I know what you’re thinking: “SEO is dead. Again.” Our AI overlords are here and they’ve come not to harvest the energy of our body heat to power their hive mind (a la The Matrix) but to generate an endless onslaught of mediocre content and provide us with quick and easy answers that give us no reason to click into websites. Oh, the humanity.

But before you stock up on canned beans and crawl into the fallout shelter, hear me out. SEO has “died” at least a dozen times now according to every digital media news outlet and each time the practice has simply evolved. Let’s go over how AI is shaking up SEO, how you can use it to your advantage, and what you can do to keep organic traffic flowing

The Role of AI in Modern SEO

Content Creation

With tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini, creating content with AI is not only easy, it’s extremely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The temptation is strong to generate hundreds of blog posts for your business, copy and paste them straight onto your website, and call it a day. But if you’re getting the eerie feeling that it was all too easy, you’re right.

AI is a brilliant tool for quickly creating content, but it’s not a miracle worker. Keep these in mind next time you generate something:

• Factuality: If you ask a Large Language Model (LLM) like ChatGPT to write a page about your mattress store’s new deals without giving it all the info, it will make stuff up. It’ll tell everyone about the 90%, BOGO special that it decided would sound good and suddenly you look silly because you didn’t proofread before posting it. It is imperative to go through anything you generate with an LLM with a keen eye to ensure you’re telling the truth, otherwise you’re simply creating clickbait spam.
• Originality: LLMs are trained on internet content. So if you’re asking it to write a blog post, it’s not just making it up on the spot like a writer would do, it’s pulling from other relevant articles for both the words and structure. A writer taking inspiration is one thing but this is verging on plagiarism in the eyes of Google, even if it doesn’t read the same to you. Consider giving it a true outline (you know, like you used to give human writers) instead of a simple prompt, and reword anything that doesn’t read like your tone of voice.

AI Overviews

Taking a look from the user’s perspective, Google has made it easier than ever to get a quick answer to whatever’s on their mind with AI overviews. While I find this wonderfully convenient outside of work, you can imagine how interesting this makes my job. But all is not lost because Google does credit the websites it pulls the information from so we’re right back to “not dead, just different”. So we’re not just fighting for traditional rankings anymore, we’re fighting to be the source of truth for these AI overviews, and you may not like what you’ll need to do to get there:

• High-Quality Content: I know, it burns. But as mentioned above, you need to make sure everything you put out there is completely original and tells the truth. Keep the fluff to a minimum, get to the point of the article as soon as you can, and try not to make it sound like an advertisement. When your website becomes a true resource for your field, not only will Google reward you, but users will trust you.
• Patience: Your mom was right, patience is a virtue. If you’re starting from scratch, it’ll take a while to get the good rankings and be seen as a resource. If you’ve been around awhile but your content isn’t reference-worthy, you can get there quicker but you’ll need to clean up your content and ensure it’s all useful. As the age-old adage goes: “The best time to start a high-quality content strategy was 20 years ago, the next best time is now”

Keywords and User Intent

Yes, keywords still matter—hurray, something old and familiar! But the game has changed. It’s no longer enough to cram a few phrases into an article (and frankly it never was, but hey, it worked!) and call it SEO-optimized. AI-driven search engines use advanced algorithms to understand user intent, context, and even synonyms. That means you need to shift your focus from “how many times can I say ‘best tacos in Austin’ without sounding ridiculous?” to “how can I answer every question a taco lover in Austin might have?”

Instead of obsessing over exact matches, think about the big picture:

• Long-Tail Keywords: These are your secret weapon. Instead of “tacos Austin,” aim for phrases like “authentic street tacos” or “best vegan tacos in South Austin.”
• Semantic Content: Google and AI tools thrive on context. Sprinkle in related terms, like “corn tortillas,” “salsa verde,” or “late-night eats,” to show your article is well-rounded and authoritative.
• User Intent: Are people looking for a quick taco joint recommendation, or are they researching Austin’s taco scene for an upcoming trip? Tailor your content to match their needs.

Technical SEO

You might think AI makes technical SEO irrelevant, but you’d be wrong. If anything, it’s become a non-negotiable. Why? Because even the smartest AI can’t recommend your page if it never finds it in the first place.

Here’s where you need to focus:

• Site Speed: If your website takes longer to load than it does for someone to finish their coffee, you’ve already lost them. Optimize images, use lazy loading, and remove unused code.
• Mobile Optimization: With mobile-first indexing, your website needs to look and function flawlessly on a phone. You know when you go to tap on something and suddenly it shifts down 10 inches and suddenly you’ve clicked on an ad? That’s called Cumulative Layout Shift and we all hate it. You know the name now, scare your dev team by yelling at them about it.
• Structured Data: This is the cheat code to modern SEO. By using schema markup, you can help search engines understand your content better and increase your chances of snagging that coveted AI overview snippet.

Link Building in the AI Era

Ah, backlinks—the bread and butter of SEO. They’re still relevant, but the landscape has shifted. You can’t buy a few links and watch your rankings soar anymore. Today, AI algorithms scrutinize link quality like a hyper-vigilant editor.

Here’s how to stay in the game:

• Authority Matters: A single backlink from a reputable site in your industry is worth more than a dozen links from no-name blogs.
• Content Partnerships: Think guest posts, co-branded content, or industry collaborations. These don’t just build links—they build relationships.
• Internal Links: Don’t overlook what’s in your control. Strategically link between your own pages to help both users and AI understand your site structure.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Here’s the thing about SEO in the age of AI: it’s dynamic. If I told you today that I have a bulletproof SEO strategy that will keep your website at the top of the search results for years to come, I would be a snake oil salesman. As it has always been, staying informed is your best defense. Follow trusted SEO blogs, experiment with new tactics, and don’t be afraid to pivot when something stops working.

Above all, remember this: SEO isn’t dead, and AI isn’t the enemy. It’s just the next evolution. Adapt, innovate, and—most importantly—keep creating content that people actually want to read. Because at the end of the day, that’s what SEO has always been about.

“Authenticity” is a popular buzzword in marketing, but what does it really mean? While it may sound simple, how can you genuinely connect with your audience and stand out in today’s crowded digital landscape? Here are five key strategies to help your brand show up authentically and make a real impact.

1. Develop Your True Brand Voice

Your brand voice is basically your personality in text form—like your digital clone, but with fewer awkward pauses. It’s how your audience spots you in the crowd and decides whether or not they want to get to know you more. So, it’s important to figure out what really defines you. Are you the witty, bold friend who always gets the last word? Or the compassionate, empowering cheerleader everyone secretly wants to be? Whatever it is, own it—loudly and proudly. Bonus tip: Pretend your brand is a person. Give them a name, a wardrobe, hopes, dreams, and a favorite coffee order. Suddenly, your brand is more than just a pretty face, but a real person your audience can connect to.

Authenticity starts with staying true to your voice, not mimicking what works for someone else. This often means using conversational language, talking to your audience like a friend or trusted confidant, and developing content that you actually care about. When you speak from a place of honesty and alignment, your audience will feel it—and trust you for it. 

2. Let Your Audience Take a Peek Behind the Curtain

People want to know the story behind your brand. When you share more about your brand story you’re personalizing your organization and giving your audience a chance to relate to you on a personal level rather than just seeing your brand as an organization. In fact, Researchers at the London School of Business found that people retain just 5% to 10% of information when it’s presented as statistics alone. However, when the same information is shared through a story, retention jumps to 65% to 70%. 

Start asking yourself some questions to help develop your story: 

• Why do you do what you do? 
• What values drive your decisions?

Share your journey, your triumphs, and even your challenges. Vulnerability fosters connection, and showing your humanity makes your brand relatable. By opening up about your mission and beliefs, you invite your audience into your world and give them a reason to root for you – and trust you.

3. Don’t Make Every Piece of Content a Sales Pitch

Nothing feels more inauthentic than being bombarded with constant sales messages. While, of course, you want your audience to use your services, no one likes feeling they’re being used just for a sale. Remember: people engage with brands for inspiration, education, and entertainment—not just transactions. Focus on creating content that adds value. Share tips, tell stories, spark conversations, and show your personality. By shifting away from a sales-first mentality, you’ll build trust and loyalty that naturally leads to conversions.

4. Showcase User-Generated Content

There’s no better way to demonstrate authenticity than letting your audience speak for you. Your audience will truly trust your impact when they see others demonstrating how they’ve loved your service rather than just taking your word for it. 

User-generated content (UGC) highlights real experiences from real people. Whether it’s reviews, photos, or social media shoutouts, UGC builds credibility and community. Celebrate your customers by featuring their stories and successes. This not only showcases your impact but also reinforces the idea that your brand is about people, not just products.

5. Don’t Worry About Perfection

In a world of filters and curated feeds, imperfection is refreshing. This of course doesn’t mean you should be sloppy, it just means you can let your guard down a bit and not worry about being too polished. Your audience doesn’t expect you to be flawless—they expect you to be real. 

Share the behind-the-scenes moments, the outtakes, and the imperfect realities of running your business. Use language that isn’t purely corporate and speak to people like… people! Polished content has its place, but authenticity thrives in the unfiltered. By embracing your imperfections, you give your audience permission to do the same.

Authenticity is about showing up as you are and trusting that your audience will connect with the real you. By developing your true brand voice, sharing your story, prioritizing meaningful content, showcasing your community, and embracing imperfection, you’ll create a brand that not only stands out but also builds relationships that last. 

