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How to Use AI in Marketing (Without Losing Your Human Touch)
Summer’s Here — And So Is the Rise of AI (Cue Dramatic Music ) Ahh, summer. The season of sun, s’mores, spontaneous road trips — and yes, some seriously cool conversations about the future of digital marketing. This summer, we’re diving into one of...
What’s the Deal with Geofencing? (Updated)
It’s no secret that technology is getting more advanced by the minute. The great thing when it comes to digital marketing is we can often use those advancements to our advantage. We’ve previously talked in depth about SEO, social media marketing,...
You Could Guess What’s Working in Your Marketing… Or You Could Just Know
Wouldn’t it be incredible to know exactly who’s walking through your doors — not just how many, but who they are, where they’re coming from, and what brought them in? Sound familiar? If you’ve ever Googled how to measure marketing ROI or how to...
Ready to Launch Your Career in Sales & Digital Marketing? We’re Hiring a Sales Account Executive at Hookd Promotions!
Are you looking for a career where you can combine your passion for sales and digital marketing with a fun and dynamic work environment? At Hookd Promotions, we’re on the hunt for a Sales Account Executive who’s not just ready to work hard, but...
3 Most Asked Questions: Understanding Search Ads
Ever searched for your own ads and wondered why they're playing hide and seek? You're not alone! Turns out there's a whole lot of digital magic happening behind the scenes. Beyond choosing keywords, your search campaigns rely on smart AI, dynamic...
Super Bowl Ads vs. Digital Marketing: Big Impact Doesn’t Have to Mean Big Spending
When it comes to advertising, the Super Bowl is the heavyweight champion, with a 30-second spot in the 2025 game costing an eye-watering $8 million. Why so pricey? It's simple: the audience is massive. Millions tune in not just for the football but...
10 Key Areas to Refresh in Your 2025 Digital Marketing Strategy
Happy New Year! With 2025 officially here, many business owners are asking themselves one big question: What can I do to elevate my marketing this year? While there’s no shortage of strategies or new trends to explore, let’s focus on some...
The Journey to Our New Website: How We Got Here (And Had a Little Fun Along the Way)
Building a new website is no small feat. It’s a blend of creativity, strategy, and (let’s be real) a fair amount of caffeine. We’re thrilled to finally introduce our brand-new website, and we wanted to take a moment to share the journey we took to...
Why We Decided to Refresh Our Logo: A Journey of Growth and Creativity
At Hookd Promotions, we believe in evolving with the times. After all, your brand is a reflection of who you are—just like our new logo is for us! But why did we decide to make the change? Well, let’s take a quick dive into the ‘why’ behind our...
Why Having a Great Website is a Game-Changer for Your Business
Let’s face it—first impressions count, and in the digital world, your website is often the first chance you get to wow potential customers. Whether you’re running a charming local boutique or managing a booming corporation, a fantastic website is...
Why Setting Goals is Key to Rocking Your Digital Advertising Campaign
Hey there, local business rockstars! Ready to dive into the exciting world of digital advertising? Before you hit that launch button, let's chat about something super important: setting goals. Trust me, it’s like having a roadmap for your journey...
The Importance of Strong Messaging
In today's competitive market, effective communication can be the difference between building brand loyalty and not being given a second thought. Strong messaging isn't just about catchy slogans or flashy ads; it’s about conveying your brand’s...
Understanding Your Core Customer
Understanding your core audience is not just a topic that marketers discuss frequently; it’s a fundamental pillar of successful marketing. Yet, despite this being a widely acknowledged goal, many companies surprisingly lack a deep understanding of...
How Successful Is Your Branding?
In our last blog, 7 Steps to Have In Place Before Starting Digital Marketing, we discussed what is key to have established before you start advertising online. In today’s blog, we are going to break down the first of those recommendations:...
7 Steps to Have In Place Before You Start Digital Marketing (With Tips!)
We get a lot of questions about what makes for a strong digital marketing campaign, and what businesses can do beforehand to get ahead of the game. It’s a great mindset to have, and it will create a solid foundation for any campaign you launch....
Connected TV: What is It?
There’s no doubt that when traditional television was at its peak, there was no marketing effort quite as exciting as having your own tv commercial. A good tv commercial could make a brand a household name (even better if you had a theme song you...
5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Business & Online Presence
It’s officially back to school season and while most of us no longer have to worry about homework or our pants not fitting anymore (oh, wait…), it definitely marks a shift in mindset as we move into the last leg of the year. Suddenly it’s back to...
Why 90 Days is So Important
‘You should run your digital campaign for a minimum of 90 days’ advises our Director of Sales, Sarah Gordee. Why is that? Well, Sarah didn’t make it up! She’s simply armed with real results and recommendations from our Hookd experts having run...
Workplace Diversity – & Why It Matters
Hi everybody, I'm Lee, the owner at Hookd and this week's tip is about diversity… and the value of celebrating it with your team. We have an amazing team and I think there are a few things that contribute to that. The first is that we treat each...
Your Quick Guide to Short Form Video
You’ve likely heard that having high quality video for your business can take your advertising to the next level. But if you’re being honest, the time and the energy required can be daunting. The good news is that social media platforms like...
4 Steps to A Strong Email Campaign
When it comes to promotion, it’s hard to find a tool quite as useful and accessible as email marketing. Almost every website you visit has an option to sign up for their mailing list, so it’s no surprise that most of us get dozens of promotional...
