. I wrote a post on my sky diving experience on my Instagram. Read all about it here and check out my photos as well.

I also sat on roller coasters in Poland, which I would have never attempted if I hadn’t had the skydiving experience. My summer was full of adventure, and it was one of the best trips of my life.

We onboarded 4 new accounts in a single month just before our Account executive was going away on her maternity leave. And all of our new clients are from different industries.

Every new account needs a lot of attention in the first 3 months of the campaigns as we do a lot of testing to reach a point when the ad campaigns give us a steady flow of quality leads, and we start scaling from there.

Until then, we will keep testing with different offers or services or the landing pages.

This is What kept me so busy and the reason I was not able to take the time to send my regular emails to you.

We are testing the waters with AI and trying to integrate it into our marketing activities to complete some tasks faster. I will be sharing this in another newsletter soon. I would love to hear about your experience using AI for your business.

But amidst all the hustle and bustle, I’ve been working on something exciting that I can’t wait to share with you.

Introducing “Digital Dialogues” Podcast with Reim El Houni
Coming soon.

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new podcast series, “Digital Dialogues,” in collaboration with Reim El Houni, the founder of TI22 Films & Dubai On Demand.

Reim is a dynamic force in the world of content creation, specializing in video. Her expertise in producing stunning visual content perfectly complements our digital marketing strategies.

For Reim, creating amazing content is her forte, but she knows that if it doesn’t reach the right people, all the effort and investment of time and money can go to waste.

In “Digital Dialogues,” we’ll discuss bridging the gap between creativity and marketing strategy, ensuring your content finds its audience and drives success.

In addition to our exciting lineup of topics, including AI, Web 3.0, the Metaverse, WhatsApp marketing, leveraging YouTube and Spotify, and the power of networking through content, we’ll delve deep into the art and science of content creation and distribution.

As we move into the final quarter of the year (Q4), the insights shared in “Digital Dialogues” are more pertinent than ever. This podcast will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to maximise your digital marketing efforts during this crucial period, helping you achieve your year-end goals.

I’m also delighted to share that we have some new members on our team, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to Above Digital. Stay tuned as we introduce them in the upcoming newsletters.

Thank you for your continued support, and I promise to keep you updated with more frequent newsletters from now on.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my Dolomites adventure, and stay tuned for the first episode of the “Digital Dialogues” podcast coming soon!

P.P.S: One of my most-read newsletters was what I am watching on AppleTV. Would you like to know what I am binging on these days? Should I create another newsletter on some of my current favourite TV shows? Let me know 🙂

Hey there! Namita, back with you 🙂

Firstly, I would like to wish you a very, very happy new year. I know the greetings are a bit late; however, our year started with a bang, swiped with launches and projects. I hope you had an excellent start to the year as well.

Before I proceed, if you feel you are not enjoying my mailers, you can unsubscribe now, if you like. Once you do this, you will not hear from me again ever. However, I urge you to look at this email before unsubscribing from my list.

This newsletter topic came as an inspiration during one of our team meetings during the last week of last year 🙂 when we were doing campaign optimizations for all clients.

So what is working in Digital Marketing as of today?

The best way to find what is working is by knowing what is not working! 🙂

Every client is unique and has their independent scenarios, but there is one common element across clients that we are observing.

And that is: Traffic is getting expensive by the day.

The campaigns need higher ad budgets across all clients to generate the same results.

If you think about it, since 2020, the population using the internet for shopping has gone up by perhaps 1%, but the number of new businesses that have gotten added to the advertising universe is gone up by 1000%.

Running digital Ads on Google and Social channels have become the most essential activity for every business.

This was not the case before Covid.

Print, Newspapers, Magazines, B2B events, and Networking groups still had a significant dependency on lead generation then.

The number of users online is more or less the same, and as people are back to travelling and working from offices, the average time spent online has declined as well.

Social media inventory (the number of users online on a given platform) who are also spenders and online shoppers is thus limited.

This has made the platform raise its cost for showing Ads to 1000 people(CPM= Cost per thousand impressions), which has increased CPC(cost per click) and CPLs (cost per lead).

These are the highest ad costs I have seen in my career managing digital Ads (and Above Digital:)) since 2004.

The only way you can reach the right potential customer and get the desired number of leads /calls/bookings per day will be when you have a better or higher ad spend.

The second thing that has happened across platforms these days is policy changes. This is on both Google and Facebook ad platforms I am talking about.