Is content strategy a part of your marketing plan? If not, it should be! Despite nearly every brand using content marketing, only 40% of B2B marketers have a documented content marketing strategy. 

Content strategy is the foundation of effective marketing. It’s not just about creating content—it’s about planning, managing, and evaluating every piece to ensure it aligns with business goals and serves your unique audience’s needs. A good strategy ensures that your content works cohesively across platforms, speaks directly to your audience, and delivers measurable results.

Here’s why it matters: without a strategy, content is often reactive, inconsistent, and unfocused. With a strategy, it becomes a powerful tool to engage audiences, build trust, and drive meaningful outcomes.

The Value of Content Strategy

Investing in content strategy delivers real, measurable benefits:

• Consistency: A unified voice and message across all platforms.
• Efficiency: A clear roadmap that streamlines content creation.
• Engagement: Content that meets user needs and builds trust.
• Results: Better alignment with business goals and measurable ROI.

How We Build and Execute a Content Strategy

So – what is a content strategy? It’s a comprehensive plan that begins long before creating any actual content. While every strategy is tailored to fit a brand’s unique goals and needs, there are common steps that most content strategies include. Here’s how we do it: 

1. Define Goals and Understand the Audience

Every content strategy starts with clarity. What are your business objectives? Are you looking to drive brand awareness, generate leads, or increase conversions? From there, we turn to audience research. Through data and insights, we build detailed personas that outline your audience’s needs, preferences, and behaviors. These personas guide the tone, style, and format of every piece of content created for your brand.

2. Conduct a Content Audit

Next, we take stock of your existing content. A content audit evaluates what connects with your audience based on best practices and persona research, and where gaps exist. This step ensures we’re building on a strong foundation while avoiding duplication or inefficiency.

3. Analyze Competitors

Understanding the competitive landscape is key to standing out. By analyzing what your competitors are doing well (and not so well), we identify opportunities to differentiate your brand and deliver more value to your audience.

4. Develop an Information Architecture (IA)

Content is only as good as its accessibility. We organize your content into a logical structure that ensures users can find what they need quickly and easily. A well-planned IA also supports SEO, helping your content rank higher in search results.

5. Create a Content Strategy and Calendar

With a clear understanding of your goals, audience, and existing assets, we develop a comprehensive strategy. This includes:

• Content Themes and Pillars: Recurring topics or ideas that guide creation and ensure consistency.
• Funnel-Specific Content: Tailored pieces for every stage of the sales journey—from awareness to decision.
• Formats and Channels: Choosing the right mix of blogs, videos, social posts, and more.
• Content Calendar: A detailed schedule outlining what will be created, when it will be published, and where it will appear.

This plan ensures every piece of content serves a purpose and contributes to the overall goals of your brand.

6. Collaborate and Execute

Content strategy doesn’t happen in isolation. In collaboration with our UX, marketing, SEO, and design teams, we deliver cohesive and impactful content. This collaboration ensures consistency across all touchpoints, from messaging to visuals.

7. Evaluate and Optimize

Once the content is live, the work isn’t over. We analyze performance metrics, gather user feedback, and refine the strategy to ensure ongoing success. Regular evaluation helps us stay aligned with your goals and adapt to changing audience needs.

Content strategy isn’t just a part of marketing—it’s the backbone. With a thoughtful, well-executed approach, you can elevate your brand, connect with your audience, and achieve long-term success. Ready to implement a content strategy for your brand? We’re here to help.

Consumers are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information daily, capturing and retaining their attention has become increasingly challenging. Traditional advertising methods, while still effective, are often not enough to make a lasting impression. This is where brand storytelling comes into play. By crafting compelling brand narratives, you can forge deep connections with your audience, fostering loyalty and engagement that transcends mere transactions.

Why Brand Storytelling Matters

The magic of stories have been a fundamental part of human communication for millennia. They entertain, educate, and inspire us. When it comes to brands, storytelling can do the same. A well-crafted narrative can:

1. Humanize Your Brand: People connect with people, not faceless corporations. By telling stories about your brand’s origins, values, and the people behind it, you make your brand more relatable and approachable.
   
2. Differentiate in a Crowded Market: In a world where products and services often seem interchangeable, a unique story can set your brand apart from the competition. Your narrative can highlight what makes your brand special and why consumers should choose you over others.
   
3. Build Emotional Connections: Emotions drive purchasing decisions. A compelling story can evoke emotions that resonate with your audience, making them more likely to remember your brand and develop a sense of loyalty.
   
4. Engage and Inspire: Stories are inherently engaging. They captivate attention and can be used to convey complex messages in an easily digestible format. An inspiring story can motivate your audience to take action, whether it’s making a purchase, sharing your content, or becoming a brand advocate.

Elements of a Compelling Brand Narrative

Crafting a compelling brand narrative involves several key elements:

1. Authenticity: Your story must be genuine. Consumers can easily spot a contrived narrative, and authenticity builds trust. Share real experiences, challenges, and triumphs that reflect your brand’s true character.
   
2. Character: Every great story has memorable characters. In brand storytelling, these characters can be your founders, employees, customers, or even the brand itself. Highlight the human aspect of your brand to create a deeper connection.
   
3. Conflict and Resolution: Conflict is the driving force of any story. It creates tension and interest. Showcase the challenges your brand has faced and how you’ve overcome them. This not only makes your story more engaging but also demonstrates resilience and problem-solving skills.
   
4. Values and Purpose: Today’s consumers are increasingly value-driven. They want to support brands that align with their beliefs. Clearly articulate your brand’s values and purpose, and weave them into your narrative to resonate with like-minded individuals.
   
5. Consistency: Consistency is key in storytelling. Ensure that your brand’s voice, tone, and message are consistent across all channels and touchpoints. This reinforces your narrative and helps build a cohesive brand identity.

How to Craft Your Brand Story

1. Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience is crucial. What are their pain points, desires, and values? Tailor your story to address their needs and aspirations.
   
2. Define Your Core Message: What is the central message you want to convey? This should be a reflection of your brand’s mission and values.
   
3. Choose the Right Medium: Different stories work better in different formats. Whether it’s a blog post, video, social media content, or a podcast, choose the medium that best suits your story and where your audience is most active.
   
4. Incorporate Visuals: Visual elements can enhance your story and make it more memorable. Use images, videos, infographics, and other visual aids to complement your narrative.
   
5. Invite Participation: Engage your audience by encouraging them to share their own stories and experiences related to your brand. User-generated content can add authenticity and create a sense of community.

Examples of Successful Brand Storytelling

1. Nike: Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign is a prime example of powerful storytelling. By featuring real athletes and their personal struggles and triumphs, Nike connects with its audience on an emotional level, inspiring them to push their limits.
   
2. Airbnb: Airbnb’s “Belong Anywhere” campaign tells the stories of hosts and guests from around the world, highlighting the personal connections and unique experiences that their platform facilitates.
   
3. Dove: Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign challenges societal beauty standards by showcasing real women of different shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. This narrative resonates deeply with consumers, fostering a strong sense of brand loyalty.

In the era of information overload, brand storytelling is a powerful tool that can help you cut through the noise and build meaningful connections with your audience. By crafting authentic, engaging, and emotionally resonant narratives, you can differentiate your brand, build loyalty, and inspire action. Remember, every brand has a story worth telling— Let Yalo help share yours.

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, where content is king, a well-structured content calendar can be your secret weapon for success. But crafting a strategic content calendar that actually works takes more than just jotting down dates and topics. It requires thoughtful planning, alignment with your business goals, and a keen understanding of your target audience. Let’s explore five essential steps to help you create a content calendar that not only keeps you organized but also drives meaningful results for your brand.

1. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of content planning, start by defining your goals and objectives. What are you trying to achieve with your content marketing efforts? Are you aiming to increase website traffic, generate leads, boost brand awareness, or drive sales? Your content calendar should align with these objectives.

For instance, if your goal is to boost brand awareness, your content calendar might include a mix of informative blog posts, engaging social media updates, and thought leadership articles. Having a clear goal in mind will guide your content choices and help you measure success effectively.

2. Know Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is paramount in crafting a content calendar that resonates. Take the time to create detailed buyer personas, and use them as the foundation for your content planning. Consider factors such as demographics, interests, pain points, and where your audience hangs out online. This information will help you create content that speaks directly to their needs and preferences.

3. Brainstorm Content Ideas

Once you have a clear understanding of your goals and your audience, it’s time to brainstorm content ideas. Consider different content formats like blog posts, videos, infographics, webinars, and podcasts. Be sure to think about the topics that are relevant to your industry and your audience’s interests.

You can use tools like keyword research to identify popular topics in your niche, or you can explore trending news and events that you can tie into your content. The key is to keep your content fresh and engaging, providing value to your audience while staying aligned with your business goals.

4. Create a Content Calendar Structure

Now that you have a list of content ideas, it’s time to structure your content calendar. You can use a simple spreadsheet, a project management tool, or specialized content calendar software. Make sure your calendar includes the following:

• Publication dates: Decide when each piece of content will be published.
• Content format: Specify whether it’s a blog post, social media update, video, etc.
• Content topic: Clearly define the topic of each piece.
• Responsible parties: Assign writers, designers, or other team members to each task.
• Keywords: If applicable, include the target keywords for SEO purposes.
• Promotion channels: Outline where and how you plan to promote the content.