3 Online Trends in 2023
Nothing seems to change quite as quickly as the internet. The minute it looks like things are starting to be consistent, everything switches again. So when it comes to running a business, these trends can be overwhelming and a little confusing. ...
Toying Around With New Marketing Ideas for 2023
So you’re wrapping up a great year and wondering where to go from here. How can you grow your marketing and business efforts next year, and what online goals should you even be looking at? These are all great questions to ask yourself, so let’s...
What to Know About SEO and What to Leave to the Experts.
When it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization), there’s a lot of information to take in, but we’re here to break it down for you! What is Search Engine Optimization? If you’ve ever talked to someone in marketing and they mention optimizing your...
Here’s Why You Should Advertise on YouTube
Chances are that if at some point you wanted to try a DIY project, take up a new hobby, or look up a quick how-to video, you used YouTube. That’s because YouTube is not only the top place to stream video, it’s the #2 search engine in the world! It...
Diving Into Social Media: Facebook & Instagram
Since the early 2010’s, social media has been growing into a giant force in the advertising world. What started as sharing photos with friends and family, or storing your vacation memories digitally, has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry....
3 Things to Consider when Creating a Digital Marketing Campaign
A digital marketing campaign can be an absolute game-changer for your business. If you haven’t already started to navigate the world of online marketing, you might be asking yourself why it’s any better than traditional marketing. There’s a really...
Data Usage Is SkyRocketing, What Does This Mean For Your Business? (Updated!)
All around the world, the internet continues to transform how we connect with others, organize the flow of things, and share information. In 2021, the number of internet users worldwide stood at 4.9 billion, which means that almost two thirds of...
6 Stats To Help Your Business Grow in 2022
Let’s face it: Marketing online has become an essential part of running a business in 2022. There’s an overwhelming amount of options, advice, and data being thrown at you. It’s hard to decipher what will actually help you vs. what will end up...
Brand Consistency 101: 3 Questions You Need To Answer
As a marketing agency, we help businesses expand their brand and reach their ideal customers every day. From print materials to content to paid advertising, we help our clients reach their target customers while maintaining consistency across all...
Recruitment Marketing vs. Workforce Attraction Marketing
For businesses that are struggling to hire the workers they need, recruitment and workforce attraction are initiatives that are garnering a lot of attention. But there’s an important difference between the two, and I’m often asked to help people...
Digital Marketing Metrics Made Easy
Digital marketing gives us a lot of data! Which is a great thing, but it can also lead to confusion. Impressions, clicks, click-through rate… with all these numbers, how do you know what to pay attention to? Here’s a simple explanation of how to...
What Gas Station Snacks Teach Us About Marketing
While on a recent trip, my family and I were introduced to a native flower that looks purple, but turns bright orange when crushed between your fingers. It leaves a bright orange stain on the fingers that the tour guide says sparks one, universal...
Ok, I Have the Data From 2021 – Now What?
Reports are coming in and numbers are hitting you from all sides, the feeling of dread is escalating by the minute. Ok, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but the amount of information coming in from your marketing team can be overwhelming. From...
4 Findings That Stood Out in 2021…And How We’re Applying Them
We like to say that Hookd is as much a research company as we are a marketing company. Digging into the data to make informed decisions and methodically testing and tweaking is what we do every day. With that in mind, here are the top 4 findings...
4 Steps to Build a Better Marketing Plan
“If you build it, they will come.” Lots of businesses start out this way, from a great idea that is well thought through, developed, and even produced. And while these ideas might be great, a lot of them fail. Why? Because often times, it becomes...
Why Branding Matters
It isn’t uncommon for Hookd to be asked the question “What does branding really accomplish? And is it worth it?”. The truth is that we, as consumers, are very in tune with branding, even if we don’t realize it. Case in point. My husband, sort of...
Help! I Need a New Business Name. Where Do I Start?
As members of both the creative and consulting community, we get to take part in the process of naming businesses and creating identities everyday. It's always an exciting process, but it's also a very serious process. There are a lot of things to...
Facebook’s Rebranding – What Does It Mean?
Meta what? When Facebook recently announced the re-brand of their parent company, a lot of us were left confused. Does this mean I’m going to post to Meta instead of posting to Facebook? The short answer is no. So What’s Next? Your app will...
How Much Should You Dedicate to Marketing?
You’ve likely begun planning for next year, and you might be wondering how much you should be spending on marketing. This is a common question! Well, one widely-accepted benchmark used across industries is the 5% Rule. In other words, spend...
Digital vs Traditional Media – Where Should You Invest Your Marketing Dollars?
“I know times have changed and I know that I need to adjust my marketing efforts accordingly, but I’m not sure what that means or where to start.” If this is something you’ve said to yourself, you’re not alone; in fact, we hear this on a regular...
5 Digital Stats That Speak Volumes
We say we are as much of a research company as we are a marketing company. That’s because data often drives the direction of our marketing efforts at Hookd… and in order to do that, we do lots of research! Being able to measure and use data is a...
TV Ads Without the TV Costs?
Want your ads to play on TV without paying the high cost of TV advertising? Yes. There is a way to do that! Providing value and being accountable to our clients is something near and dear to Hookd. Every month, we provide our clients with a...
How Do You Know If Your Digital Ads Are Performing?
Oooh, that looks exactly like what I’ve been looking for! [CLICK] That click is the beauty of digital marketing! If someone is interested in what’s showing in your ad, they can click on the ad and go directly to your website, giving you immediate...
How The Right Digital Marketing Partner Can Help You Level Up!
