Still, in the interest of investigating, I made the change for one of our clients and started sharing external links in the comment section instead. Then, I included a call-to-action in the post description to send folks to the comments to get the link. 

Was this a good idea? Maybe, maybe not.

Does a link in the comments really help with LinkedIn engagement?

I was skeptical that this change would be a positive one. To me, it felt like it would just be another barrier to getting folks to click a link they may only be mildly interested in anyway. Would this practice really increase engagement?

After two months of including links in the comments, rather than the post description, here’s what happened:

1. Our client’s engagement rate actually went up! 
   
2. Their link clicks remained stable and/or decreased slightly – no significant change was seen, though. 

There are other variables that could account for higher engagement, however. Engagement could have gone up due to an unusually popular post, for example. So, I gave it more time.

Another two months passed, and our client’s engagement rate continued to increase! …but link clicks continued to slowly fall. 

What does engagement on LinkedIn get you?

When you have a healthy engagement rate on any social platform – which can often be as low as 2-5%, depending on the size of your audience – this typically gains you visibility. When a post gets more engagement, the algorithm is more likely to show it to a wider audience. 

Don’t get too caught up in on-platform metrics, though: above all, being active on social media platforms should feed our goals!… which almost always means getting your audience to leave the social platform, by clicking on one of your links. 

In other words, if your link clickthrough rate is dropping, that means fewer people are clicking through to actually buy from you.

Where should we put our links on LinkedIn? It depends.

If you want to drive folks towards your website, your email list, your webinar, you might as well put that link in the main text of your post. If someone has to make an extra click to access your link, they’re simply less likely to do it.

Website best practices support that, too: one of the guiding principles in website strategy is to make the most sought-after items accessible with as few clicks as possible. This doesn’t mean dumping everything on the homepage… but it does mean removing unnecessary steps. So, when you’re on LinkedIn, you’ll want to remove that unnecessary step, too.

If you’re specifically looking to reach new people, however, you may want to keep links out of the main text of your post, and go for that higher engagement rate. If you have a well-rounded social media strategy, you’ll be doing a bit of both: some posts will be designed for audience growth, and others will be intended to get those clickthroughs.

In short: if you want someone to click on a thing, make it as easy as possible for them to do so.

Are you at your wit’s end with the “fun” quirks of social media?

The Social Shift is here to guide you through building an approach that fits your business and your capacity. Learn more and get started.

Our businesses give us a platform to seed and amplify radical ideas on social media. That can be pretty exciting, but it can also feel scary to put yourself out there in that way. 

We’ve searched our feelings and analyzed our bounty of client data, and compiled some engaging content prompts with a social justice bent to seed your thinking:

1) A bold statement that advocates for change within your industry or community: a lot of us started our own businesses after working in corporate, and experiencing firsthand exactly how much the cultures of patriarchy, racism, and ableism hurt all of us. Say it out loud, and spark that conversation.

2) Cultural observances that matter to you: dates like Juneteenth, Pride Month, Trans Day of Visibility, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Latinx Heritage Month, and AANHPI month give us great opportunities to uplift strategically undervalued populations, and talk about creating a more just world.

3) Book or media recommendations: share your values by telling your audience about books, articles, and even podcasts that explore important societal issues.

4) Businesses that share your values: this could mean talking about a business you partner with, but it can very easily be simply highlighting local businesses you love, especially if they’re Black-, Indigenous-, POC- and/or Queer-owned.

Content like this has consistently felt genuine and rewarding to share, both for us and our clients. They’ve also delivered measurable results, time and again!

Want to learn about other ethical ways to market your business? Join us each week for The Radical Marketer. Or if, after this year’s events, you’re looking to give your online marketing a complete overhaul, check out The Social Shift.

Now, if you’ve been following along with me these past few months, you can guess my feelings about giving Meta access to even more of our time, energy, and money. On the other hand, I DO love an efficient tech stack. The idea of one less app is pretty appealing.

Is Edits actually good enough to replace tools like Canva or CapCut, though? Before you cancel any subscriptions, here’s what you should know:

Edits is intuitive, but with limitations

Thus far, users are saying Edits is pretty intuitive for non-designers! It also lets you post directly to Instagram and gives you full access to Instagram Reels features that social schedulers don’t have.