Your content calendar should provide a clear overview of your content strategy for the weeks or months ahead.

5. Stick to Your Schedule and Analyze Results

Consistency is key in content marketing. Stick to your content calendar schedule, ensuring that content is published on time. Track the performance of each piece of content using key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your objectives. These might include website traffic, social media engagement, email sign-ups, or sales conversions.

Regularly analyze your content’s performance and be ready to make adjustments as needed. If certain types of content or topics are performing exceptionally well, consider creating more of them. If some are underperforming, investigate why and make improvements.

Crafting a strategic content calendar that actually works is a crucial element of successful content marketing. By following these five steps – defining your goals, understanding your audience, brainstorming content ideas, creating a content calendar structure, and analyzing results – you’ll be well on your way to a more organized and effective content strategy. Remember that content marketing is an ongoing process, so be prepared to adapt and evolve your content calendar as you learn from your results. 

Let’s make a date to have Yalo help you develop a well-thought-out content calendar so your brand can connect with its audience, drive meaningful engagement, and achieve its marketing objectives.

Gather ’round, fearless marketers, for we’re about to embark on a spine-tingling journey into the dark and mysterious world of marketing risks. In the spirit of the season, we’re diving headfirst into the heart of the unknown, where rewards are bountiful and the path is shrouded in uncertainty. We will show you that in marketing, as in life, it’s essential to embrace the spooky, step out of your comfort zone, and confront the mysteries of the marketing world. After all, fortune favors the bold.

The Ghostly Gamble of Innovation

When it comes to marketing, innovation is the key to unlocking the treasure chest of success. Be it a new approach, a unique campaign, or an out-of-the-box idea, it often feels like you’re tiptoeing through a haunted mansion – filled with eerie surprises at every turn. But remember, it’s those who dare to innovate that usually reap the most lucrative rewards. So, arm yourself with creativity, venture into the unknown, and let your marketing campaigns haunt your competition’s dreams.

Unearth the Secrets of Spooky Social Media

Social media is the labyrinth of the digital world, filled with strange algorithms, unpredictable trends, and spooky engagement metrics. Don’t be afraid to step into the darkness. Experiment with new platforms, quirky hashtags, and eerie memes. Sometimes, it’s the riskiest posts that go viral, turning your brand into an internet sensation.

The Cursed Content Conundrum

The creation of content can often feel like a cursed endeavor. But it’s in the eerie depths of creativity that the most compelling stories are born. Don’t shy away from writing engaging, thrilling, or even bizarre content that sets your brand apart from the rest. Sometimes, embracing the unknown and creating content that pushes boundaries can elevate your marketing efforts to new heights.

Dance with Data Demons

Data analytics might seem like a cryptic spell conjured by wizards, but it’s the most powerful tool you have to navigate the marketing underworld. Risk-taking in marketing means delving deep into the shadows of data analysis, making data-driven decisions that may spook your competition. Trust in the power of insights, and don’t be afraid to alter your strategies based on what the numbers reveal.

The Haunting Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is the dark art that can send shivers down your audience’s spine. When done right, it connects people to your brand on a visceral level. Share stories that captivate and intrigue, tales that draw people into your brand’s world. The risks you take in crafting your brand’s narrative can lead to unforgettable connections and loyalty.

So, fellow marketers, as you stand on the precipice of uncertainty, remember that the rewards are there, waiting to be claimed by those who dare to tread where others fear to go. Don’t be afraid of the dark – embrace it, and let your marketing shine through like a beacon in the night.

Marketing in the shadows is where the real magic happens. Happy haunting, fearless marketers!

In the digital age, content is king. It’s the driving force behind successful marketing campaigns, the cornerstone of effective communication, and the lifeline of your online presence. Content Strategy and Content Development are the twin pillars that support the creation of content that not only resonates with your audience but also aligns seamlessly with your brand’s objectives. Today we’ll explore why these services are crucial for your business and how they can help you create content that stands out in the digital landscape.

The Power of Content

Before we dive into the intricacies of Content Strategy and Content Development, it’s essential to understand the sheer power of content in the modern business world. Content is more than just words on a webpage or posts on social media; it’s the medium through which your brand communicates with its audience. Effective content can:

• Build Trust: High-quality content establishes your brand as an authority in your niche, instilling trust in your audience.
• Engage Audiences: Well-crafted content captures your audience’s attention, keeping them engaged and interested in what you have to say.
• Drive Conversions: Good content can lead to higher conversion rates, turning casual visitors into loyal customers.
• Improve SEO: Search engines love fresh, relevant, and informative content. The more you provide, the more likely your website is to rank higher in search results.
• Tell Your Brand’s Story: Content is a powerful tool for conveying your brand’s identity, values, and mission.
• Connect with Your Audience: Content gives you the opportunity to connect with your audience on a personal level, addressing their pain points and needs.

Content Strategy: The Roadmap to Success

A well-defined Content Strategy serves as the guiding light for your content endeavors. It’s not just about posting on social media or writing blog posts. A successful Content Strategy involves:

• Audience Understanding: Identifying your target audience and understanding their needs, pain points, and preferences.
• Clear Objectives: Defining the goals of your content, whether it’s to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or provide educational resources.
• Content Calendar: Planning what, when, and where content will be published to maintain consistency.
• Content Channels: Deciding where your content will be distributed, whether it’s through social media, a blog, email newsletters, or other platforms.
• Content Formats: Determining what types of content will resonate best with your audience, such as articles, videos, infographics, podcasts, or interactive content.
• SEO Integration: Ensuring that your content is optimized for search engines to improve visibility.
• Performance Metrics: Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your content and making adjustments as needed.

Content Development: The Art of Creation

Once your Content Strategy is in place, it’s time for Content Development to take center stage. This process involves:

• Research: In-depth research to understand the topic, audience, and competition.
• Creativity: Crafting compelling, original, and relevant content that grabs attention.
• Editing: Ensuring the content is error-free, well-structured, and aligns with the brand’s voice.
• Visual Elements: Incorporating images, videos, or other visual aids to enhance engagement.
• Optimization: Incorporating SEO best practices to boost visibility.
• Quality Control: Reviewing content before publication to ensure it meets your brand’s standards.
• Promotion: Sharing the content through the predetermined channels to reach the right audience.

Bringing It All Together

Content Strategy and Content Development are two sides of the same coin. A well-thought-out Content Strategy lays the foundation, guiding your content’s purpose, direction, and distribution. Content Development takes that strategy and brings it to life, crafting content that captivates, educates, and inspires your audience.

In the fiercely competitive digital landscape, businesses that invest in these services gain a significant edge. Crafting compelling content that resonates with your audience and aligns with your brand’s goals isn’t just a marketing strategy; it’s a necessity for success. With a strong Content Strategy and Content Development in place, you’ll be well on your way to creating content that not only stands out but also leaves a lasting impact on your audience and your bottom line.

In the vast sea of products and services, a strong brand identity is your North Star, guiding customers towards your shores. It’s not just about having a fancy logo or catchy slogan; it’s about creating a lasting emotional connection with your audience. Welcome to the world of branding and brand strategy, where the magic of storytelling and the power of brand equity converge to form an unbreakable bond between your brand and your customers.

The Essence of Brand Identity

Crafting a Distinctive Visual Identity

Your brand’s visual elements – logo, colors, typography, and design – are the building blocks of recognition. A well-designed logo can convey your brand’s personality, values, and mission in a single glance. Consider the golden arches of McDonald’s or the bitten apple of Apple; these logos have transcended their physical forms to become symbols of a lifestyle.

The Power of Consistency

Consistency is the secret sauce of branding. Every interaction with your brand should feel like a rendezvous with an old friend. Maintain uniformity in design, messaging, and tone across all touchpoints, from your website to your social media profiles. This consistency breeds trust and familiarity.

The Art of Brand Storytelling

Evoke Emotions, Not Just Transactions

Humans are wired to respond to stories. Your brand story should resonate with your target audience on a deep emotional level. It should answer the “why” behind your business, highlighting your journey, challenges, and triumphs. Your customers should see themselves in your narrative, forging a connection that goes beyond the transactional.

Authenticity is the Hero

Authenticity is the currency of the digital age. Be genuine, transparent, and true to your values. Consumers can spot a facade from a mile away, and they gravitate towards brands that are honest and human.

User-Generated Content: Your Brand’s Best Friend

Your customers are your most potent storytellers. Encourage them to share their experiences with your brand. User-generated content adds authenticity and trust to your brand narrative. Share these stories on your platforms, turning your customers into brand advocates.

Building Brand Equity

Defining Brand Equity

Brand equity is the sum total of all the perceptions, associations, and feelings people have towards your brand. A strong brand equity means your customers not only recognize your brand but also value it. It’s an intangible asset that pays dividends in the long run.

Consistency in Quality

One of the pillars of brand equity is consistent product or service quality. Customers should know what to expect when they engage with your brand. Meet and exceed their expectations, every single time.

Customer-Centric Approach

Your customers are at the heart of your brand equity. Listen to their feedback, adapt to their changing needs, and show them that you care. Exceptional customer service can turn a one-time buyer into a lifelong advocate.

Innovation and Adaptation

A brand that refuses to evolve becomes stagnant. Stay relevant by continuously innovating and adapting to market changes. Don’t be afraid to reinvent your brand if necessary, as long as it stays true to its core values.