Digital marketing can seem overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be! If you want to create an effective marketing campaign without the added stress and time, don’t try to do it all on your own. Rather, bring in a digital marketing partner...
5 Back to School Digital Trends You’ll Want to Know About!
The days of kids donning their early morning smiles on front door steps for first-day-of-school pictures are here. It’s personally one of my favorite times of year on social media. Watching everyone’s families grow and sharing moments we all have...
Today’s Burning Question: Powering Your Campaigns
It’s always interesting to hear what’s top of mind with businesses who are evaluating their digital marketing strategy. As a digital marketing agency, our conversations center around overall marketing strategies and how digital marketing can play...
What’s Working Now in Digital Marketing – 3 Real Client Examples
One thing we keep repeating lately about Digital Marketing is how rapidly things are changing! An ad strategy that worked well a year ago won’t necessarily give us the same results this year. We’re constantly diving in to make sure we’re adjusting...
The 4 Digital Marketing ‘Aha’s’ We’ve Had So Far This Year
Digital advertising platforms are constantly changing, and it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends so you can be successful in achieving your goals in the future. Here are some of the key insights we’ve learned this year that have...
Stellar Tips to Reach Your Audience During Changing Times
I’ve not shared this with anyone publicly, but I thought I saw a UFO recently. I was out on my deck late at night, it was very dark outside and a perfect night for stargazing. As I looked Northwest, I saw lights that I have never seen before. They...
The Dog Days of Summer
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the Dog Days of Summer are the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the Summer Solstice in late June, which of course also indicates that the worst summer heat will soon set in....
27 Million Targeted Brand Impressions & Counting!
We move quickly at Hookd, and as we forge ahead to serve our clients every day, we don’t always stop to appreciate the work we’ve done. Can you relate? It’s important, though, to check in on your business goals and make sure you’re on track for...
5 signs you desperately need a new website
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your website is your storefront in the digital age. (Btw, you can read where we said it before, and before that, here & here). If it isn’t fine-tuned and working like a well-oiled machine, your...
The Reality, and Potential of, Your Digital Marketing Future
Welcome to the final leg of our four-part series on digital privacy. We've talked about everything that you’re seeing in the news and how to deal with it, but we haven’t talked yet about what the digital marketing landscape looks like moving...
Privacy Changes Will Affect Digital Marketing… Be Prepared!
This is Hookd’s third blog post in a 4-part series about the recent data privacy changes and what it means to you. In recent weeks, Hookd has shared information about this new “Privacy Shift” and wrote about the “One Step You Can Take Now” to help...
Data Privacy is a Big Deal! One Step You Can Take Now
The world of digital marketing is changing, and we’re here for it! We’re big fans of data privacy at Team Hookd, and while the regulations unfolding will change the way we work, it’s all for the best. The ads you see should be relevant and make...
The Privacy Shift
The world is digital. There is no way around it. We're surrounded by these incredible machines that connect us to people and information like never before. Digital marketing has been the new frontier for quite a while, and regulations and...
Surprise, We’ve Gone Virtual! Five Things That Make Remote Work… Work!
We did something kind of big at Hookd last November, we went completely virtual! That’s right, we took a bold move and vacated our office in downtown Eau Claire in favor of working remotely from here on out. I say “remotely” versus working at home...
You’re Valuable; Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About It!
Have you ever had a prospective client ask why your services are priced higher than ”your competitor’s”? It can feel uncomfortable to be asked that question - especially if it’s not an apples to apples comparison. And though selling on price isn’t...
Surprise! These Digital Ad Images Are Top-Performers
One of the coolest things about Digital Marketing is its objectivity. You no longer have to guess what your customers will respond to. You simply run a digital ad on a platform like Google or Facebook, and you’ll see fairly quickly if the beautiful...
Do Your Online Display Ads Deliver?
Display ads can be seen on everything from Google to Facebook to Youtube, so it's important that your ad looks great and gets clicked. Whether you or your digital marketing team are creating the online display ad, it's a big job with many layers....
Digital Marketing – It’s a Long Game
Digital Marketing lays a foundation and then builds upon itself over time, which is why it’s an important piece of any long term strategy for success. I think we can all agree that your organization’s current clients, and/or friends are people who...
How Well Do You Know Your Target Market?
You’re probably thinking …. Of course I know my target market! And you do probably have a great picture of the ideal customer who could benefit from your products or services. However, you might not be as dialed in on potential target markets as...
Why Your Messaging Is Critical…
Have you ever taken a critical look at the messaging on both your physical and digital marketing? Is it cohesive? And not just that your logo is the same or that your colors match, is your brand getting across the message that you intend? Here...
Is Your Website Delivering?
Let’s begin with some knowledge you probably first heard about 20 years ago… “Your website is your new store front.” 20 years (and a pandemic) later, the same thing rings true! For posterity, here’s a slightly modified version of it, “Your...
The Anatomy of a Campaign – Downtown Eau Claire Inc.
If you’re not in the business of marketing, you may not be aware of all the components that go into creating a successful marketing campaign. While each campaign is unique and doesn’t necessarily require a multi-pronged approach, sometimes there’s...
3 Quick Ways to Spruce Up Your Spring Marketing – Week Three: Your Website
Last week we offered great tips on updating your social media - the place where current and prospective clients see your business personality! (Read the post HERE.) This week, we’re moving on to another prominent place where customers will find you...
3 Quick Ways to Spruce Up Your Spring Marketing – Week Two: Your Social Media
Last week we offered great tips on updating your Google My Business profile - the place many prospective clients will find you first! (Read the post HERE.) This week, we’re moving on to another prominent place customers will find you and follow...