However, it doesn’t let you stitch together multiple video clips, due to its basic editing capabilities. Edits is also not ideal if you rely on templates to make Reels – it doesn’t support them. And, if you don’t like working on tiny screens, you won’t like that Edits is only available to use on your phone. 

Compare that to tools like CapCut and Canva, where you can:

• edit videos on both mobile and desktop
• access an extensive library of templates and assets
• use more advanced editing capabilities, like combining multiple video clips

Canva is also an especially good option for small teams and organizations, because it offers easy sharing and collaborative editing. 

Keep in mind, however: Canva and CapCut require a paid plan to unlock some of their more helpful features and libraries, and non-designers may find it to be less intuitive to use.

Ultimately, it all comes down to which option best fits your style, your time, and your business needs. Your video editing skill level – and how complex you want to get with your Reels – will help determine which tool is right for you.

Over the past few months, it seems like online marketing (social media) has been turned upside down. From the latest (infuriating) Meta updates to the TikTok ban, to the possibility of breaking up Google’s search and advertising tools, major changes seem to be hiding around every corner.

For small businesses that rely on these tools to connect with clients, big shifts like this can feel overwhelming. But what’s causing these sudden changes, and how can you prepare for what’s next? Let’s break it down.

Why Are These Big Changes Happening Now?

Government Pressure

Governments around the world have been scrutinizing the tech industry for monopolistic practices and privacy concerns. In the U.S., we’ve been working to break up companies like Google to cultivate more competition in the tech industry. Similarly, TikTok has been banned in other countries like Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and Somalia due to “data security concerns” – and the U.S. is following suit. 

Politics

With tech giants like Zuckerberg and Musk getting more involved in questionable politics every day, they’ve zeroed in on social media’s ability to spread information. They’ve made it their mission to silence those speaking up, keep us isolated and in the dark, and prevent us from organizing further.

How Can Small Businesses Roll With the Changes?

1. Diversify Your Online Presence

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Do your best to show up on multiple platforms – but remember to put the most focus on where your audience is now or is headed next. 

While you’re at it, you’ll want to re-engage with or start building your email list, and make sure your website and SEO are dialed in, so your small business won’t be entirely reliant on a single external platform. Heck – maybe it’s even time to give Bluesky a go! 

2. Explore Video and Experiment With Trends 

Platforms are prioritizing short-form video, live streaming, and other content trends. If a given trend or format makes sense for your business, giving them a test drive can give you a competitive edge. 

Signs are pointing towards a video-centric social media world, so think about what video content would look like for your small business. (if the thought of video makes you cringe, we have a few tips to make it easier!)

3. Choose Community

Platforms may change, but folks will always value connection and quality content. Build a loyal online community by being genuine, telling your story, and using your unique skills and knowledge to help them through their struggles.

The Gist 

Yes, the digital landscape has been shifting faster lately. But small business owners are no strangers to adapting and being resourceful. You’ll need to mix up your strategies, try out new content formats, and focus on nurturing your audience to navigate the changes ahead effectively. Big changes are inevitable, but the silver lining is that they’re also opportunities to experiment with and nurture new ideas.

Ready to future-proof your online marketing strategy? Let’s start planning for what’s next together.

But what is social SEO?

Social SEO refers to collectively optimizing your social media profiles and content. The goal is to make your social easier to discover on a given social platform and by search engines like Google. And yeah, Google may be going through some big changes soon, which makes social SEO even more important. 

While social media platforms are certainly not search engines (you’re thinking of Pinterest), many have built-in search functionalities. This means that the content you post on social can also rank and be discovered via a Google search, just like copy on your website! 

Social SEO can give your profile and content a boost by getting your content in front of more eyes.

Some First Steps to Give Your Social SEO a Bump:

1. Optimize Your Profiles 

Polish up your Instagram and TikTok bios, select a single profile photo to be featured across all social platforms, write a headline and set up highlights on your Instagram profile. Not sure how to approach it? We’re covering all of this over on Social Media Snack Break – sign up to learn all about it!

2. Be Thoughtful With Your Hashtags 

Use a mix of trending hashtags (between 10k-1 million posts are using it), niche hashtags (specific to what you do, #WebDeveloper), and branded hashtags (#YourBusinessName) to increase the chance of your content being seen. Don’t overdo it though – focus on 5-10 relevant hashtags per post. Otherwise, you might end up looking spammy to the algorithm and your audience.