Both Google and Facebook have become extremely strict in enforcing advertising policies, and you have to ensure your Ads are not rejected and that you are following the rules and regulations of the platforms when writing copy for Ads and creatives.

Facebook now has various courses on advertising policies.

Here are two that I can share:

Meta’s Ad Review Process and Policies

Introduction to the Advertising Standards

You are allowed a certain number of rejections before your account gets restricted from advertising.

Please be very careful when creating Ads for Facebook and Instagram, and make sure you follow the policies.

Google also has new restrictions on the business such as Plastic Surgeons, Medical services, Aesthetic treatments, Financial markets, Crypto, Currencies and online trading.

Another thing that is and will further impact ad campaigns and their performance is IOS updates.

IOS14 is now allowing Apple users to opt out of data sharing every time they download an app. When users opt out of the app tracking, the Facebook pixel can no longer store information about the users. Thus, the new operating system will not allow advertisers to target or exclude these users efficiently.

One way you can combat this issue is by verifying your domain with Meta and prioritising 8 events you would like to track with your pixel.

#If you need help setting up the pixel and tracking events, hit the reply button and email me.

There are still many tracking limitations and data logs for Apple users, and Facebook is finding it very hard to attribute conversions to its ad campaigns.

We look at additional data sources instead of just panel numbers when we optimize the ad campaigns on Facebook.

For instance, we look at the leads on the lead sheet for leads-gen clients and the sales number on Shopify for our E-commerce clients.

The next new thing happening in Digital is that Google announced sun-setting Universal Analytics by June 2023 and has rolled out a new version called GA4 that enables measuring traffic and engagement across websites, social networking sites and apps.

This means we can track what matters to us and not just what Google thinks matters to us.

Google Analytics 4 is the newest version of Google Analytics.

Most of the businesses and marketers are not excited about this switch.

Change is always hard right?

GA4 has a new dashboard; it allows cross-platform tracking and enables in-depth reporting and analytics with predictive metrics like purchase probability, churn probability and revenue prediction.

We have started implementing GA4 across all our clients and recording the data, so we are ready when the actual switch happens.

#If you need help setting this up, email me.

This newsletter is going to get longer… But I urge you to read.

These insights I am sharing with you are real-time of what we are learning on a daily basis while running client campaigns across platforms.

Here is what we @AD believe will work for digital marketing in 2023

1. Higher ad spends will be needed to get the desired lead counts/sale numbers
2. Creative is king. The message on the creative and the design itself. The more eye catchy and creative your ad image, the better your Ads will perform.
3. Short video is the winner. Within 10 seconds videos are going to be trending for digital Ads in 2023
4. Micro influencer marketing will gain further momentum. Influencers who have followers from 3000-100,000 are called micro-influencers.
5. User-generated content like unboxing videos, beauty reviews, branded hashtags, and photo tags will be incorporated into the marketing strategy to uplift the brand’s authenticity. Buyers trust user-generated content 2.6 times more than brand-created content. We at Above digital will be working closely with our clients to produce this user-generated content.
6. Conversational marketing using targeted messaging and AI automation to engage with the people when they are on your website are going to gain momentum. We have already started implementing WhatsApp chatbots for most of our clients. This will enable potential leads to get answers to their questions immediately rather than to wait to receive a call for their inquiry
7. Email is the most money-making channel as it helps in cross-sells and upsells. However, the new IOS 15 is going to make it harder for the email platforms to track open and click rates, thus making it challenging to optimize email campaigns.

There is so much more I can talk about but let me not overflood you with the information and keep some for the following newsletter… which will be about AI 🙂 Stay tuned for that one.

If you are looking to grow your business and need help with lead generation or increasing revenue for your commerce website, reply to this email, and I would love to explore how we can help you grow.

Until next time,

N.

PS: Above Digital completed 19 years… can you believe it! Since 19 years, I am running this agency. We are doing a flashback video series on Linkedin wherein I am sharing our journey on video posts right from the year 2004. I am confident you will enjoy my video posts sharing what got us where we are. Click here to watch the video…Don’t forget to follow Above Digital, so you are notified of the new videos we post.
Link to our Linkedin for Video posts

PPS: I have been working on bringing on and accepting Change. From cutting my hair to getting a tattoo (something I would have never done as I thought inking the body is like staining the body), More on this in my future newsletters 🙂