3 Quick Ways To Spruce Up Your Marketing This Spring – Week One: Your Google My Business Profile
This week brings with it something that those of us in the upper Midwest look forward to with anticipation each and every year… the arrival of spring! And with that tends to come spring cleaning. But it’s not just about cleaning out closets, spring...
Stay In Front Of Your Customers – Display Ads Explained
There are so many ways your business can advertise online. Here we try to breakdown the components of a Display Ad, as well as the targeting strategies behind them. DISPLAY ADS ARE EVERYWHERE! Have you ever been looking online for a specific...
10 Cool Things to Know About Google Search Ads
How often do you ‘Google’ something? Probably many times every day! From looking for an answer to a question to finding the phone number for a local business, I know I’m constantly relying on this search engine. ...
Break Through the Digital Noise
Ever feel like your brand and your services are the best kept secret, in spite of all your efforts? You’re not alone. It’s a crowded world out there. And it’s not easy to get your brand to stand out from all the noise - especially at a time when...
Decoding Landing Pages – Are They Worth the Investment?
When we’re creating a digital marketing campaign for our clients, we begin with the end in mind. In other words, we put thought into where our online audience goes once they’ve clicked on an ad. It helps us provide continuity for the audience. In...
A Look Back At 2020 From a Digital Perspective
I know, I know. Nobody wants to look back at 2020. I get it. 2020 was a storm of a year. But remember that every cloud has its silver lining. And one of 2020’s upsides was in the digital marketing space. Let’s take a moment to look at 2020 from...
Digital Marketing – The Gift that Keeps On Giving!
Depending on who you ask, gift giving season can range from an anxiety inducing experience to one that is filled with pure delight. But no matter how we feel about the shopping experience, everyone anticipates that magical moment when someone they...
6 Tips for Virtual Workplace Success
Here at Hookd, we’re no strangers to working remotely, so our transition to 100% virtual during last spring’s quarantine was pretty seamless. But we know that’s not the case for every workplace. Here are our top tips that keep us connected,...
5 Mind-Blowing Stats About Online Sales in 2020
This year has been difficult on many businesses and shops, especially those without the capability of selling their goods or services online. With Black Friday approaching rapidly, many storefronts are offering exclusive first ever deals in hopes...
Considering Video? A Few Things to Keep in Mind
In the world of digital media, video has proven to be super-effective and wildly successful from an ROI perspective. In fact, Diode Digital recently found that online video is a 600% more effective marketing tool than print and direct mail...
I’ve written my blog, now what?
Creating valuable content is a key to success in the digital world. Valuable content gets viewed more, it gets shared more, and it helps provide positive branding exposure and drive sales. Heck, it’s also fun to create! Meetings where we discuss...
Can Digital Marketing Be Effective for Nonprofits?
From events to donation drives to reaching the people you serve, the answer is YES, digital marketing strategies can be very effective for reaching your nonprofit's goals. At Hookd, we’ve been thrilled to have the opportunity to work with several...
Questions You Should Be Asking Your Web Developer
Many times, I find myself having conversations with business leaders who are considering replacing outdated websites or building a new website for their business. This undertaking can be especially challenging for those who aren’t particularly tech...
Reach Customers Where They Are: Online!
People can be intimidated when they hear the phrase digital marketing. However, since Covid hit the world, it’s become a clear way to reach your audience when they’re at home. Many of us have become a lot more comfortable online. We meet virtually...
Real Results – Chippewa Falls Workforce Attraction Campaign 2.0
There’s a reason we love Digital Marketing here at Hookd! Digital campaigns have the power to deliver real, measurable results for our clients. We were thrilled to be asked to produce Workforce Attraction version 2.0 in 2020, following up on the...
Stats About Emojis That You Should Know!
Emojis are a hip and trendy way of communicating without having to use words. They can even enhance the words you do type by providing a more emotional and relatable experience! Have you tried using emojis in your email subject line? Or maybe in...
Ready to Put 2020 Behind You?
If your answer is “Yes!”, you’re in good company. But before we can launch headlong into 2021, we need to begin planning for it, and from a business perspective, the time to start is now. It might seem like I’m jumping the gun, but trust me, I’m...
5 Reasons YouTube is the Place to Be
When you think of YouTube, what do you think of? Maybe it’s your go-to place for streaming music, watching SNL clips, or learning step-by-step instructions to fix a leaky faucet. Whatever your motivation, you’re likely very familiar with YouTube....
What the Heck is a Hashtag? And why would I use one?
Hashtags were first introduced by Twitter back in 2007. Chris Messina is credited with coming up with the idea of using the pound symbol to group related Tweets together. Since then, the idea has grown exponentially and is now used across most...
Facebook: What’s the Difference Between a Post, Boosted Post, and Ad?
You might’ve asked yourself the question “what is a boosted post on Facebook?” or even “what’s a Facebook ad and why would I want to create one?” Well, you’ve come to the right place because we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about...
A Great Glimpse Into Digital Marketing
What do you picture in your mind when we say “digital marketing”? To be honest, if we asked three people, we’d probably get three different answers and that’s because digital marketing can mean different things depending on your marketing goals....
What You Need to Know About Facebook Lookalike Audiences
You’ve heard us talk about the powerful targeting capabilities of Facebook, but today we want to share a really cool feature that you might not know about: Facebook Lookalike Audiences! Let’s explain Lookalike Audiences through an illustration....