3. Post Consistently

When you regularly post content that provides real value to folks, they’re much more likely to stick around and engage with you! That results in your content being prioritized in social media searches. Note: “regularly” does not necessarily mean daily! Even once per week can work if you do it consistently.

4. Give Your Images and Videos a Description

Use alt-text to give the images in your social content a keyword-rich description. This helps search engines identify what exactly your content is about and include it in relevant searches. 

5. Cross-Promote Content

Share your social media content across different social platforms, websites, and blogs. Cross-promotion can give your content a healthy engagement boost and build backlinks that benefit both social SEO and traditional SEO.

My recommendation for busy business owners: Start with small changes, like refining your social profiles with keywords, and build from there. Over time, you’ll see these social SEO strategies increase your reach and engagement.

But what even is social SEO?

Social SEO refers to collectively optimizing your social media profiles and content. The goal is to make your social easier to discover on a given social platform and when using search engines like Google. 

While social media platforms are certainly not search engines (you’re thinking of Pinterest), many have built-in search functionalities. This means that the content you post on social can also rank and be discovered via a Google search, just like copy on your website! 

Social SEO can give you a noticeable boost by getting your content in front of more eyes.

Some First Steps to Give Your Social SEO a Bump:

1. Optimize Your Profiles 

Polish up your Instagram and TikTok bios, select a single profile photo to be featured across all social platforms, write a headline and set up highlights on your Instagram profile. Not sure how to approach it? We’re covering all of this over on Social Media Snack Break–sign up to learn about it!.

2. Be Thoughtful With Your Hashtags 

Use a mix of trending, niche, and branded hashtags to increase the chance of your content being seen. Don’t overdo it though – focus on 5-10 relevant hashtags per post. Otherwise, you might end up looking spammy to the algorithm and your audience.

3. Post Consistently

When you regularly post content that provides real value to folks, they’re much more likely to engage with it! That results in your content being prioritized in social media searches. Note: “regularly” does not necessarily mean daily! Even once per week can work if you do it consistently.

4. Give Your Images and Videos a Description

Use alt-text to give the images in your social content a keyword-rich description. This helps search engines identify what exactly your content is about and include it in relevant searches. 

5. Cross-Promote Content

Share your social media content across different social platforms, websites, and blogs. Cross-promotion can give your SEO a healthy engagement boost and build backlinks that benefit both social SEO and traditional SEO.

My recommendation for busy business owners: Start with small changes, like refining your social profiles with keywords, and build from there. Over time, you’ll see these social SEO strategies start to significantly increase your reach and engagement.

Obviously, you want someone with professional graphic design experience and a discerning eye, who knows how to create beautiful, made-for-you content. But more importantly, they should also be someone you can trust to make smart decisions for your business, and put your business first.

Those are just the basics of what makes a good Social Media Manager. But if we dig a little deeper, what else should you look for to find your perfect match?

Look for the expertise you don’t have time to learn.

You’re a busy business owner! You may be social media savvy, but you don’t have time for it and you certainly don’t want to spend your limited time on: brainstorming content ideas, researching trends, panicking about making a reel with your face in it, creating and scheduling a consistent flow of social content, and spiraling into a state of overwhelm because the choice paralysis of what to say on social is real. 

When you hire a Social Media Manager, that person is there to give you back time you would have spent managing your social. Give yourself permission to set boundaries with your social media time and only spend what you genuinely want to dedicate to it. Being freed from that responsibility is a huge gift and will give you time to do what you truly love in your business. 

Look for social media skills that get you noticed fast – but not too fast. 

A Social Media Manager has tools and strategies to create content that resonates with your audience and build you a loyal following. That being said, if your business is brand new to social media, you should be wary of someone who promises to provide you with a large amount of followers in a short period of time. You could be signing on for shady tactics like using bots, or even buying followers!

Unpaid, organic growth on social takes time and a lot of careful planning. With the right Social Media Manager, they’ll definitely get you followers–it probably won’t happen overnight, but those followers are real people who will stick around because they love what you have to offer.

Two is better than one – in fact, three is even better!  