Crafting and maintaining a strong brand identity is a journey that requires creativity, consistency, and a deep understanding of your audience. Branding is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing commitment to telling your story, delivering quality, and building trust. As marketers, our mission is to create brands that not only capture attention but also capture hearts, forging connections that withstand the test of time. So, let’s embark on this branding adventure together, and let your brand shine bright in the constellation of consumer choices.

When it comes to marketing campaigns, it’s important to remember that pets are people too. They can have a big impact on the sales of your products, so you need to be sure you’re using the right tactics for them. Here are five great marketing campaigns that will inspire you and help get you through the dog days of summer.

1. If you’ve ever watched a dog move and thought to yourself, “This is a dancer,” or if you’ve seen a video of someone’s dog playing fetch and thought, “I wish I could do that,” then you’re already familiar with the brilliance of BarkBox’s BarkWorthy Awards.
   
   The monthly subscription service for dogs celebrates dogs who have done something amazing—like become best friends with another animal or learn how to open doors—or been featured on the company’s Instagram account. This summer you can get a FREE Funboy puncture-proof Pool Float! Plus, get the Pool Party themed box!

2. Target’s dog days Instagram takeover was a fun way to engage with customers. The retailer held an Instagram contest, asking customers to share their photos of their dogs while they shopped at Target, or while they were away from home. Customers could use the hashtag “#dogdays” and tag @TargetStyle on their pictures.
   
   In addition to these awesome items, Target also shared photos of their employees’ dogs enjoying life outside during summertime (and inside during wintertime). Their Instagram feed included images showing how people can bring their pups into various areas of life—from vacations at the beach to trips through Europe.

 

3. Subaru Loves Pets – Continuing its tradition of creating popular pet-focused ads, Subaru of America has launched all-new ‘Dog Tested. Dog Approved’ advertising spots. The four spots showcase the Barkleys, a family of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, who recently helped to launch the all-new Subaru Ascent. In the newest ‘Dog Tested. Dog Approved’ spots, the Barkleys will take on everything from driving lessons, to the first day of school and even a doggy-run car wash.
   
   Subaru has many other ads like this one that use pet owners as main characters in their commercials, which helps them connect with animal lovers on a personal level. By taking advantage of these messages and incorporating them into their marketing strategies, other companies could increase sales by appealing directly to consumers who have pets—and most of us do!

4. As part of a wonderfully clever campaign aimed at finding new homes for shelter animals, IKEA has devised a way to convince shoppers that welcoming a needy dog or cat into their lives just might be the best way to tie a room together.
   
   In partnership with pet rescue charity Home For Hope, the furniture retailer has begun placing life-sized cardboard cutouts of real dogs and cats that are available for adoption alongside their in-store displays.
   
   Each cutout features a barcode with which they can access information about how to make that specific animal their pet. Best of all, there’s no assembly required.

5. Weiner Stampede By Heinz Ketchup – hard to think of anything more delightful than hundreds of sausage dogs dressed in hot dog costumes running in slow motion. This commercial certainly delivers! Accompanied by Harry Nilsson’s song ‘Without You,’ we see the joyous stampede of pooches bound toward and jump into the arms of their saucy companions. This commercial captures a beautiful emotional reunion and also showcases a great serving suggestion!

Because pets are such an integral part of many people’s lives and because they have such powerful emotions attached to them, it’s easy for your audience to connect with your efforts. You can offer rewards for good behavior, create a sense of community around your brand by showcasing how many other pet owners are using your products or services, and even use animals as a source of humor in videos or images that go viral – all while strengthening customer loyalty along the way.

And if you’re looking for inspiration of your own, we can help with that too! Yalo is an award-winning marketing, branding, and website & app development company with big heart and big soul. Just reach out to us. We’re always happy to chat with fellow animal lovers about their branding and marketing plans.

At the end of last year, I felt I was spending too much time on the iPad attempting to read but not reading because it was too easy to get distracted and not actually reading. So, at the start of this year, I made a personal ‘resolution’ to get back to, what I’ll call, real reading. And not just reading, but to read physical books, not on an iPad. And not just any book, but only books about music; genres, eras, musicians and bands. It has been one of the most rewarding and educating years of my life to delve into these artists lives and learn what made them tick, what made them unique, what made them STAND OUT. What was the reading list you ask? Here you go…in the order in which I read them:

1. Bob Marley So Much Things to Say
2. Jeff Tweedy Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back)
3. Beastie Boys Beastie Boys Book
4. A book about the 90’s punk rock explosion Smash
5. A book about the origins of breakdancing, hip hop and graffiti Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
6. Prince I Would Die 4 U
7. Kurt Cobain Serving the Servant
8. Paul Stanley Face the Music
9. A book about the history of Soul Train The Hippest Trip in America
10. Robert Johnson Up Jumped the Devil
11. Freddie Mercury Somebody to Love

As you can see, it has been quite a diverse list spanning reggae, rap, punk, rock, blues and soul.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every page of every book. And there are more sitting on my office shelf to read. Purchasing these physical books will become keepsakes for me as well. 

So, what did I learn during my journey so far this year? I have distilled a few key elements from the thousands of pages that all these artists shared that made them STAND OUT. 

1. Dedication to their craft. 

They all truly wanted to be the absolute best at being a musician. That meant seeking out guidance, learning from the best and continuously incorporating their learnings into their own craft. Take Robert Johnson for example. He would travel from town to town by hoboing on trains to visit other blues guitarists so he could practice with them, learn from them. Then, he would busk on the street corners during the day to master these learnings, while promoting his show at the juke joints later that night, usually playing multiple shows each night. He did this EVERY SINGLE day in order to master his craft. Learn, play, repeat. The result of his dedication made him the leading innovator of blues guitar and the founding father of Rock N’ Roll. 

2. Laser focus on their success. 

Failure was not an option, and their success was not an accident. Tireless work attitude. Play, play, play. Did you know what a perfectionist Kurt Cobain was? He was obsessive. Playing and playing, over and over until every song could be played to perfection every time. And think about Prince for a moment. The man loved composing music so much that he made his studio his home, making the conscience decision to move INTO his office, INTO his work. He couldn’t bare the thought of being away from the studio. Thus, there is an entire vault of his music that the world will eventually get to enjoy for many years to come. 

3. Power to believe. 

In the face of adversity and being told that their dreams were just dreams, these artists had unshakeable resolve and belief in themselves. Take Queen for example. They were a few years into their musical career before they all finally gave up on their ‘day jobs’ or going to ‘university’ and went all in on their music career. Bar after bar, show after show. In some cases where less than 10 people would attend. Yet, they believed the music and the persona they were crafting was unique and would stand out.  They stuck to writing their brand of music which was some of the most atypical music of its time and still stands as landmark music to this day. 

4. ‘Evolutionaries’.

None of them got it right when they first started. They were all in numerous bands and/or played various types of music. They all were willing to continue to learn and evolve until they became who they became. And see point #1, that helps too. Take the Beastie Boys for example. They were 3 white punk rock kids from NYC sneaking out of their parents’ house to listen to Black Flag way back in the day. Did you know that BEASTIE is an acronym that stands for Anarchy? Google it. So, its logical that they started out as a punk band, making scuzzy punk. How does that turn into a hip-hop rap career, in a genre where they stuck out like a sore thumb? Their willingness to evolve and adapt. Now, that also doesn’t mean they abandoned who they were. If you have followed the genre-bending Beastie Boys’ career, you would see they went from punk to hip-hip back to punk and back to hip-hip again. Truly a full lifecycle of success.

5. True creativity.

Whether it be how they crafted lyrics or how they composed their music, these artists all had bold visions that required true creativity to become who they became. This vision and creativity would also raise the game of everyone around them. Take Bob Marley for example. His insightful lyrics and powerful music captured the tenor of the times, energizing generations, races and continents of people and bringing them together. Bob’s lyrics are some of the best ever for their simplicity but packed with a powerful punch. Or if we look at Jeff Tweedy’s composition approach. He creates melodies first. Then he layers in vocal sounds that he calls ‘mumble tracks’, which are not words at all but just syllables. After he fuses the melodies with the mumbles, he then comes back to compose and lay down lyrics at the end. Truly creative and seriously mind blowing.

What can you take away from these artists to make your marketing stand out?

1. Set your vision and believe in it. Have a destination and a persona in mind that you want your brand to be known for, to become. Chart that course.
2. Stick to your vision but evolve and tweak it along the way. Ideas will come and go. Some ideas will get shelved, only to be used later in the journey. 
3. Apply your true creativity. Work beyond the guidelines. Stretch the boundaries. This is the only way new ideas can be created, tested, and accepted. A rock opera? Why not!
4. Out work all the others. Produce great ideas and great creative, continuously. 
5. Look for inspiration in everything and everywhere.  Learn from other’s work and incorporate it into your vision to make it uniquely yours. 

Put these thoughts in motion and your brand will take off. 

Are you ready to stand out? Our brand-building strategies including content marketing, UX and graphic design can be of assistance. We have a full cadre of creative services to take businesses and brands higher. Let Yalo take you through a Soul Song exercise to have your brand hit the right note.

Please contact us today and let’s have a conversation.

Calling all content connoisseurs and linguistic wizards. ????