Where Your Customers Are Hanging Out During COVID-19
There are lots of ways to spend extra free time on your hands when you’re safer at home. Let’s face it, we’ve had a lot of it since March and we’re learning that people from all over the world are spending their extra free time consuming media. ...
Signs of Summer
It’s been a loooong spring. And considering we live in Northern Wisconsin, that’s saying something! But for three months, the world held its breath and time seemed to stand still, at least for some of us. June 20th marks the official beginning of...
The Top 5 Facebook Videos We’re Loving and Why They’re So Great
Video is king and that certainly rings true on social media. Here are some great ways that some of our favorite brands are using video on their social media platforms. Share your favorite with your friends or family! Let’s start off with Orbit...
5 Ways To Keep Your Ads Fresh, and Your Audience Engaged
Are you evaluating your digital marketing and wondering why your ads aren’t getting the same results that they used to? Your audience may be experiencing Ad Fatigue. Ad Fatigue is when the people who are seeing your ads have already seen them so...
Could Taking Your Event Online Give You Even Better Results?
It wasn’t long ago we were getting dressed up to enjoy dinner at a table of 10 to support our favorite non-profit, jogging a 5k in a crowded park to raise money for a great cause, and gathering with hundreds of area colleagues to explore industry...
What is Empathetic Marketing? And Why Should I Care?
If you’re anything like me, you might be thinking that empathetic marketing is the reason why all the TV commercials right now are set to piano music and include the phrase “We’re in this together”. Rest assured, it’s not that. It’s better than...
Ask Yourself These Questions To Determine Whether Your Marketing Is On Point Or Needs a Pivot
Great business leaders and marketers regularly monitor and update their marketing plans. However, in these rapidly changing times, it’s more important now than ever! So, how do you know if your marketing is really great or just good enough? It...
These Internet Browsers Will Help You Surf Faster
Have you ever visited a website and the website seems broken, or you get a message like this? It is possible that the website is having a bad day, but more than likely, it’s the web browser you're using. If you’re using Internet Explorer, you are...
Have You Heard the TikTok Hype?
Some of you may be thinking... “Yes! My kids are obsessed *facepalm*.” Others may be wondering... “What in the world is TikTok?!” So, for the sake of both sides we're going to dive right in to this trendy, yet time consuming app. TikTok users...
Short Staffed? Here’s How Hookd is Helping to Solve the Problem
Our communities are in the throes of a significant workforce shortage. State and local governments are focused on it. Economic Development Corporations are focused on it. Community Chambers are focused on it. Businesses are focused on it. This...
Don’t Delay – Your Summer Marketing Tips Are Here!
Ok, we’ve reached our first full week of 50 degree temps, it’s time to start thinking summer! Seriously though, if you’re a seasonal business and you thrive during the summer, NOW is the time to begin your marketing campaigns. If you’ve already...
Generational Use of Social Media
At least 80% of every generation uses social media at least once a day, but each generation uses social media in a different way. And, not only does each group use each platform differently, but they each tend to gravitate to different platforms....
Is ‘Winging It’ Your Marketing Plan? Here’s a Better Solution.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. -Benjamin Franklin There’s a reason quotes like these stand the test of time… there’s truth in them! Many business owners we speak to are in a similar boat - they’re putting energy and resources towards...
This Year’s Super Bowl Ad Winners
It’s no secret that the Super Bowl is a great place to witness the most compelling (and expensive) marketing campaigns of the year in the U.S. And it’s also no secret that many viewers tune in for the commercials alone. In fact, in our own Facebook...
The One Needle-Mover You Should Start Doing Today
If you were going to spruce up your home for a dinner party in 30 minutes, would you choose to vacuum the floors or polish the baseboards? Obviously vacuum the floors, right? While guests might notice and appreciate shiny baseboards, they aren’t...
How to Bring Local Searchers to Your Doorstep
“OK Google. Find Restaurants Near Me Tonight” According to Google, there has been a 900% increase in “Near me, tonight/today” searches in the last 2 years. It’s critical to understand that these searches are being done with purchase intent. That...
Understanding Internet Bots – The Good, Bad, and Ugly!
In the digital age, many things have become automated. As a result, the online world has created a monster, or in this case, robots. It’s ALIIIIIIVE! In 2017, 52% of Internet traffic came from bots. Thankfully, in 2019, that number has fallen to...
Top 10 Things We Learned About Digital Marketing in 2019
Take these key learnings and run with them. Click Here For Our Top 10 Digital Marketing Insights of 2019!
10 Classic Christmas Commercials to Make You Smile
It's a nostalgic time of year so we wanted to share a healthy dose of fond memories for you! Here's a glimpse of holidays past via some of our favorite TV commercials. Enjoy!
5 Holiday Gifts Your Clients Will Clamor Over
Giving thank-you gifts to your clients or customers during the holiday season is a fun way to say you value their business and loyalty throughout the year. While any gift is appreciated, some really stand out! Here are 5 favorites we’ve given and...
Why Not Being On Mobile Is A Mistake
It's more important than ever to make sure it's easy for your customers to interact with you on their mobile devices. Here's why!
One Powerful Way to Make Your Landing Page Soar
Did you know there's a way you can increase your landing page conversions by 86%? There is, and it's easy! Find out what you should include on your landing page in this quick video!
How Use Google Posts–A FREE Way to Help You Stand Out
Google My Business is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to stay in front of your customers online. The best part is–it’s both free and easy to set up! If you don’t have a Google My Business profile set up for your business, here is our...
Digital Marketing is Just Like Traditional Marketing – Only More Targeted, More Affordable, and More Relevant!