It goes without saying that a Social Media Manager who is part of a marketing team, will give you more bang for your buck than a solo Social Media Manager. When you work with a team, you get multiple eyes and creative minds collaborating to make awesome social content for your business. 

A team also has a process set in place in which each team member plays a key role. In this way, a team has the ability to manage multiple responsibilities that would be too overwhelming for a solo Social Media Manager. 

A project manager (like Anna) gets to know your business and what you’re specifically looking for in terms of social media management. Then the Social Media Manager (like Kaïa) collaborates with you to create and schedule tailored social content. Meanwhile, a Creative Director (like Sarah) jumps in at multiple points during the process to brainstorm, provide creative guidance, edit designs and copy, and otherwise ensure everything is meeting your expectations. A team gives you a seamless social media management experience. 

Go beyond overrated trends and traditional marketing strategies. 

Find someone who isn’t just following the crowd. When you rely too heavily on trends and traditional marketing strategies, you fall into the trap of doing what everyone else is also doing to get noticed on social media. The latest TikTok trend may seem like it’s everywhere, but does it even fit your brand? 

When you go against the tide of trends and traditional marketing, you can discover your own innovative ways to market your business. Not only will you challenge the norm, your content will also better align with your brand, and thereby make you stand out. 

Find someone whose values align with your own. 

Do you care about building an ethical small business? You’ll have a far easier time working with a social media team who shares your values! 

People who share your values will more automatically “get” your perspective and your voice. You also won’t have to waste your precious time explaining things like social justice, business ethics, or other issues you care about. 

We believe in community over competition. We know we’re stronger when we work together. We see that Portland needs your expertise, unique outlook, diversity, and yes… weird quirks too! Your business helps make Portland a place worth calling home and we want to help you spread the word.

Welcome to the land of “zombie websites” – websites plagued by outdated, lackluster content that drains the vitality from your business’ online presence. Oh no!

Your website serves as the face of your business, often helping potential customers form their first impressions. But, the face of your business could just as easily scare them away! 

Symptoms of a Zombie Website

Fortunately for you, brave zombie-hunter, zombie websites are easy to spot. They exhibit symptoms like: high bounce rates (ooo!), dwindling traffic (ahh!), and low engagement (oww!). 

Imagine this: You enter a grocery store with dusty shelves and expired products. You’d turn around and leave without a second thought, wouldn’t you? This is exactly how visitors feel when they stumble upon your zombie website. 

Customers want a brand that is posting fresh content that looks towards the future. They trust a brand that demonstrates it’s here for the long haul, and is on the hunt for innovative new ideas! An outdated website not only repels potential customers but also stains your brand’s credibility. 

How to Revive Your Zombie Website 

Want to bring your website back into the land of the living? Well, then it’s time to clear away those cobwebs and perform some CPR on your content:

1. Search for Inspiration: To inspire your efforts, take a look at before-and-after examples of websites that transformed from lifeless to lively. 
2. Content Audit: Track down the areas of your website that need some life breathed into them. Identify outdated blog posts, old product or service descriptions, and irrelevant pages.
3. Refresh & Rewrite: Update your website’s content with the latest information and bring it into the modern era, while being careful to maintain your brand voice.
4. Optimize for SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords and meta descriptions to enhance search engine visibility. Fresh content is the Google algorithm’s favorite snack!
5. Enhance User Experience: Improve readability by using shorter paragraphs, clear headers, and opting for engaging images and videos. 

Measure the Success of Your Revived Website

How do you know if your efforts have paid off? Here are a few stats to keep an eye on:

• Organic Traffic: An increase in organic traffic shows your fresh content and SEO optimization is working.
• Bounce Rate: A decreased bounce rate indicates that visitors are engaging more with your content.
• Conversion Rate: Improved content often leads to higher conversion rates.

Consistency is key to your website’s success. Don’t stop here, either: you’ll want to regularly update your content to prevent a zombie website relapse. Remember, your website is your business’ digital identity. Don’t be an unhelpful bystander and doom your website to a zombie half-life. Be the hero who resurrects it from the dead!

Does reviving your zombie website feel like too much to stomach? That’s okay! Our Upswept Team of expert zombie-hunters is here to save the day. We’ve got an arsenal full of tools that are sure to bring your website back stronger than ever.