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of creative content and word choice in your social media posts? Well, hold onto your keyboards because we’re about to unleash some seriously important marketing magic!

Picture this: You’re scrolling through your favorite social media platform, looking for something that catches your eye, something that makes you go, “Oh wow, I need to click on this!” What do you think makes you stop mid-scroll and pay attention? You got it—captivating content and the perfect choice of words.

Let’s be real, folks. Social media is a crowded playground filled with countless posts, memes, and videos all vying for attention. So, how do you stand out in this digital jungle? It’s all about the power of words, my friends! A well-crafted post can grab your audience’s attention, make them laugh, spark their curiosity, or even bring a tear to their eye. That’s the kind of influence words have!

But it’s not just about throwing words together like confetti. Nope, nope, nope! It’s about understanding your target audience, speaking their language, and making a genuine connection. You want your audience to feel like you’re their virtual BFF, their confidante, the one who gets them and delivers the goods.

Here’s the secret sauce: relatability and authenticity. When you create content that speaks directly to your audience’s interests, needs, or pain points, you become their go-to source of wisdom. And when you sprinkle it with a dash of your brand’s personality, you create a bond that’s stronger than any online cat video.

Let’s not forget about the almighty algorithms. They’re always lurking in the shadows, determining what content gets seen and what gets lost in the digital abyss. But worry not, for we hold the key to their hearts: engagement! When you craft content that sparks conversation, encourages likes, comments, and shares, those sneaky algorithms can’t help but notice. They’ll shower your posts with love, boosting your visibility and reaching more eyeballs than you can shake a GIF at.

So, how can you nail the art of content and word choice? Here are a few tips to keep in your marketing arsenal:

Know thy audience: Get to know your target market like they’re your favorite sitcom characters. Understand their pain points, desires, and what makes them tick. Then, serve up content that caters to their cravings.

Be a word wizard: Words have power, my friends. Choose them wisely and strategically. Craft headlines that demand attention, use evocative language to create an emotional connection, and sprinkle in a touch of humor to brighten their day.

Keep it concise: In the age of scroll-happy fingers, brevity is your best friend. Grab attention with concise, punchy copy that gets straight to the point. Think of it as a micro-story that leaves your audience craving more.

Embrace multimedia magic: A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. But why stop at just one medium? Combine engaging visuals with clever captions, witty hashtags, and interactive elements to create an immersive experience that makes your audience come back for more.

Remember, dear marketers, every social media post is a chance to leave a lasting impression. So, grab that metaphorical pen, unleash your creativity, and let your words dance across the digital realm. Your audience is waiting to be wowed, and you, my friend, have all the power to make it happen. Happy posting!

We know we’re making it sound a bit easier than it actually is! But “a thousand-mile journey begins with one step,” as the famous philosopher Lao Tsu wrote. Yalo is here to help you shine in the world of content marketing strategy for social media. Our content marketing services are delivered by tried-and-true marketing and branding pros who know how to turn a phrase, and where to turn it. Contact us below using the Contact button and let’s start a conversation – either by phone …. Or by words!

It probably seems easy to get people to read copy. After all, you’re reading this. Here’s another sentence that you’re reading. I could just keep going and going and you’ll just keep reading. And these words don’t even mean anything! I guess I could stop writing now and make my life a lot easier. Ok, later taters.

So what’s the catch? You may be asking yourself.

Here’s another question for you: Sure, you read it. But will you remember it?

Let’s back up for a second. Most people can write copy, provided they can form grammatically correct sentences. It’s not an art, it requires no special talent.

Writing copy is easy. Writing memorable copy is a whole other animal. And while I can’t teach you how to do it in one blog post (if I could I’d be a very rich person and probably not writing this blog), I can convey the importance of good, memorable copy.

What can history teach us, besides just like wars and stuff.

Let’s back up even further for another few seconds. Copy has been around since the dawn of printed advertising.

And though the headline DISPENSE WITH A HORSE kind of rules, these early ads were primarily informative, if not a bit overwritten. It wasn’t until the mid 60’s that writers discovered that they could sober up for like a half second and get clever with copy, using words to make people think instead of just learn.

VW ads* from the 1960’s were a massive disruption to the print ad game, using an interesting headline with supporting copy. While this may seem like a no-brainer today, this strategy (and resulting copy) shook the advertising world to its strait-laced, whiskey-soaked core. Suddenly ads were conceptual. Suddenly copy was clever, not just sales-y. VW ads were created by DDB, who went on to produce such advertising as Uncle O’Grimacey, spokescreature for the Shamrock Shake.

I could do a deeper dive into history, but there are already tons of books and blogs that do that better and coherently. Instead I’m going to share some famous examples of headlines, the kind that copywriters immediately think of when someone mentions “clever headlines” or say “hey, can you write a blog post about copy?”

The strategy for The Economist campaign was probably something like “The Economist keeps you educated and good at your business job.” But instead of writing a headline like “Read a Magazine That Will Make You Indispensable at Work,” the writer went a step further in defining the impact of being incredible at your job. It’s clever and it appeals to The Economist’s educated audience.

Even if your audience isn’t rife with MBAs, don’t assume they won’t appreciate a smart headline. This line is the probably the result of a strategy that’s something like “Enjoy an Unmatched Sense of Freedom on a Harley.” (Again, just guessing here.) What’s the opposite of feeling free? Being cooped up, like on an airplane.

What do these ads all have in common? They sell an idea, not just a product. They also use a single sentence to make a huge statement—sure, two of them include supporting copy, but even if you just remember “Live Below Your Means” the general idea stays with you. The writers have also taken time and care with the copy, thinking about each word and whether it’s necessary.

Do you have a favorite book or poem? Or maybe even favorite lyrics or television dialogue? Have you taken the time to think about how whoever wrote said piece took time to select each word or phrase or sentence? Not to get all English-section-of-the-SATs on you but writing marketing copy is to writing published material as designing a webpage or ad is to creating visual art. There’s a craft that goes into manipulating the English language to evoke a laugh or some second feeling that I’m sure I’ll learn about someday.

Find your audience. Then, ignore them.

You’ll notice that I haven’t yet included a section on writing for different audiences. That’s because I don’t think the divide between Gen Z and Boomers or whoever is as wide and unpassable as most marketers assume. We’re all human. We all like being entertained, like laughing, most of us cry when things are sad. The best writers know how to write for human beings, not for target demographics.

Technical jargon not withstanding (which may or may not be necessary, depending on the client), trying to use slang to connect with a group of individuals is almost always going to end poorly. Think about how obvious it is when a city-centric ad is written by people who have never set foot in said city. It’s like that, but with age groups. Of course you need to find your audience, but that’s usually a job for strategists and/or the media department.

Think of it this way: If you were to show this year’s Super Bowl spots to a group of individuals aged 18-95, chances are they’re all going to like the same group of five or so ads. That’s because a good concept and good writing is universal.

And finally, in conclusion, we’ve come to the end.

There’s a million more things I could write about writing. And there’s also a good chance I could be wrong about all of them! Like a lot of things in life, marketing can be a fickle thing, and copy is just one small portion of the reason a campaign works or doesn’t work. BUT. If you can make that one small portion great, why wouldn’t you? Like every other journey in life, it’s completed one successful step at a time.

And hey, if you can’t keep the journey interesting, at least keep it brief. (I didn’t.)

See what we did here? Wasn’t this a fun blog post to read? Digital Yalo’s strong Content Marketing and Brand Strategy services can make your messaging and communications outstanding also. We’d love to have a conversation with you – please scroll-down to the Contact button at the bottom of the page to engage. You can also sign-up for our beloved emails below and we’ll send you these great articles a few times a month. Sign, sealed, delivered – they’re yours.

*VW ads were created by DDB, who went on to produce such advertising as Uncle O’Grimacey, spokescreature for the Shamrock Shake.

Customers respond to the tone of your brand, which should speak in a way that mirrors their own communication style.

It’s not the words you choose, but what the tone says about your brand.

Your brand voice is how you express your values in writing. A strong brand voice can be as important to your business as any other aspect of your identity. It’s a big part of what makes you memorable to customers and clients (and also sets you apart from competitors). Your brand voice shows customers who you are, allows them to connect with you, and creates a space where they can imagine themselves being a part of something bigger than themselves—your community.

Your brand is really about delivering a consistent experience and staying true to your mission.

Your brand voice, on the other hand, is how you deliver that experience. It’s the tone you use in all conversations with your customers and employees, from your emails to your phone calls to your social media posts.

There are a few things you can do to develop a unique brand voice that stays true to who you are as an organization:

Define what makes your company unique. Why would people choose you? What sets you apart from everyone else? From there, list 2-3 adjectives that describe these qualities (e.g., friendly, professional, fun). These words will shape how you talk about yourself and how others think of you.

Your brand isn’t just a logo — it’s your entire customer experience.

It’s the way you make customers feel, the way they perceive your business, and the way they talk about your business to others. It’s also how your employees think of their company.

Branding is the cornerstone of trust and loyalty in business. Your brand will help you find and connect with the people who need what you offer most, too!

It’s not what you say but how you say it that tells people who you are and what you stand for.

Tone of voice isn’t just about the words you use, it’s how you say them. It’s about the impression that you leave on people, and the emotion behind what you say.

And it’s really important to get right. “It impacts our trust in a company and its products, it affects how we feel when we interact with its people, it shapes our experience of its service, and it influences whether or not we continue to be loyal customers,” says Clare Morgana Gillis, creative director of The Writer.