People can be intimidated when they hear the phrase digital marketing. Whether they feel the technology is over their head or whether they just aren't really sure how to define it, the truth is that it doesn't have to be that way! I'm going to show...
Stand Out From the Crowd – 5 Marketing Dos and Don’ts
1- DO embrace digital marketing as a part of your marketing plan. The stats are clear, this is where your customers are hanging out! While traditional media may also be a part of your overall plan, email, social media, and online advertising...
Don’t Budget like it’s 1999!
It’s time to start planning for 2020! Trust me. Don’t put it off. You think you’ve got plenty of time, but before you know it, the Holidays will be upon us, and nobody wants to be saddled with business planning over Thanksgiving weekend. When it...
Why Wait Weeks for Simple Web Updates?
As technology grows and evolves, we've seen advances in how we do business and what our partners expect from us as a marketing partner. What we've learned from that experience is that modern businesses have changed their expectations. They demand...
Have You Considered YouTube?
If you’re ready to uplevel your marketing efforts in Q4, it may be time to consider YouTube! We’ve had great success in 2019 with YouTube Pre-Roll ads for our clients here at Hookd, and we want to make sure you know about this powerful advertising...
100 Years of Media History -OR- the Reason You Might Be Overwhelmed by Your Marketing Options!
It's amazing how quickly things have changed in marketing with the onslaught of the digital era, but that's just part of a larger revolution that we've witnessed over the last century. Here's a nostalgic look back at...
How to Get People to Read Your Blog
In our last post, we shared some powerful stats about blogging (read it HERE). A blog is a great way to help your business grow, but only if people are reading it! Publishing the blog is only the first step so don’t stop there. Make sure people are...
Blogs Help Your Business Take Off: How to Master Blogging
Content is still king in 2019! Blogging is an effective way to prove your business’ expertise and keep readers interested in what your business has to offer. In this blog, we’ve compiled a few stats, and tips on how to get the most out of your...
5 Digital Marketing Stats That Will Help You Shape Your Business
In this digital age, often the first way a customer interacts with your business is online. Here are some useful statistics that prove investing in your online presence is worth your time! 1- 90% of searchers haven’t made their mind up about a...
SEO 101 – What It Is and How To Tell if Yours Is Up To Par
Search engine optimization… a lot of people know the name, they might even have a provider they’ve hired to help boost it, but few are able to recite exactly what it is. At the end of the day, though, most people realize that it’s important. If any...
10 Social Media Numbers That May Shock You!
How much time do you spend on social media every week? If you’re like most Americans, you’re logging a considerable amount of time scrolling through a combination of pictures of your cousin’s children and your favorite news outlet’s latest...
How to Know When You Need a New Website
Websites are no longer “set it and forget it”. They should have new content posted on them weekly, they should be analyzed and tweaked regularly to ensure they’re user friendly, and the experts say they should be replaced about every 5 years. So...
An Easy Way to Foster Collaboration in Your Organization
Collaboration is powerful! Here's a quick tip to build collaboration in your organization that works across industries. Added bonus: this is an efficient way to boost your online presence!
5 Simple Steps to a Successful Online Presence
Have you ever googled a business only to come up short? I have! It’s disappointing, and you can’t help but question the business. Are they well-liked and trusted? What are their hours? How long have they been in business? Why isn’t this information...
What’s a Landing Page?
Invitations are made. They’re gorgeous. A strategically selected guest list has been curated. All the guests have received a carefully prepared summons that is not only beautiful to look at, but designed to pique curiosity and foster anticipation....
Digital vs Traditional Media – Where Should You Invest Your Marketing Dollars?
“I know times have changed and I know that I need to adjust my marketing efforts accordingly, but I’m not sure what that means or where to start.” If this is something you’ve said to yourself, you’re not alone; in fact, we hear this on a regular...
Beginner’s Guide to Blogging – Cures to 4 Common Questions Keeping You From Getting Started
You know your business can benefit from a blog, right? If you’re not yet convinced, check out these 5 reasons why a blog will help your business. Ok, now that we’re all in agreement that a blog is a good idea, here are cures to the 4 common...
Reach Customers While They Look For You – Search Engine Ads Explained
Everyone wants to have their website appear on the top of Google searches, but how difficult is it really? There are many ways to advertise online. Here we try to breakdown the components of a Search Ad, as well as the targeting strategies behind...
What’s Your Marketing ROI?
Hookd is founded on the predication that marketing should be tangible, viable and results oriented. Year after year, our founding principles are validated, not just by the results we've generated for our customers, but by independent research being...
Welcome to Wisconsin Life – Our Favorite February Memes
For obvious reasons, February’s record snowfall here in Western Wisconsin has been a hot topic on social media. 55+ inches of snow and countless school closings later, we wanted to share our favorite memes from the month.... and they’re all too...
How to Choose the Best Social Media Platform For Your Business
Is your business leveraging social media as a marketing tool? According to the numbers below, it probably should be! We want to be where our customers are, and it looks like they’re definitely hanging out on social media! *Statista.com January 2018...
Real Digital Marketing Results: A Client Case Study
Overview Challenge With the world making the change to digital, many industries, like real estate have had to make major changes to their marketing to meet their audiences. In 2017, 51% of people found the home they bought online (National...
Has your data been hacked? Here’s how to tell and what to do about it!
Over time, many websites or softwares, such as LinkedIn, MySpace, and even Adobe have experienced large data breaches which have compromised many user's accounts. So...what does this mean for you? If you have registered accounts online with these,...