You can benefit from leveraging the right tone in all aspects of your business — including the off-topic parts.

After all, you’re not a robot. You don’t have to be “on brand” all the time. In fact, being on brand sometimes means going off topic. Outside of your product category is where you can show your humanity most effectively; readers are more sympathetic and forgiving when they perceive you as someone just like them. The more personal you get, the better!

In theory this sounds great, but it’s easy to wonder how exactly this kind of authenticity translates into sales or leads for businesses that aren’t lifestyle or entertainment brands. The answer lies in context: a good business owner knows their audience deeply enough to figure out what kinds of content will resonate with them (and what kinds won’t). If there’s an event happening in your industry that isn’t directly related to your products, but that relates very closely with something important to them (like Pride month), then it makes sense for you to bring it up regardless of whether it has anything to do with what you’re selling. On the other hand, if there’s an event happening in another industry (say… Fashion Week) that doesn’t mean anything to anyone who would buy from you, it’s probably best not even bring up something so unrelated (unless maybe if some sort of celebrity tangentially associated with that field says something offensive).

Keep your personality consistent across all messaging and communications, both on- and off-topic!

As you’re communicating with people, whether it’s your customers or your readers, they should be able to recognize who they’re talking to. Consistency is key when establishing yourself in the minds of the people you interact with. This applies equally to conversations on and off-topic. You want to make sure that you are keeping your personality consistent across all messaging and communications, both on- and off-topic!

Whether you’re sharing a social media post about new products, responding to customer emails with sales copy, or writing a blog post about something completely unrelated (like how cool having a pet dinosaur would be), as long as it’s coming from your brand, it should have the same voice. Using different voices can confuse readers!

Off topic but on brand means using the same voice in all messaging, even if the topic is different. Here’s some advice for being consistent with your brand voice:

• Use the same tone and style. If your brand has a more formal voice for its sales copy, don’t use slang in an email response just because it suits what you want to say better in that moment! Keeping things consistent builds trust between customers and brands because they know what kind of experience they’ll have every time they interact.
• Be natural! It’s important not to try too hard; sound like how you’d sound in real life when talking about this topic (in this case dinosaurs!). Trying too hard can make things feel forced instead of allowing them to flow naturally (and sometimes we don’t even realize we’re doing it). Weirdly enough though most people aren’t used to their own voices at first so reading aloud can help identify which words need changing or which awkward sentence structures need fixing!

Ready for more? Here is a great example of how Yalo puts brand to work. Discover what our Brand Strategy Bootcamp can do for your burgeoning brand.

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Let’s get this out of the way early—copy and content aren’t the same thing. They are also the same thing. And also aren’t. They both live in the world of marketing and involve words, but they have distinct uses and places. What are these places? When should I employ a copy vs content writer? Will a chatbot one day murder me and take my place? All these questions and more will be answered in this informative blog post. 

Let’s Start with Content

Content is everywhere and inescapable. As we speak, you are probably being taunted by 20 open tabs full of content. Even before the rise* of ChatGPT and our AI overlords, searching for information on a topic via the internet brought up tens of oddly similar articles, due to content writers a.) trying to please the SEO overlords and b.) probably not knowing tooooo much about the topic and cribbing off other articles. Content writers generally rely on cursory internet searches for most of their research, as they aren’t well-versed in every subject on earth. (This surface-level research is necessary, otherwise nothing would get written as every writer would be busy pursuing postgraduate degrees.) 

Not to crap all over content marketers. This blog right here? This is content. Content—for the purpose of writing because the word content also means a second** thing in the world of marketing—includes things like blog posts, social posts, case studies and white papers. 

Here’s an example of one of our favorite content pieces from “How to Spoil Your Chihuahua” on Wikihow. It’s informative, entertaining, and includes the best image on the face of the earth: 

Here’s another example of content, this one somewhat less bonkers. It’s from an IKEA blog about workspaces, featuring IKEA products throughout. The primary purpose is to inform instead of sell: 

Ok, Now It’s Time for Copy

Copy is also everywhere. It’s on billboards, all over digital ads, you hear it on the radio and on television, provided you’re still into listening to the radio and watching television. 

Here’s some copy:

Here’s also some copy:

From the copy-heaviest print ad to a television spot with no copy whatsoever, both involved a copywriter. Sometimes they’ll need to write thousands of words, sometimes they’ll just need to write a few in the form of an idea. Basically, whatever they need to communicate for the consumer to take action. When you read headlines on a billboard, or hear a television commercial, or see a banner ad on a website, those were probably written by copywriters (or overzealous marketing managers depending on how “hands on” the client likes to be.)

Whether it’s buying a product, clicking a link, making a call, or a secret fourth thing, copywriters encourage consumers to do something, whereas content simply informs or entertains or info-tains. 

But What About the Chatbots?

Yep, they can write, too. Right now they sound about as proficient as a high school freshman attempting to write an pop-quiz essay after staying up all night playing video games. Will they get better? Probably. Will marketers attempt to use them? Almost definitely. They’re sure to make the world of content even more repetitive and bloated. And though it may seem like all these new options for communication make getting the word out about your product easier, it’s actually tougher than ever to stand out. But that’s a whole other blog post. Stay tuned!

But Will a Chatbot Kill Me and My Family? 

Maybe? How should we know? We aren’t a robotics company. 

*We assume you’re reading this from an underground bunker as ChatBots roam the earth, scavenging for questions to answer and feedback loops in which to get caught

**Content can also refer to all the stuff on a page, including the words, pictures, charts, etc. It’s confusing, we know. Just wait until you learn that the word content, when pronounced slightly differently, also means “at peace with the world.” We’ll never use that version! 

Digital Yalo creates content and copy, do you copy that? It’s all part of our Content Marketing services, which are used in-service to the branding and marketing work we do for customers all around the country. We’re extremely proud of our wordsmiths – they do a lot to help our clients communicate their value to the world. You can find out for yourself – reach-out to us today and let’s have a discussion about what brand messaging and content can do for your business. Let’s talk – using words!

In today’s fast paced world, everyone wants everything now. Same can be said in marketing. There is enormous pressure on marketing to do something quickly because the company needs results. Unfortunately, if you have not taken the right approach to developing your marketing strategy and subsequent plan, these quick actions often lead to lackluster results. Lead gen, brand awareness campaigns, and others tactics are usually staples of a marketing strategy. But can you answer some fundamental questions regarding why these items showed up on your marketing strategy and plan in the first place? What tactics should I be executing? How should I execute them? Where do they live? You need fundamental inputs to develop the marketing strategy that is right for your company. Otherwise, what happens is a lot of good people, work really hard and do not achieve the intended results.

What are the Fundamental Inputs? Know your Brand. Know your Customer. Know your Strengths. Finally – know what Success looks like. Knowing your brand sounds simple enough. Try this quick test. Stick your head outside your office, or Slack a handful of your colleagues and ask them if know your company’s Mission & Vision. Even if they do, how well can they interpret it? One more quiz. Would you classify your brand as a Hero, Outlaw or something else? Knowing how to describe your brand, its characteristics and tone of voice are critical inputs into answering the “how to execute” questions in your overall marketing strategy, as well as what is on the marketing plan in the first place. 

Like Mars Blackmon says “Do you know, do you know, do you know?”…

Know your customer. Again sounds simple enough. Go ask sales what the customer needs (probably not the only thing you should do). While sales can offer great insight like what challenges they experience and why they believe the company wins; the best bet to know your customer is to talk to them directly. Existing customers, past customers, potential customers should all be in the mix. Any method to collect consumer data should be deployed as well – surveys, focus groups, direct interviews. Invaluable insights like buying factors, sources used for research, why they chose you or someone else will greatly influence the what, how and where of your marketing strategy. By the way, would strongly suggest this becomes a periodic exercise as well as event driven like if a new product or service offering is being explored.

Know your strengths. Is it world-class customer service, world-class supply chain, or a truly unique product? Confirming these strengths, making sure they are different and unique from the competition will inform literally every piece of content and style that appears as tactics in your marketing strategy. You can also validate these strengths against the customer insight exercises that you have gathered. Sometimes what you think is unique and different is not really why the customer is choosing you.

Finally, know what success looks like. What are the goals and objectives of your marketing strategy? This should not be an exhaustive list of marketing metrics that you can track across your website, CRM or e-commerce platform. Rather it should be 3-5 KPI’s that marketing can own. You should also pressure test these KPI’s against the overall company’s strategy and objectives. The Marketing Objectives must align to the overall Business Objectives – otherwise the race is over before you have even begun.

Getting these marketing strategy fundamental inputs nailed is the difference between having a marketing strategy and not having one at all. Without them there is no marketing strategy even if your marketing plan is stuffed with elaborate media, social, and or lead-gen campaigns. This will result in a ton of effort and money being spent without the desired outcomes and results. Chances are, you won’t get the opportunity to spend that money again.

*Check out how Yalo helped Cortland confirm their brand via brand campaign strategy.
*Northside Tool Rental knows their customers – our creative design team used photography & design to help reach them right where they live.
*Illumagear play to their strengths, and our marketing communications and brand strategy captured those strengths beautifully.

Like what you’re reading and seeing? Reach out to Yalo and let’s have a conversation about your marketing fundamentals. Our marketing and branding consultants will help you to dig deep to develop a powerful brand voice and identity to stand-out in the 21st century marketplace.

Ready for more comprehensive messaging and marketing support? The best creative and marketing efforts begin with Yalo’s popular and innovative Brand Strategy Bootcamp.

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A lot has been written about the importance of music in branding. Whether it’s discovering a new favorite song in a commercial (“Pink Moon” in a VW ad), hearing a jingle that you sing over and over again for years despite never having set foot in the store (O-O-O-Oreilly’s!), or the sweeping score that adds even more melodrama to a heart wrenching spot (looking at you, multitude of P&G Olympics ads), music can make an otherwise forgettable visual last for years. 

Why? People connect with music in a way that eclipses most other ways of communication. There’s a reason earworms exist but not eyeworms (gross)—even the most annoying or mundane jingle can sit in your brain just as easily as your favorite song*. This has been proven again and again far beyond the marketing world and long before recorded sound.  

One of the earliest examples of music as a communication tool is opera. Beginning in the 1500s and (slowly) spreading across cultures and languages, opera managed storytelling through music in a way that didn’t require an understanding of Italian—only an understanding that a key change can indicate sadness or happiness, and that a whole story can be told without a single word. It was one of the first times that music was used to help bridge barriers between cultures—a phenomenon that continues to this day. Songs have since been used as rally cries, as protest vehicles, and ways to incite change and celebrate victories. 

A recent study by Harvard University found that no matter what genre a song is in, or what language the participant spoke, the psychological purpose of a song (is it meant to make you happy? Sad? Pump you up? Is it a lullaby?) can easily be identified through tonality, tempo and instrumentation. All societies put words to songs. All societies dance. In an economy that’s becoming increasingly global, music might be our best chance to transcend differences. 

Ok, back to the world of marketing. Like we said, music can make a huge impact on your brand. But did you know it can help even before a single ad is written, or concept is concepted, or strategy is…uh…strategized? Mention the word “music” and a tune probably starts playing in your head. Though this tune is different for everyone, it’s still made up of notes and rhythm that compose a universal language. How else could 100,000 people sing a song correctly and in tune from a band halfway around the world? In the world of marketing where “right” is never black and white, music provides an ideal medium to define a singular, unified direction. 

At Yalo we use music to help companies set the emotional compass of their brand before the heavy lift of designs, mock-ups, or mood boards are executed. In fact, we put music at the core of everything we do. Our tribe is encouraged to use music as a concepting tool, as a way of drumming up inspiration (pun completely intended) or as a way to relax when things get a little hectic. We’re even given a concert budget to see live music. 

Want to learn more about how music can help your brand? Just ask! And In case you’re wondering what our favorite song is these days, just press play below. (Though with a medium so dynamic and diverse as music, it changes all the time.)

*We’re not telling you to go out and write a jingle for your brand. Whether jingles actually drive sales is a whole other can of (ear)worms.

If you enjoyed these ideas and information, why not sign-up for Yalo’s bi-weekly email blasts directly below? We cover advertising & marketing strategy, trends and technologies, as well as popular music and culture, arts and sports. We give our readers food for thought, and stimulating content you can share with hipsters, geeks, CEOs and jocks alike. Come on, we know you want to!

At one point or another you’ve probably asked yourself: “How can I improve my marketing skills?” Maybe not in those exact words (that’s kinda weird), but you’ve definitely wondered if you could be working harder or smarter to build your brand.

The answer is yes, of course. Everyone could. And a good way to start is by learning which marketing strategies to avoid. Sounds complicated? Just bear with us.

There’s a reason Socrates, Plato, and Descartes aren’t well known for their social posts, email campaigns, and out-of-home work. (Besides the fact that they lived roughly a million years before electricity.) It’s because content isn’t a philosophy; it’s a tactic. Too often, when coming up with marketing strategies, these two things get confused.

While there are many viable tactics that play an important role in growing a brand, what’s really important are the philosophies behind the tactics. Here, we’re going to discuss some marketing mistakes to avoid that miss the big picture and put your brand or business in a hole from the start.

#1 The “Silver Bullet” Marketing Strategy

Unless you are marketing to an extremely specific, possibly magical market segment, the consumer is not a werewolf. One strategy (or silver bullet) is not going to take care of your entire problem. How many times have you seen a brand make one Instagram post a week and leave it at that? If you want to have meaningful engagement with the consumer, you need to create a constant dialogue to grow the relationship over time. Repeated interaction with a brand builds the interest and, more importantly, the trust that is required to maintain those relationships. Branch out and engage your target audience in multiple ways and continue to do so consistently over a long period of time. It won’t kill a werewolf (probably?), but it will help your business.

#2 The “If We Build It, They Will Come” Marketing Strategy

An outdated marketing technique that we see all the time is the idea that you just need a cool website, and the money will start rolling in. Building a website is just the tip of strategy iceberg. This points back to strategy #1—there is no silver bullet, not even parallax scroll. Unless you are constantly going out of your way to engage the consumer, they’re not going to just show up in person or virtually and give you their money. The ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson might be powerless to avoid what you’ve built, but everyone else is going to need a little bit more from your brand. That’s a “Field of Dreams” reference, for those of you under the age of 45.

#3 The “Going with Your Gut” Marketing Strategy

Speaking of outdated references, there’s a reason the phrase “OK Boomer” became part of the pop culture lexicon. It’s not so much about that specific generation as it is about thinking that your experience is universal—that it transcends geography and generations. Consumers are all different. They’re different from each other and different from you. Even if a 55-year-old man has been working in the same business for 25 years, that doesn’t mean he knows the best way to reach his 28-year-old female audience. There are numerous ways you can survey consumers to figure out what they want and develop a strategy that addresses those specific needs and desires. So don’t just go with your gut—do the research. OK Boomer?

#4 The “Strategy-less” Marketing Strategy

“Do you make viral videos? Let’s do that.”

A viral video or any singular piece of content is a “what.” Before a brand has a “what,” it needs a “why.” It’s essential to develop a strategy as the foundation for your content. Before you can make something meaningful, you have to figure out why you’re making it in the first place. What purpose will it serve? How does it fit with the other moving parts of the brand? Foregoing strategy to just “make stuff” is like shouting into the wind. So put a purposeful strategy in place, and you won’t just be making stuff; you’ll be building something.

#5 The “All We Need Is an Intern” Marketing Strategy

Imagine the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs letting his nephew start at quarterback because he’s really, really good at playing Madden on his PS5. Sounds ridiculous, but similar things happen all the time in the marketing and advertising industry. Just because your sister’s boyfriend took a Photoshop class last semester does not mean he should be handling crucial aspects of your business. Professionals—people who’ve studied advertising and marketing and put it into practice for multiple industries—have more than just the basic tools and programs to make a piece of content. They also have the experience and understanding to give meaning to the work. It’s worth investing in people who know what they’re doing when it comes to your business needs.

#6 The “We Don’t Have a Budget” Marketing Strategy

If you and your agency have a clear picture of your budget from the start, then you can work within that framework to create a strategy that maximizes resources and ensures all your ideas remain viable options. While it may seem freeing to have no budget, it can be a huge waste of time and resources to come up with 100 different variations of an idea only to have 99 of them dismissed because you can’t afford them. Think of it like building a sandcastle: it’s far easier to focus on getting it right if you’re working in a sandbox as opposed to running all over a huge beach. Your agency needs the sandbox.

#7 The “Hire a Pro, Treat ‘Em Like a Rookie” Marketing Strategy

There’s an old idiom that says, “why keep a dog and bark yourself?” And while we’re not sure why any human would bark (idioms can be weird), there’s a lot of truth in that statement when it comes to hiring marketing teams. When you pay an experienced marketing team to do what they do best, it’s a huge waste of time and effort to not delegate the work to them. Allowing the team you hired to do their jobs is an incredibly important strategy, yet work is so often undercut with “thanks, but let’s do my idea instead.” In other words: let the people you pay to do a job actually do their job. In other, other words: let the dog bark.

#8 The “Keep Your Cards Close to Your Vest” Marketing Strategy

Welcome to the loop. Sales doesn’t know what Marketing is doing. Marketing doesn’t know what Operations is doing. Operations doesn’t know what Sales is doing. Ad infinitum. If you aren’t sharing business goals and objectives with all the departments involved with those goals and objectives, you don’t get a well-oiled machine—you get a Rube Goldberg device that leads nowhere. It’s crucial to make sure everyone can see the bigger picture; that way, each part can work toward a cohesive whole, and you’ll have a strategy to avoid a communication breakdown.

#9 The “We’re Just Like Apple” Marketing Strategy

Does your business or brand spend millions of dollars a year on creative? How about hundreds of millions on marketing as a whole? Do you have a passionate, sometimes obsessive fan base that will probably support your brand no matter what? If you said yes to this, then congratulations, you are Apple. Otherwise, you’re going to have to approach things another way. Without investment in resources, you can’t get the quality, consistency, and loyalty you desire. Let’s be honest, even with all that, you still can’t be Apple. But you can take a page out of their book—when it comes to your brand’s strategy, “Think Different.”

More likely than not, you’ve already experienced a few of these “strategies.” Don’t worry, we’ve all been there at some point. But with the right agency, budget, and team behind your brand helping you build a strategy that’s right for you, success will come. Good luck out there.