How To Get More Out Of Your Email Marketing
Email is a great way to grow your business. We can all agree on that, right? In this short video, Lee shares 3 simple tips to make your email marketing efforts even more effective!
Does My Local Business Need a Blog?
While you likely have a website for your local business, you might not have a blog. What is a blog? A blog is simply a page on your website where you regularly post original articles, tips, or even videos that are free and provide value to your...
What Should My Business Be Posting Online?
As someone who talks to business owners every day about their digital strategies, I often get asked this question. Businesses want to be present and to engage through social media, but the best way to do that isn’t intuitive. Many studies have been...
Is Facebook Listening To Me?
Have you ever thought that Facebook might be listening to your conversations? You were chatting with one of your friends about getting a new coffeemaker, and suddenly on your Facebook feed, you scroll across an ad for a new Cuisinart. Most...
Google’s Changing How You’re Ranked… And if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll suffer!
Google has made a lot of positive changes since August and they’re all aimed at creating a better user experience. In other words, it helps you and your customers get better, more relevant results when you Google things like “restaurants nearby”...
Targeting on Google (The Power Of Google)
90% of websites on the internet use Google's Ad Network. This means 90% of websites could show your advertisements through Google Ads. You may think, "90% of the internet?–that sounds expensive." Truth is, it is actually less expensive than you'd...
Keyboard Shortcuts
What if you could fly around the keyboard at lightning speed, finishing projects and reports in record time, navigating the internet with ease? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, learning some important keyboard shortcuts can be a handy way...
The Difference Between Paid and Organic Search Results
You just started a new business and you want to get on Google. First, it's important to understand the results that appear when doing a search. There are two different types of results that appear on a results page: Organic Results are...
Thanks For Standing By Us
It’s the time of year when we pause in gratitude for all we have, and to appreciate all those who make our lives richer. At Hookd, we have much to be grateful for and so many wonderful clients, employees, advisers and partners who have contributed...
Facebook: To Post, Boost, or Buy Ads?
Facebook can be a great place to connect with your customers. After all, there are 2.27 billion active monthly users and your customers are likely among them! When it comes to engaging with your potential audience, Facebook has a few different...
The Use of Color In Design
Green with Envy, seeing Red, feeling blue, black sheep, gray area, white lie... you've probably heard these phrases before. Much of their effect comes from the feelings connected to the colors. Color is a powerful tool for conveying emotions and...
Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips for Kids, Adults, and Homeowners
Halloween comes once a year and is a fun night of spooks and pranks and CANDY! Let's keep it fun and SAFE for everyone with a few reminders on safe Halloween practices to abide by. For the Kiddos: When possible use face paint instead of a...
Digital Marketing Glossary
We've put together a list of the most commonly used terms in Digital Marketing and broke them down. It's a lot to remember, so feeling overwhelmed is normal–but you can always check back here to refresh yourself! A/B Testing – Testing different...
Holiday Marketing and Small Business: How to Find Your Voice During the Peak of Advertising Season
It's hard to believe, but it's that time of the year again. We are weeks away from Halloween, then it's Thanksgiving...and just like that, Boom, we have Black Friday, Christmas and New Years! It can be hard as a small business to compete against...
Email Marketing Is No Longer Optional
If you're like most businesses out there, you might have an email list. You may even send an email to that list when important things happen, but it's not a top priority, nor does it play an active role in your marketing plan. In other words, it's...
Understanding Graphic Design File Types
After you've completed your graphic design project and the designer sends you the files, you may be wondering "What are all these different file types?" That's a great question and one that I will go over here with you. Much can be said about every...
Building A Better Logo
So it's time to build a new logo for your company - let's get started! Having a new logo created can be a fun and exciting opportunity. Now, if you've been paying attention to my blog posts, you know how to find a talented graphic designer. But...
Google My Business 101: Learn to Boost Local SEO
One of the best (and easiest) ways to improve local rankings is by claiming and optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) listing. If that makes you say, "Google my what?" Don't worry! You're about to learn all about this totally free service and...
How to Address a Bad Online Review
Having an online presence for your business is an absolute necessity nowadays because, let's face it, that's where your audience is! However, being online does come with a few caveats that might quell your excitement - one of them being online...
Tips To Help You Find The Best Graphic Designer
If you're a business owner, it's likely that at some point you will need to work with a graphic designer, and like all professionals, there can be good ones and not-so-good ones. So how do you weed through them to find the good designers? As a...
Don’t Miss the Digital Marketing BUS
It’s “Back to School” time which means it's time to hunker down at work and make the final push towards the end of the year. But what does that mean for your marketing budget? MarketingCharts reports a 50% increase in 2017 digital marketing...
What is an SSL Certificate and Why do I Need it?
WHAT IS AN SSL CERTIFICATE? Every day, SSL Certificates secure millions of peoples’ data on the Internet, most often during online transactions or when transmitting confidential information. An SSL Certificate makes sure that all data sent from the...
What is this Inbound Marketing that Everyone is Talking About?
Inbound marketing is the practice of bringing customers to your business through the use of quality, targeted content. With inbound marketing, customers find you through blogs, search engines, and social media. You provide value at every stage of...
Online Traffic by the Minute – The Numbers will Shock You!
Ever wonder how much information is really at your fingertips when searching the web? As you can imagine, it's A LOT and, when you really dive into the numbers, there are billions of users posting, searching, and interacting with that content. For...
Is It Time To Update Your Logo?