Oh and by the way, Yalo has been helping companies excel and stand-out in the marketplace for a long time now. We’ve even won awards. You can consider us for your needs too. Reach us at the bottom of this page to start a conversation.

As a new year begins, marketers are predicting which marketing trends will matter the most and placing their bets (and budgets) on those they believe will show the most return on investment. Here below are five tactical trends that we see adding value to the market(ing) place in 2023.

1. A Greater Emphasis On Building A Strong Brand

A strong brand can build customer loyalty, increase customer lifetime value, drive business growth, and increase the perceived value of your products or services, which can lead to higher prices and more profitability.

A few benefits of building a strong brand:

1. A strong brand helps to establish a company’s identity and sets it apart from competitors.
2. A well-known brand helps to build trust with customers, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
3. A powerful brand can lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction, as customers are more likely to have positive experiences with a well-known and trusted brand.
4. In today’s digital age, a strong brand is also important for online visibility and search engine optimization (SEO). A well-known brand is more likely to show up at the top of search engine results, which can lead to increased traffic and sales.

Full disclosure: Yalo offers our Brand Strategy Bootcamp to help fledgling as well as established brands to dip their toes in the world of brand strategy for greater awareness in the public sector. It’s a fun, informative, effective exercise our clients love to experience!

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2. The Burgeoning Creator Economy

Creators are the beating heart of social media, and their endorsements can shape consumer behavior drastically. The creator economy refers to the network of people who create and share content online, often for a large and engaged audience. Brands can tap into the creator economy in a number of ways:

1. Collaboration: Brands can work with creators to produce sponsored content or to promote their products. This can be a win-win for both parties, as creators get paid for their work and brands get exposure to the creator’s audience.
2. Sponsorship: Brands can sponsor events or projects featuring creators, or they can sponsor a creator’s content directly. This can help the brand reach the creator’s audience and establish a relationship with the creator.
3. Affiliate marketing: Brands can work with creators to promote their products through affiliate links. When a creator’s audience makes a purchase using the link, the creator earns a commission.
4. Product development: Brands can work with creators to develop products based on their content or ideas. This can be a great way to tap into the creator’s audience and get valuable feedback on product development.
5. User-generated content: Brands can encourage their customers to create content featuring their products and share it online. This can help to increase brand awareness and engagement.

Overall, the key to success in the creator economy is to build authentic and mutually beneficial relationships with creators. This can help brands to reach new audiences and stay relevant in an increasingly digital world.

3. The Implementation Of Automation And AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are being increasingly used in marketing to help companies save time and resources, as well as to improve their marketing efforts. Some common applications of AI in marketing include:

1. Customer segmentation: AI can help companies segment their customers based on various characteristics, such as demographics, behaviors, and interests. This allows companies to tailor their marketing efforts to specific groups of customers.
2. Personalization: AI can be used to personalize marketing messages, content, and recommendations based on a customer’s past interactions with a company. This can help increase the relevance and effectiveness of marketing efforts.
3. Predictive analysis: AI can be used to analyze customer data and make predictions about their future behavior. This can help companies plan and execute more effective marketing campaigns.
4. Chatbots: AI-powered chatbots can be used to interact with customers in real-time, answering questions and providing assistance. This can help companies scale their customer service efforts and improve the customer experience.
5. Content creation: AI can be used to generate marketing content, such as social media posts and email subject lines. This can help companies save time and resources on content creation.

Another disclosure! Yalo has been offering Sentiment Analysis services powered by AI for some time now for business intelligence for our clients.

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4. The Cost-Efficiency Of User-Generated Social Media Videos

TikTok and user-generated social media videos that organically draw in an audience or create word-of-mouth are the best bang for your buck. There are several benefits of user-generated social media videos:

1. Authenticity: User-generated content is typically more authentic and genuine than content created by brands. This can help increase trust and credibility with your audience.
2. Cost-effective: User-generated content is often free or low-cost to produce, as it is created by individuals rather than professional marketers.
3. Increased reach: User-generated content has the potential to go viral, which can significantly increase the reach of your brand.
4. Customer engagement: User-generated content can help increase customer engagement by giving them a way to participate in your brand and share their experiences with others.
5. User-generated content can also provide valuable insights and ideas for your marketing campaigns.

5. The Rise Of Web3 And Virtual Influencer Marketing

Brands can leverage web3 technology and virtual influencers in a number of ways. Here are a few potential strategies:

1. Partnering with virtual influencers: Brands can partner with virtual influencers by sponsoring their content, creating sponsored posts together, or collaborating on projects. This can help brands reach new audiences and tap into the influence of virtual influencers.
2. Creating their own virtual influencers: Some brands have created their own virtual influencers to promote their products or services. These virtual influencers can be used to reach specific demographics or to promote products in a more immersive way.
3. Utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs): Brands can use non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create unique, collectible experiences for their customers. This could include exclusive virtual events with virtual influencers, or limited-edition digital goods that are only available through the use of NFTs.
4. Experimenting with new web3 platforms: There are many new web3 platforms emerging that allow for immersive and interactive experiences. Brands can experiment with these platforms to find new ways to engage with their audience and promote their products.

Overall, virtual influencers and web3 technology offer brands new and innovative ways to reach and engage with their audience. By staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, brands can find creative ways to leverage these tools to their advantage.

Let Yalo keep you on-trend in 2023. Subscribe to our free e-blasts below for informative, entertaining and stimulating analysis and critiques on what‘s happening in the worlds of marketing, advertising and pop culture. Scroll down to the bottom of the page if you’d like to start a conversation with us!

No matter how you spend the holiday season, there’s no better way to keep spirits bright than with a magical winter cocktail.

Light up this festive time of year with a few favorites sure to have your yuletide cup overflowing with cheer!

Vodka Cranberry Punch with Apple Cider Ice Cubes By Jessica Merchant

INGREDIENTS

2 cups apple cider, or more as needed

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 1/2 cups vodka

1/2 cup orange juice

6 cinnamon sticks

1 cup fresh cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill two ice cube trays with apple cider and freeze 8 hours or overnight. You may need a bit more or less of the cider, depending on the ice cube tray that you use.
2. Meanwhile, heat the sugar, cinnamon and 1/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking the entire time. Cook until the mixture begins to bubble, then remove it from the heat. Allow it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
3. Combine the cranberry juice, vodka, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and the cinnamon simple syrup in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate for a few hours before serving-this will marry the flavors. Before serving, add the apple cider ice cubes and cranberries to the bowl or pitcher.

Champagne Bourbon Cocktail By: Bobby Flay

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

Bourbon (recommended: Woodford Reserve)

Prosecco or sparkling wine, chilled

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the sugar, water, bean and seeds in small pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature, then discard the vanilla bean.
   
2. Add 1 shot of bourbon and 2 tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to a chilled champagne flute. Fill to the top with sparkling wine, and serve.

Gingerbread Martini By: Trisha Yearwood

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces Irish cream liqueur, such as Baileys

4 ounces vodka, such as Kettle One 

2 ounces coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua 

2 ounces Gingerbread Syrup, recipe follows

2 scoops vanilla ice cream, softened 

Whipped cream, for topping 

Small handful gingerbread cookies, crushed

DIRECTIONS

Combine the Irish cream liqueur, vodka, coffee liqueur, Gingerbread Syrup and ice cream in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. Pour into four chilled martini glasses. Top each with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of gingerbread cookie crumbs.

Gingerbread Syrup:

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Add the sugar, water, cloves, cinnamon and ginger to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before using, about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Peppermint White Russian By: Food Network Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce coffee liqueur

1 ounce vodka

¾ ounce peppermint Schnapps

1 ounce heavy cream

DIRECTIONS

For each drink, combine 1 ounce each vodka and coffee liqueur and 3/4 ounce peppermint schnapps in a short glass; fill with ice. Pour in 1 ounce cold heavy cream. Serve with a peppermint stick.

If you are looking for more great ideas, please check out the Food Network’s 59 Festive Drink Recipes.

Want to see what Yalo can mix-up for your business in terms of creative branding and marketing campaigns? Shaken or stirred, we’ve got you covered. Let’s talk.

Cheers Everyone!

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and being together to celebrate all that’s good in life. And advertisers really know how to hit us in the feels. Here are four of our favorite heartwarming and memorable Thanksgiving ads from the past few years.

1. Publix Salt and Pepper 

This memorable Publix commercial follows the company’s tradition of producing heart-warming content that reminds us all of the joy of the holidays and being with family, but with a quirky twist.

2. Walmart Many Chairs One Table

This tear-jerker commercial from 2017 shows people from all walks of life gathering together for a meal. The commercial promotes unity and community, perfect themes for the Thanksgiving season.

3. Publix Thanksgiving Commercial 2014

Strong copy anchors this feel-good commercial by Publix. Thanksgiving togetherness is the thread that binds each of these ordinary moments. Their parting message? “Here’s to the day that may not be flawless, but it’s always perfect.”

4. Meijer Thanksgiving Commercial

Meijer insists we are still thankful despite the year we’ve had. The brand encourages us to donate to the Simply Give program to provide meals for our neighbors in need. Because after all “Together We Are Better”.

Do you have a favorite holiday commercial? Share it with us on Facebook.

Interested in seeing what Yalo can do for your brand creatively? We’d love to hear from you to get a conversation started – contact us below or right here .

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