Coke and Pepsi - two brands that almost everyone in the world knows. Truly household names, and yet, one brand has changed frequently throughout it's history and the other has basically stayed the same. This begs the question: How do you know when...
8 Tips for an Effective Website
You're building a website and don't know where to start, OR you're in the middle and you're sure something is missing. We're here to help you figure out what your website needs. Here are a few things to think about before the web design process,...
4 Ways to Create Brand Consistency as You Build Your Business
Brand Consistency? What does that even mean? By now you know your brand is more than a logo. It's everything that represents your company from the content you create to the people you hire. As a small business it is easy to have your hand in all...
Email Marketing is Worth Your Time – Four Steps to Creating Effective Emails!
We hear this one a lot... "We have a lot of emails on hand, but we're not sure how to use them or if email marketing is worth our time? What is the result; will it actually increase my sales?" Our reply is usually, "Well, what are your marketing...
What Is A Brand?
Defining a Brand is difficult and depending where you look, you'll get a different definition. If you said, "A Brand is what I think about when I think of a company," you're actually not far off. Consider the above graphic depicting several...
Websites vs. Landing Pages – When Should I Use Each One?
Understanding the different purposes of websites and landing pages is essential if your business relies on online leads or sales. Knowing when to use each one can help you maximize your business' online potential. If your business currently doesn't...
Why Mobile-Friendly Marketing Matters
Many consumers consider their mobile phones a necessity and your customers are no different! They use them to check the weather, shop online, connect with family and friends, and YES, interact with your brand. From your website, to your emails, to...
The Design Process
Have you ever thought to yourself "I have a really cool graphic idea for my business - If only there was an easy way to get it made..." Well you're in luck, there is! If you're new to the design process and working with a graphic designer,...
How To Use Video On Social Media
If you're an active social media user, it should come as no surprise that video is taking over. Did you know that over 8 Billion videos are watched on Facebook every single day?! If you feel overwhelmed when thinking about video, you're not alone!...
Never Second Guess Your Advertising Again!
A message map takes just a few minutes to complete, but it will give you infinite insight into the needs of your customers AND how to communicate with them! This two-minute video will teach you the basics of message...
Build a Customer Centered Business in 4 Easy Steps!
When we design a brand for a new business, or even a brand refresh for an existing business, we talk a lot about what defines that particular brand. We talk about the things that company is best at and what sets them apart from their competitors....
5 Ways for Your Small Business to Still Be Seen on Facebook!
By now you've probably heard that in early January Mark Zuckerberg announced that they will be making major changes to what content will take priority in your Facebook News Feed. You've also probably heard that this is the "Death of small business...
New Year’s Resolutions and How to Keep Them!
Every year the majority of us set our New Year's resolutions with the best of intentions. We decide that we are going to lose weight, drink more water, travel more, or eat out less. We all know those resolutions last about two weeks before we are...
One Easy Way to Advertise for FREE
If you're like most businesses, you're likely marketing on a budget. Here's a quick idea in 40 seconds that will get you started off on the right foot! ">CLICK HERE to view!
Video Helps Convert Customers – Check It Out!
EXPLAINER VIDEOS and PRODUCT VIDEOS have a positive impact on consumers. Can they help you grow your business??
How To Use An Explainer Video
Explainer videos can be very useful! And, they can be used in more ways than you think. Here's a quick idea for you! Just click the icon above to watch our quick blog. CLICK HERE to view video!
THIS Is Why Video Is King!
Want to make a splash in the marketplace? You might want to try video!
We’ve Got Our Own “Snapchat” Glasses
Who needs Snapchat glasses when you have these classics??? THIS is how we spend our Fridays at Hookd btw... enjoy your weekend!
Lee’s Mom Helped With The Green Screen – Thank You!!
So, every once in a while we have to humbly thank our mothers. Today we have to thank Lee's mom for putting the finished edge on our new green screen! Thanks Monica - we love it!
Media has changed – Has Your Marketing Plan?
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Snapchat Glasses Are Here – But Will They Stay??
Snapchat is introducing glasses that record video. Will it take off? It's an interesting question and certainly relevant as the future of social media take shape. Here's a great article that explains more about Snapchat glasses! Read More About...
The World’s Ugliest Color
http://time.com/4353765/worlds-ugliest-color-discourages-smoking/?xid=emailshareApparently there is an "Ugliest Color in the World"! It's called Pantone 448 C and it's being used in the marketing world to intentionally turn away customers. Read more below... This is the World's Ugliest Color...
The Power of Facebook and its 1.7 Billion Active Monthly Users!
https://zephoria.com/top-15-valuable-facebook-statistics/Hey you! We need to talk Facebook for a minute. Chances are you have a personal or business Facebook page - maybe even both. Well, it turns out that you are one of 1.7 Billion active monthly Facebook users worldwide. And that number continues to...
In 30 Seconds: Online Marketing
The next installment in our In 30 Seconds series! In 30 Seconds: Online Marketing Learn how using digital marketing can help your business grow and get more leads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbjl5VmP20
Food’s Potential as a Marketing Medium
Food brings back childhood memories of family cooked meals, and it can create new memories through experimentation. These memories are often solid and can be recalled at even a slight scent. Food is relatable to by all - not everyone has all-star...
In 30 Seconds: Why Your Logo Shouldn’t Be Your Favorite Color
Introducing a new webseries from Hookd Promotions! In 30 Seconds: Why Your Logo Shouldn't Be Your Favorite Color When choosing a logo from your company, it is important to keep your customers in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxOAZwmEZas